Nectarine Grove — Restaurant in Encinitas

My partner and I have been here many many times. My diet frequently necessitates me to be off gluten, and limited in dairy intake & this restaurant is perfect for that. The food is good, and the service at the counter is always good as well. One thing I will say is that you generally need to make sure that you are given your add-ons for both to go orders and eat in orders. As I said, we have been going there for a long time and today was the first day that we ever got all our add-ons served to us without needing to ask for them a second or third time. There are a whole lot of young people who work there, and a lot of them don't really seem particularly interested in their work so that could be part of the issue. I wasn't that interested in my work at that age either, but completing the tasks you are asked to do is part of the job. Perhaps it's a training issue?

Today was an unusual day there for a couple of reasons. If there's any meal that you want to get correct during the day, it's breakfast. It's the first meal of the day, and people tend to like what they like and it's important to have staff both in the kitchen and in service positions that understand the importance of getting orders correct.

My partner had ordered eggs over medium, just like mine and he got scrambled. My eggs were not over medium they were closer to over hard. I had also got turkey sausage, and when I ordered it the person didn't seem to know whether it was cured or in links (or how it was served). When I got it, the flavor was good but my god it was dry. If anybody gets this in the future- be prepared for a dry sausage patty. We chose to keep the meals because we were hungry and didn't feel like waiting for remakes at the time. I'm reviewing it here as I'm hoping that someone who works at the restaurant will see this and speak to people about pride in their work etc. One thing I will say is that we were both extremely happy with the pancakes.

The other thing I would like to say is that the music selection this morning was abysmal. It was essentially rave music at 8:00 a.m. . We even overheard a mom saying that it was scaring her children. Who plays rave music at 8:00 a.m.!? Did somebody come to work high?! This place normally has good music selection, and projects an upbeat and relaxed vibe. Clearly this morning someone did not agree with that when they chose the music. I hope they care about it in the future. They do such a good job of maintaining a relaxed vibe and this morning it just wasn't that.

All in all, this place will continue to get four stars. Just because certain things were off this morning doesn't mean that's the way it is all the time. But please see to it in the future (whoever is reading this), that your employees have a little bit more enthusiasm about what they're doing if that's possible and that at the very least you keep the rave music off until lunch...

On the evening of 28NOV18 between 7:20 - 7:35PM, I walked into the Nectarine Grove (NG). I had just left my workplace, received some work emails, and decided to stop by NG to respond prior to heading to workout. As I made my way through the front door one of your employees asked, "Are you here from DoorDash?" I simply responded by asking, "Are you guys open?". Given that NG closes at 8PM, I ordered a glass bottle Yerba Mate (wanted something with a lighter feel and taste than coffee) and added a $1 tip since the order was small. I sat down, opened my computer, and began answering emails. Since I have been to the NG on two previous occasions, my computer automatically remembered NG's WiFi network.

Sometime later, the same employee that had asked if I was from DoorDash proceeded to ask if I had purchased something. I showed him the Yerba Mate. He then continued by asking if I was studying to which I responded by stating that I was answering work emails. As my email responses began to come to a halt, he came back again and asked the name of the company I worked for. I pointed to my backpack, which contains the logo of Clinical Research company in San Diego. I think your environment and decor are wonderful (the food is great too!). I also would have willingly purchased meals for the three couples that were sitting in the cafe at the time, if that was what was necessary to make my presence acceptable at NG. After the last encounter, I decided to leave. It was very clear that I was unwelcomed in the environment and it was 7:45PM. (Note: I'd like to point out that all other interactions I've had with your staff have been pleasant.)

Why share this narrative of a near insignificant interaction? Because it's 2018 and I was racially profiled in a Southern California town with supposed "liberal" leanings. I relocated from New York about two months ago. Us New Yorkers understand that success comes in various races, sizes, and manifestations. That's not to say that racism and racial profiling doesn't occur in New York - it occurs everywhere, but there seems to be an air of openness in NY that I especially missed tonight. I'm currently looking for a neighborhood in North County to make my permanent home and after tonight's interactions, it's very clear that the Encinitas/Leucadia neighborhood does not need nor want me. I apologize for having brown skin. I apologize for leaving my hair curled this AM. I apologize for not looking nor fitting the type/mold of your traditional clientele. Be...

Very pleasantly surprised here! Here really lovely aesthetic and very creative menu and definitely would not expect so much deliciousness from a gluten free place!

GUAVA MATCHA LATTE Was absolutely delicious! Husband ordered this because he loves a good guava drink and this was actually really really nice. The matcha and guava flavor went really well together and we got it Iced which made it perfect for summer!

ROASTED VEGGIE BOWL (GF, V, P, DF, EF) (Seasoned Sweet Potatoes, Artichokes, Zucchini, Mushroom, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Chili Lime Pepitas, Herbed Cashew Cheese with a Lemon Vinaigrette and Balsamic Reduction) Absolutely love how nutritious and delicious and filling this was! Very large portion size here. And a very big portion of chicken as well which was much appreciated. Chicken was perfectly cooked and all the vegetables with the meat went so well together. Special shout out to that herbed cashew cream cheese! It was so yummy just plain!

BREAKFAST WAFFLE (GF, P, EF) (Strawberries, Berry Compote, Vanilla Bean Coconut Cream, Orange Infused Almond Milk Ricotta, Maple Glazed Pecans. Maple Syrup on the Side) Undoubtedly the best waffle I have had in a very very long time! We ate this at the end of our meal after having the salad and the drink and everything, but somehow that waffle remained crispy! The berry comport with the vanilla bean coconut cream and that compote with the vanilla bean coconut cream and that orange infused almond milk ricotta.. everything went together so so so so perfectly well! The ingredients all sounded very creative and it really made the...