Photos by C. Whitney-Ward
I admit it. I'm a shopping snob. I don't do malls and I certainly don't do "outlet" malls. That is until the other day when a friend called and invited me to lunch at Café Vingt Cinq - a French café and patisserie at the Santa Fe Fashion Outlets... way...I mean way out on Cerrillos Road. "I've heard that it's swell," he said.
And it was!
Opened five months ago by Joel and Liza Mazire - he's from Normandy & she's from Santa Fe - this bright and welcoming café is full of delicious surprises, especially the perfect French pastries that taste as lovely as they look. Joel trained as a pastry chef and worked at La Fonda's French Pastry Shop for years turning out memorable and authentic pastries. The Mazire's three children also work in the café - in the front and the back of the house.
To whet your appetite...
These hefty croissants are filled with ham, green chile and ooze cheese. Wonderful.
Fresh & crusty breads are baked daily.
And the lunch menu has tantalizing offerings of soups, salads, sandwiches, crepes and quiches. We opted to order from the chalkboard specials menu.
Torte Normande (above) & Chicken and Green Chile Crepe.
They were absolutely delicious.
And the fresh & crisp salad that accompanied was dressed with a simple but memorable vinaigrette with a delightful hint of mustard. And, we couldn't resist ordering the French fries.
The decor is simple with touches of Paris here and there. And, I promise, one bite of Joel's Napoleon and your there!
Café Vingt Cinq
Santa Fe Fashion Outlets
8380 Cerrillos Road
505.474.7300
