East Side, West Side…
by John Weckerle
Greenside!
On the eastern slopes of the East West Mountains, on NM 14 just south of the Triangle Grocery, sits the Greenside Cafe. Needing a change of scenery, we popped over last week to grab a bite and relax a little. It was, as is usually the case, just what the doctor ordered.
I ordered the peanut noodles (with shrimp), and my wife ordered the soup of the day – red lentil – and steak quesadillas. Lucy let me taste the soup, and it was excellent – rich, subtly seasoned, and hearty. She also informed me that the steak quesadillas were very tasty. The peanut noodles – lo mein-style noodles with a Thai peanut sauce – were, as always, excellent; however, judging from the amount of sauce “left over” after the noodles were gone (yes, I finished them; the portions are admittedly huge, but I was hungry and not interested in dessert), the restaurant could save a few cents by putting a little less sauce on the noodles without compromising the experience. We each had a glass of the house Chardonnay, which was very tasty and served chilled, but not too cold.
In the past, I’ve also had the macaroni and cheese – ordered without the chicken, of course – the curried rice bowl, the GS Veggie (burger), the Romescu appetizer, and the huevos rancheros. With the possible exception of the GS Veggie, which tasted good but could have been a little firmer (but I’ll try it at least one more time before passing judgment), all were very good. Prices are reasonable; the most expensive item on the menu is the Grilled Ranch Steak at $14.95, and most entrees fit within the $7 to $9 range, with a couple of exceptions. Specials are also relatively reasonably priced, and usually well received.
One of the things that makes the Greenside a great dining choice is that it suits both those looking for something familiar and something a little different – and sometimes, couples and families looking for a place to eat have one or more from either category. The menu is varied enough to be interesting, but has plenty of old favorites – Lucy speaks highly of the meat loaf – and for most parties, there will be something for everybody.
The restaurant, formerly an order-at-the-counter establishment, went to full service recently, a welcome change. We were delighted to find that one of our acquaintances from the former Kokopelli’s Restaurant – an establishment we stopped visiting after they decided to start adding chicken stock to their green chile – is now working at the Greenside. We expect that she will do very well there, as she provides outstanding, friendly, and professional service. The Greenside serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.
All things considered, the Greenside Cafe has our recommendation. For those looking for fine dining, interesting selections, and traditional fare – again, an unusual combination – the Greenside is a great place to stop, relax, and enjoy a delicious and reasonably priced meal.
One Response “East Side, West Side…”
I totally agree. I try to eat up there every month and always have had excellent food and service. The atmosphere is very calming and the views are wonderful.