A Lazy Morning @ The Grove

 

Yes, it's known as one the hippest places in Albuquerque, and yes they have won every "Best of" award for their brunch and lunch, and we're here to say "We Agree!". The Grove Cafe and Bakery is owned by Josh and Lauren Greene and serves local favorites like breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches using fresh regional ingredients and a sophisticated twist on much loved American and New Mexican foods. 

It is one of my favorite restaurants in Albuquerque!

They serve Sage Bakehouse artisan bread, Taos Farms all-natural free-range eggs, local and organic produce, Applegate Farms and  Emil’s all-natural preservative free meats, Tully’s local all-natural preservative-free sausage, Heidi’s local organic jam, all-natural vegetarian fed beef, imported and domestic artisan cheeses. 

Photos by Lauren Rae Kovarik of "Snaps."

You are supposed to start your journey at The Grove by ordering at the counter, but you can't.  On your way up there, you will find tables filled with packaged candies, cards, and cookbooks.  So fun and just what I seem to need at the time!  And the fresh flowers.  Love them.

So then you approach the counter and are asked what you want to order, don't worry, they are used to people's eyes being wide and a little wild.  There are so many good choices it is difficult to choose.  See their website for a menu at http://www.thegrovecafemarket.com/

I always have the same thing, so its not too hard for me!  Grove Pancakes with fresh fruit and creme fraiche.  It also comes with maple syrup.  The pancakes are french style and the price is $8.25.  Here I had a pretty poached egg on the side.

One of my family's other favorite dishes is the breakfast sandwich with fresh fruit ($6.75).  Not only does it have a fresh egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo, but it is on an indescribably delicious house made english muffin!

The Breakfast Burrito ($7.50) is a scrambled egg, Tully’s sausage, goat cheese, house made green chile in a tortilla, and roasted tomato jalapeno salsa.

They often have a soup of the day.  On Thursday it was a roasted corn chowder - Yum!  There are salads, warm pressed sandwiches served with fresh fruit and sweet pickles, and "cool" sandwiches, also served with fresh fruit and pickles.

Desserts include sugary, splendid, and sumptuous cupcakes and cookies.  Only the finest ingredients are used in these goodies, and you can taste it! 

Intelligentsia coffee is featured, which is good, but I find it to be a bit bitter, so I order something with milk, like a cappuccino.

There is outdoor dining all year, and it is especially nice, because it is easier to hear out there.

As you can probably guess, our ratings are as follows:  5/5/4. 

The Grove Cafe and Bakery is located at 600 Central Avenue SE, Suite A, Albuquerque New Mexico 87102.  They are open Tuesday-Saturday 7a-4p, Sunday 8a-3p,  and are closed on Monday.  505.248.9800.

So Lush!

Local.  Really fresh food.  Small and chic.  That is Cafe Lush, 700 Tijeras Avenue NW.  On a tree-lined street in downtown Albuquerque, my family and I ate outside and enjoyed refreshing new takes on favorite dishes, as well as new, innovative choices.

Owners Sandy Gregory, Manager, and Tom Docherty, say that their restaurant has "Food for the Senses."

I had a fresh, delicious chopped salad ($7.95) (substituted a lime avocado vinaigrette) and enjoyed every bite.  The coffee is Red Rock Roasters and is brewed well, although I personally like mine a little stronger.

My sister tried the St. Gregory Burger ($7.95), a 1/3 lb. burger with green chile cheddar, caramelized onions,  lettuce and tomato on a fresh, grilled sesame roll.

David had the The Davis ($8.95), with New Mexico-raised roast beef, local asiago cheese, lettuce and tomato with roasted garlic aioli on herb flat bread.

Cafe Lush is open Monday through Friday 7AM to 3PM, and Saturday 8AM to 1PM serving Brunch.  Website is www.cafelushabq.com.  Phone is 505-508-0164.

Ratings were 5/4/4.  Note: While the decor is trendy, it is a bit loud when the indoor space fills up.

Stop by the historic building across the street and check out the metal rings in the sidewalk!