Local. Seasonal. Organic. Delicious.

This restaurant is set up like a little haven in nature. There’s a large tree in the center, the ceilings are literally designed like a greenhouse—high and filled with light—and the background music is soft and almost unnoticeable. The tables are thick, sturdy, woody features; and the décor soft with nature’s essence of greens and earth tones. Very soothing.

Reading the menu draws you into culinary daydreams of the meal that awaits you. Peach and blue cheese flatbread. Coffee pot ranch smoked port sandwich.

Our waiter had tasted all the foods we inquired about, was very attentive, and truly enhanced our experience. He recommended we try the Greenhouse “fries,” which were a combination of Yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, onions and—to our delight—roasted garlic. They came with a creamy, delish dipping sauce of mustard and habanero peppers. It had a little kick, but was not overly peppery or overly mustard-like: a perfect balance. The sweet potatoes were not as good as the other fries—they were a bit too blackened. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this dish.

As an entrée, I ordered the grilled portabella veggie panini with goat cheese. It was served on wonderfully-textured, light whole grain bread. The veggies included at least two types of squash, mushrooms, and roasted red bell peppers—very filling. The goat cheese complimented superbly. It was creamy and tangy, not gritty like some goat cheese can be. This came with a side of quinoa salad consisting of finely diced herbs (I tasted cilantro, mint and parsley) and veggies (cucumber and red bell pepper), mixed with a few dried cranberries. It was summery, light and tasty, though I might have preferred it moistened with a touch of vinaigrette. My friend loved her seafood tacos—moist and fresh.

For dessert, my friend and I split the peach-nectarine gelato. It tasted like peaches and cream—a refreshingly icy version of homemade ice cream teaming with tiny flecks of fruit that appeared like hidden treasure. Like a kid, with each bite, I hoped to find more of these treasure bits bursting with the sweet of seasonal fruit. This is a must-try item.

Their website promises that “95% of all produce is organic and seasonally local, 100% of all dairy is organic and local,” and so on.

I would recommend that you go the whole nine yards and cruise over on your bike, but sadly, this gem is located in the heart of gasoline-guzzling Roseville. I think this contradiction is something Greenhouse will have to overcome in these early days. My only wish is that it was located in bike-friendly midtown Sacramento. Maybe they'll open a branch for us here.

For more specifics on the restaurant, check out my Yelp review.

(Note: the watermelon pictured here has nothing to do with Greenhouse Restaurant. But it's green. And I needed a photo. Isn't it pretty?)