The French Pastry Shop
Ever find yourself feeling unenthusiastic about another green chile burrito? Me neither. However, when I find myself hungry for a simple lunch of salad, a crepe and excellent coffee, I head to The French Pastry Shop located on San Francisco Street. (You can also enter from inside the Hotel La Fonda lobby.)

Simple, fast and exquisite fare in a beautifully rustic, cozy atmosphere. Ideally situated for lunch after touring the Cathedral or walking the Plaza, the atmosphere is a cross between a brasserie and a bistro, though no alcoholic beverages are sold. The tables are small and slightly crowded which only adds to the charm.

We tried to avoid the lunch rush by arriving after 1 pm. A few tables were open but not many. We found one by the window with ample room for my companion and her newborn. Our waitress Michelle appeared very quickly and we promptly ordered. The menu is not extensive, so ordering is not a difficult chore. You may select from luncheon crepes, traditional brasserie sandwiches, standard American sandwiches and a variety of salads, soups and quiches. If you only have eyes for pastry, though, indulge! Every variety of fruit crepe is available with or without ice cream. Or take a tour of the huge selection of fresh pastries offered in the case. All pastry is made on the premises, from what I remember including the croissant dough.

Our order arrived in stages, at a comfortable pace. The table was not quite large enough to support both orders, so we placed some things on the wide window ledge next to us. Our first course was the Salad Nicoise. Everything was just as I desired it to be. For $7.25 you could hardly expect fresh tuna and this was understandably from a can. It was a tad pungent but on the whole the salad was wonderful. Thinly sliced potatoes, quarters of perfectly-cooked eggs, generous tomatoes and bib lettuce. A few olives were scattered about. If we had had a piece of socca, it would have been complete. The spinach crepe was scrumptious, as usual. The spinach is creamy and velvety in nature with long strings of swiss cheese. Washed down with a tea and a hot chocolate, this was a just right for a quick Friday lunch before finishing up work for the weekend. Lunch for two was $18.36 with tax and w/o tip.

The French Pastry Shop
La Fonda Hotel
100 East San Francisco Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.983.6697
No credit cards