A Tuesday, 8/25, @ 10:51AM. I have lived in the area 3 years, and finally followed suggestions to visit.
NO CLOSE PARKING! (Did not notice Handicapped?) ALL of it is public street with poorly maintained sidewalks; unsafe for even the most fit people. This is not all their fault; TAKE an UBER!
Signage states customers should order before reserving seats; following the request, I got in line because there seemed to be AT LEAST 5 tables for 2 empty. When I got through line, not only had others after me in line placed bags or jackets on empty tables, but several parties of ONLY 2 had pushed empty tables together forming a 4-top, leaving me one table in a corner. Unbelievable, but by the time I made a second trip to the table with beverages and my "order number", a man had pulled a 3rd chair up to a table for 2, blocking the
walkway to my guest's chair. He made no apology or reason. I moved to the last empty table, still dirty, outside on the patio. Luckily it was nice weather. No staff seems to attempt looking out for "policy-compliance", the customer experience, or FIRE-CODES.
The Waldorf Salad in the case had apples that were turning brown, and definitely looked mushy. Try tossing apples in a small amount of lemon juice before adding to the salad; make this salad daily; for cost, perhaps make a bit less, and when gone..., just say, it's delicious and goes fast! Perhaps, you will get more buying it?
I ordered a sandwich to share with my guest, asked for an extra plate, napkins, and utensils; the same individual delivered the food without it. When I walked up to the counter to retrieve them, staff ignored me.
FYI: The ice cold water they "kindly" provide in the eating area is not even MINIMALLY supervised. I watched 2 kids (old enough to know better) basically washing their fingers under the spout. Their parents were 12 inches away too busy gossiping and blocking the walkway to the counter to stop them.
Now, the food:
Turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich on Rye:
Rye bread=uneatable, dry, fell apart; all ingredients crammed in the middle, only added to the crumble!
The thinnest layer of mustard, and mayonnaise on bread I have EVER seen; and I strongly oppose heavy amounts;
Turkey was decent, but I wish the title would have included "PEPPERED"! Bacon, lettuce and Avocados were plentiful and fresh; however tomato was pale and tasteless. The pepper on the turkey was over powering. Sorry I did not photograph the plate. I did not want to embarrass my guest.
Dill pickle was a bonus and delicious
Macaroni salad was also a bonus, but uneatable; the elbow pasta was undercooked (could not get the metal utensil to "stab" it. Too much red onion; salad was generally dry. Again, I dislike sloppy, but the 2 small bites I managed to slide onto my fork did not even leave a moist spot on the plate.
Orange juice was freshly squeezed and refreshing.
Bran muffins to go; DONT be deceived; they look big in the case, but let's be honest; they should be sold as "muffin-tops". The bottom portion in the cupcake wrap "may" have been the size of a tablespoon; 3 walnut halves, maybe! Taste was good; had better.
Blueberry pie! Wow! Huge portion and favorite part of my experience!
As other reviews from recent AND a long time ago, the restroom was HORRIBLE!!! Public beach restrooms in California and golf courses are cleaner and better maintained. Management has not heeded restroom feedback in reviews.
The price for the whole meal plus 15% tip; tip is fair enough for standing in line to order my food at a counter was 48.66! Now get this! In other reviews management freely admits the expense it takes to run a restaurant in RSF. (they are RIGHT!) Despite that, until I took a picture of the receipt at home, I did not notice I was not charged for the 2 muffins!!! Trust me, competence at the counter might help pay the bills. I live close, so I will return (with a driver) to pay them. I hope management is not retaliatory to the employee identified on the receipt. He appeared overwhelmed, but was kind and smiled, unlike the staff who ignored me when I went to retrieve the plate.
I will try again sometime, and until I do and get better food and overall experience, I will be cautious recommending this to others. Previous to going myself, I had been blindly recommending them. Shame on me!
Good luck! I might suggest a "sister"and more reasonably priced location! With their reputation, I believe they would THRIVE! A spot I might check into is in Del Mar- close to Gelsons, across from Flowerhill Mall. Perhaps name it "Thyme by the Ranch" Or "Thyme by the Sea";) Another small place might be nice just inside Whispering Palms (still officially RSF) call it "Thyme in the Ranch Cafe" (on the way to LaValle Coastal Club.)The one corner is still suited for a restaurant with a kitchen, etc. Both areas are being re-vitalized, and getting decent local, and visiting traffic!
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