Blue Mermaid at the Argonaut Hotel

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Blue Mermaid Chowder House

On this trip to San Francisco, I stayed at a new place and new area of town. The Argonaut Hotel is located on the "fringe" of Fisherman's Wharf so it's protcted a bit from the noise and bustle of the wharf area.

Housed in a former cannery, the hotel and other establishments, the Blue Mermaid and a Starbucks, have a combination of cannery and nautical themes.

But I digress ... what about the Blue Mermaid?

Well, as a guest of the hotel, I received complimentary continental breakfast coupons, so, well, I had to use them.

Coming down in the early morning to the Blue Mermaid, I chose to sit at the bar. The continental breakfast offered coffee or tea, a choice of juices, fuit bowl, and choice of pastry or toast. During the six days I spent here, I stuck with the toast (sometimes wheat, sometimes sourdough), grapefruit juice and coffee for the mostpart. All were good and made for a nice little breakfast. As a change of pace one morning I went with the steel-cut oatmeal (served with currents and brown sugar). It was a good oatmeal, but not spectacular.



As part of a business meeting, I also had lunch at the Blue Mermaid. My colleague chose the Caesar salad and I went with one of the award winning house-made chowders. I find it slightly odd to order New England Chowder on the West Coast, but it's my favorite. The Blue Mermaid offers a variety of chowders in addition to the New England variety and has one a few chowder cook-off prizes. All in all, quite a good chowder. Just the right amount of kick to it; nice chunks of potatoes, a good amount of clams (including a few in the shell for aesthetics).

Service is quick and friendly. The morning staff were particularly attentive and after a day or so, would greet me by name and wave as I went past.



Recommended if your in the Fisherman's Wharf area, especially if you want to avoid the touristy, mediocre spots that line Jefferson St.


Meal: Breakfast / Lunch
Rating: ***1/2 of 5
Date Visited: October 2009
Address: 471 Jefferson Street at Hyde, San Francisco, California 94109
Website: http://www.bluemermaidsf.com/

Pie in the Sky: Woods Hole, Mass.

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

One word: sea ice. Ok, that's two words, but it will give you an idea of how cold it can get in Woods Hole in February. I was there in mid-February 2007 and had a great time. Yes it was cold, but there sure weren't any crowds!

It's also true that there's not a lot open at that time of the year, but one year 'round option is Pie in the Sky. Just a quick, brisk stroll down from the Swope Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory, past Eel Pond and there you are.

The Pie in the Sky opens early and also has free Internet access for the online road warriors.

Great staff and coffee and killer baked goods will start your day off right - and they're open til 10 pm, so also a great place to end your day!

Meal: breakfast/snack
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 11 February 2007
Address: 10 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543
Website: http://www.woodshole.com/pie/

Grove Cafe on Chestnut St. San Francisco

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

The Grove Cafe is one of the nicest little places on Chestnut St. (which has quite a few actually!) to get a little something at nearly anytime during the day. On my recent trip to San Francisco, I stopped in for breakfast on a couple of occasions. On other trips, it's just been a stop off for coffee or a little something after dinner.

Service has always been friendly and helpful (including making my custom scrambled eggs seen in the picture). The thick grilled toast is also great.

It's also a great people watching place as the SF laptop crowd conducts all kinds of business at all times of day.

A breakfast highlight is the funky orange juicer that squeezes your juice while you wait.

Meal: breakfast/after dinner snacks
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 16 January 2008
Address: 2250 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123
Website: N/A
Menu: http://tinyurl.com/2ue97d

Savory Metro - Coffee and more in Takoma

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Sister location to the original Savory Cafe located just across the DC-Maryland line in Takoma Park.

Savory Metro is the perfect spot to stop for coffee, tea, or something more filling - eggs, baked goods, etc. on your way to or from the Takoma Metro stop.

I'm a tough sell when it comes to coffee. I like what I like and am especially hard on "neighborhood" coffee houses that try and pass off weak, cold coffee as an "alternative" to Starbucks. Savory Metro passes my test with a good cup of basic joe - nothing fancy for me - and they didn't look at me funny when I wanted my "here" coffee in a "to go" cup!

Internet access, bulletin boards with the types of postings you find only in the Takoma/Takoma Park area (or maybe Berkeley!). A great little neighborhood spot!

Meal: coffee
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 30 January 2008
Address: 314 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012
Website: N/A

Hotel del Sol: Breakfast @ poolside

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Well, it's not really a restaurant, but it is food. The Hotel del Sol in San Francisco's Marina District is an excellent place to stay for business or pleasure.

One of the treats is the Continental breakfast offered in the lobby. Take a donut, muffin or other treat back to your room, or, weather permitting, sit under the palms at poolside and enjoy.

Dish: coffee, orange juice, banana, chocolate covered old fashion donut
Meal: breakfast
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 18 Jan 2008
Address: 3100 Webster, San Francisco, CA 94123
Website: http://www.jdvhotels.com/del_sol/