Le Trimethyldioxypurist Se Réveille sur la Rue de Polk
So first, the good news -- your Trimethyldioxypurist happened on a swell place for a cup of coffee, one that we fully encourage you to try.
The bad news? La Boulange de Polk, the place in question, is closed on Mondays. Alas, folks, you'll have to wait until tomorrow to try it.
La Boulange de Polk is on, er, Polk Street, near Green. It is, in fact, just across the street from fave Polk Gulch sports bar "Greens," described so ably by fellow 'Fister Drew. While we doubt that fans of the March Madness going on this weekend really needed an energy boost, La Boulange de Polk certainly could have done the pre-game trick.
The prices at La Boulange de Polk are about the standard San Francisco fancy coffee drink rate -- close to a buck-fifty for your standard small cup o' joe, approaching the $3 level for larger versions of espresso concoctions. Mrs. Trimethyldioxypurist went for the cafe au lait, and found it smooth and soothing. It wasn't a jolt of java, which is good because Mrs. wanted to avoid overcaffeination, but it still provided a nice buzz for our stroll amidst the gathering stormclouds. We tried the cappuccino, our new obsession (damn you, Blue Bottle! Damn you! Now we spend twice as much on these sojourns!). The foam "cap" wasn't text-book perfect -- it was a little looser than we prefer, and there was a bit too much of it. But the actual beverage beneath was perfection. Perfection. Flavorful. Aromatic. Bitter -- distinctively bitter -- but with the cleanest of finishes.
We asked the somewhat harried staff what kind of beans they carried; the response was "organic." Which is well and good, but we wanted "brand," not "type." When we further plied our "journalistic techniques," we were rebuffed. Dude just didn't know. But, hey, that's okay -- the coffee's among the best. That's what matters.
As you might imagine at a place called "La Boulange," there were a number of delightful looking baked delicacies available. While we did not sample any on this trip, if these breads, little cakes, meringues, and cookies taste half as good as they look, they won't disappoint. They were like little works of art, stunningly displayed in glass cases. Alas.
If only we weren't in a rush. If only we could have taken the time to sit in the La Boulange de Polk, and consumed our lovely beverages out of the large drinking bowls and cups right there in the store.
Ahh, but my friends, that's why there's next weekend. Hope to see you there.
La Boulange de Polk
415-345-1107
Open Tues.-Sat., 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Sun. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.