Arlequin Cafe & Food To Go

For part three of my weekly office lunch, I decided to get breakfast. Our delivery order arrived via Caviar on Friday, January 11th around 12:15pm.

*Smoked Salmon Bagel: Cream cheese, red onion, and capers ($8)
*Seasonal Doughnut: Limited availability ($4)

It was a nice, simple bagel and lox. Though I adore smoked salmon, so I found myself wishing there was more. And more cream cheese. For me, I need a lot of cheese and fish to balance out the carby dense bagel. Speaking of the bagel, it was nicely toasted and had a great chew. Good base for the dish. The donut ended up being filled with custard, so my coworker gave me hers as she doesn't like custard. I thought it was fine. A little too bready for me and not enough filling, but an okay donut overall.

Who says you can't have breakfast for lunch? Actually, maybe no one cuz we have something called brunch. If you want a bagel and lox for lunch, Arlequin will fulfill that craving.

I was just reading my first review of Arlequin when I first started Yelping back in 2006. I was sure adorable and said innocent things like "order a cafe au lait and relax with a good friend". Gee, I must've been coyly talking about Jamie W. or maybe I was auditioning for a Folgers coffee commercial. It was certainly not the present-day voice of the crusty curmudgeon who spews vitriol with every sentence. OK, maybe I'm not that bad all the time, but I do have my moments. Jamie and I were in need of a light dinner on a Friday evening in Hayes Valley before going to the movies. Arlequin sounded like the right choice.

We didn't anticipate the long queue to order or the patio being fully packed. While still bucolic back there with the huge oak trees, it has become quite the social scene since our last visit years before. We managed to snag a table under the foliage just as an insufferable young couple of cooing lovebirds decided to get a room. I'm just presuming. Anyway, we ordered at the counter and had our number stick prominently displayed. Jamie's plate arrived first, the $13.50 Roasted Chicken Wrap with big chunks of roasted breast meat nestled with spinach, tomato, celery in a grilled flour tortilla slathered in a remoulade (photo: http://bit.ly/2CJODsj).

Fresh tasting. With a mixed green side salad, it was also a pretty hearty portion. I decided to order the $13 Roasted Beet and Strawberry Salad, an intriguing combo mixed with arugula, jicama, spicy almonds, feta cheese, radish, all of it in a red wine vinaigrette and balsamic glaze (photo: http://bit.ly/2m2BbW0). It was deliciously fresh and not overly sweet. To accompany it, I also ordered a $4.25 cup of the Curry-Coconut Cauliflower Bisque because the combination of flavors appealed to me. Topped with chopped chives and butter croutons, the soup was creamy good and quite satisfying (photo: http://bit.ly/2CEAn3l). So much for a light dinner.

FOOD - 4 stars...fresh California fare with a bit of a French country accent
AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...the patio has turned into a zoo but the outdoor seating still works
SERVICE - 3 stars...a bit harried
TOTAL - 4 stars...a dozen years later and Arlequin still delivers the goods

3.5 STARS

Every time I pass by Arlequin Cafe, it's busy with laptop campers.

I don't know about you but I could never get any work done at a cafe...

I would be glancing at everyone that walked by like a creeper.

I would be ohhhhhing and ahhhhing at everyone's food orders: housemade sticky buns, grilled cheese sandwiches, and the Indian-spiced lamb burger all looked so yummy.

And, I would be eavesdropping on all the surrounding convos. Well, sometimes you just can't help it. Like when you're trying to enjoy the serenity of the garden patio and the girls in back of you are loudly talking about their first world problems: panty lines.

Just don't wear any, problem solved.

The biggest draw of Arlequin Café is their garden patio. It's quaint, relaxing, and a great retreat from city life.

Food and drink wise, they have all the café staples: breakfast, salads, soups. sandwiches, and comfort foods like mac 'n' cheese. Pastries are housemade and they also have grab 'n' go sandwiches. Since it's from the Absinthe Group, it is on the pricier side (e.g. $12 breakfast burrito) and they charge a 4% SF Healthy Tax with each order. With all the taxes and tip, your $12 breakfast burrito is now a $16 one. That's San Francisco for ya.

Order at the counter, grab a number, seat yourself, and your order will be delivered to you.

Even after the lunch rush, my order took close to 20 minutes so it's not a good option for a quick meal.

I ordered the 1/2 Croque and 1/2 Soup w/ side salad ($13): http://bit.ly/2gYZAsF. The croque was very enjoyable. It was made on a panini press so the levain bread was deliciously toasty and the swiss cheese was all melty. I like that the black forest ham wasn't overly salty and the dijon gave it a nice acidity.

The coconut-curry butternut squash soup was too sweet and the side salad was just bagged salad and it wasn't dressed enough. Both were underwhelming.

Several people raved about their cookies so I also ordered the Chocolate Chip Cookies ($2.50) which was a letdown. I was hoping for something similar to Anthony's Cookies with a crispy, chewy edge but it was soft and didn't taste fresh.

