Chocolate Maven Review

Reviewed by rioperro from Santa Fe on 11/28/09
As a native of Santa Fe, I feel that I know many of the restaurants well and this place is great. Fun atmosphere, really good food and nice people work there. Only ding is the parking, which you will get in your doors if you can find it.

Member Rating: 4.8
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by don_braxton from Santa Fe, New Mexico on 5/5/07
This place is so good, its really a gourmet place plus its a ton of fun to watche the bakery in action. We try to bring the whole family when we can. It true that the parking lot is bad, but once you are inside its an amazing experience. The flavors are bold and genuine, with high quality ingredients like free range eggs and meats, handmade aeoli, fresh baked breads. There are lots of vegetarian things, and vegetarian versions of the sandwiches. The salads are huge, fresh and tasty. I like to get the Caesar salad because of the well balanced dressing  not too tangy and not too mellow  and all this genuine Parmesiano Reggiano Cheese shaved over the top. Fabulous! Also the lettuce in every salad is crisp and fresh without any of the funky brown edges you see in most Caesar salads at other places in this price range. The quiche is also the best quiche we have ever tried, with several kinds every day. The thin crust pizzas are little wonders - personal size pizzas with exceptionally good toppings - try the artichoke, or the pepperoni with real imported Italian pepperoni, not the usual you get in your local pizzeria. For breakfast the huevos rancheros are great with some of the best chile in town. The free range eggs really make a difference, along with fresh ingredients, it really gives everything a much better flavor. I would try the Florentine omelet they make with fresh baby spinach and a luxurious extra  hollandaise sauce on top! Save room for dessert, which is difficult, I know, but you just have to try. My suggestion? The Pear Almond Tart! Or, in the summer months they have this ice cream sandwich where they split a brownie in two, then fill it with their own home made ice cream, and then the whole thing gets dipped into dark Belgian chocolate. Oh My God, that is heaven! I am drooling just writing this. I want one right now!

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0