dimanche 4 août 2013

September 9, 2007

Back to an old favorite.

Good coffee while waiting for a table.

Good oatmeal. Hearty. Hot. Flavorful. Something to chew on.

Pastel colors. Service dishes changed again. Good-sized bowls.

Maybe a bit too much brown sugar. Each of us had to spoon some sugar to the side before eating.
August 5, 2007

A wonderful beach restaurant. Who would think they would serve oatmeal with their Screwdrivers and Mimosas? Dark inside the restaurant. Bad for reading the paper, good for seeing the beach.

"Hearty oatmeal. Simmered to order served with brown sugar raisins and whole milk." $5.25

Coffee: Hot and served quickly. Rich. Chicory flavor.

Two oatmeals. One runny, one thick and a bit gooey. Probably instant. Hot. Good sized bowls. Acceptable, not outstanding.

Golden raisins. Light brown sugar. Milk. All in little pitchers.
September 2, 2007

Penrose: A dot on the map on the way to Canon City and the Royal Gorge.

Restaurant: Michelles? Brass Horse? We couldn't be sure of the name of the restaurant.

Oatmeal. $2.75. Raisins. Milk in a stainless pitcher. Unremarkable.

Institutional coffee. Hot and plenty of it.

Very good service from a solicitous waiter.
July 8, 2007

Ida Bailey's Restaurant in the Horton Grand, just down the street from a very crowded Cafe 222.

Menu: Oatmeal $2.25
Sides: Standard: Milk, brown sugar, raisins. Served in crockery, not plastice.
Presentation: Big bowl, white plate
Temperature: Hot
Flavor: Standard, and acceptable, not outstanding
Coffee: Hot, but standard fare
Oats: Quick
Service: Very nice. Waiter intersted and solicitous.

A good place for a $2.25 bowl of oatmeal. Restaurant is Victorian, with painted flowers and vines.
July 15, 2007

Soleil@K Restaurant in the Marriott Gaslamp at 6th and K in the Gaslamp

Menu: Old fashioned oatmeal with dried fruit $6.00
Starbucks Coffee $3.00

Presentation: Large white bowl on a white tray. Nice.
Temperature: Hot
Sides: Brown sugar and raisins were already on the oatmeal. Milk served separately. Maybe a bit too much brown sugar, especially for one of us.
Texture: This was old fashioned oat meal, and almost on the gluey side, but not quite gluey. The bottom of the oatmeal molded to the bowl. Not a lot of texture.
Flavor: Good
Serving Size: Good.
Restaurant: Open to the street. Very nice. World beat music.
Coffee: Strong and hot. We had our own pot, which was nice.
Service: Good. We felt comfortable reading the paper in an airy uncrowded space.

This could be one to go back to, but it is not at the top of the list.
April 11, 2007

Pershing Square
42nd and Park, Near Grand Central Station
Manhattan

"Best and Busiest Breakfast in New York City"

Menu Description: Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal. $7.00 With sliced berries and bananas $8.00

Presentation: White crockery bowl on white crockery plate with doily. Real cream in a steel pitcher.
Texture: Steel cut with barley-type chunks
Flavor: Good
Temperature: Not hot. Tepid.
Fruit: Fresh and good
Atmosphere: Bustling
Service: Quick and friendly
Coffee $3.00. Decent not great
June 24, 2007

City Deli
5th and University
Hillcrest
San Diego

Menu Description: Hot oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar $4.75
Texture: Gruel-like, creamy
Presentation: Bowl on a plate. Orange slice. Plastic cups of raisins (old and hard), brown sugar (fresh) butter, pitchers of milk
Temperature: Hot
Flavor: OK. Heat and sides helped.

Atmosphere: Very fun. Juke box a hit. Leather booths. Art deco. Nice decor.
June 24, 2007

April 22, 2007

J6
Corner of 6th and J
Downtown San Diego
Menu Description: Oatmeal, mixed dired fruit and granola, brown sugar

Presentation: White crockery bowl. Sort of flat.
Temperature: Tepid
Sides: Small bowl of granola. Nice bowl of brown sugar. We brought some maple syrup that we had purchased in Vermont. Very good on oatmeal!
Texture: Not steel cut, but good
Flavor: Good
Service: Good, we were offered a choice of plain or cucumber water, and a choice of whole or 2% milk
April 10, 2007

Barking Dog
34th Near Lexington
Manhattan

Zagat: "Not arf bad" One the wall: "Dogs have all of man's virtures and none of his vices." "Sit, Stay."

Presentation: White crockery bowl on a white crockery plate
Temperature: Not hot enough
Service: Slow (is this why it was not hot?)
Sides: Soft brown sugar. Blueberries and strawberries good.
Texture: Creamy. One of us had a blue ball of oats in the bowl.

We have been here before, and we have enjoyed the oatmeal. This day it just wasn't up to par. We will be back.

