in the vain hope that maybe...just maybe...
there would still be pastries left. There is a new French patisserie in Hillcrest that recently opened. Patisserie Melanie (named after the French trained pastry chef, a former high school teacher). She is only open on W-Sat from 8 am to 2 pm.
On the southwest corner of Park Blvd and Essex is this curved building. You will see the words "Joie de Vivre" in green on the side window.
This is what we saw at 12 noon, "SOLD OUT" in elegant font. I knew deep down that this was likely to happen. A recent write up announcing the opening appeared in SD Eater a few days ago, stoking interest, including mine. There was a young couple in front of us that was also disappointed (that's their reflection in the window, not ours). Turns out this place had already sold out before 11 am. Due to a weekend work commitment, I wasn't able to go sooner, but pushed our luck anyways. It wasn't 2 yet, right, ha ha.
"To maintain our commitment to high quality, a limited number of items are baked daily". It makes sense. You just can't whip up certain French pastries and crank them out like machinery, especially if you are just one person doing all the work. The perfect laminated dough takes time to make. But still...
My forlorn "through the window shot".
It's a cute but tiny with no place to sit. I'll have to try my luck next time, maybe with D or Bert or both. As is de rigeur, getting there super early and waiting 'til they open will be part of the game plan. D and I already know that we want two of everything (cannele, croissants, pan au chocolate, kouign amann, tarts, etc).
As we walked back to our car, we noticed the George Street Bridge Improvement Project...in action! The project started in late 2016 and is already behind in schedule. As can see, eastbound traffic in the original lanes is closed off. The westbound lane is split for the two way traffic all the while construction is going on.
It's so strange not seeing the original arch on the bridge. There are a few articles I've linked about the controversies dogging this project. Read at your leisure.
I had a coupon to use up...we took the scenic route to get to the freeway, passing some storefronts along Park Blvd...One of these days I actually want to visit this Train Man place, a museum of sorts.
I have two more of these, one of which was used today.
Sandwiches plus onion rings (they were really light and crisp):
The "Reuben Reuben Reuben" with potato salad for Bert.
For me, a patty melt with coleslaw. OMG, just look at those onions and that patty...
Grilled with butter. Oozing with cheese and caramelized onions and a nicely seasoned and grilled patty. This was delicious. Not health food I know, but I'll work it off. Both were on rye bread and served with a pickle spear. Bert really enjoyed his sandwich, finishing the whole thing. While it's not piled super high, the meat was flavorful and not sliced too thin. He thought at first that it wouldn't be "enough" but it was actually quite filling.
There's another option to get a more "stacked" sandwich, but he kept it simple this time around. Service was great here and I know that we're going to be back again...soon.
Previous post on the Georgia Street Bridge:
March 2014 when TC and I walked it.
Articles:
"Curse of the Georgia Street Bridge" SD Reader, Nov. 6, 2017
"Georgia Street Bridge restoration begins" Aug. 11, 2016
Project overview:
www.sandiego.gov
Previous post on Elijah's:
December 2017 with my BFF Astroboi
I have one more coupon left, so I will have to use that strategically heh heh...Potato pancakes are calling my name. Or maybe a Reuben for myself, hmmmm!
2 comments:
Too bad about the Patisserie CC. I gotta get back to Elijah's; probably when the Missus is craving some chopped liver.
No worries Kirk. I'll get there eventually. Oh, I had forgotten about chopped liver. That's something I haven't had since I was a kid.
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