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Do Not Fear the Sprouts on the Menu at Kensington Cafe

Although there was a time when I did not shave my legs and when I thought carob was a good substitute for chocolate, these days I don’t get excited about a restaurant when I see items like sprouts and soyrizo on the menu. And when the menu includes “Tree Hugger” among the titles given to the dishes, I am tempted to run. My friend, Sarah, on the other hand, has a thing for boys in overalls and does not run from sprouts or soyrizo.

On the day we planned to meet at Blue Boheme for a fancy brunch only to discover it would not open for another hour, I followed Sarah into Kensington Café.

Inside, the place has a mellow vibe, casual and comfortable. It was 10:30 a.m. and the place was busy enough that most of the servers looked unhappy. Among the clientele were old men (clearly regulars) having their mid-morning cup of coffee and thin people in yoga pants.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/24/24952/

After a cursory glance at the menu, I sighed and whined that I’d had my heart set on the fancy smoked salmon platter I knew I’d find on the menu at the other restaurant. Reluctantly, I settled on the Sandy Eggan, a bagel sandwich with eggs, cheese, avocado, and tomato for $6.25, but only because I could add bacon for $1.50.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/24/24953/

Sarah smiled and chirped and ordered the Adams Avenue, a sandwich piled high with sprouts, lettuce, cucumbers, avocado, red onions and green goddess spread ($7.95).

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/24/24950/

I confess, when I saw the food come out, even the sprouts looked good. While a lot of eateries pay homage to “health food,” it usually doesn’t appeal to me at all. But these sandwiches were plump and attractive. They had this “I’m going to be good for you and tasty” vibe that didn’t disappoint.

Though I won’t be ordering soyrizo or dining my yoga pants anytime soon, I will admit I was pleasantly surprised by what I found at the Kensington Café.

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A poem for March by Joseph O’Brien

“March’s Lovely Asymptotes”

Although there was a time when I did not shave my legs and when I thought carob was a good substitute for chocolate, these days I don’t get excited about a restaurant when I see items like sprouts and soyrizo on the menu. And when the menu includes “Tree Hugger” among the titles given to the dishes, I am tempted to run. My friend, Sarah, on the other hand, has a thing for boys in overalls and does not run from sprouts or soyrizo.

On the day we planned to meet at Blue Boheme for a fancy brunch only to discover it would not open for another hour, I followed Sarah into Kensington Café.

Inside, the place has a mellow vibe, casual and comfortable. It was 10:30 a.m. and the place was busy enough that most of the servers looked unhappy. Among the clientele were old men (clearly regulars) having their mid-morning cup of coffee and thin people in yoga pants.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/24/24952/

After a cursory glance at the menu, I sighed and whined that I’d had my heart set on the fancy smoked salmon platter I knew I’d find on the menu at the other restaurant. Reluctantly, I settled on the Sandy Eggan, a bagel sandwich with eggs, cheese, avocado, and tomato for $6.25, but only because I could add bacon for $1.50.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/24/24953/

Sarah smiled and chirped and ordered the Adams Avenue, a sandwich piled high with sprouts, lettuce, cucumbers, avocado, red onions and green goddess spread ($7.95).

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/may/24/24950/

I confess, when I saw the food come out, even the sprouts looked good. While a lot of eateries pay homage to “health food,” it usually doesn’t appeal to me at all. But these sandwiches were plump and attractive. They had this “I’m going to be good for you and tasty” vibe that didn’t disappoint.

Though I won’t be ordering soyrizo or dining my yoga pants anytime soon, I will admit I was pleasantly surprised by what I found at the Kensington Café.

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