Idea of the day: Slow service is very bad for oatmeal.
June 17, 2007

Ivy Hotel
Downtown San Diego
Open just about three weeks

Menu Description: Irish Oatmeal Caramelized Bananas or Berries $10
Presentation: Deep small white ceramic bowl; white plate; special spoon
Temperature: Hot enough
Sides: No brown sugar
Texture: Good. On the creamy side.
Caramelization: Good
Fruit: Good and fresh
Portion size: Very good
Starter served before oatmeal: Strawberries and honey. Very good.

Atmosphere: Comfortable. We were alone most of the time. Very pretty room. Zebra wood highlights. Wonderful heavy flatware. Good service.
January 14, 2007
Lake Murray Cafe
Near San Diego

Menu Description: Oatmeal with nuts, brown sugar and raisins (served until 1:00 p.m.) $3.49

Presentation: Large white bowl, raisins in a box, milk in a small glass, butter and brown sugar in ploastic buckets. No nuts. Brown sugar old and solidified.
Texture: Gluey, but probably not instant.
Temperature: Hot
Service: Quick
Coffee: Standard
Atmosphere: Loud, crowded, friendly
January 21, 2007
Mystic Mocha
Mission Avenue
North Park
San Diego

Menu Description: Oatmeal, brown sugar and raisins $3.25
Add banana, strawberry, blueberry, cranberry, $.50 each
Presentation: Deep bowl. Crockery for raisins and brown sugar. Brown sugar soft. Raisins soft and fresh. Blueberries good.
Texture: Chewy and rough, not too creamy
Temperature: Hot
Taste: Good to Very Good
Atmosphere: Small and crowded, very friendly
Service: Order at the counter and they bring it to you
Coffee: Very good, hot

A new favorite. And the scones and muffins are very good, too.
November 26, 2006
Cafe 222

Very good again.
One of us had a waffle. No wonder they are famous for their waffles!
Service very good
October 8, 2006
Adams Avenue Grill
Normal Heights
San Diego

Menu Description: Banana Compote and Oatmeal Harvest. Steel cut oats are steeped in whole milk and seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg and dried cranberries, then crowned with a sweetened banana compote and whipped cream $5.75

Presentation: Large bowl on a large plate
Texture: Chewy with big loose oat flakes, very creamy
Flavor: OK, lots of cinnamon
Temperature: Very hot
Overall: Cool, but didn't knock us out
Coffee: Good, hot, decaf a bit bitter
September 17, 2006
Brians' American Eatery
Washington Street
University Heights
San Diego

The apostrophe is placed correctly. The restaurant is owned by two men named Brian.

Menu Description: "On the side" Oatmeal with spiced apples $3.99
Coffee: Quick and hot, standard taste
Presentation: Large shallow bowl on big oval plate. Apples, sugar, raisins in small crockery bowls. All white crockery.
Appearance: Standard, good
Flavor: Good
Temperature: Not hot
Sides: Apples good, raisins soft and fresh, brown sugar soft and fresh
Outside dining
Rap music a bit much for Sunday breakfast
August, 2006

Harry's
La Jolla, California
"Since 1960"

Menu Description: Hot and creamy oatmeal with strawberries and blueberries $5.95; with bananas $4.00 brown sugar, cream or milk
Presentation: Low wide glass bowl on a plate. The fruit was under the oatmeal -- a nice look
Coffee served in a carafe: Decaf weak, regular OK
Oatmeal: OK
Fruit: Excellent
Opinions on oatmeal from San Diego to New York from two average hot cereal eaters.

July 31, 2005

Shades
5083 Santa Monica Avenue
San Diego, CA 92107
(Ocean Beach)

Menu Desciption: Hearty Irish Oatmeal. $4.75
Oatmeal served with golden raisins, a pitcher of cold milk, light brown sugar
Temperature: Steaming hot
Served in bright blue crockery -- flat bowl
Appearance: Creamy
Slow cooked, steel cut
Coffee good and hot

Ocean View.
This has become a favorite.

September 4, 2005

Cafe Calabria
30th Street, Near University
North Park, San Diego

Menu Description

Basic Oats, Apple Cinnamon, Brown Sugar
$3.25

Served Hot
Good texture. Rough cut and chewy.
Good flavor

Served with orange slices, strawberry (good), brown sugar already on top.
Ample size

Prefer: Sugar served on the side.

Good coffee. Latte nicely done -- with style.

This, too, was a favorite until oatmeal was dropped from the menu.

October 9, 2005

Cafe 222
222 Island Avenue
San Diego
(Downtown)

We sat outdoors in the annex, which was quite nice.

