I don't want to get caught up in debate about a sensitive matter, but you see, I'm of the opinion that the original sin was actually dessert.

That's right: Try as I might, I can't resist the sweet stuff, especially the gods' own food, chocolate. In fact, many's the time I've glanced quickly at the entrees and passed directly along to the back of a restaurant's menu to formulate a plan to "save room for dessert." Can there be any other temptation of the flesh more taunting and ubiquitous? When all is said and done, however, there are still distinctions in the dessert world -- a good, better, best ranking of excellence in excess -- so considering that the holiday and entertaining season are already upon us, here's my yearly dip into the vat of voluptuous pleasure: The Ten Best Desserts of 1993:

1: Aromaz:
Absolutely tops for tongue-titillation is the ultimate example of culinary crafting from the bakery of the Pan Pacific, a New York-style baked cheesecake topped with fresh raspberry puree, described by manager Richard Malyk as "a killer," a completely accurate assessment. The cake is sold at the hotel's Aromaz shop adjacent to its front entrance -- perfect take-out party fare.

2: Le Meridien:
They dish up a chocolate truffle cake so rich that it's guaranteed to satisfy any chocolate craving. Not to mention their renowned Chocoholic Bar in the Cafe Fleuri, which offers a consistently extravagant aray of heavenly delights.

3: The Raintree:
Their towering apple-berry pie has garnered local and national awards. It's so high, it might well contain four and twenty blackbirds (but it doesn't).

4: Le Meridien, again:
Yes, they win again, for their bread pudding, made entirely from croissants, and served with vanilla or raspberry sauce. This special dessert is a featured attraction in their elegant Sunday brunch.

5: The Bread Garden:
Linda Meinhardt's recipe for decadent chocolate cake has never been equalled in this town: Still the best. And her bread pudding (particularly the raspberry version) is right up there with the creme de la creme,
as it were.

6: Not Just Desserts:
And could anyone challenge the perfection of NJD's "Sin City"? It's an overwhelming slab of rich, dark chocolate ganache, served up with a dollop of real (not over-sweetened) whipped cream.

7: True Confections:
These shops are open till all hours to satisfy late-night cravings for sweets, such as their fabulous pies, mile-high cakes and of course, their award-winning chocolate marble cheesecake.

8: Richard & Co:
Regularly topping reader's polls for genuine New York-style cheesecake when these places were known as Classic Cakes, their plain cheesecake is divine, even without their yummy toppings.

9: Casa Nova:
There are many contenders for tops in tiramisu, and many that are so good I hate to leave them out, but this place on West Broadway still wins my vote for best in town. Any challengers?

10: Desserts Only By Marie:
This Surrey company offers all home-made confections including Marie's fabulous chocolate cake, wonderful pies and some of the best cheescakes around!

Other desserts of note:
So many cakes, so little time. If you're planning to entertain, a take-out (or delivery) confection might save time and frayed nerves, not to mention the well-documented curative effect of indulging in excess carbohydrates. Forget your diet and try:

Cakes To Go:
These fabulous drop-off catered cheescakes, coffee cakes or pies arrive frozen. They're also Kosher and moderately-priced considering their size and quality. Call Mimi or Dorothy Grad at 604-266-7727 or fax for info to 604-261-9685.

Ice Cream Cakes:
Find frozen ice cream cakes or cheesecake-flavored frozen delectables in supermarkets, at Costco, or call the manufacturer, Bendick Ice Cream Factory (604-324-6330) to find out who sells their product near you. These are the folks who custom-make all-natural ice creams for Brussels Chocolates, Miriam's Ice Cream and Sara's, by the way.

Lazy Gourmet:
You'll find great take-out goodies here, including Susan Mendelson's famous Nanaimo bars (1595 West 6th Ave, 604-734-2507).

Cheesecake, Etc:
Also a great place for take-out cakes, this one is located at 2141 Granville St (604-734-7704).

The Bon Ton:
Long a Vancouver favorite, this cafe and bakery (at 874 Granville SSt, 604-681-3058) is the place for unusual marzipan confections.

Patisserie Bordeaux:
For petits-fours, St. Honore, pit'hiviers,
and croque'm'bouche,
this source at 3675 West 10th Ave (604-731-6551) is perfect.

No-egg or restricted diet cakes:
Catering to people with allergies to wheat gluten, eggs, milk and other items, these bakeries will make custom cakes:

Parkhill Bakery
(604-324-4966),

Cake Master
(604-254-7158 or 604-254-5289),

Leon's Kosher Deli & Bakery
(also good for chulla, 604-736-5888),

Uprising Breads
(604-254-5635)

and Victoria Bakery
(604-321-1555).

European Cheesecake Factory:
This outlet brings its Alberta-made cakes, pies and cheesecakes (as well as savory items like quiches) into town frozen, in sizes from petite to slab. Their Key Lime cheesecake sells for $20. Call 604-533-1481 or fax to 604-533-2481).

Goldilock's Bakery:
With the Chinese New Year not too far off, you might want to try a lucky sticky-cake or potato cake from this restaurant and bakery at 1606 West Broadway (604-736-7744).

Valley Bakery:
This is my favourite source for cheese buns, at 4058 Hastings, Burnaby (604-291-0674).

Adam & Eve:
Last but not least, Seasons in the Park provides the Garden of Eden Chocolate Cake.