My colleagues and I at KQED are starting to get spoiled by all of the new tasty food offerings that have been steadily popping up in our neighborhood. Mission Dispatch, Salumeria, Mission Bowling Club and the Blue Bottle location at Heath and have all cropped up in the past year.
Now The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen has moved in at 20th and Harrison across the street from flour + water. Their cheesy creations are the polar opposite of their predecessors, the vegan / raw food restaurant Cafe Gratitude, the former occupants of the space.
Several of us stopped in this afternoon for their soft launch opening. Co-owner Nate Pollak was busy attending to the lunch rush, but stopped to briefly chat with us about his excitement over his new location. Their menu will continue to evolve and expand over the coming weeks, and they'll have longer hours and dinner service as well.
My co-workers and I ordered their Smoky Tomato Soup ($4.50), served with garlicky croutons, a perfect complement to their grilled cheese sandwiches. Two of us ordered the Mousetrap (Tillamook sharp cheddar, havarti and Monterey jack cheese on sourdough -- $6), while the rest of us tried the Mushroom Gruyère (fontina, gruyère, roasted wild mushrooms, roasted potatoes, melted leeks, caramelized onions, thyme butter on levain -- $9). All were served on Pinkie's Bakery bread, the fine foundation of their grilled delights. And a side of fresh seasonal fruit -- in this case, juicy tangerines -- accompanied our meals.
Unfortunately, we didn't have time for dessert -- although we did try one of their De La Paz lattes -- but we'll be back to sample their baked goods, breakfast fare and other items in the near future.