You, we (and anyone else intending to keep your friendship) know that there’s a separate stomach compartment for desserts. “Room for dessert?” is thus to be known as a rhetorical question.

Rather than reminding everyone of this each time at the dining table, you could join us in a social cause to serve desserts before dinner.  The following dessert institutions may be our best advocates for such a worthy change.

Customers lining up out the door at Pasticceria Papa are there for one thing; the most swoon-worthy ricotta cake. This delicate cinnamon-sprinkled, sponge-encased, ricotta is just, so, yum, it’s, like, ah … sorry can’t talk, mouth full. Mmmmm. There are other Italian treats like the ever popular Tiramisu cake or a selection of fresh cannoli, panzerotti and biscotti. Best to order the small or large cakes ahead but some are available from the counter and, at a pinch, can be served straight to the table in the signature brown boxes.

Now for an Italian beating the French at their own game. Adriano Zumbo Patissier is a galley-sized shopfront with an eye-popping display. Ring in advance for full-size Millefeuille aux vanilla (a thousand layers of yummy vanilla goodness) or Tarte aux fruits de la passion (that’s a fruit tart to you, Monsieur). There are plenty of single serve pastries too, like brioche baked with custard and chocolate, ready to go hand to mouth.

Did somebody say dessert warehouse? Duccio Gelato is a family owned business selling gelato and sorbet. Pick up a gelato log to easily serve ten people, made to order with your choice of two flavours decorated with white and dark chocolate.

Social revolution every now and then can be a very sweet thing.

Pasticceria Papa, 145 Ramsay Street, Haberfield 2045, (02) 9798 6894

Adriano Zumbo Patissier, 296 Darling Street, Balmain 2041,

(02) 9810 7318

Duccio Gelato, 92 Queens Road, Five Dock 2046, (02) 9713 6720