Reviews & Media
We have been lucky enough to get a little bit of notice in our fine local press, here are some of the things they have had to say:
Local Flavor - August 2009
"It takes a sassy lady to open a restaurant called The Tart's Treats - and sassy is a good description of owner ReBecca Williams and her fun take on a downhome diner. The location at 301 Guadalupe (right next to Kinko's) is action-central. A great place to stop in for a quick breakfast or lunch, take advantage of the free wireless internet service and hop back to work. It's also a great place to plant yourself for several hours if you're doing the home-office thing as it's bright and airy and everyone's pretty laid back. I had The Rafael sandwich, described on the menu as "if the Ruben and Rachel got together" and yes, it was a perfect marriage. My pal had The Hippie, basil pesto mayo, greens, tomato, sprouts, avocado, cucumber and provolone. What's not to like? The charm of the place is its homegrown, homemade character with a genuine character at the front of the house making sure everybody's happy.
The Santa Fe New Mexican - 6/30/2009
COMFORT FOOD WITH 'A HINT OF ATTITUDE'
There's yet another new restaurant in Santa Fe, and folks who find themselves hunting for a decent breakfast or lunch in the North Guadalupe Street/Paseo de Peralta area will be happy to know that it's not just another greasy spoon...
The Tarts' Treats (301 N. Guadalupe St., 986-6866) opened its doors in the former location of The Daily Café (and before that, The CD Café) a few weeks ago. It is in many ways a family affair, one originally sparked by the main proprietor's passion for cooking — and her recent unemployment. Owner ReBecca Williams worked in the jewelry business in Santa Fe for the past 12 years. After being laid off last February, she took a friend's advice and began assembling goodie baskets at home to generate some cash. "I had nothing better to do, so I took $60 I had made at a yard sale, purchased the ingredients I needed, and baked some cookies, muffins and a cake," she said. "The first week was a tough sell. It took a few times of people seeing my basket and me before they agreed to give it a try."
Within a few weeks, Williams could no longer keep up with the demand for her treats. She needed a bigger work space — and some extra help in the kitchen. "My sister Cat was also unemployed after having just moved back to Santa Fe," Williams explained. "She began helping me bake and sell." In May she suggested we look for a commercial kitchen, as we had outgrown my two ovens at home, and our small operation was taking over my house."
The pair surveyed a few properties, but nothing seemed appropriate. "We looked at a few spaces that had at one time or another been used as restaurants. None of them were right. Either the location was horrible, or the space itself needed way to much work to get it up and running."
As they were leaving one potential location, the realtor mentioned the old CD Café property. "All of the equipment was for sale, and the space was available to lease. We looked at it and it felt right — scary as hell, but right." Williams made an offer on the property that same day, and The Tarts' Treats opened to the public on June 8.
Williams explained that there is one general rule for the new venture: "if its something we can do in-house, we will." ReBecca, Cat, and others (one gentleman close to the sisters explained that he was happy to be pulled out of retirement to cook) make their own granola, cure their own salmon lox, make their own stocks for soup, and do the baking — with the exception of breads and bagels — on the premises.
"If I had to describe what it is we do, I think the best way would be 'comfort food with a bit of attitude,' " ReBecca said. Salads, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and a daily soup and quiche might not immediately sound like 'tude food, but when you look closely at the menu, it makes more sense. The Communist Manifesto sandwich (aka The Cuban) with pork tenderloin, honey ham, Swiss, and pickle on baguette is "served with a side of socialism," and "The Santa Maria" — sourdough stuffed with fresh roasted turkey, mayo, cream cheese, lettuce, cranberry sauce, and basil pesto — offers something you might find "if the pilgrims sat down with the Italians."
Those house-cured lox taste clean, bright and delicious, and with a toasted plain bagel loaded with cream cheese, sliced ripe tomato, cucumber and red onion, it's a meal all on its own ($9). I tried the "Tarts' Special" sandwich: baguette, garlic butter, silky prosciutto, brie, arugula, tomato and apricot preserves ($9). And now I'm hopelessly addicted to it. That and an iced café mocha crafted with locally roasted Ohori's coffee make for a perfect lunch. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Williams sisters happen to be gracious and fun-loving hosts. I will be in for breakfast soon. Who could resist a bowl of "Not Your Mama's Oatmeal" with milk, Granny Smith apples and a brown sugar/butter crumble, or one of those house-baked muffins?
"Right now, our biggest challenge is getting people in the door," ReBecca said — "second only to getting enough sleep." Welcome to the restaurant business, ladies! So far so delicious. The Tarts' Treats is open (and offers free wireless Internet service) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. "Sundays," ReBecca added, "we're closed for sanity."
From the Santa Fe New Mexican
Some of our customers have reviewed us on Yelp.com:
Sam A. said:
"This place is owned and operated by two sisters and has replaced my personal favorite Daily Cafe, and the CD Cafe, both of which closed last year (at the same location). let's hope there isn't a curse on the location itself because I think these sisters mean business. The menu looks awesome and they have smoothies and a wide selection of soft drinks and what looks like an incredible Cobb Salad.
Today I ordered the vegetarian "Hippie" Sandwich which is whole wheat bread and provolone cheese with lots of veggies and it was great in that it didn';t even feel like I was eating an all-vegetable sandwich at all... This place is close to my bank and my work, so I know I'll be hanging out there quite often."
Marilyn J. said:
If for no other reason, get to this unassuming little place and grab a "bread pudding muffin" if there are any left. This is a taste experience. If the other things they bake are as special as this, I may have to reserve a daily table there.
Another comment from one of our customers:
Greetings ReBecca!
I just had to comment on the sandwich I ordered for take-out today (prosciutto, brie, apricot jam). Wow! I shared it with someone here at the office and I swear, we were moaning with delight. I almost was tempted to smear it in my hair and sing.
Seriously, it’s one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. Thank you for the smiles and yummy lunch.
Ginger Clarke
A nice little mention on The Examiner.com
Where to get H&H bagels in Santa Fe, New Mexico
“They’re the best”, say New Yorkers, and now a new place in town, The Tart’s Treats, not only ships various kinds of H&H bagels in to Santa Fe, they also cure their own salmon to put on top! If only they were open on Sunday morning, which is when we all want bagels and lox.
The morning I went to check it out, a man waiting at the counter told me some of their pastries were the best he’s ever tasted, and he’s a professional private chef in town. I passed by a young guy eating a breakfast burrito with bacon ($5)—“Fantastic”, he said when I asked him how it was, “In fact, the best breakfast burrito I’ve ever eaten”. Wow, I'll come back for that. His girlfriend was eating a very big bowl of fancy oatmeal.
Note: Upon tasting my poppyseed H&H bagel, I remember them as having a different texture—which could be due to the season and whether the flour is winter wheat. Anyway, the flour wasn’t as hard, and they weren’t as chewy. I brought half of it back to my knowledgeable bagel friends having coffee at Downtown Subscription, and they pronounced it a good bagel and with a better texture than others.
The Tarts Treats, serving breakfast and lunch, at 301 N.Guadalupe, 505- 986-6686