Test Kitchen Eatery and Workspace (Grantville)

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  Kirk is on vacation with His Missus and Cathy is back to writing a few more posts.  

So, with my job, I usually meet clients at their home or place of business (how I find some interesting places to eat).   Had to go to the Post Office one day while in the Grantville area of San Diego and while driving through the Office Park, saw this feather flag and made a mental note to bring The Mister with me for lunch.

 It turns out that this establishment is a recipe testing, preparation and catering kitchen to the family of New Zealand inspired restaurants in San Diego: Bareback Grill, Queenstown Public House, Dunedin North Park, Raglan Public House and Queenstown Bistro...none of which Kirk or I have visited (yet)

 Walk in and there's the menu on the wall in front of you.  Turn to the left, meet Mack, order, pay and find a seat.   

 I noticed this "Mackstar" beverage ($2) described on the wall and decided to try it-an excellent blend of English Black tea and fresh (sweetened) lemonade.  The liquids are different densities so when delivered to the table, we were able to try the excellent black tea separately from the lemonade; each is good on its own and when stirred, the combination is very nice-could still taste the tea.

 The "Soup and Sammie" ($13) was my choice.  Tomato basil soup with pine nuts and herbs, topped with sour cream-thick with chunks of tomato,so  fresh, delightful.  The bowl is low and deceptive.  There is plenty.  

 Two types of cheese on toasted sourdough with mayonnaise, avocado, lettuce and tomato.  Excellent.

 The Cobb Chop salad ($12.50) was really good; fresh (flavorful; I've been buying some bitter lettuces lately) Romaine topped with warm grilled herby chicken breast, chopped bacon, avocado, tomato, hard boiled egg and Blue cheese chunks.
 The salad was served with fresh made Caesar dressing (delightful, non-burning garlic) or we could have tried the Pepper Ranch (next time). 

There were plenty of call-in/pick up orders happening.  The people who work in the area are really fortunate.  A great place. 

Test Kitchen Eatery and Workspace 4651 Mission Gorge Place San Diego 92120 (619) 955-6844 Open 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Mon-Fri Closed Sat-Sun Website

 

Comments

[Loren]

My wife and I found this place when we moved to the area. I swear if it was in Mission Valley or UTC they'd be packed and it'd be insanely successful. It's easily one of the best kept secrets in the Allied Gardens/Grantville area and I've never had a bad meal there.

[Peter]

Cool find Cathy -- and right around the corner from Maya's Cookies!

[Soo]

Interesting place you found!

[kat]

interesting! and everything sounded lovely

[Cathy]

It's great that you live so close and were able to discover Test Kitchen, Loren. I know that Kirk has posted about various Office Park eateries with good results and now it will be my quest! The meals we had were remarkably good.

Maya's Cookies, Peter? Oh, I need to drive around and pay attention! Thanks.

Only saw the feather flag "Lunch" and am so happy to have stopped in, Soo. Definitely checking out more Office Parks; everyone has to eat!

The places with limited menus are the best, kat.

[Som Tommy]

Nice find, I need to grab some lunch from there

[Cathy]

So happy we stopped here, ST. Seriously fresh food, good prices, friendly people.

[jack]

Very cool! Would this happen to be the same location that Chris' Ono Grinds used to be a number of years ago?

[Cathy]

I hadn't been in this area in a *very* long time, Jack, - there are apartment buildings closer to Mission Gorge Road...it seems so differrent. I don't remember Chris' Ono Grinds had been, but the Office Park area is quite busy.