I have wanted to go to the Grove Cafe and Market for years. Each time I went by there I was busy or looking for something else. So it was finally time for a visit. My better half Googled the best restaurants for lunch in Albuquerque, The Grove Cafe and Market was the number one choice.
I was very happy that there is an attached parking lot next to the Grove Cafe. That made our lives much easier. There was a wait so there are some trade offs for arriving around noon for lunch. It was a little bit of a wait but it was well worth the wait for this food.
We were gradually let in the door to wait to order at the counter.
That was ok because we got to read the menu which was different online than in person. There were many choices but the tuna sandwich that was listed online wasn’t listed on the board. We had time to rethink our eating options.
I quickly learned that you place and pay for your order and receive a small sign that the servers would then deliver the food you ordered to your table. You selected your own table and were advised that you shouldn’t have one person stay in line while another saved a table. There were plenty of tables available once you ordered your lunch or breakfast. The breakfast menu is active all day long. I am usually not a breakfast person but the Breakfast sandwich sounded like a fancier version of the Egg Mac Muffin, which was a personal favorite of mine for years. Not having had one in years, I had to rely on my memory of an Egg Mac Muffin. This version was much better.
The Breakfast Sandwich consisted of a scrambled egg, arugula, tomato, some garlic mayo on a house made English muffin with the Grove kale salad (8.95). We added an avocado with an up-charge of 2.25.
I really didn’t want anything fried and didn’t want a big lunch. This sandwich fit the bill. There was enough scrambled egg to fill the entire sandwich. The arugula added some peppery taste. The avocado was fresh and bright and added to the flavor of the sandwich. I really enjoyed the garlic aioli sauce which was an inspired addition. The muffin itself was soft and cooked to perfection. I really appreciated that it was house made, you could tell. It was fresh and bright.
I needed some heft to the sandwich which the avocado amply provided. All the other add-ons were meat based. Your add-on choices were bacon(3.75), sausage(3.75), turkey(3) and ham(3).
You could also choose one side which was included in the price of the breakfast sandwich, I chose the grove kale salad but you could also choose fresh fruit. There were also the choices of an organic green salad(3.50) or roasted potatoes with herbed creme fraiche(3.50).
There is also a choice to add a little extra which included more bacon(4.95), sausage(3.95), prosciutto(4.95), a larger portion of roasted potatoes(5.25), organic green side salad(4.95), the grove kale salad(6.95) and a bowl of fresh fruit(6.95). You are also able to customize your dish by subtracting a scrambled egg, no arugula, no tomato, no aioli or substitute whites only scrambled egg for (1.50). Your bread choices included the English muffin, which was recommended, sourdough, whole wheat, gluten free(2.25) or no bread at all.
As you will see, I customized my sandwich by removing the tomato. I don’t like tomato on my breakfast sandwich. Just me.
I forgot that the special side Kale salad had tiny ground up bacon bits on top. I am trying to give kale a chance. I still do not like kale. It just doesn’t work for me. It had some bits of cheese but that is the last time I am having the kale salad.
I also had an Arnold Palmer(3.25) to drink. I hardly ever see them on a menu. It is a rare treat to have iced tea and lemonade poured together to make this delicious drink.
The Grove Cafe and Market is located at 600 Central Ave SE Suite A. You can also access their website to order take out. The Grove Cafe and Market’s phone number is 505.248.9800.
The Grove is open Tuesday-Saturday 8am-2pm and Sunday 8am-2pm. It is closed on Monday.
There are NO Reservations.
I really liked that the Grove Cafe and Market is a farm to table restaurant using local ingredients. That is just cool!
Santa Fe City Different Foodie 