Tartine Santa Monica — Restaurant in Santa Monica

I’ve blown my entire per diem before on Tartine pastries alone in SF. And if I had work travel in LA, I would, here, too.

This is undoubtedly the prettiest Tartine location to date, as I confirmed during a brief LA visit. It features a gorgeous terrace garden out back with shaded seating.

I first visited on a Thursday during the busy weekday lunch window. The Farmers Bowl salad was life-changing: large farro grains, each kernel cooked to perfect consistency, the right balance of pistachio pistou, a lovely presentation of pomegranate and grape among clouds of feta. Simply scrumptious. It was so good, I returned that Sunday to have it again. Last I checked the Farmers Bowl is an exclusive at the Santa Monica locations: Santa Monica, Venice. Since returning back home I’ve endeavored to reproduce this dish, with all the same ingredients, in my own kitchen—a pale imitation, but a small reminder of why the west coast truly surpasses all when it comes to bakeries and fresh farm-style cuisine.

Like any other Tartine location, the pastries are outstanding. Highlights: banana cream tart sells out quickly (others—lemon, coconut—are good too), lemon poppyseed tea cake is superb (reheating at home brings out some nice hidden flavors), bacon chive scone is downright delicious (and I had it re-toasted at two-days old), tres leches cake was rich and moist, morning bun is always a staple. Had I had more luggage carry-on space, I would’ve taken with me a loaf or two of their breads.

Dine-in service was great. No wait staff, but they bus and take orders to your table by number. Staff were polite and helpful with my first-timer questions.

The atmosphere is overall very open, inviting. If you’re unlucky you may find yourself overhearing a couple of startup bros the next table over, and have to endure their vapid upspeak. But that’s anywhere in LA/SF. Bring a friend or two, and this would make a wonderfully pleasant afternoon.

Some other tips. There’s plenty of street parking around, if you want to forgo the $1/45min lot fee. I see their rationale though: it’s enticing to stay longer.

This location also has dog treats, which I can attest are dog approved. Either it was the other pastries or my friend’s dog was able to sniff out, without me opening a single box, that I had brought back goods for her too.

TL;DR: Farmers Bowl salad =...

I was going to be in the area for another experience and figured I'd look up some well rated places for brunch. The exterior of Tartine was quaint so I decided I would give them a shot. Tartine has a lovely covered outside eating area and the interior of the restaurant is quite nice.

Outside of that I have to say that my expereince was middling, at best. Tartine is a general counter service restaurant which I do enjoy however for the prices they are charging I would expect a more personal touch to service. When we got to the counter the cashier was polite but outside of our interaction with her there was no real interaction with any of the other employees. Even when our food came the server was brusque and started setting the food down before asking either my friend or myself who ordered which plates. I dont necessarily mind quick and prompt service but there's a difference between efficency in communication and just sloppy serving.

I figured at least the $17 Omelette would be qutie good. I was mistaken. I've honestly had a better omelette at Waffle House. The white cheddar completely overpowered all the other flavors in the omelette. There's no real reason to add herbs to an omelette if the cheddar is just going to drown out everything else. Especially since Eggs have a soft flavor themselves it mostly tasted like I was eating just cheese.

Additionally, the Omelette was over cooked. I'd wager by at least a minute. There was little moisuture still within the eggs but it was ok. Just not worth $17 at all.

To accompany the Omelette the dish came with dressed spring mix lettuce and some bread. The bread was fairly decent and probably the best part of the dish. I also ordered a side of bacon which is 2 slices, cooked perfectly in my opionion. However that did cost almost $5 which, just... why so much?

I did not try their pastries but I will say they looked good at least on display. The circumsied ecalir was particularly funny to see. When you see it, you'll understand.

Overall, Tartine is a quaint place to enjoy a meal but unfortunately the meal's do not live up...

Long review warning! TL;DR: Best Baguette in LA. Period.

I got so excited with the baked goods this bakery makes that I felt compelled to leave a review.

I could tell from the moment I picked up their wonderful Baguette that it did not weigh like other Baguettes I purchased here in LA. I couldn't wait to get home to toast it and make a great sandwich.

Massive bubbles greeted me inside and I toasted it for a few minutes in a standard toaster. The outside turned deliciously crispy without being too tough, while the inside remained moist and flavorful, like a good countryside Baguette.

You would think a Baguette is not a big deal but the truth is that baking a proper Baguette is difficult! Even more so if you try to combine some amount of whole wheat into your Baguette (which will typically result in a dense and heavy bread that is difficult to digest).

A great Baguette is a big deal because it is the foundation of all great sandwiches. Without a great Baguette, your sandwich begins as a failure; it never stood a chance!

Tartine have succeeded where many have failed. Bravo Tartine!