Marlowe
Sunday before the Giants game with my Mom we decided to head to Marlowe for brunch. I have been here before for dinner and had an awesome experience, and brunch was no different. From the moment you walk in, you are promptly greeted by not just the hostess, but also with patron chatter indicative of satisfaction with the delicious food and libations. The vibe is trendy but classic; rustic touches paired with simplistic subway tiles and a monochromatic vibe makes you feel not only cozy and welcome but also current. Both of my visits I had made reservations and was seated immediately, which is exactly how it should be! That’s the point of a reservation right? Once seated the service is impeccable. Orders are promptly taken and the team work amongst the staff is obvious; the manager is active; straightening bar stools, cleaning stuff off the floor, and always visible. My water was never empty and neither was my stomach!
I hadn’t planned on having a cocktail, but when I read the menu there was one that caught my eye…The Juicer: gin, cilantro, serrano, lime, cucumber...right up my libation alley. I hate sweet drinks and this was fresh, spicy, refreshing. My mom even had a couple sips! We ordered the Candied bacon to share, as well as the polenta (also happens to be what I had for dinner on my previous trip) and an open-faced deviled egg sandwich. Not less than 10 min after our order did our food arrive. The single thick (and I mean THICK) slice candied bacon did NOT disappoint. It reminded me of a nice slice of Honey Baked Ham on Thanksgiving. My polenta was again perfection. Creamy and paired with delicate but meaty mushrooms, topped with salty parmesan, spicy arugula, and a perfectly poached egg. Theres a sign near the restroom stating something along the lines of, “The polenta is more addictive than crack,” and I must agree! Lastly, and least impressive was the deviled egg sandwich. While I appreciate the creativity, as it is not often you see this item on a brunch menu; the bread was slightly dry and the egg mixture to bread ratio was less than desirable.
Final verdict: If you are in the SF area and want a casual brunch or a nice dinner (you can dress up or down), I would highly recommend a visit to this small but cozy spot. The food is cozy; you will see elevated comfort foods as well as elegant options, and don’t forget about the deliciously crafted cocktails! Make a reservation because like I have said before, good food and good service is a recipe for success, and judging by the line outside and the packed tables, Marlowe has it perfected.