Spent dozens of nice evenings in Haystack in the Days of Yore when the Noe Valley's 24th Street BUSTLED on a Saturday night. Here's my impression of what we had Saturday night at Haystack.
The "mini salad" really, really sucks, resembling hospital cafeteria "salads." It had beets and stringed beans that were terrible. And other God-awful-tasting "greens" that tasted like they'd been sitting around a few hours. They deserved to be sent back. Didn't like the dressing either.
Cost-cutting for razor thin margins must have really taken a toll on Haystack's "French bread," a sort of sour dough substitute, that had tasteless, soft crust, an equally bad, textureless, inner dough, and looked and smelled terrible w. a faded, insipid color. My girl, a lover of French bread, decided not to even taste it, based on the bread's unappetizing looks. God only knows what bakery ships their bread, and how many days it's in the back of the truck, but I'm hoping their pizza crusts are better.
The fettucini carbonara was very good and the portion healthy. Grated black pepper on it would have nearly completed the "fettucini experience."
The substandard waitress was reluctant to take our order but ended up somewhat friendly, though she forgot our water. Using her words, they were "underhanded" that night, though the place looked nearly half empty (which, at 9 pm on a Saturday night, is probably testimony to Haystack's quality). Gave 15% though only because it's a tough job. She did not deserve even this lousy tip.
Greek Feta burger was pretty mediocre and came with stale tomato. OK, late August California tomatoes may sometimes not be the best, but let's please stop tossing canned veggies on top of salads. The Feta and garlic were good, but the bottom of half of the bun came soggy enough that you couldn't hold the burger. Burger King's sesame burger buns would beat this by miles. Fries OK.
The house white and red was barely adequate. When time came for coffee, dessert, or a drink, we declined. Some flan and coffee or brandy would have been nice to have while looking at some pretty paintings on the walls in the back dining room. Provided they fix their sunken-in seats so that you're not sitting so low, and at an uncomfortable tilt.
The only thing this place may have going for it is the man who appeared to be the owner -- a very nice, warm -spirited, middle-aged, gentleman in a pullover sweater and white shirt. But I'm looking at the 3 out of 5 stars of the other reviews here. We won't be back any time soon. The pizza place across the street is more of a restaurant, and the food's better.
Yuppification took out a major portion of the Noe Valley. Herb's, a great breakfast cafe, the Acme Cafe, and Spinelli's coffee -- who had staff that wentto Coffee School, and had cafe that'd have you Walking The Wires, my brother. Last stalwart bastions: News on 24, which survived a horrific but nice past owner and offers an eclectic selection; Noe Valley Music, which has survived a mean guitar maker (of oh, so, cool-looking guitars) and unprofessional guitar teachers; one or two great used book stores. Alas you're more apt to run into tony Cisco execs than you are, say, an artist.
Well, we didn't find pubes in the food like Yelp reviewer Kathy W. says she did. Or have my credit card charged twice for a pizza that never came like Kati K. But......... read more