It wasn’t until I began writing for The Coronado News that I became aware of Tartine. Source after source would ask to meet there for interviews, some kind of locals-only safe haven. So when I returned, alone, I had a fresh perspective and an unanswered question: what makes Tartine the spot?
A quaint cafe and bistro situated facing the bay, Tartine is unassuming. A covered patio leads into the restaurant which boasts a full pastry cabinet and countless bottles of wine. However, it doesn’t feel cramped, and maintains a refined feel through service, presentation and menu selection.
The restaurant offers a large range of European inspired food, with an all-day breakfast menu, dinner menu and specials menu, all at a mid-range price. This time I order from the specials menu, selecting the roasted beet salad and the sausage linguine pasta. The salad features Fuji apple, orange, organic greens, pecans, herb goat cheese and a champagne dressing. The pasta consists of Italian sausage, sweet peppers, white wine tomato sauce and peperoncino cheese.
The wine menu is robust and covers a lot of ground with in-depth descriptions outlining provenance, pairing suggestions and a detailed palate overview.
I sat by the window – prime people-watching real estate. Couples walk hand-in-hand and a parent chases his daughter down First Street. Full of energy and elated, she bounds up and down, her tiny pony tail flinging about. Her father, a lot less elated and a lot more stressed, runs after her.
My salad comes out quickly. Hungry, I dive in. With an impressive size, distribution of dressing and volume of toppings, it is wonderful.
The dinner crowd begins to trickle in and Tartine quickly transforms from the day-oriented cafe I was familiar with to a bustling bistro.
My pasta arrives and the remaining salad is whisked away to be boxed and refrigerated. The servings are hearty, but not gluttonous, a trait I can appreciate. Both left me with a small lunch leftover.
Decadent but not overpowering, the pasta is a hit. The pepper corn notes in the sausage balance well with the roasted sweet peppers and is tied together with the sauce, which is both bright and flavorful.
I would have been neglecting my responsibility if I had ignored the dessert selection. I select the crème brûlée and, not to bury the lede, but it is divine. The caramelized sugar top is still hot and smelled like roasted marshmallows. The cream base is sweet with a wonderful salted note.
Tartine opened 24 years ago and has been a staple of the community since.
Resembling a giant dinner party, I understand what made this place so appealing. Out of the hustle and bustle of Orange Avenue, Tartine stands as a meeting place for locals looking for reliable and delicious food.
Located at 1106 1st Street, Tartine is open seven days a week. Check out the website for more information.
