Thanks for dropping back to read mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is busy doing something very special which you will read about soon. Ed(from Yuma) is probably also doing something special. Cathy is writing about a place she thinks is special.
We all have favorite places where the food is always good and one of my personal favorites, which I've only written about twice (but have gone to for lunch three times in one week because I just like the food)is located in an office park just off of Genessee and West of the I-5. Sometime last year, another branch opened just off of Genessee and East of the I-5. (Take Genessee East and turn North at the second light, Campus Point Drive and go until it ends, up and into the parking lot). It's at the end of a street lined with many tall office buildings.
This is the view looking South from the parking lot- and that is the garden which supplies much of the food you will eat here.
When you park at the far end of the parking lot (where you will see most of the cars parked) this is your view from there-and down those stairs is your destination.
Green Acre- the Campus Pointe location (I know, the street is Campus Point, but for some reason the menus, online and on paper as well as hashtags and writings on Facebook, call the location Campus Pointe, with the silent and unnecessary 'e'. I'd like to think this is something deliberate as opposed to someone still not paying attention to details.) You may already notice much more outdoor seating than the Nautilus Campus location.
The interior is noticeably larger also. The rock wall is a beautiful idea.
It includes a very large and private (if you can call glass doors private) Conference/Meeting Room area.
As well as a pool table and (to the right in the above photo), a bar area.
There are also some trees growing inside and an upstairs meeting area as well as that living wall..
Another difference in this location is that in addition to a grab and go area, there is table service (!) When you ask for just water as your beverage, that glass bottle is brought out. (Iced tea is $2).
I met my friend, Mr. C, here for lunch in mid January. He works nearby and gets a 'tenants' discount on his purchases. Anyone from the general public can come here (and a new "Happy Hour" just started yesterday, which I must try out soon). Mr. C ordered the above Root Vegetable fries ($3) which are delicious and nicely fried and salted.
The 1/2 mushroom 'brick oven bar' ($6), which is cremeni mushrooms with garlic and truffle oil on a fresh baked flatbread is served with a fresh fresh picked salad which is lightly dressed.
Mr. C also ordered the "Crust Ocean"($10)- a cold sandwich on sourdough made with a stone crab-shrimp salad and a squeeze of lemon. Again, the fresh salad is included. I had a good bit of this sandwich and really like it.
When you walk in the far South door, there is a chalkboard listing daily specials. I brought The Mister back and liked everything I saw on this board.
So, ordering the Tuscan white bean soup (made with kale of course) was automatic (cup $3). This was *so* good, thick, hearty and deeply flavored.
The Seaburger sandwich ($9) was a mixed (tuna, cod and shrimp) ground patty which was grilled, still moist and the mix of flavors was quite nice. I didn't detect much in the way of spices, which made the seafood flavors shine. It was served on a slightly warm ciabatta bun, which was fresh and chewy. The side of quinoa salad was so very refreshing and good.
For some reason, The Mister really wanted to try the CBB&J-cashew butter, banana and fig jam on grilled brioche bread. A great medly of flavors, unexpected depth of flavors really, and the lightly grilled bread was very complimentary. The side salad came with the sandwich. ($5)
Here's what the sandwich looks like opened- a good slathering of tart-sweet fig jam, plenty of bananas and a nice amount of the cashew butter.
Since it was a chilly day, we also ordered a bowl of (grass fed beef) chili ($6). This is one of my favorite versions of chili. Thick with tomatoes and black beans, the meat flavor and spices stood out and was a perfect part of our leisurely lunch.
We walked over to the garden after eating before going up the stairs to the parking lot. Many fresh meals are growing here.
As I was getting ready to post this, I went to the Green Acre Facebook Page and see that just yesterday, Happy Hour started at this location, featuring discounts on wine and local craft beers and the menu has $4,$5 and $6 items from 3-6 pm on Thursday and Friday only (Green Acre usually closes at 3 pm daily, only serving breakfast and lunch). I will make an effort to research this, for your benefit…
Green Acre 10300 Campus Point Drive San Diego 92121 (858) 450-9907 Website Open M-W 7am-3 pm, Th-F 7 am-6 pm(3-6 pm is Happy Hour - Check Facebook for details of small bites and specials on wine and local craft beer)