Eating: Arlequin Cafe
When it comes to our restaurant scene, San Francisco is notorious for long lines and excruciating waits. Is it really worth 45 minutes and 68% of my battery spent playing on my iPhone? Tough call. And then there are times when you just can’t. The hunger (or hangover) level is so high that getting food immediately is the only thing that might save you.
Arlequin Cafe comes to the rescue in a pinch. Walking by, you might think this was an ordinary little coffee shop and nothing more, but upon entering you’ll see some greenery towards the back of the restaurant inviting you to discover further. Yes. Holy mecca. Back patio action.
Arelquin has a range of baked goods and breakfast items in the morning, and an addition of sandwiches and salads at lunchtime. (Note: They’re known for their lamb burger with dill greek yogurt sauce which starts at 11:30am with their lunch menu, but breakfast is still fantastic here.) The breakfast sandwich comes with eggs, ham or bacon, and cheddar cheese on a bagel of your choice (tip: go garlic bagel here). The breakfast burrito is also fabulous, with tender pulled pork, potatoes, and a mix of tomatillo-avocado salsa verde and queso fresco.
The back patio is large and heavenly. Covered in the shade of several trees, cobbled stone walk ways lead you through an array of tables and chairs, surrounded by flowers, plants, and leafy vines make you feel like you are in your own little secret garden.
You will have to wait on one line at the counter to order, but the overall arrival-to-order-to-food-in-mouth time is totally manageable and of normal-ordering lengths. Can’t make it up in time for brunch? Come by in the early evening and visit their sister shop next door, Arlequin Wine Merchant. Savor a few tastings or a bottle in the shop or to the back shared patio space. Either way find your way to this relaxing, little oasis.
CRAVE: Breakfast sandwich. Scrambled fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, melted cheddar, GARLIC bagel. Win.
Arlequin Cafe
Arlequin Cafe interior
Breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, crispy pork confit, fried potatoes, tomatillo-avocado salsa verde, queso fresco
Bagel-eggsandwich with scrambled (or fried) eggs, aged cheddar cheese, and bacon (or ham)
Arlequin Cafe back patio oasis
Learn more about Arlequin Cafe on their website here.