Urban Plates v. Tender Greens: Tender Greens still has it!

So we went to Tender Greens (Liberty Station) today for the first time since Urban Plates opened in CV. I thought we wouldn't need to drive down there now that UP is opened, but I'm less excited about UP now than when it first opened. And when we went to TG, we remembered just how much better it is than UP.

URBAN PLATES' STRENGTHS
--more choices for sides than Tender Greens: it's not just mashed potatoes, salad, or grilled veggies; you can get quinoa, mac n cheese, etc.

--they have a few more options as far as entrees (pizzettes, curried vegetables over brown rice, etc.), plus they have turkey as one of the proteins

--the quinoa salad is excellent

--the beet salad is excellent

TOSS-UPS
--they both have excellent bread

--they both make excellent kids grilled cheese sandwiches (but very different; UP uses an excellent whole wheat bread that they won't use for the adult sandwiches, plus butter, and it makes for a very wholesome yummy grilled cheese - I am always happy to finish SuperBoy's when he doesn't. TG makes a ridged grilled panini with con pane bread and cheddar. It's also super tasty and crunchy, but probably less healthy than UP)

--they both have great mashed potatoes, but there's still an edge for TG

--Urban Plates has a FANTASTIC pastry chef, maybe one of the best in the city. Their desserts are PHENOMENAL. (On the other hand, Tender Greens does have delicious desserts too, though less elaborate and fancy).

--Both do good grilled tuna (though the Urban Plates chimichurri is gross, and I have to remember to say, Stop - don't put it on!). UP might be more consistent in preparing it, but it's still new, so let's see if they have bad days too.

WHY TENDER GREENS RULES STILL
--UP has no specials. It's the same stuff all of the time. I love going into TG and having the delight of seeing something I've never seen before on the specials board, and having a new taste adventure. UP has no specials.

--The veg. soup at UP is yukky as far as I'm concerned. And there are no other choices, and it never changes. TG has a fabulous roasted tomato soup every day, and they usually have a delicious veg. special each day. I got broccoli and potato today, which I wasn't a huge fan of (too much thyme), but in general their soups rock my world.

--TG is really farm to table. UP had great salads the first week or so, but since then their salads look nice but don't taste like anything. TG is really bringing salad from their *farm* every day, and it tastes like it. Super-delicious fresh greens, and so many different combinations.

--TG's vegetables change seasonally. You never know what will be on the grill. In summer, there are fantastic cobs of corn, or purple carrots. Today I got butternut squash, super-fresh broccoli, deliciously grilled cauliflower with just the right spice rub, mushrooms and turnips. Yum!!

--TG has a much more efficient operation. You order at the counter, they work their magic while you stay in a single line and watch your food being spooned out as you get to the register. UP wanted people to be able to see the choices before they ordered, and they're hoping that eventually they will have an efficient system, but right now it doesn't seem to work that efficiently. We have eaten in person with SB much less successfully there than at TG.

--TG is less crowded when we go, and has more seating. Plus it has the overhead airplanes in Point Loma. SB sits calmly and eats. It's quieter too and less overstimulating.

I hear TG will be coming to UTC in the next year. If that happens, we'll be there a lot more. UP is still a good option, but I wish they would:
--get rid of the red pepper soup
--have some specials and rotate the menu
--and of course fix the efficiency of the eat-in experience

It would make it much more appealing to dine in there - and more often!