Les Tartes de Francoise is a 15-year old Belgian bakery that crossed the Atlantic and opened up in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC in March 2010. Their business is 95% wholesale to caterers and restaurants; the remaining 5% is retail coming mostly from the recent New York Times and Tasting Table reviews.
I had an opportunity to step into their kitchen and meet with the manager, Dimitri van Meerbeeck, to learn more about the bakery, the chefs, and the wonderful goods they produce. And not to mention, try some of their bestsellers.
The menu at Les Tartes de Francoise is split into two categories: Sweets and Quiches – and 3 sizes for each item – individual, small (4 to 5 people) and large (8 to 10 people).
Top selling sweets are the Belgian Cheesecake and Chocolate Mellow.
The Belgian Cheesecake is made with fromage blanc instead of cream cheese. The crust is made out of spéculoos, crushed shortbread cookies. These two ingredients are what make the cheesecake so delectable and airy. According to baker Ernesto Bolta, the hardest part of making the cheesecake is preparing the spéculoos. It took Bolta 6 months to perfect making the cheesecake.
The Chocolate Mellow is more like a mousse or soufflé made with Callebaut chocolate. Don’t let appearances bother you. The cake crackled on top, but soft and savory in the middle.
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Ernesto Bolta showing off his latest creation
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A newcomer to the Les Tartes menu is Chocolate Praline Cake, set to make its debut next week, replacing the Chocolate Hazelnut Cake on their menu. The chocolate praline cake is light and rich – also flourless and has no gluten. Just having a bite of it whisked me to heaven. It was by far the best chocolate cake I’ve had. How do they make it so delicious? It’s baked slower and longer.
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Chocolate Praline Cake
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The Rhubarb Crumble is a sweet and sour, with hints of lemon and ginger. The Red Fruit Meringue was also amazing. Definitely worth a try.
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Red fruit meringue
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Van Meerbeeck says they are testing new recipes, first created in Belgium, that will hopefully launch in the coming weeks. The menu changes every season. I’m looking forward to the new creations. I’ve already tried one, and I’m ready to place my order.
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| Countryside Quiche – brie, spinach and tomato |
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| Italian Quiche |
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| Quiche Francois |
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| Quiche Lorraine – bacon, ham, Swiss, Mozzarela |
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| Assortment of mini quiche |
You can order by phone, fax or on their website. Every order set before 3pm will be ready the next day at the bakeery or for delivery. Sorry, no walk-ins.
Les Tartes de Francoise
623 11th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212 246 0095
Fax: 212 246 0507
[email protected]
www.tartesnyc.com
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