Best of Syracuse: restaurants

Upstate, they’re half moons. Downstate, they’re black and whites. Either way, the cakelike cookies at Mimi’s Bakery and Café on W. Genesee Street claim a local following that began almost 30 years ago. Bakers make the palm-sized treats on site and they come slathered in equal parts real chocolate and vanilla butter cream. Choose between the traditional vanilla cookie base, a denser, chocolate one, or the coconut-sprinkled ones whose covering conjures up fresh snowfall. Despite the half moons’ three decades on top, a newcomer threatens their favorite status: A chocolate upside-down cupcake with vanilla frosting—all coated in milk chocolate—comprises the “peak,” created by owner Gary Nigolian.

Mimi’s Bakery and Café, 260 W. Genesee St. (415) 422-6630. Open Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sat., 6:30 a.m.-2p.m. http://mimisbakeryandcafe.com/