James K
Google
Nice atmosphere, good coffee and omelettes (4/5 green stars)
Maison Bleue has a great outdoor sunny/shady seating area (and fast WiFi if you’re working). The staff member I dealt with was super friendly and seemed to really like interacting with his customers. I really appreciated the free coffee refills too! My omelette (the Herbivore, with spinach and cherry tomatoes, $11) was well-made, as a French omelette should be. A few more seconds in the pan, a touch more seasoning and more toast on the side would have made it even better, and I feel like the eggs could have been more flavorful (see below) but besides all that it was still very good! The coffee (RoastCo, only $2.25) was very tasty and served in great mugs made by Heath ceramics in SF. The chocolate croissant was a bit lacking in chocolate but not bad considering that it was a half-price day-old ($1.50). I also had a tiny mini-muffin, with candied apple inside ($2). Also had a happy hour beer (Boont amber ale in can, $4). You can hang out there all day (which I did!). Went back for another visit and loved their breakfast sandwich on great Acme bread, and their pain aux raisins was one of the best I’ve had (up there with Bouchon!).
I’m also giving them 4/5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact, based on these reasons:
• Minimal waste café – everything is ceramic or metal, with compostable to-go cups and lids.
• They are quite good about naming suppliers, like organic bread from Acme, bacon from Niman Ranch, etc.
• Coffee is from RoastCo in Oakland, who tend to source shade-grown / organic coffee from cooperatives.
• Eggs are cage-free, but not fully pasture-raised as far as I know. This would be my main suggestion for improvement: Eggs are a big part of the menu and it would be great if they were pasture-raised (they are generally also more flavorful).
• Would also be nice to see draught beer instead of packaged.
• Wheelchair-accessible (there’s a gate at the seating area) and close to lots of public transport.