I was first introduced to Tartine by my sister on a business trip to San Francisco many years ago. It sits in my favorite neighborhood in the Mission District, around the corner from Pizzaria Delfina and Bi-Rite Creamery Anytime I traveled to San Francisco, I did my best to make a stop there for a croissant and a coffee. Fast forward, Tartine Bakery recently opened a few locations in LA (Santa Monica, Sycamore, Silver Lake). Today, I decided to make the trip to Santa Monica in search of their coconut cream tart and a chocolate croissant.

The location in Santa Monica is on the corner of Arizona Avenue and 20th Street with the parking lot entrance off 20th Street. The building is beautiful, and at first, I thought it was an old church, only to find out it was once a funeral home. There is a beautiful garden area out front perfect for outdoor dining when state guidelines allow.

We arrived around 12:30 pm, a bit later than I would have liked to be able to see their full case of pastries, cookies, and loaves. They have a grab and go case which has a variety of beverages, salads, and sandwiches. We decided to try the jambon buerre sandwich and the smoked salmon sandwich. The jambon buerre is thinly sliced country ham, provolone cheese, and a house-made miso maple mustard butter on their country bread. It’s a great take on the classic French ham sandwich. The smoked salmon sandwich has a dill aioli, pickled red onions, cucumber, and fresh dill. Both sandwiches were simply delicious and the bread soft in the middle and the crust crunchy and firm. I’m still dreaming about the smoked salmon sandwich

Their pastries are always divine. I usually go for a morning bun or chocolate croissant, but since we arrived later in the day, they were already wiped out of both those items. So we ordered a plain croissant, brownie, and the coconut cream tart. The brownie is just as brownies should be with a rich chocolate flavor, and dense fudgy texture, and no way you can be eaten in one sitting unless you share it with others. The croissant had thin crispy buttery layers on the outside and soft fluffy on the inside. The coconut cream tart has a more light flaky pastry crust, lined with chocolate and filled with coconut cream filling and topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes. Surprisingly, the coconut tart was very light and can easily be shared between 2 people. I regret not getting a loaf of bread or baguette and not going back in for a banana cream tart or lemon tart to bring home. Clearly, I need to make another trip to Tartine Bakery

COVID-19 Guidelines: They take things seriously at Tartine Bakery, which I appreciate. On their website, they have a section on their main page about guidelines. Currently, it’s only pick up and delivery, and when you pay for your items, they are good about reminding you that they don’t have outdoor dining available. Their Yelp page also talks about guidelines for customers and staff. They have a sign outside to direct people for pick-up orders and directions for those ordering in person, to maintain a 6-foot distance, and to wear masks.

Tartine Bakery, 1925 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404 – (424) 238-8125