Santa Fe’s Swiss Stop Photos Linda Carfagno
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“There is actually a big Swiss and European community in Santa Fe, and they love to come in for the traditional pastries. We import Swiss chocolate and European butters.”
Owner Julian Marquez is proud of the authenticity of the place. “Swiss encompasses German, Italian and French, so when you look at the menu you’ll see the influence of all three,” he describes.
Beyond pastries and slow mornings, Swiss Bistro has added dinner to its repertoire. A new menu featuring crepes inspired from countries around the world has fast become a favorite in addition to the more traditional dishes for which the restaurant is well known. “The new crepe menu is stuffed with foods from different regions: Tanzanian, Polish, Vietnamese, Greek and huevos rancheros of course because we’re here in Santa Fe,” notes Marquez. “We’re known for crepes; it’s one of the things people like to come here for.”
t’s another sunny morning and Swiss Bistro is bustling, though it’s not so busy as to deter a newcomer. An older German woman sits in the corner, an Italian couple finishes their meal, and a man at the bar recites poetry to the barista. A large cowbell hangs over the cash register, while a suit of armor stands stoically between tables in the dining room. The air smells of quiche and crepes. There’s a whimsical old-world feel, as if you’ve stepped into a European café.
Because summer in Santa Fe is particularly temperate, Swiss Bistro has a lovely outdoor European patio with a courtyard and fountain in the middle. A recent addition is a mural depicting the Swiss Alps, painted by Stephanie Love. The restaurant is also doing a small remodel by adding a wine room, giving the restaurant a cozier atmosphere and extending the bar. Swiss Bistro has been a City Different favorite for over 25 years. It started as the Swiss Palace Bakery, and under Marquez’ tenure it has garnered the respect of the European community. “One customer had his nephew in town. His nephew lives in Switzerland, and wanted to write an article in German for his Sunday paper
telling people in Switzerland if you want the true food, come here to Swiss Bistro in Santa Fe. His uncle now comes in once a week, and his nephew comes in whenever he visits,” Marques relates. Beyond crepes, pastries and other goodies, Swiss Bistro has an excellent selection of wines. “We look for wines from small vineyards you’re not going to find in grocery stores,” Marquez explains. “We include vineyards from Europe, but our house wine is actually a Californian wine. It’s made by Europeans applying their methods to their vineyard in Napa Valley. I buy the best wine for the price I can get. I pay a higher price than most because I want a good wine on the table. People enjoy it and have a second glass. I always make sure the food and wine quality is as high as possible.” Whatever your reason for coming into Swiss Bistro — the high class wines, decadent pastries or scrumptious crepes — it’s not difficult to find a reason to stay and keep coming back for more. Swiss in Santa Fe never tasted so good. Swiss Bistro and Bakery 401 S. Guadalupe St. 505.988.1111 Swissbakerysantafe.com TOP RIGHT Julian Marquez, owner