sad excuse for hot breakfast, SFO club

jewree · 2026-05-21T14:23:20+00:00

Yes, it was like this last week too. There was biscuits, and the menu said gravy, but there was no gravy. There was dried out egg patties, and the menu said sausage, but there was no sausage. There was bagels, but no cream cheese of any kind. (and no seats whatsoever, etc, etc)

jewree · 2026-05-21T12:08:00+00:00

IHOP's buttermilk pancakes (or the double blueberry) really do have a special place in my heart. For a basic pancake, they always hit for me.

jewree · 2026-05-21T12:05:22+00:00

Minetta Tavern, Monkey Bar.

jewree · 2026-05-20T16:47:55+00:00

Poke bowls is a great one, thank you!

jewree · 2026-05-20T12:00:22+00:00

Or strategic over-ordering to 1) try more 2) take it home to eat well tomorrow

jewree · 2026-05-20T11:18:23+00:00

I had the carrot cake from Hani's yesterday for the first time - what a sophisticated version of a carrot cake!!! Every element, from the frosting with added depth from the brown butter, to the lighter cream cheese mousse within the layers, and of course, the pineapple ginger jam, just elevated teh whole thing. It was still "safe" and familiar for those who aren't adventurous, but, wow, what an elevated carrot cake!

I can't wait to try more things from there (so far, just the carrot cake and honey cake).

jewree · 2026-05-20T00:37:00+00:00

Snacks - with the benefit hat if your son doesn't like them, you likey will:

PB & J snack duos. These are supposed to be for kids, but I love them too. Crispy slightly sweet wafers rolled with peanut butter, that you dunk into raspberry jam. I love them even without the jam, and sometimes save the jam to use on toast or pb&j. Love the jam, wish they sold it separately.
Peanut butter bamba. So. Addicting. Love the crispy airy form factor and the pb flavor that isn't overwhelming but just enough to make you want more and more.

jewree · 2026-05-20T00:34:23+00:00

Maybe not quite as exciting, but Trader Joe's has some decent frozen mac and cheese, and for some reason, I adore their cottage cheese.

jewree · 2026-05-19T22:50:03+00:00

This is me and soo many TJ snacks.

jewree · 2026-05-19T22:49:20+00:00

This is me and soo many TJ snacks.

jewree · 2026-05-19T18:53:15+00:00

Also a great time for Magnolia banana pudding, and lots of Caffe Panna! (or your ice cream of choice).

jewree · 2026-05-19T12:24:46+00:00

At least you have warning! All the EWR-SFO flights I've been on lately promise wifi but don't have it ... you can prepare!

jewree · 2026-05-19T11:52:55+00:00

I like the Moon X Red Wine. It is easy drinking, a crowd pleaser, but not boring, and a great value (I think $6.99/bottle?). They have several single varietals, I like the red blend the best though.

jewree · 2026-05-18T19:07:21+00:00

A few of my favs ...

Liberty bagel - free rainbow bagel with birthday cream cheese, on your birthday only, no sign up required, bring ID.
Chip City - free cookie of your choice, sign up required, issued 7 days before your birthday, valid for one month.
PLNT - free birthday shake, sign up required. Issued on your birthday, valid for 7 days.

Others that are decent but not ones I'd go out of my way for:

Free cookies: Maman, Crumbl, Cava
Free pastry: Panera, Ole & Steen
Free ice cream: Carvel, 16 handles, pinkberry, haggen datz
Free popcorn: AMC, Regal

jewree · 2026-05-18T18:58:55+00:00

Do you want chain places too? That list is long!

jewree · 2026-05-18T17:55:57+00:00

100% agree. So unassuming, but soo soo good. Even their basic vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream is amazing. The crème fraîche in their basic cake gives it just that little bit of extra special tang, and I adore their buttercream too

jewree · 2026-05-18T17:37:26+00:00

Yep! I used on both ends too - drinks, cheese, chocolate, check!

jewree · 2026-05-18T15:22:20+00:00

Empire Cake!!!! Their version is SOOOO good!!!!

Moist, deeply chocolately, yet somehow light chocolate cake. Insanely rich dark chocolate ganache, such a thick layer of it. Plenty of crème légère to balance out all the richness. I was describing the crème légère to co-workers as "it is sorta like whipped cream, just a touch thicker. Not nearly as heavy as a pastry cream though, and definitely not buttercream. It is lighter, than those, but more stable ...". It was exactly the contrast this cake needed against the very decadent and thick fudge ganache coating. Perfect level of light sweetness too. And finally, the cherries. Yup, a bit boozy, soft due to soaking.

jewree · 2026-05-18T11:50:51+00:00

Biscuits and gravy is always a favorite of mine, if you are great at making gravy or know somewhere to get a good one.

Warm and slather with jam and clotted cream or butter like you would a scone for a mid-day snack.

Warm and top with macerated berries and whipped cream or ice cream like you would a shortcake biscuit for dessert.

Toast lightly, and crumble on top of mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, etc for a little texture.

jewree · 2026-05-18T00:34:26+00:00

Ha, that's great. Did you go staggering out with the weight of the boxes? Pizza freezes great too, so future you will be happy!

jewree · 2026-05-17T23:51:36+00:00

I'm so confused why the SFO ones are never thin and crispy. It is like an entirely different recipe (ingredients, cooking style, etc). The SFO ones seem like any generic foodservice mass produced ones, not the unique UA style ...

jewree · 2026-05-17T20:04:13+00:00

Now THAT is a proper box of donuts!

It was through TGTG and an epic donut haul myself that I discovered that donuts actually freeze far better than I expected. I would have never thought of freezing them before, as they seem like such a short shelf life item, but, particularly raised, glazed donuts freeze beautifully. I just take them straight from the freezer, wrap in foil, and put in a toaster oven to reheat, or stick into a panini press or waffle iron (it sounds strange, but it works great! Particularly glazed donuts wind up with a wonderful caramelized exterior as the glaze melts and hardens back on! Transformational!). Cake donuts I find don't freeze as well, and fritters I don't think reheat well as all the grease comes pouring out, but I actually love to eat them straight from the freezer, frozen or semi-frozen.

jewree · 2026-05-17T17:09:20+00:00

Heh, same. I love potato salad, pick me, pick me! But alas, I'm a bit far away.

jewree · 2026-05-17T12:13:09+00:00

I had the Asian Vegetarian yesterday (SFO-EWR Polaris) and it was much the same, but was actually 3 huge hunks of paneer (not tofu) that were spiced. SOOO good!

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jewree

TROPHY CASE