New and Venerable Institutions: Ella's
Ella's Restaurant, 500 Presidio Avenue and California Street, serves great fresh breads, stews, and chicken pot pie on its always changing menu, but it's the phenomenal brunch here that made the place an institution. Named for an aunt of a founding partner, the restaurant opened in 1990 and quickly earned a reputation for its lemon-and-ginger oatmeal pancakes and chicken hash, as well as for the long lines to get in that start around 8 a.m. on weekend mornings. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7am - 9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am - 2pm.

Copyright 2001-2004 Hank Donat
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