Where to Eat: Santa Fe

After taking a look at the menu and philosophy of Tree House Pastry Shop and Cafe, I knew I had to go there for a meal. According to the cafe's website, "[it] is an all-organic, vegetarian pastry shop and cafe with a menu based on the local agricultural products grown and harvested in and around Santa Fe" -- definitely right up my alley! Given that the kitchen closed at 3p on Saturdays, and was not open on Sunday or Monday, I had to make this cafe my first destination. I booked it straight there after arriving in Albuquerque. (Santa Fe is about an hour and a half drive north of Albuquerque.) There was a slight snafu when I discovered the directions I had printed out the night before were to the cafe's old address, but luckily Google maps on my BlackBerry helped lead me to the right place.

The cafe is located in the Lena Street Lofts, a new loft development that intermixes loft living with a variety of businesses, including several art studios. The cafe itself is located in an open and airy adobe building encompassed by floor-to-ceiling windows that allow in ample light. Cafe service is casual and low-key; you order at the counter and your meal is brought to you by a friendly employee when it is ready.

Tree House features a changing menu; daily specials are written on the chalkboard. I was starving upon my arrival, having only had a chai latte at the secret Starbucks kiosk in the Denver airport several hours earlier. For my lunch, I chose the local tempeh wrap -- a whole wheat tortilla filled with house-made hummus, seasonal veggies, lentils, marinated tempeh, and sunflower sprouts. The wrap was served with a lightly-dressed salad of mixed greens. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint, and was the perfect antidote to my rather-ravenous hunger.

In addition to serving breakfast and lunch, the cafe also offers a variety of pastries, including muffins, scones, croissants, brownies, and cupcakes.

The cafe is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8a to 4p. During the winter months, the cafe is closed Sunday and Monday. Breakfast is served from 8a to 11:30a and lunch is served from 11:30a to 3p. Entrees range between about $5 and $14.

Tree House Pastry Shop and Cafe

1600 Lena Street

Santa Fe, NM 87505

(505) 474-5543