Lunch at Tender Greens
This place gets it right from the get-go: bright, airy, with a bounty of veggie-style eye candy. Place your order at the counter, and then stroll past the line where prepped ingredients like crisp, sweet lettuces, grilled albacore tuna, char-roasted red peppers, and a kaleidoscope of Southern California’s local produce might prompt some second guessing, but fret not. You can’t go wrong. Salads here are crisp, fresh and dressed in their luncheon best. In fact, some of those tender young nibbles come from Point Loma Farm -- mere blocks from the restaurant. The housemade charcuterie is a crafted by part-owner Pete Balisteri himself, who lures you with savory tasties like duck prosciutto, finocchiona, pancetta, or the oh-so-good citrus salami. Heads-up on saving room for dessert. Skillful pastry chef Sue Brandenburg takes full advantage of area’s fruit production. It’s a never ending rotation that moves from cara cara oranges and limequats to delicate berries, plump figs, juicy plums, sweet pears and more. Her salted white chocolate oatmeal cookies are keepers too.
Next Destination » Dinner at The Pearl
Curator Clare Leschin-Hoar
Clare Leschin-Hoar has been exploring San Diego after recently relocating from Boston, discovering her new city is much more than just a craft-beer powerhouse. Good eats can be had in pockets throughout the city, from upscale La Jolla to hipster-heavy Hillcrest. Her work has appeared in the The Wall Street Journal, San Diego Magazine, EatingWell and more.
Say hey hey on twitter » @c_leschin