Lakeside Cafe, Ocean Avenue, San Francisco
First impressions make all the difference. The first thing that caught my eye was the linen tablecloth lining the trash can just inside the door of the Lakeside Cafe. The second indication that this was not your typical greasy spoon was the classical music gently playing in the background.
The place is way above Denny’s, let me tell you! To put it in a nutshell, it is elegant. The tables are a light wood, the booths and chairs are light green and comfortable. Chrome and glass partitions give a feeling of space and the lighting is unobtrusive. Plus the carpet is clean.
A small vase of fresh carnations adorns each table. The silverware has pretty fluted ends and the napkins, although paper, are big and thick.
It is a large restaurant which has three distinct parts. The small section to the right of the front door was not set up at all so I presume it is only used for dinner. Opposite the door are booths with eleven seats up at the counter. On the left hand side of the restaurant is a large area with two and four seat tables and one long padded seat against the far wall. Dividing this section from the middle is a half wall decorated with different sized glass bottles filled with a variety of food in colored liquids. On the walls are hung a small selection of nice pictures. In the middle section near the restroom is one large photo which I’m guessing is the building taken a good few years ago.
The lady server wore a white shirt and tie, which was hung round her neck and not tied, and with a linen cloth at her waist. I thought the tie was a peculiarity of our server but I later noticed another server who had done exactly the same with her tie.
The breakfast menu is not extensive and I could see no sign of oatmeal. What?? From such a place I was expecting steel cut oats. The server told us that they do serve oatmeal on Saturdays and Sundays but the cook who prepared it does not start work until 8 am.
I ordered an Eggbeaters Scramble with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, green onions and herbs, served with fresh fruit, sliced tomato and whole grain toast (no potatoes) ($8.75). Tom’s choice was Joe’s Scramble with fresh ground beef, mushrooms, spinach, onion and oregano and served with potatoes and toast ($9.95).
Tom’s coffee was served in a glass mug and he said it was very good. At $2.25, it should be.
Our food arrived on large white china plates and attractively decorated with plump slices of melon. The food was delicious. Tom said the spinach was fresh and the oregano really added to the flavor. My Eggbeaters Scramble was also good. The onions, mushrooms and artichoke hearts were served on top of the scramble instead of begin all mixed in with the eggs.
The restroom was a little disappointing because I was expecting far more. It was very acceptable because it was clean and smelt nice but there were no pictures on the wall. The only break to the austerity was a small, round, wrought iron table in the corner with a large vase of fresh carnations and the paper towels, though the standard brown, were in a wicker basket. There is a sign over the sink saying ‘Caution Hot Water’ and believe it because the water is very hot.
The total bill came to $22.13 which, on the surface, looks pretty steep but taking into account I didn’t have my usual oatmeal, it is no more than it would have been anywhere else given what we ordered.
Tom and I have discovered a new, great place for breakfast in San Francisco. The bonus being it is right off 19th Avenue.
November 15 2008 04:21 pm | Breakfast Log
