4/5 stars
Imagine every nutritional buzzword being canopied in a Pier 1 Imports and drizzled in Jack Johnson. That's Maplewood in a nutshell - though nuts aren't sustainable, so let's say seashell.
Here's more than what you were looking for, so you don't have to look up from your phone:
1) The signage emboldens language like "local," "grass-fed" and "cage-free" to make the menu feel like an Amish hay ride. And while it is counter-service, you still order from a laminated hand menu instead of pointing at a chalk board, for the same reason the beer taps aren't labeled - so you stay classy, San Diego.
2) Staying in the same class are the decorations, which feel like the decor equivalent of "Beach Formal."
3) On a Thurs @ 1030am, it was about 30% filled. But apparently by lunch time, people are squeezed in and hard-pressed to get some cold press.
(pulling over for some pour-over?)
(when I-drip-you-drip-we-drip)
#VH1sCoffeeClassics
FOOD/DRINK/FEED/ME
1) The Chicken Tinga is the tastiest thing I've tried, but apparently your mouth will also clap for the Breakfast Sandwich. I believe that, since the Breakfast sandwich is also delicious at Kreuger's (Maplewood's sister restaurant), and if they're not sharing notes, then why even have friends.
2) Avocado Benedict is a balancing act to keep your eggs from humpty-dumptying off the toast. And like Humpty Dumpty, this whole dish had a great fall to the bottom of my tummy before fullness could notice.
3) I was surprised that Goetta made its way into several dishes at a place like this.....it's a sweaty festival meat. Just because it's local, doesn't mean it's not sweaty.
4) Also apprehensive about the plastic Heinz bottles everywhere -- you would think that a place with 3 kinds of water could cold-press some tomatoes into housemade ketchup. Compared to everything else's cleanliness, the Heinz just looked like gardening sneakers on an American Apparel mannequin.
5) The Blackberry Lemonade glass had some useful indents in it to hedge against The Clumsy. But that glass could be swallowed whole by the Bloody Mary viking jug, which could fill up your pick-up truck.
6) Too bad that my favorite meat, side sausage, was dry, because my mouth was wet with intent.
7) And after becoming a coffee expert (via Wikipedia and Ask Jeeves), believe you me that this is some of the best coffee in town (along with Collective Espresso and Whole Foods -- that's not a joke).
If you can't get there the during the day, Maplewill now be open for din din til 10. So put on your boat shoes and promenade on over, where every day feels like a Malibu Easter Sunday.
Three kinds of clean water as a middle finger to Flint, Michigan