La Dolce Vita at La Biscotteria

One sniff outside the door at La Biscotteria, and you'll be hooked. Serving handmade pastries and pasta made from authentic Italian recipes, La Biscotteria has perfected the biscotti and more in an unassuming bakery shop in Redwood City on El Camino Real.

Delicious on their own or paired (even dipped) with a dessert wine or gourmet coffee, it's easy to become enamored with these biscotti. Let me count the ways:

The classic anise almond biscotti creates a magical combination of flavors and a big crunch, especially the dark chocolate dipped. 

The lemon version dipped in white chocolate is light and lemony, refreshingly sweet and crunchy, and better than I expected.

The pumpkin biscottini with cinnamon spices and brown sugar makes a great holiday flavor with no nuts, and a more simple approach. I liked them best dipped in Peet's French Roast coffee for breakfast.

My favorite flavor is the orange dark chocolate dipped, a crazily addictive combination of almond crunch, a burst of orange essential oil, and rich dark chocolate. Wow.

I also had to try the pumpkin cannoli made to order. It's like an Italian version of pumpkin pie, with a delightful crisp shell and a creamy pumpkin filling. I can see why it's another classic Italian dessert.

I haven't even made it to La Biscotteria's homemade ravioli or focaccia yet, but according to reviews on Yelp, they're all big hits with customers. The cheese ravioli is available year-round while the butternut squash and meat filled ravioli are only available at special times of the year. The focaccia must be ordered by 3 pm on Fridays and is only available for pick-up on Saturdays between 10 am- 3 pm. I have a feeling their loyal customers don't mind going through these hoops to get their favorite focaccia, especially the artichoke and pesto version, which seems to have rabid fans on Yelp.

There's much more to try and enjoy at La Biscotteria from the amaretti chocolate dipped cookies to the chocolate chip panettone and hand painted ceramic majolica pottery from Umbria, Italy. I will save those to savor and experience later. Good things come to those who wait and to those who make a stop at La Biscotteria.