Sure, you can always line up for a Breton-style crêpe or greasy plate of Tex-Mex grub at one of Zagat’s top-rated breakfast joints, but there are two new players in the midweek breakfast game. Rather than brave the crowds at the insanely crowded Tartine, why not head a few blocks over to sibling Bar Tartine, where you can now carbo-load on chef Chris Kronner’s newly launched “Good Morning Breakfast” menu, served every Wednesday–Friday, from 8–11 AM. Founder Liz Prueitt has developed some in-house breads and pastries (mmm, apple fritters) along with house-fermented yogurt to make it worth your while.
Likewise, savvy diners can enjoy Charles Phan’s culinary prowess, minus the epic Slanted Door waits, at his new Out the Door outpost in Upper Fillmore, where he’s serving the likes of housemade coconut pulled bread and beignets with Vietnamese coffee, along with more American-style fare such as buttermilk pancakes with Fuji apple butter and bacon-smoked maple syrup and poached eggs with brisket and potatoes (Monday–Friday from 8 AM–11 AM, as well as weekend brunch; 415-923-9575).
Speaking of Charles Phan, there’s been plenty of talk about cocktail specials during happy hour at Heaven’s Dog, but we stumbled on a daytime deal at the SoMa Chinese. In addition to the regular small and larger plates, the lunch menu now offers a half-dozen $7 lunch plates featuring dan dan noodles, spicy seafood soup and "Timmy’s Beef." That’s practically the price you’ll pay at the nearby Subway (11 AM–5 PM; 415-863-6008).