Inconsistent with Previous Experience

Dad and I went to the Lighthouse Cafe in Sausalito one morning for breakfast. I have many fond memories of enjoying breakfast there over the years, and it had been awhile, so I was looking forward to it. It is normally a very popular place with people waiting for your seat, both inside and outside. We were there early, so we got a seat immediately, and the line didn't start until later in our meal.

Dad ordered scrambled eggs with bacon. Our meals also included toast (not pictured) and we chose European wheat from the list rattled off by the waitress.

I decided to be a little adventurous, and ordered the Spanish Omelet. The omelet cover was fluffy, and it contained sauteed bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions, with salsa on the side. I requested an add of avocado and was asked whether I wanted it inside or on the side, I chose on the side. It came as a half, seed hole side down, so I sliced it tableside and arranged it. I was rather disappointed in this dish. First, the sauteed vegetables were dripping with oil and had a lot of 'grill residue', that is browned bits of sausage and other meats that had been grilled previous to the omelet for other orders. The avocado had noticeable brown parts and was a bit stringy, like it was overripe. Besides the dish itself, the service was distinctly lacking. The waiter who took our drink orders wasn't listening, as he immediately tried to pour coffee into Dad's cup after I told him that we'd like two Earl Gray Teas. He then brought out two English Breakfast teas. When I pointed that out, he brought a whole bowlful of tea bags which included Earl Gray. There was also poor management of the people waiting inside. I was sitting in the booth on the bench nearest the door. When people kept crowding in to wait in the tiny space just behind, someone was pushed into my back with force and a fork of eggs and salsa fell on my white shirt, leaving a big salsa mark. With that tiny a space, those who wait should be directed to wait outside. I also found the jams on the table to be very crumpled and when opened, looked like they were heated and cooled, and there was a strange off color film over the top. One of them was partly opened and still in the bowl. I've been here many times before and never had such a poor experience, so I'm hoping that this is just an anomaly.

Restaurant Inspection Results
Critical: 2
Noncritical: 4
Last inspected: 1/9/2009

Previously reviewed:
March 20, 2007

Scandinavian choices

The Lighthouse Diner in San Rafael is a clean and warm place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's bar is even friendly and well-stocked with Scandinavian favorites. I enjoyed many a Danish meatball for breakfast here, and their corned beef hash is housemade and very good. Given all the meals I've had here it was hard to believe that I hadn't already formally reviewed it.

I did remember the dense pumpernickel bread that is available here. It reminds me of the Germanic countries that I visited while a university student. Dad went for the sourdough and enjoyed it as well. "A taste of San Francisco!" he said, forgetting that he lives so close!

Jose's scramble, stuffed with veggies was just the ticket for me. It had spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, red onions and mushrooms scrambled in the eggs with (Jack) cheese.

Dad went for the standard Ham & (cheddar) Cheese Omelet, and he enjoyed the home fries as well. The Lighthouse serves breakfast 7:00-4:00 every day, except Sunday when it opens at 8 a.m.

Danish Hash. It was such a blue-sky day in Sausalito I decided to go to one of my favorite eateries for an ethnic treat. So I visited the Lighthouse Cafe located on Bridgeway south of the tourist district. I usually enjoy breakfasts here, so this was a little different.

I quickly scanned the menu, and thought that I really didn't want an egg on top of meat, which seems to be typically Danish, so I continued down the "Danish Lunch Specials" until I found "Danish Hash" - roast beef, meatballs, potatoes, onions, etc. I soon found out that the 'etc.' was a fried egg on top! Oh well. All the other ingredients indeed were all of the prior list, with a tangy brownish sauce throughout. It was a taste sensation. Although I realize I eat meat with eggs for breakfast, it still seems a bit too decadent for lunch. The cucumber pickles were very fresh and crisp, reminded me of my mother's, and the beets were good as well. It is also served with a couple slices of that dense flat bread laced with good seeds, like sunflower and flax. The meal was quite healthy if you are not watching your fat content! The staff are quick and friendly and it has a great atmosphere. The menu also has lots of typical lunch fare to choose from as well.

Had a wonderful Friday off, spent most of it with Paul. Had a late and lazy breakfast at the Lighthouse Cafe in Sausalito. A nice Danish flair with Danish meatballs and curry herring available for breakfast. (No, I didn't try those...) Mario, the window washer, really jazzed up my place, and he informed me that some of the shadowy stuff I couldn't get off myself, well, it's on the inside of the double-pane window, so the actual windows in some places need to be replaced. (ouch!). After assorted errands and shopping, Paul and I thought we'd make an effort to find a *new* restaurant for dinner, but seemed all the *new* ones we picked were closed! So after working up even more of an appetite after about three of these, we went for an old favorite, California Pizza Kitchen. Shared some portabello ravioli which was just right.

Finding renewed energy, we went to see Laura Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, the 2nd time for me. Puts me in touch with that no-holds-barred go get 'em little girl inside. She looks much better in her silver scuba skin than I in my "Scuba Pro" skin, but I feel all the more adventurous in the skin anyway!