Tender Greens! (Liberty Station/Point Loma)

How is it possible that I have not yet blogged about Tender Greens? Tender Greens is the holy grail of toddler-friendly, foodie-friendly places. We've been at least 10 times in the last year...and we don't even live close by. Oh Tender Greens, why do we love you so??

--Farm-to-table grilled veggies - if they were any fresher you'd be crawling in the rows at the farm...and these are deliciously seasoned

--Farm-to-table salads....which Toddler loves too

--Brilliantly simple menu: grilled tuna, chicken, or steak....or veggies....with your choice of the greatest mashed potatoes ever, plus a great salad....or on a sandwich with out-of-this-world bread from Con Pane Rustic, with grilled veggies and a salad-->or a "composed salad" with a protein

--Delicious wine by the glass (Toddler was being relatively calm, so I permitted myself to have a Loire Valley white)

--Stupendous soups (the tomato soup and chicken soup, which they have all the time, are wonderful...but the soup of the day has never disappointed....once I had cream of asparagus with blood orange oil; today a plain 'ol potato leek with chives that was awesome)

--Inexpensive concept: $5.50 for a salad alone, or $10.50 for a plate with everything.

--Kid's menu with quesadilla or grilled cheese, or a grilled protein, plus mashed potato and veggies....it's slightly too gourmet for Toddler, but he is crazy for their salads and bread and tomato soup, and will nibble at the gourmet quesadilla

--Have I mentioned the cupcakes?

I also have left out all the wonderful park space nearby (the regular open space near the restaurant, plus the Liberty Station playground 2 blocks away); the fountains where someone can walk with Toddler if he's particularly antsy, while the other person is enjoying their gourmet meal and remembering what it's like to have a delicious meal out.

Oh - and it's quick casual. You order at the counter and your food comes a few minutes later.

And if Toddler is very good, Cold Stone Creamery is only a few stores down.

Did I mention the airplanes you can watch from the patio?

Thus ends my ode to Tender Greens....Fairouz, you're another of our unblogged-about favorites....we're probably due for a visit in the next month...stay tuned!