The Neighborhoods: Ella's in Presidio/Pacific Heights
The best part about going out to eat with pregnant girlfriends is they have such hearty appetites and a true ‘devil may care’ attitude towards food. The same woman that just last year was telling the waiter not to leave the bread on the table is now asking for a second round of toast and “more jam, please”. As you all know by now, H is one of my favorite eating buddies. We love to talk about a) what we are eating, b) what we ate yesterday and c) what we are going to eat tomorrow. Now that she is pregnant, dining out together has kicked into high gear. If we are not at Tartine’s Bakery having cake in the afternoon, then we are scouting out the City looking for a hearty breakfast. It all started on one of our morning walks from the Golden Gate Bridge over to Fort Mason. The real destination was Green’s for a cup of coffee and a date bar. Continued.....
When we got to Scott Street we decided that what we really wanted was a big breakfast and well, why not take a two-mile detour? The chicken hash at Ella’s was calling: a thick patty of shredded roast chicken and well-seasoned chunks of potato are ‘mooshed’ together, fried to a deep golden brown on both sides and topped with sliced scallions. Novices order scrambled eggs. Real pros, like H and I, order the two eggs poached. The moment the plate arrives we gently ease the poached eggs out of their dish, making sure that no water drips on the hash. Mash lightly. Top with Tabasco sauce. Ella’s Restaurant, 500 Presidio Avenue at California Street, 415-441-5669. Try to ignore the sometimes curt service. It’s a tough Presidio/Pacific Heights crowd and I am sure they give the wait staff a work out.
Frankly, the hash is the only reason I still go to Ella's after all of these years. Worth every bite.
Posted by: Karletta | February 23, 2005 at 07:19 AM
Ella's is partly responsible for getting me where I am today. I was two months away from graduating culinary school, saw an ad looking for a cook way up here and ended up meeting the owner for breakfast at Ella's. She hired me on the spot and I hadn't been back until nearly 10 years later and actually didn't remember where we had met but the place felt creepily familar. When I realized where I was I recognized the creepy feeling. Suffice to say while things have gone well for me here, the year spent working for the woman in question was an experience to say the least.
The food at Ella's seemed good but not worth the hype. Breakfast is a hard meal to do right though so I'll keep my mouth shut.
It's time for the pale ink and mint green Miami Vice decor to go though.
Posted by: haddock | February 23, 2005 at 12:33 AM