The Elite Cafe

I used to have rotten luck even getting a table at the Elite. Once we had reservations for 6 and were there early and they still gave our table (the only large table) to another party. Another time I waited over 2 hours for a table for 3. I know others were getting in ahead of us. When I talked to the hostess for the third time she showed me how the parties were listed and,  I swear, the diagram looked like some kind of a weird backgammon table. The last night I went with someone from that neighborhood and , on Valentine's Day no less, we got a table immediately. I figured the guy must have passed the hostess a nice tip but never asked him directly if he had.

I stopped going. If I have to tip the hostess just to get a table I would rather eat somewhere else.

Just my $.02,
Carter Tomassi

Jack H. wrote:
> I've been eating brunch at the Elite Cafe on and off for many years.
> When they first opened, they had a wide selection of dishes you
> couldn't get anywhere else, served unlimited hot cornbread, and had
> very good service (they also took only cash and had long lines).
>
> Over the years, they've slowly cut back on the menu.  When I ate
> there last weekend, there was almost nothing on the menu I couldn't
> get elsewhere (and better), service was slow, and no cornbread.
> It was probably my last visit.
>
> Does anyone know what happened?  Has dinner suffered the same
> deterioration?

Well, I'll sound the contrarian note -- I love the Elite Cafe, Fillmore St., San Francisco. If I can't get a table, I usually can get seated at the bar, and the host or hostess has always been very nice to me (and I don't hand them $$$).

That said, I always order the same things -- either Caesar or their greens salad, oyster shooters, gumbo, drinks. Desserts are also good. Oops -- popcorn shrimp are also a treat. Order those things, drink in the atmosphere and spend maybe $35 for dinner for two. Not bad in my black book.