Pastries, coffee, and lunch at east hill's Queen of Tarts

This week we're once again visiting the Queen of Tarts Cafe, with a hugely expanded menu since we last reported to you in February. This Maple Avenue eatery, between Collegetown and East Hill Plaza, has supplemented the coffee and pastries with fresh soup every day, organic salads, grilled sandwiches, and the famous farmer's market Finger Lakes flatbreads. Opened at the end of 2006 by Leslie Muhlhahn from Just Desserts, the Queen of Tarts has done a fine job of attracting business from nearby residents, students, offices, and all sorts of passersby.

Just Desserts is famous for its wedding cakes, their desserts are served in restaurants, and they're a staple vendor at the Ithaca Farmers Market. But Leslie wanted someplace where anyone could walk in and buy a croissant or a tart, and enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea. They've beautifully renovated the old Coal Office building, and a gas fireplace in the corner adds the perfect touch on a cold winter day.

Sometimes, all you need for lunch is a bowl of hearty soup and a generous chunk of fresh multigrain bread, and the Queen of Tarts does a perfect job of this. Their southwestern chicken is spicy and chunky, and the french onion perfectly tart. Once in a while, on a hot day, they've got a chilled soup, which really takes the edge off the heat.

Over the summer, they started serving grilled sandwiches, such as roast beef and cheddar, or buffalo chicken, warm and crisp off the George Foreman. Sometimes there's a vegetarian soup or sandwich available, as well.

And every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the woodfired oven comes up the hill from its farmer's market duties, and the Queen of Tarts offers delicious flatbreads for lunch and dinner until 8pm. We've seen lots of people enjoying the patio in the evening as the good weather holds, with an herb oil and asiago cheese flatbread, tomato and mozzarella flatbread, or even green eggs and ham. One of these seven-dollar delights is more than enough to feed the average appetite, so two may be perfect for a family. And for dessert, grab an almond-raspberry tart.

In the morning or for an afternoon snack, try the pain au chocolat, a flaky chocolate-filled croissant, or the monkey bread. I had to ask, too... it's the ends cut off the croissant dough when they're formed, mixed with cinnamon, brown sugar, and chocolate chips, and baked.

I didn't mean to, but I got hooked on the cappuccinos at the Queen of Tarts. Made with Gimme! coffee and fresh milk, they're frothy and warm and delicious. I'm also a big fan of the freshly made chai and the English PG Tips tea.

They're open seven days a week from 7am to 6pm, so stop in for breakfast and again for a flatbread on the way home. Queen of Tarts is at 143 Maple Avenue, next to the foot path. Call 280-6445 to see what today's soup is and tell them you heard about them here.