South Pine Cafe-Grass Valley — Restaurant in Grass Valley

Short version: Amazing food. Steep price. Minor issues. But amazing food, so totally worth stopping.

Longer version: I've heard a lot of good things about this place and I finally had a breakfast time open to check them out.

I had the special of the week: Caramel Apple Pancakes. Let me start here: These were some of the best pancakes I have ever eaten. Fresh Gala apple slices were arranged inside pancakes that were light, fluffy, and cinnamon-spiced. The caramel was (fortunately) a drizzle over the top, because these pancakes were a perfect sweetness. SO GOOD! And huge. I'm a fat man who enjoys my meals, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to eat more than half of the three large breakfast cakes. But they were so good, I had to. I can't say enough good about these.

But there was a weird flaw. Spray can whip cream. I recognize that it's easier, but its limp, quickly-melting to a milk drool nature totally failed the pancakes. Spray cream isn't bad - it didn't ruin the dish - but making a proper whipped cream at the beginning of the breakfast rush takes just a couple of minutes and would match the masterpiece of the pancakes. Why shortcut and sell your otherwise perfect platter short? So many places do this: make an excellent special, then throw on some kind of prepackaged, unimpressive afterthought. It's like framing the Mona Lisa with a refrigerator magnet frame from a dollar store.

Service was acceptable, but not enthusiastic. I noticed that all of us who ordered water instead of other drinks got child-sized cups with lukewarm water and no ice. I got a refill once, but not again and the other tables around me didn't even get that. So that was a fail, but did I mention how good the pancakes were?

I don't regret stopping and I will most likely try them again, but the little things matter, so I can only...

This review is true, I'm not sure why the "owner" is stating otherwise. This place has really gone down hill since the virus situation. I went in to eat the other day, ordered a drink then, was asked to leave the table because I didn't have a mask? But, no one else was wearing a mask.. i proceeded to ask the server how much the drink was and she couldn't tell me. I left $5 for a chai latte, plenty of $.. well when I came back in, they claimed I didn't pay enough for the drink, apparently it's $7 or $8 for a iced chai latte 🙄

I return a few days later, asking to sit outside and they still refused service due to a mask? No one is wearing a mask other than servers.. im not sure what happened here but, most of the servers have changed, food isn't the same. Very sad to see after spending an avg of 400 a month here for the past few years. I wont be eating here, bringing guest or recommending this establishment to others. 2 bad experiences in a row.. being refused service for not possessing a mask while sitting at a table, to eat.. no other restaurant has done this.. By the way, you can buy a mask from south pine for only a few dollars.. seems a...

"South Pine loves me, this I know. The caprese omelette tells me so!"

Ok, Strawberrians, know that South Pine is a post-camp Haven. My first time here, and the waiting area is full of Spring'Berry wristbands. It's packed. It's crazy busy. And every person who works here is a pro. They get us. They are warm and welcoming and incredibly gracious in the midst of all this Memorial Day..."craziness..." But good crazy. With a packed house and a waiting list, I was seated and served my beverage much quicker than I expected. Kacie, the lovely woman who took my order, had it at my table in about 15 minutes. This tells you something about how good their systems are, and I daresay, a strong sense of teamwork. And the food? Oh Lordy! The caprese omelette was just perfect! And for the rest of the human beings that aren't at Strawberry? (Well... You should go to Strawberry Music Festival, it'll do your heart good). Rest assured that they offer this great experience to all who come through their doors. 😊. I'm so grateful to have discovered this jem. No doubt I'll...