Update 2:
This trip up north could be subtitled “The Redemption” in some ways, given how some previous disappointing issues seemed to have turned around on this visit.
Arsicault Bakery (Revisit)
Now on our 4th visit, we can really see why @ipsedixit likes this place so much: Arsicault has been consistently great with their amazing Croissants. 
Croissant:
Time from Oven: 20 minutes.
A feather-like crispness on the outside, yielding to a distinct, fragrant buttery and fluffy interior! SO GOOD! 
It remains our favorite Croissant in the Bay Area. 
Kouign Amann:
On a previous visit, Arsicault’s Kouign Amann was too sugary and a touch too dense for me. But we wanted to give it another try, especially since they just finished up a batch as we arrived early in the morning. 
Taking a bite, it was still sugary and definitely on the sweet side, but it had a beautiful buttery taste that just coalesced together. I think Sycamore Kitchen’s Kouign Amann is the style I prefer more, lighter, more airy, but Arsicault’s is very good in a more dense, compressed style.
Morning Bun:
Their Morning Bun is an interesting Pastry: A cross between a Sugar Donut and something more dense. The initial bite tastes like you’re biting into a Sugar-Coated Donut, but it’s a touch crunchy as well, but then you get this amazing Orange Zest, real fragrant citrusy notes, as well as some Marzipan.
Even on a rainy day, there was a line out the door first thing in the morning, and with good reason: Arsicault Bakery remains a stellar little corner Bakery, in a quiet residential neighborhood, that happens to be creating some of the best Croissants I’ve ever had.
Arsicault Bakery
397 Arguello Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: (415) 750-9460
B. Patisserie (Revisit)
Our initial visit to B. Patisserie on our previous trip was a slight disappointment, because one of their most famous items, the Kouign Amann, was stale(!). But we enjoyed some of the other offerings (like @BradFord’s recommended Passion Fruit Bostock), so we wanted to give them another try.
Kouign-Amann:
We arrived shortly after opening. The Kouign Amann looked gorgeous, a beautiful golden hue similar to @PorkyBelly’s pics. Taking a bite…
Delicious!
It wasn’t stale (like last time), but instead tasted fresh-baked, with a nice crispy exterior and a real, big Butter hit on the palate. It was also lighter and less sugary than Arsicault’s, but really both styles were great on this trip. Thanks @PorkyBelly!
Chocolate Caramel Toffee Mousse:
They had an item we didn’t see last time, a Chocolate Caramel Toffee Mousse, and it was wonderful! The cross section above shows off the strata of delicious flavors: I loved the Dark Chocolate shell combined with the Caramel and the Chocolate Mousse, as well as the nice heart of Toffee inside.
Black Sesame Latte (with Almond Milk):
I fell in love with their Black Sesame Latte the last time we visited, so it was a must order again! And…
Seriously this has to be one of the best Black Sesame Desserts we’ve ever tried! @paranoidgarliclover this is for you (again)! 
It’s so enticingly aromatic, with each sip tasting like you’re sipping light, airy Black Sesame in liquid form, but it’s not as thick as the Chinese Black Sesame Puree Dessert. The touch of Almond Milk enhanced the nuttiness, and it was a nice warming cup of joy during the chilly morning.
Ultimately, both of these Bakeries on this visit redeemed themselves on the Kouign Amann and this was a fantastic start to our trip.
B. Patisserie
2821 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Tel: (415) 440-1700