Cafe Madeliene, South Park

After our 8 mile run this morning, my running buddy and I ate at the newest creperie in South Park: Cafe Madeliene. I'm not a big fan of crepes because I find them dainty and flavorless most of the time--unless of course Nutella is involved--and I'm usually wishing the crepe was a tortilla instead of the limp, floppy, little thing it is. Today wasn't all that different in that regard, but as far as crepes go, Cafe Madeliene has a fun selection of unique flavors. For example I had the Poached Pear & Bleu Cheese with honey:

It was a quite tasty appetizer, and now I'm ready for a breakfast

burrito. I don't recommend crepes as a real meal, unless you like small meals. (Though not all crepes are so flat and Frenchy: the ones at the Farmer's Market are overstuffed with veggies...though they're still flavorless.)

My crepe date, who suggested both crepes and going to Madeliene's, was enticed by the Croque Monsieur (pictured here), thinking it would take her back to her days spent in Paris. She said it was "good," although it didn't use real French bread

and seemed more like something she'd make at home. Ah, c'est la vie.

The fresh squeezed orange juice was delicious and the coffee drinks are pretty (because of the glass they are served in)-- it looked like a lot of people were enjoying them. Seating is (very) limited, so try to go during a non-regular meal time (brunch hours, early or late afternoon are OK) and you shouldn't have any problem snagging a patio table or inside spot.

Cafe Madeliene

2248 30th Street (Turn right on Juniper: it's between Ivy and Juniper)

San Diego, CA 92104

619.544.1735

What to Eat Now

Eating seasonally? Here's what's tasty and ripe right now:

Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocados, Basil, Green Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carambola (Star Fruit), Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Chili Peppers, Citrus, Collards, Cucumber, Eggplant, Medjool Dates, Kale, Kiwi, Kohlrabi (Whatever that is), Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard, Okra, Green Onions, Passion Fruit, Green Peas, Peppers, Pomegranates, Potatoes, Spinach, Squash, Tomatillos, Turnips, Yams.

Things you might be afraid of in this list: Brussel Sprouts, Okra, Turnips. At least these are the things I don't want to eat. However, I have learned to like brussel sprouts when steamed then sauteed with olive oil and sliced almonds. As for okra, I've yet to discover a way to make the slime go away (What is that stuff anyway?). And as for turnips, they taste like dirt to me. Any suggestions?

New Year's Resolution:

Find better ways to drain the run off so I don't get bogged down and wilty.