It's hard to find a table because people seem to linger there for hours. The majority were laptop camping but the wifi was terrible. I couldn't even connect to it.

Food alone, I wouldn't recommend Arlequin Café but if you're looking for a retreat from city life then I recommend coming to enjoy their garden patio and sticking with the grilled cheese or croque sandwiches. 3.5 stars rounded up because of the garden patio.

We went here for a quick cup of coffee and some donuts. A lot of peeps were here in the friendly, trendy neighborhood of Hayes. The coffee I had ordered was Sightglass and the donuts were Vanilla Bean donuts. They were more like custard style
Donuts but very tasty. The ambiance was really nice and they had very clean bathrooms. The next door part of store is also a wine merchant. I didn't order any other food but it looked great and very friendly staff. We will be back and try it out for lunch.

The outdoor patio here is heaven.

Arlequin is a fantastic spot for meeting up with friends. Their menu is diverse with light snacks, pastries (monkey bread for the win!), as well as heartier soups (curry coconut cauliflower bisque), salads and sandwiches.

Arlequin's hot drink selection, as well as their chilled drinks is impressive and perfect for enjoying in their blissful lush outdoor patio. From warming lattes to refreshing freshly made juices - they have you covered.

If you want to forget about the bustle of the city with locally made light food - come to Arlequin.

Trust.

I like the idea of grab a quick bite and go. And that was supposed to be a quick bite. It rained. Zunni was closed on a Monday. I parked nearby, though being this was a couple of weeks out of knee surgery, needed a little bit of help on the crutches. Friend waited at the corner, then we walked by the cafe for a quick bite before show. Lamb burger and lentils, house red. Simple, delicious. And great to share. The outdoor would have been nice, had it been day time and not raining, though it felt crisp and fresh that evening, I had been waiting for this rain.

We ate quietly. Catching up about our weeks and days. I was in a talkative mood. Having just completed another episode of depression, I could feel the energy rising up and my interest in other peoples' lives and food became more acute. I asked about a lot of things. Enjoying the cafe's last opening hour of the day, checking out the backyard, the wine shop next door, and pondered if I should get some sweets to go.

I like how casual this place feels, comparing to all the high strung Hayes Valley restaurants, this is a nice little low key place to unwind and chill and stuff your face before the show. Put it on my rotation list.

Nice cafe in an awesome Hayes Valley location to re-charge and enjoy delicious snacks. Got fresh glass of OJ along with healthy Al Pastor Fish Taco. Plus, free wi-fi and clean restrooms. Nice outside patio to enjoy the sunny San Francisco weather.

Definitely a pit stop for pastries/coffee/light snack if In the neighborhood. Will try smoked salmon bagel next time.

This morning while eating breakfast in the patio, I saw a dead mouse covered in flies. My husband discreetly told staff so they could clean it. However 30 minutes later, nothing had been done and he again told them. We are leaving now, and the mouse is still there. These same flies that are swarming the dead mouse, are landing on tables, food, etc. It's disease spreading and repulsive!

I was already disappointed in the decline of food and service, especially since this had been my go to breakfast spot, but I will not return again. Someone who needs to return is the health department.. and pronto!! (We have photos if needed).

Absolute favorite café. One of the places that make me say, "I love San Francisco". I find everything that I try there is quite wonderful and fresh. The menu is small, so they can stay on point. I would consider it lite fare, however you can accomplish a full hearty meal if you choose too.. The sandwiches, salads and wraps are wonderful as well as the pastries. The soups are cordon bleu,(blue ribbon). The chicken soup stock is delectable, as are the vegetarian soups bountiful with flavor. They serve wine which I'm sure is superb, yet I've never tried nor am I a connoisseur.

As simple as the café is, combine the quality of the food and ambiance of your surroundings it definitely leans towards excellent dining. However grab your silverware and water before you sit or soon after. They'll bring your food to the table, otherwise you are on your own. Perhaps they could inform people as they pay, or at least when they bring you the food. I've seen many frustrated customers sit and wait and wonder!

The sidewalk seating is comfortable under the shady trees, watching people stroll by casually which is important for your own dining experience and relaxation. However it's the "Secret Garden", I usually lounge in. It actually has more seating then inside, where I have perhaps sat once in 15 years, not by choice. The sun is filtered through the leaves and tall trees casting a golden light. The garden is sturdy but plush with ferns, while occasional finches fly in. It is so pleasant like smooth jazz and running water or a day at the sauna. You don't want to leave.

This is my go to café, with friends and quest. It's an expression of who I am and I want others to experience it. Everyone has loved it! My friends parents were down from Colorado for a week and stated, "It was the best part of the whole trip".

Simple cafe compared to their dining next door! It's a good addition to their dining since it gets crowded during the restaurant fine wine and dine hours!

Expansive of their menu and enjoyable seating area.

Baked goods and cafe up to par.