Menu description: Oatmeal made to order topped with brown sugar and raisins. $5.25

Caramelized with bananas on top. $5.95

Served in a deep bowl.
Appearance: Typical
Texture: Chewy
Flavor: Good
Temperature: Very hot. Invited milk. (We decided that oatmeal should be served so hot that you want to cool it down with milk)

One of us had the caramelized version of oatmeal and was amazed and astounded.

Served in a deep bowl. Serving size was ample.

Fresh orange juice was good.

Coffee was not so good. Mug tasted like soap.
Service was not so good. We had to ask twice for water.

We were on a roll. This, too, has become a favorite.

October 16, 2005

Adam's Steak and Eggs
Hotel Circle
San Diego

Menu Description: Hot oatmeal. Served with a side of raisins, dates, sunflower seeds, almonds, pineapple and coconut. A Jogger's Delight! $4.25

Appearance: Different. Seemed a bit dry and gluey.
Texture: Gluey, not chunky.
Flavor. Not tasty. Instant?
Temperature: Nice and hot.
Toppings: Small plastic cups. Nice, but sparse.
Serving Size: Moderate.
Coffee: Good
Service: Good. Coffee and water arrived quickly.

October 24, 2005

Chickenrest
San Diego

Cute place. Oatmeal ordinary. Served with butter. Little cups of brown sugar and raisins for us to share.

Service: Very good.

This entry is short, because we didn't take our diary in with us.

October 30, 2005

Rudfords
2900 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego

"Open since 1949"

Menu Description: Cooked ceral with milk. $3.75

Appearance: Served with cups of milk and plastic containers of butter, brown sugar and raisins.
Texture: Gluey.
Flavor. Neutral. Instant?
Temperature: Tepid
Serving Size: Large
Coffee: Institutional
Service: Slow initially.
Raisins on the side were good. Sweet and soft.
Music: Good. Old Motown, etc.

November 27, 2005

DZ Akins
Interstate 8 Near 70th Street
San Diego

Menu description: Hot cereal (raisins, milk, brown sugar) $3.95

Presentation: Lots of raisins, brown sugar and milk served first. Presented in saucers. Metal pitcher for milk. Brown sugar - coarse type.

The hot cereal looked like a pancake overlapping the edges of a shallow bowl. Not attractive.

Temperature: Hot
Texture: Creamy but chewy
Taste: Good

Coffee: Decent, not good

Service: Good and prompt. "I'll keep an eye on your coffee."

December 11, 2005

Golden Hill Cafe
Corner of 25th and C
San Diego
(Golden Hill)

Menu Description: Oatmeal. $2.75/$3.75

On board outside: Oatmeal special with toat and coffee. $4,95.

Flavor: Good
Texture: Chewy. Does not appear to be Irish oats.
Served in a deep bowl on a saucer. Ample.
Presentation: Small crockery containers of raisins, brown sugar and milk (cute small glasses of milk)
Temperature: Hot
Overall: Good
Coffee: Not too good, small cups

Service: Generally prompt. Showed surprise at the order of two oatmeals. Water was slow in coming. Good about returning to refill coffee.

Neighborhood feel. Several police were there.

Cafe features: Chilequiles.

December 18, 2005

Frank's Happy Chef
Fairmont Avenue
San Diego

"Food fit for the gods."

"No oatmeal today"

Weak coffee.

This restaurant went out of business shortly after this.

January 1, 2006

Cafe Cabaret
Adams Avenue
San Diego

Description: On blackboard Oatmeal $3.00

Choice: Brown sugar, cranberries, raisins (one of us)

Maple sugar (the other)

Presentation: Nice rectangular white plate; big bowl, not much oatmeal; plastic spoon.

Temperature: Tepid
Texture: Seemed instant

Coffee. Regular coffee came in a paper cup. Hot, not much flavor
Cafe au Lait came in a real cup. Nicely presented and foamy.

Bohemian atmosphere. Nice collection of old sofas and chairs. Good musice.

January 8, 2006

Living Room
University Avenue (East, near SDSU)
San Diego

Menu Description: Oatmeal with raisins and Milk. $3.00

We ordered at the counter and pick up coffee at the counter.

Decaf: Hot, but tasted stale and bitter.
Regular coffee; Not too hot. Reasonable taste.

Presentation: Real cups and saucers; real bowl and plate. Lots of milk in a paper cup; raisins already in the oatmeal; brown sugar (light brown) in a plastic tub; all dishes white; metal table ware

Oatmeal taste: One of us -- very good. The other -- Not extraordinary.
Temperature: Hot

January 23, 2006

Family House
Third Avenue
Chula Vista, California

Menu Description: Hot or cold cereal $2.75
Appearance; Globular. Gluey.
Texture: See above.
Taste: Tastes better than it looks.
Temperature: Hot
Toppings: Presented in paper tubs. Small metal pitcher of milk.
Presentation: Oatmeal served in a white bowl on a saucer. Metal tableware.
Serving Size: OK
Service: Good
Coffee: Hot. Not flavorful.
This restaurant is very popular. It was packed. It is known for pancakes. The room was very cold.

