Green Eggs Cafe

[zeffer81]

I was excited when I found out that Green Eggs Cafe would be opening just a few blocks from my house. An eco-conscious bruncherie, Green Eggs Cafe took serious strides to live up to the "green" in their name. With an LEED certified products, biodegradable takeout products and local products, they definitely seem to fit the bill. All else aside, South Philly could surely use another brunch spot south of Washington.

The husband and I headed there just before 11am this past Saturday. We walked in directly in front of two gentlemen. The host practically pushed past us to greet the other men (who he obviously knew) and tell them how long the wait for a table was. I tried to insert myself to no avail and he quickly departed. At that point, there were no other employees present, so we took a seat at a cafe table where they weren't serving food and waited to be approached by someone. While waiting, we took in the decor. The space is very nice and welcoming. It is divided into two rooms. The first room holds the counter and register, with a small open kitchen in the back. In the front part of the room are comfy leather (I think) couches and high cafe tables for enjoying coffee and a newspaper. There's also a lovely fireplace, but I didn't notice if it was real or electric. second room is full of tables and lots and lots of windows. It was bright and welcoming. Definitely the kind of place I'd like to enjoy a lazy brunch.

I finally tracked down a flustered employee who took our name. The list, however, is only for the seating area. The counter seats are up for grabs. I went up to purchase some drinks while we waited. I waited a few minutes to order as the young man behind the counter was doing a number of things at once. As I finally attempted to order my coffee, the energetic host loudly (and rather aggressively) admonished him to "clear your dirties," meaning the dirty plates of the folks who had just gotten up. This is just one example of his general negativity and stress. I can't recall a time when I've seen one person really bring down the energy of a place as much as he did. He was rushing all over the place and rarely took a moment to breath or even smile.

My husband ordered eggs benedict while I got the scrambled tofu. I added cheese to the tofu scramble, along with a side of turkey bacon. When we finally got our food after a 15ish minute wait, I had no cheese or turkey bacon. The young man behind the counter gladly brought my plate back to the kitchen to correct this. I also asked if the dish came with toast, which I recalled from the menu. When I asked one of the waitresses, her response was "well, do you want toast?" I again asked if it came with the dish and she said that she would make me toast if I wanted it. A few minutes later, two limp slices of Le Bus bread arrived at the table. By the time I got my dish back, my husband was practically done his meal. Even then, it was another 10 minutes before I got my side of turkey bacon. The order came with two thick and generous slices of turkey bacon, which is a steal for $2.

When we got the bill, we were charged for two cups of coffee that we had not ordered. The server apologized and quickly corrected the mistake. Although there were some major service kinks from all areas (we were waited on by more than one person,) the gentleman behind the counter was pleasant and eager to please.

During our meal, we saw numerous dishes being sent back for one reason or another--a biscuit, for example, was sent back because they were almost done the meal by the time the accompanying biscuit got there. A steak sandwich was sent back because the person had ordered something totally different. The host said--and I wouldn't believe this if I hadn't actually heard it--"can't he just eat the steak sandwich?"

Overall, the food was solid. My husband devoured his eggs benedict and my tofu scramble hit the spot. The la colombe coffee and le bus bread were delicious, as usual. This is the type of place that was real potential, although it must work out its major service kinks. Also, South Philly is like Cheers "where everyone knows your name." A friendly face at the door, especially in the opening weeks, speaks volumes. A friend, for example, accidentally wandered into Zavino on their opening night and the owner made a point to chat with them. They live in the neighborhood and plan on returning. I don't need you to fawn over me, however I would like to feel welcome and I did not feel that there at all. The space at Green Eggs is beautiful and welcoming, unfortunately I did not get the same vibe from the staff. I am hoping to return in a few weeks, after they've worked out their kinks, and would love to become a regular. I hope I'm able to share a more favorable report after my next visit!

Overall, I hope it doesn't seem like I'm trashing this place. I'm hoping to share my experience with others and would love to hear from others who have had more successful visits. I want this place to succeed, I really do.

[KatieLoeb]

A steak sandwich was sent back because the person had ordered something totally different. The host said--and I wouldn't believe this if I hadn't actually heard it--"can't he just eat the steak sandwich?"

Seriously?? Yikes. That's a bit beyond the pale of opening jitters. That's just outright clueless service. Although, I did have a customer send back a hot toddie tonight because they didn't realize it was HOT. Kind of like sending back your iced tea because you didn't realize it would be cold...:shrug: People never cease to utterly astonish me.

[Holly Moore]

I pretty much like the Green Eggs Cafe - they are on the cusp of becoming a regular weekday breakfast hangout. Especially late breakfast as they serve breakfast til 4 PM. Weekends I'll avoid - weekends are for Carman's Country Kitchen.

I have been to Green Eggs for three breakfasts. Generally fine, but always a quirk and in one case a problem with a dish.

First breakfast, and the problem, their Philadelphia Eggs Benedict. Mucked up Eggs Benedict - pretzel roll instead of English muffine (or Holland rusk - anyone in Phila using rusk?). Pork loin instead of Canadian Bacon and Bernaise sauce in lieu of Hollendaise. The pretzel roll was too brawny to easily cut through. The pork loin was cut too thick to easily cut through and lacked any flavor to break through the eggs and Bernaise sauce. The eggs were perfectly poached.

Second breakfast - Creme Brulee French Toast. On the menu as vanilla bean custard, fresh berry compote, drizzled with vanilla angleise, warm maple syrup and topped with chantilly cream. It came together nicely, but was not as decadently rich as it sounded. Also, I hear creme brulee, I immediately think a brittle layer of caramel. Not there.

My most recent breakfast, Eggs Benedict. Almost perfect and a great value at $7.50 If only the kitchen had better toasted the English muffin. There was a little color to the top of the muffin, but the bottom was uncooked.

The place has a nice feel. A beautiful renovation. Service was friendly, prompt, though I had to request any coffee refills. Two items I'd like to see on their breakfast menu - chipped beef on toast and a homemade corned or roast beef hash. All in all, high on my weekday breakfast list with a potential to be number one.

[zeffer81]

Just wanted to update with the report that many of the service issues were worked out in a recent revisit. Granted they were much less busy due to the snow, but I was much happier and will gladly return. The hostess was a welcome addition and helped to straighten things out. Counter service was friendly and attentive and we didn't have to ask for silverware, salt and pepper, etc. as we did last time.

Foodwise, my husband got eggs benedict again and I got the $7 eggs your way breakfast which included 2 eggs, meat, potatoes and toast. The eggs came perfectly poached with nicely toasted multigrain Lebus toast and the turkey bacon was, once again, thickly sliced and delicious.