By John Barrera
I find no pleasure in walking into a four-day-old restaurant or grocery store and trying to catch them on their heels as they try to figure out where the salt is. So, I was reluctant when George asked me to write about the prepared foods at the new Mrs. Green’s grocery store. I went in not expecting too much, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The place is buzzing and the food looked as good as it tasted. The pre-made salads look fresh and vibrant, colors popping in most dishes. There’s a sandwich/wraps/salad section where you can “create your own for seven dollars.” It allows you to choose between a wrap or a salad, pick your greens—either mixed, romaine, spinach, or kale—then pick grains and choose a dressing. If you want a protein such as bacon $2, chicken $3, turkey$3 salmon $4 you can add this on.
There are also “green bowls” which are some pre-thought-out selections, a couple of them being Vegan and labeled as such. They come with names such as “detox” containing baby kale, arugula, red onion, walnuts edamame, radish, avocado, pomegranate seeds and hail to the kale dressing $9. There is also falafel $9, kale Caesar(get it!)$8 and some other salads for the person who has a hard time choosing what they want.
The “hot bowls” section is a really nice idea for someone who wants to take something home and eat a well prepared meal. The coconut red curry short rib s$12 come with sautéed kale, farro-quinoa and a coconut lime gremolata. A tasty dish even at 11:00 in the morning. The charred tomato & sweet corn skillet bake $10 comes with the farro-quinoa combo finished with Parmesan bread crumbs and chive oil (grilled shrimp or Salmon for an addional $4.) Lamb meatballs $11 blended with feta, olive, mint and toasted pine nuts could be a tough dish to pull off if the proportion of lamb to other ingredients is not balanced, but these were very moist and tender with good flavor. The green curry chicken $11 came with sautéed kale, brown rice, green beans, marinated carrots and snow peas. The chicken had the right amount of heat in a pungent creamy base and the sides offset the heat nicely. I just tasted the ancho-coffee rubbed pork carnitas $11—not the whole dish with sautéed kale, brown rice, black beans salsa and spicy roasted pepitas, but next time I will. All the dishes are put into Le Creuset Dutch ovens that adds a nice look.
Besides the food being very good and made with high quality ingredients, the staff was very excited about working there and gave a good energy to the new store. I like it and look forward having another wholesome and delicious alternative in our community. Welcome Mrs. Green’s!