Prius-favoring Sony execs, vegetarian couples and soccer moms who've seen an An Inconvenient Truth can all feel good about themselves at this fresh, fast and eco-friendly spot.

Next to the wildly popular Ford's Filling Station is Tender Greens, ambling from "We're never gonna get our table—hey, what's that next door?" status to "Hey, let's go to Tender Greens" status. Like Ford's, the emphasis is on fresh ingredients; unlike Ford's, this is a quick, cheap, order-at-the-counter kind of place. (Quick, that is, when it's not as slammed as Ford's.) Still, on the large side patio as the sun shines upon the quaint Culver City neighborhood, there's an undeniable pleasantness to the atmosphere. Especially when ten bucks got us a healthy portion of free-range chicken, mashed potatoes and a choice of "simple salad." (Our pick had goat cheese, baby spinach, hazelnuts and Cabernet vinaigrette.) The fresh gazpacho was another favorite; our companion's choice from the "big salad" menu—with grilled flatiron steak, red and green butter lettuce, breakfast radishes, red and gold beets, and horseradish vinaigrette—was also satisying. (One criticism: We would've liked our meats with more heat.) The greens are picked from California's Scarborough Farms and delivered fresh daily; even the wine and sweets seem guilt-free by association. —Lonny Pugh