City: Santa Fe, NM

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (505) 984-1980

Address: 821 West San Mateo

Description: It’s almost a shame to spill the beans about this excellent European-style bakery but, tucked away as it is in the slowly gentrifying Second Street arts district, you’d never find it on your own. Daram Andrew Segal, the Sikh owner of Española’s Love and Company Bakery, bought what was then a popular bakery on Guadalupe Street in 1995 and moved it to San Mateo. Now the soulful brownies, green chile scones, German chocolate and carrot cakes, and other delectable baked items share retail space with one of Santa Fe’s most popular eateries. Breakfasts are served daily from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and feature a variety of egg dishes, waffles, pancakes, and a homemade granola and hot chocolate that drew raves from Food Network’s Giada DeLaurentis. The weekend brunch also includes specials such as buckwheat napoleon with smoked trout and crepes. At lunchtime, try the Indian Red Lentil Soup, the Baja wrap, or wild mushroom and goat cheese sandwich. Tip: If you want to sample Chocolate Maven but prefer to avoid the lunch rush, come for the elegant afternoon tea between 3 and 5 p.m. and linger over tiny open-faced sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and an assortment of cakes all presented on a silver platter and served on bone china.