January 29, 2006

We ventured to Tierrasanta.
We found zip squat.
A land without oatmeal.

We ended up eating at

Spice House Cafe "Since 1962"
9035 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
San Diego
(Kearny Mesa)

Menu Description: "Side Orders" Hot or cold cereal. $3.25
Appearance: Creamy, not globuloar.
Texture: Ordinary'
Flavor: OK
Generally: Middle of the road oatmeal.
Toppings: Paper cups of raisins and brown sugar; butter patty; small plastic glass of milk.
Serving size: Ample (served in a beige bowl)
Service: Very good and very fast.
A classic American cafe with oldies playing.

The oatmeal was similar in appearance to the Family House (last week), but tasted slightly better, and had a bit more texture.

March 19, 2006

Shades
Ocean Beach
San Diego

Once again, very good.

March 12, 2006

Parkhouse Eatery
Park Boulevard
University Heights
San Diego

Menu Description: Hot porridge, baked with brown rice, oats, apples and maple, served with lo-fat milk. $6.95

Appearance: Big bowl, two strawberries, cantelope
Texture: Chewy but granular
Flavor: Good. Sweet without sugar
Temperature: Steaming hot
Serving size: Large

Coffee: Tepid, strong. Served in industrial mug with wide lip. Difficult to sip.

April 30, 2006

30th Near University
North Park
San Diego

One again. Very good.

May 7, 2006

Cafe 222
San Diego

Served in a smaller, deeper bowl than last time. Again, both the regular oatmeal and the caramelized topping oatmeal were very good.

May 14, 2006

Java Depot
Highway 101
Solana Beach, California

Menu Description: Oatmeal Small $3.00 Large $4.00 Add walnuts, raisins or bananas $.75 each

Appearance: Good
Texture: OK. Instant?
Flavor: OK
Temperature: Hot
Presentaiton: Bowl of milk and bowl of otameal on bigger oval plate. Whte enamel.

Coffee: Good and hot.

May 21, 2006

Shades
Ocean Beach

Service: Good. The waitress remembered us.

The oatmeal was not as good this time. It was a bit lumpy, and was not hot enough. The waitress told us that there was a different cook. We learned that the cook can make a difference.

May 28, 2006

Cafe Incredible/ Incredible Egg
Mercado
Rancho Bernardo, California

Menu Description: A bowl of hot oatmeal served with sliced apples, brown sugar, raisins and milk $4.95

Appearance: Good.
Texture: A bit mushy.
Flavor: OK
Temperature: Not hot
Serving size: Good -- deep bowl
Presentation: Nice; Fresh brown sugar. Cooked with the apples in the oatmeal.
Service: Fast and pleasant.

Coffee: Average. Hot enough. Decent taste.

February 5, 2006

Westgate Hotel
Downtown
San Diego


Menu Description: Oatmeal with golden raisins and brown sugar. $6.50

Restaurant: Cloth tablecloths, green and white china, heavy silverware, classical music
Temperature: Hot
Presentation: Green plate in the middle with two pichers of milk and little china holders for raisins and brown sugar. Paper doily. Skim milk. Cinnamon on top.
Flavor: Good.
Appearance: Very creamy.
Coffee: Good. Moderately hot.

June 11, 2006

Cereal Port.
Near SDSU in San Diego

Instant Oatmeal served in chinese take-out containers.
Plastic spoons.

This was a cereal specialty restaurant with computers. It did not last long, but we enjoyed the morning.

June 17, 2006

Glenwood Cafe
Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Menu Description: Hot cereal served with butter and half and half. $3.00.
Choice of Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal
Oatmeal was served on a white crockery oval plate with a white crockery bowl. Fresh brown sugar was in a plastic tub; a small tub of Country Crok and a small box of Sun Maid raisins. Small red glass of half and half.

Appearance: Creamy with chunks.
Temperature: Hot
Flavor: Good to very good

June 18, 2006

Hotel Colorado
Glenwood Springs, Colorado

"The Queen of the Rockies"

Menu Description: Bowl of Oatmeal $3.95 "Rib Stickin' Oatmeal"

Small elegant breakfast room. Reasonably prompt service.

Appearance: Heaping bowl of oatmeal in a white bowl.
Toppings: Fresh brown sugar. Golden raisins were hard and not fresh. Milk in a small bowl (it was hard to pour from the bowl)
Texture: Relatively dry. The milk on the side was necessary.
Temperature: Tepid
Flavor: Good
Coffee: Good flavor. Tepid.

July 30, 2006

Shades
Ocean Beach

Once again, good. This time, the oatmeal seemed a bit lumpy. One of us liked the lumpiness, one of us didn't.

September, 2006

We were sad to learn that Cafe Calabria was no longer serving oatmeal.

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