So when we first started planning our trip to San Francisco,
all I kept hearing was “We have to go to Tartine!” and “I want to go there for
breakfast every day, they have the best Muesli in the world!”
He had been to the city before (I had not) and it had left
quite an impression on him.
I also looked it up on urbanspoon and the reviews are
remarkable and it currently ranks at #2.
So, of course, our first morning in town we headed straight
to Tartine.
The building is not much from
the outside, in fact there is only a tiny sign inside the window letting you
know that it is a bakery. I suppose more then that isn’t really necessary
because what draws people to Tartine are the smells of delicious baked goodness
in the air and a line that can wrap around the entire block.
We got lucky and there were only 12 or so people in line
before us, however finding a place to sit would prove to be very challenging. There
were just a few tables inside (of this tiny building) and a couple outside, and
we noticed that with the large crowd people were just hoping to find a seat
anywhere they could. We waited in line and hoped for the best – maybe someone
would happen to get up as we were going to sit?
So we knew going in to this that we would each be getting a
Bowl of Museli (toasted whole grains, whole-milk yoghurt, fresh and dried
organic fruits and toasted nuts $6.50) but we also wanted to look through the
display cabinet and pick out a few extras (planning to take them with us,
unless of course we ate them all). The first thing I saw in the window was a
Gigantic Chocolate Chip, Walnut and Oatmeal Cookie for just $2.25. It was about
the size of a 45 record (yes, I know that dates me a little) and I simply had
to have it! We also got a slice of Passion Fruit Lime Bavarian (lime-moistened
genoise with passion fruit Bavarian, topped with sweetened cream and coconut
$6.05) and a 4” Lemon Cream Tart (sweet pastry shell filled with rich lemon
cream, topped with unsweetened cream $6.75) and a cup of Coffee.
So as he paid the bill (more then $30) I actually saw two
people get up and so I went over and asked the other guy if I could join the
table and he said “Of Course”.
Hooray! We had a seat!
Hooray! We had a seat!
We started with the Muesli. I took my first bite and although the
texture was good and it seemed fresh I could tell that it had not been
sweetened at all. (I’m sure a little honey would have helped, it was available
but I decided to eat it the way it was since there were so many other sweet
things that we would be eating) Then I looked up at him with his sad face and
then he said “It’s not the way it use to be”. He felt a little
disappointed (I feel) because he had remembered it in such a fond way and then
when this didn’t taste the same he was let down. I felt bad for him, however
I’m sure everything else was going to be delicious.
We then dug in to the Lemon Tart. It had a nice tart taste
and was not overly sweet.
We both liked it a lot.
Then the Passion Fruit Lime Bavarian – Creamy, Sweet, Tangy,
Tart – with a nice Coconut outer layer – very enjoyable (and I’m glad we shared
it because I couldn’t have eaten the whole thing by myself).
We both left full after
this decadent breakfast.
I took my Cookie with me, knowing that it would be a while
before lunch and I would want something in a couple of hours.
When I did have it I realized that not only was this my
favorite item that we got at Tartine, but that it quite possibly was the best
Cookie ever.
It had the perfect balance of Nuts, Chocolate and Oatmeal, and it put a big smile on my face!
It had the perfect balance of Nuts, Chocolate and Oatmeal, and it put a big smile on my face!
I get Tartine and why it gets such good reviews. Personally
I wish they were more of a customer-friendly restaurant with servers and ample
seating, however if it ain’t broke, why fix it? I am quite positive that they
are doing just fine.
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