Royal Stone

Bert and I were off on our own during a weekend last month...

TC had a youth group event so it was off for brunch for us over in Mission Hills...

where we crossed the First Avenue Bridge, which I posted on three years ago, the same year I was obsessed with going on all of the "hidden" (but not really) bridges in San Diego.


I'd been wanting to try this place, Royal Stone out a few months ago but never got around to us until this weekend.  The old name used to be Royal Food Mart.

It's a few blocks away from the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, visited back in 2012.


We were here for brunch and also a certain French pastry item I don't see too often anywhere in San Diego.



We ate inside since all of the outside tables were taken (click here to see the brunch menu more clearly)

My cortado and Bert's macchiato.




Both drinks, made with beans from Stumptown Roasters, were executed well.   The owner, Jackie, was on hand greeting customers. She also took some time to chat with us; she was very friendly and gracious.

Bert and I shared the mini silver dollar pancakes dusted with powdered sugar. These were so nice and light with crisp edges (the way I like it).

Bert's Hash with caramelized vegetables, sunny side up eggs and braised pork (which looked like chopped up pork belly). I had the potatoes, bacon and eggs with toast; my eggs were supposed to be over hard but they weren't. My toast was brioche, a bit thicker than I would have liked but I did eat the crisp buttered surfaces.

The herb/spice blend on top of the eggs had a lot of rosemary...


My potatoes had a nice, crisp exterior as well. I like them crisp like this and not too soft. The bacon was a thick piece and not the type of bacon I was expecting.

The French pastry that I saw in Mary's post (linked at the end) got me excited. There's only a few bakeries in San Diego that offer the Jesuite, which is what we shared for dessert.  The pastry, which was served warmed up, was so flaky, buttery and topped with almonds. The plate was also decorated with chocolate and caramel sauce.


Mmmm...

Compare to previous Jesuite pastries:

From Westminster's Au Coeur de Paris Patisserie & Boulangerie, the first time I had the Jesuite. The top part of the tip broke off. This was relatively flat but crunchy compared to the version I had from Champagne French Bakery and Royal Stone.

(photo from my "Au Couer de Paris Patisserie & Boulangerie" post, July 2013)

Here is the second location of Au Coeur in Garden Grove). More of the same, but I did like the crusty top.

(photo from my "Au Coeur de Paris new location" post, July 2014)

Champagne French Bakery in Carmel Mountain:

(photo from "Champagne French Bakery Cafe, Carmel Mountain" post, Nov. 2015)



Who else went to Royal Stone?
Mary was here recently. Check out her post here!

Articles:
"The Royal Stone - Just opened..." Precious Palate, March 20, 2016
"Seasonal bistro Royal Stone rolls into Banker's Hill" SD Eater, March 29, 2016

Royal Stone
3401 1st St.
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 738-8550

royalstonebistro.com + reviews from you know where

The owner was super nice, making sure to stop by all of the tables to chat with her customers. It was a beautiful morning and I'm glad that Bert and I were able to to check this place out. We may need to give their actual lunch a try one of these days...