Bringing a vegetarian guest from Chicago to Calafia last week turned out to be an embarrassment! The Hostess at the door was ridiculously rude and frazzeled. People were waiting to be seated but 1/2 the restaurant was empty at that moment, including the entire bar seating. When asked why there were screens at the table, she rebuffed us saying they had always had them and you could order from a "server" if you wanted. I have never seen screens for ordering our food there before, and think the idea is a sad statement (we are trying to get away from 'Google' when ever we can--and we all know the Chef used to cook there). My friend was appalled and wanted to eat elsewhere. Without a reservation, we walked nextdoor and had another magnificent meal (at the bar) at Mayfield Cafe.

Food is mostly very good (there have been some misses, usually with pasta or other grains). Soups are outstanding, as are salads, and appetizers. They make their own delicious sodas. The market has some good deals -- rotisserie chicken is piping hot and fresh at 5 pm, and is a plump rocky chicken. Good music in the market cafe, noisy because of acoustics in the main restaurants. Service is pleasant.

I think this is the type of place that exemplifies what makes California farm-to-table, organic cuisine so special - I try to take all friends visiting from out of town here, as well as go to dinner with friends when we can. The restaurant gets crowded because it is small, but it is worth the wait. Not very kid-friendly in terms of separate menu and more basic options, but we have taken our kid here with success anyway. The family style table is fun and works, but probably the coolest place to eat in the whole joint is at the bar facing into the open kitchen. Bonus points for having Pliny the Elder on draft when we were there (that stuff is challenging to find!). The menu is creative and the food tastes great - a bit pricey but it is special and different from a lot of the other local restaurants.

I had brunch here this weekend and I can sum up the food in one word: WOW. The food is outstanding. I had the biscuits and mushroom gravy. It was one of the best things that I've ever eaten. My only complaint is that I would have liked more of that luscious gravy. I also tried some other entrees and really enjoyed everything. The quality of the food definitely sets this place apart from most restaurants in the south bay / peninsula. Go here. You won't regret it.