Why eat at a chain Wednesday: Tartine

It’s always exciting when Des Moines gets a new restaurant.  Even more exciting…when Des Moines gets a new restaurant that serves up freshly made French macaroons.  I visited Tartine on the third day they were open, and you’d have thought they’d be serving up food for months, they were such a well-oiled machine.  The employees were friendly and happy to answer any of my questions, even the one I felt silly asking, which was, ‘What exactly is a tartine?’  (Answer: an open faced sandwich).

I debated between the tomato mozzarella tartine and the Tartine salad, and I decided on the latter.  It was filled with goat cheese and pears-which is a combo I rarely turn down.  My friend got an omelette, as they serve up breakfast all day long.  We split a side order of french fries that came with 3 dipping sauces, and they were so good I almost ordered more just to not leave a drop of the delicious sauce behind.  Both of us walked out not only happy with our meal, but with an enormous nutella-filled French macaroon in hand.

At Tartine you order at a counter, and the food is brought to your table.  Everything is homemade daily, and besides tartines, omelettes, and fries, the menu includes soups, pastas, quiches, pastries, cupcakes, and a kids menu.  I always appreciate a place that serves up a full menu-breakfast included-all day long, and they are open 7 days a week.  Tartine was opened by Chef Baru of Baru 66, and promotes themselves as the new place for ‘fast, fresh, casual French food.’  They are located at 12695 University in Clive, and reside in the former spot of Shane’s Rib Shack, a couple doors down from Red Rossa.  Open Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

After all, why would you want to eat at a chain when you can eat at Tartine?