Erik Oberholtzer Of California’s Tender Greens Dishes On Opening First Massachusetts Location Today

With the continuous wave of healthful living and eating on the rise here in Boston, we are most excited for today’s opening of Tender Greens in Chestnut Hill. The Los Angeles-based, chef-led kitchen best known for its seasonal home cooking, is opening its first Boston area location at The Street in Chestnut Hill.

Each chef at every Tender Greens location makes a special daily dish specific to their location based on seasonal flavors, grown by local farmers and inspired by personal tastes.

Photo Credit: Liz Clayman

This is the 28^th location of the cult-favorite California kitchen and the second location outside of California, following New York City’s opening in February. Todd Renner will serve as Executive Chef of the Chestnut Hill location, coming to us from the downtown San Francisco outpost.

As for the dishes, think square plate meals with a choice of greens and sides, entrée salads and sandwiches featuring responsibly-sourced ingredients from the local New England area with some of Massachusetts’ best family-owned purveyors. Open for lunch and dinner, Tender Greens’ core menu features dishes like the Backyard Steak, Salt & Pepper Chicken, Herb Brushed Albacore Tuna, Happy Vegan Salad, Fried Chicken Sandwich and Mashed Potatoes.

Photo Credit: Liz Clayman

The 3,000-square foot farmhouse style restaurant features pitched ceilings along with locally-sourced white oak and sleek marble accents.  Menu highlights include wild shiitake mushrooms from Martha’s Vineyard Mycological in Chilmark, sweet potatoes from 108-year-old Swaz Potato Farm in Hatfield, non-homogenized raw milk blue cheese from Great Hill Blue on Buzzard’s Bay in Marion and micro greens from urban agriculture company 2 Friends Farm in Attleboro. There is a chef’s counter featuring an open kitchen concept outdoor seating on the patio for al fresco dining in the warmer months.

Photo Credit: Liz Clayman

Tender Greens was founded in 2006 by fine dining alums Erik Oberholtzer, David Dressler and Matt Lyman.

Oberholtzer is in town today to celebrate the Chestnut Hill location’s opening day. “I went to culinary school in Providence, cooked on the Cape, and fell in love with Boston while living in Brookline before moving out to Berkeley,” he said. “Boston’s rich food culture and neighboring farms and fishing communities make it an incredibly compelling place to cook. We look forward to sharing a taste of California while celebrating what makes Boston so exciting!”

Photo Credit: Liz Clayman

Tender Greens is located at 49 Boylston Street in Chestnut Hill.  Keep an eye out this summer for a second location opening at Copley Place in  August.

Photo Credit: Sarah Storrer