clafoutis

a must while insantafe. just pure goodness! you must go there for breakfast while insantafe.

french bakery insantafe, sounded curious so after some investigation we arrived for breakfast. they have a display for all sorts of baked goods. my only regret is i didn’t try a standard coffee i went “treat yo self” style and picked up something fancy. it was delicious but not a “strong” coffee. the food was great and i think for some people this is how they start everyday and i am jealous of that sort of food luxury. i look forward to coming back soon.

god bless the french!  as my most recent review had stated, i had pretty much given up on finding a good breakfast insantafe.

i had stopped here a few weeks back, but they were on 'spring break' and closed for a week. 

as i drove by today, even though it was packed, i decided to exercise my patient side and hope for the best.

the luck of the irish came through via a french vessel, known as clafoutis.

i decided to go à la carte and ordered the waffle, a side of scrambled eggs and bacon.

the waffle was baked perfectly, drizzled with chocolate syrup, and presented with a single raspberry on top.

the bacon was spot on and some of the best i have had eating out.  it was only $2, so i actually had (2) sides.

eggs were fluffy and flavorful.  the service was excellent, despite the packed house and the french roast was a very full-bodied, good coffee.

i will visit once more before departingsantafe in a couple weeks.

update:  june 18'

unexpected to be back insantafe during summer, but the best part is being able to enjoy clafoutis a few more times.  little did i know, they serve hash browns!  they are very flavorful, buttered perfectly and my new favorite!

wonderful to sit on the patio in the early hours, before the heat gets too intense.  the owners are so nice and they pour their heart and soul into this place.  the mother/daughter team handles the front end and the father comes in each morning at 1am to make all the delectable pastries, in true french tradition.

don't miss this gem.  super busy, limited parking.  the only knock, if there is one, is the consistency of waitstaff.  super nice, but sometimes the language barrier results in sending an item back.  enjoy!

favorite spot insantafe. have no idea how they do it but everything is superb. crepes are to die for. everything is so light too so you do not feel stuffed. pastries are always a treat.

the new location at 333 w cordova road is stunning, and the food and service is as good as ever. still one of the best breakfast deals (and breakfasts) in town. opens early (7:00 am; early forsantafe), and arriving when it opens is the only sure-fire way to avoid standing in line. friendly staff, divine pastries, and spot-on eggs.

my current fav is the croque madame for breakfast--essentially a grilled ham and cheese with béchamel sauce and an egg on top.

new location across town

you must schedule a food intervention after this place. the closest thing to being in france in the us. amazing bakery and restaurant.

the place was packed at 10am and very fast turnover. no wait, but bustling. greeted in french, quick service and amazing food.

i had a traditional crepe and wendy had coconut french toast. wonderful!

prices are amazingly low for the quality and quantity.

we plan to stock up on the truffles and baked goods for our stay in rehab. 😎

do not miss this when insantafe!

san francisco chowhound was right! thanks!

chill travelers

must stop when staying insantafe. had an omelette and my wife had the croque madame. had to split a caramel peach crepe. eaten there three times in 3 years - all remarkable. small place, so be prepared to wait 15 to 30 minutes. you can always jam in there and get a pastry or two while you wait. trust me, the locals want it all to themselves and you'll see why.

named for a luscious french dessert made by baking fruit in a custard-like batter, clafoutis could just as easily be named déjà vu for the “haven’t i been here before” sensation you experience as you take your place in the long queue of guests waiting to for a table. more than any other french restaurant we’ve visited in new mexico, clafoutis looks, feels, smells and tastes like the french cafes of my travels to france. that’s not just my experience.santafe’s scintillating four-time james beard award-winning author cheryl jamison describes clafoutis as “pretty much like a mini-trip to france and, to me, that pretty much equals a trip to shangri-la.”

disappointed insantafe. this once very charming and well staffed little cafe has become another of those "once upon a time" restaurants. i have eaten here so many times when the wait staff was very accommodating and courteous and the food was really worth the extra price. however, they have hired wait staff that not only lacks any resemblance of being courteous but absolutely will not or maybe, cannot wait on the customer. i ordered a breakfast. the bacon was burned to a crisp. the hash browns were in a puddle of grease and the coffee was barely warm. i asked my waiter for another cup of coffee but was never given a fresh cup. i drank the cold coffee and asked for a warm-up but never got that either. i then asked if i could get a glass of water, but to my dismay, that didn't happen either. the check did come quickly, however! this is one of those wonderful little restaurants that was once a charming and delightful place to eat but that has gone away. there are many restaurants and cafes insantafe that have maintained that special charm and are still attentive to the customer. don't waste your time on this one. i have recommended this little cafe to so many people but it is not the same that it use to be. not only that, the parking is so limited that you will have to park illegally in another merchant's parking place with the risk of being towed.

wonderful!. luckily this review isn't about the parking. i suggest you walk there but however you choose to go, just get there. the food is amazing. i had quiche and my aunt had a sandwich. portions were huge. the pastries were to die for! we leavesantafe tomorrow but before we go i'm stopping by clafoutis to bring some treats home to the family. they'll love me forever!

foundering , is there such word?. i have found i can eat as many pastries as i can hold and not be in the least uncomfortable (4), and not be hungry from the time i eat, 8am, until evening. it boggles my mind that the food, any and all things on the menu are consistently fabulous! plus the coffee is so good, any of it. the sugar cubes. i just cannot tell you how wonderful it is to know i can go there knowing it will be as i expect it!!!
expectations! quite frankly i had given on perfection, but no longer. the class of the place. i have 4 other places i would eat insantafe, maybe 5, but they all come in second place to clafautis. i could go on and on, but their lemon tart is calling. omg! the tartness is perfect, and if you put the lemon piece in your mouth, mmmmm. 'til next weekend.

it’s disconcerting insantafe to be greeted with “bonjour, monsieur.” but at *clafoutis, i’m truly entering a french cafe and all the excellence and attention to detail that brings. it’s a world where baker/co-owner philippe ligier turns out mouth-watering brioche, tartine (like a little pizza), tarte au fromage and chewy baguettes, along with fruit tarts to die for.

excellent bakery. me and my wife who were visitingsantafe on vacation went to clafoutis after a morning of hiking. i had read other reviews and thought we should try it. we absolutely loved it!! i had salami sandwich and cup of onion soup that were both to die for. my wife had chicken salad sandwich with homemade potato chips. the french bread was perfect!! great place forsantafe or for any part of the united states!! i wish there were more places like this around the country

fantastic!. we have eaten at this lovely french cafe multiple times during our last two visits tosantafe. what an incredible place! outstanding in quality. the owner makes you feel welcome. the food is amazing. staff is friendly and efficient. try both breakfast and lunch.

traditional french bistro in nm!. spectacular array of traditional french pastries! all the dishes are prepared wonderfully and the portions are huge! the $5 eggs and croissant is the size of my head. *get there before or after the breakfast/lunch rush - you will wait 30 mins for a table (but not for your food!) ive eaten here a dozen times during my trips tosantafe and have never had a bad meal, pastry, or service!