Tootsies is an artisanal cafe hidden behind the Stanford Barn. The building itself is surrounded by lavender and roses, along with vines that climb up the brick walls of the cafe, making it enchanting to eat outside. Owned by Rocco Scordella, the cafe’s cuisine is Italian, with a touch of California influence. In January 2009, Scordella opened Tootsies because he wanted to become his own boss.
Tootsies serves pastries, omelets, sandwiches, salads, coffee, and other drinks. It is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Scordella also owns Vina Enoteca which opened in 2016, and is located at the Stanford Barn. Vino Enoteca is a more formal dining experience that serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Scone ($5): 10/10
This dried fruit scone is Tootsie’s decadent bestseller. The top of the scone has a nice crunch because it is blanketed with a layer of sugar. Additionally, the dried fruit gives it a variety of textures. The flakiness of the pastry goes well with the chewiness of the fruit. The scone consists of a mix of dried apricots, currants, and raisins.
Plain Bomboloni ($4.75): 10/10
Soft and light, this Italian bomboloni doughnut coated in sugar is a delight to eat. The crunch of the sugar on the outside gives it a satisfying balance of sweetness for the fluffy interior. Biting into it is like eating a cloud. Tootsies also serves Nutella- and vanilla cream-filled bombolonis.
Plain Croissant ($4): 8/10
This croissant surpasses expectations with its beautiful shine and layers. The flaky golden exterior contrasts well with the soft, airy interior. Tootsies also serves chocolate croissants and almond croissants.
Latte ($4): 10/10
The latte is a perfect balance of rich, velvety espresso and silky milk. The espresso is made from freshly roasted coffee beans that carry an aroma of toffee and dark chocolate. The surface of the coffee is adorned with a symmetrical heart, which gives it a beautiful presentation.
Breakfast Panino ($15): 9/10
The breakfast panino is mouthwatering. Sandwiched between two slices of warm freshly baked focaccia, the panino consists of melted mozzarella, crispy pancetta, also known as bacon, sauteed spinach, and a fried egg with a hard yolk. However, the sandwich lacks a saucy component and could benefit from a runny yolk. The dish came with a side salad that had an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. It was refreshing to eat after the rich sandwich. Tootsies serves additional sandwiches at lunch.
Frittata del Giorno ($14): 10/10
The Frittata del Giorno is delicious. It is an open-face omelet containing spinach, mushrooms, onions, and red bell peppers. The omelet itself is thin and covered with a layer of melted mozzarella. All the vegetable components make it very flavorful, so every bite is different. The omelet came with a side of toast and strawberry marmalade, which was a nice sweet treat to have after the savory omelet.
