As Cher, the star of the 1995 hit comedy, Clueless, accurately quipped, "No, she's a full-on Monet. It's like a painting, see? From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess." A full-on Monet would be an appropriate definition for all things related to "The Grove".
Of all the available options in Hayes Valley, it's a head scratching mystery why I'm often found dining at this establishment. Uninspiring subpar fare, disinterested cashiers and unnecessary lengthy wait times. Seriously, why bother?
I keep secretly wishing their food will improve but after 8 tries, it is time I finally bid adieu.
Chicken Caesar Salad with Croutons
Turkey Club with House Made Chips
The Grove's Signature French Onion Soup
After a 20 minute wait on a lazy Saturday afternoon, our three entrees finally came, delivered by a very rushed server. Upon digging in, I surveyed all three dishes. Looks amazing, could this time be any different than the last?
My salad was drowning in overly tart Caesar dressing while the abundance of the creamy dressing stole the show from my excessively wilted romaine.
The intensely grilled bread encapsulating the Turkey club a.k.a the giant crouton, made it a difficult feat to stomach while the house made chips were lacking in flavor.
The most unforgivable abomination were the salt levels in their "Signature French Onion Soup". Having just came back from Europe, I had very fond memories of said soup, while dining casually at many sidewalk cafe's littered all over Paris. The Grove's version was teeming with inexplicable saltiness, rendering it inedible.
In a city like San Francisco, deemed "America's Culinary Mecca", the options are seemingly endless. With only 3 meals a day, approximately 90 meals a month, why waste valuable stomach real estate on chains such as "The Grove"? With every experience comes a lesson learned and after 8 tries, I finally got it.
