Tender Greens Fast Casual Organic Restaurant

Organic Eats

Space Los Angeles

Tender Greens was introduced to the newly thriving epicurean life of Culver City last June by owners David Dressler, Matt Lyman and Eric Oberholtzer. One of the latest in the fast casual wave of health-conscious cafe in L.A., this one kicks it up a notch with the impressive culinary skills of executive chefs Lyman and Oberholtzer, previously of Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach, respectively. The partners are aptly tackling the latest organic-versus-local farming debate by supporting both in one shot. Dedicated to being green, they bring in organically grown produce from regional family-owned Scarborough Farms, which also services Spago and the Four Seasons. The chefs are accustomed to walking the fields of their producers and take an artisanal approach to the menu, which features and vinegars from Napa (vinegars that Shutters deemed above budget). Oberholtzer explains that the focus is on quality here, not just profit margin. Tender Greens is about 85 percent organic and does as much as possible to bring in naturally grown produce and proteins, depending on what is available and in-season. We ordered and paid at the front of the cafe, then attentively watched through the glass counter as gloved hands created each salad. I found myself eyeing my neighbors’ plates of lightly dressed red and green butter lettuce, baby spinach and arugula. Piles of fresh organic grilled seasonal vegetables teased our palates as we made our way to the end of the line where we met our salads on trays. Elaine from “Seinfeld” wouldn’t know what to do here with all these “big salads,” which run the gamut from chipotle barbecue chicken with a creamy lime dressing to grilled flatiron steak over butter lettuce, breakfast radishes, red and gold beets and horseradish vinaigrette to the popular ahi tuna nicoise with quail egg and dijon vinaigrette. Located near Sony Studios, it is only expected that there would be a packed crowd of time-starved, food-savvy executives populating the contemporary, yet cozy indoor and outdoor setting by Reve Design. Bonus: You can order wine and ale here.