Tartine, College Park
/I have this friend named Pierre,who owns a french cafe called Le Cafe de Paris. He comes into my moms wine bar often, and we have become fast friends. My mom has been dying to go to this new restaurant called Tartine in College Park here in Orlando. Jokingly, I asked Pierre if he knew the guy, simply because he was also french. To my surprise, he sure did! And a few days later we were dining with one of the most interesting people I have ever met: Francois Cahange.
We walked into the small restaurant with overhanging lights, white subway tile, rustic furniture, and green plants hanging everywhere. Francois converted his previous bakery into a magical dining experience with the most enticing smell.
We chose to sit at a hi-top where I had the chance to get to know Francois.
I meant it when I said he was one of the most interesting people I have ever met.
He had been in love with the idea of moving to America for a while. He was married with two kids, living in the north of France with a very successful bakery. He loved American football. I might have asked a hundred times if he meant soccer,but no, Francois was secretary of the football league in France and created his own team.
He decided to enter the lottery for a green card to the United States and WON!!
They planned a trip to San Diego, California; loved it, sold every thing in France; moved, and opened a bakery.
Not too long after, his daughter was diagnosed with a kidney disorder while on vacation with his wife in France. So, Francois sold everything in San Diego and headed back to his home country to be with his daughter.
Now, in France, there is a 40% tax when you sell your business. Ridiculous right? So instead of opening another business of his own, Francois worked for someone else, but his heart was always in America.
After his daughter was all healed, he told his wife he was going to go to America for 10 days. He would find a space, sign a lease, and open a bakery. If it was successful, his wife would come and join him.
He signed a lease just off Park Ave in Winter Park, Orlando, Florida, and on the day he opened the doors to his Croissant Gourmet Bakery he had a line out the door. The bakery has been open for 11 years.
Fast forward a few years and he opened a bakery in College Park and a few weeks ago, he turned it into Tartine, the best french cuisine restaurant I have ever been to.
See, told you he was fascinating.
Now lets get to the food.
Our gracious host opened up the most amazing bottle of french Pinot Noir and rolled out some of his favorite and famous dishes.
We started with fresh homemade pretzels and beer cheese. Remember, Francois is a baker at heart, so all the breads and pastries are made in house, from scratch. So the pretzels were to die for and so was the beer cheese!
Next was the Oeuf Crocotte, a classic french dish with a Francois twist. The egg yolk was ready to dip and baked with truffle oil. This dish was rich and mouth-watering. The dish is served with homemade peppered bread to give you a little zing. We had three for the table and devoured all three of them.
In between, before our delicious appetizers, we shared a charcuterie board with fresh bread and homemade herbed salami and truffle pate accompanied by brie, cheddar, and gouda and a perfectly paired apricot jam.
In addition, we had a beet carpaccio, a cold, golden beet salad with walnuts and goat cheese for a sweet and savory taste explosion.
Moving on to what the restaurant is named for, their tartines.
Everything was beyond incredible, but these tartines took the trophy. We shared the roast beef tartine and the mushroom tartine.
Each tartine is crafted with a thick slice of bread from a giant loaf they make fresh every day, toasted and buttered, and topped with deliciousness.
The roast beef is packed full of savory flavor from mouth-watering slices of roast beef, blue cheese crumbles, and a homemade sauce. The mushroom tartine is coated in cheese with the mushrooms tossed in truffle oil for the rich, creamy flavor. It is topped with hot peppers and fried kale.
To end the night, as if we hadn’t stuffed our faces full, Francois served us a Café gourmant, a French version of a dessert sampler. Homemade crème brûlée, espresso macaroon, tiramisu, and a chocolate ganache on a long skinny plate with the perfect pour of espresso.
The entire night I felt like “La Vie en Rose” should have been playing while the Eiffel Tower twinkles. The restaurants, the atmosphere, and the company could not have been better. Whether you go with a group or sit at the bar by yourself, make your next dinner spot at Tartine in College Park. You will not be disappointed.
