Thursday, July 5, 2007

May 22, 2007, J6

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

June 12, 2007, Ivy Hotel

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.

April 10, 2007, Barking Dog, New York City

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.

January 21, 2007, Mystic Mocha

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.

January 14, 2007, Lake Murray Cafe

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

November 26, 2006, Cafe 222

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

Adams Avenue Grill October 8, 2006

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