Who knew museum food could be this good?

Today I took my two year old daughter to the Academy of Sciences for the first time. The grand splash opening was last week and I thought I'd avoid the crowds and head over on a Tuesday morning.

For those of you who haven't been yet, the Academy is another one of those reasons that make me feel so lucky to live in San Francisco. To have the world's "greenest" museum right in our city is a privilege. Standing on the steps glancing across the way at the De Young Museum, the beautiful ampitheatre in the grove of trees, and the Japanese Tea Garden made me realize my children have one of the most special and interesting backyards I can imagine.

We walked through the tropical rainforest, ogled at the T-rex skeleton, flirted with the penguins, and marvelled at room after room filled with beautiful aquariums. Now for the best surprise of all...the "cafeteria food", and I'm not kidding...

Charles Phan of the Slanted Door and Out The Door is behind the food in the cafe and I think I may have discovered my new favorite lunch secret. Everything is set up in stations, and you roll your tray along the requisite metal bars while browsing the selection. Forget about everything you know about grabbing cold pre-made sandwiches out of a cooler. Try and decide between temptations such as: Vietnamese Shrimp and Pork Rolls, Beef Pho, Pumpkin Curry, Steamed Chicken and Shitake Mushroom Buns, a Moroccan Tagine, and a number of baked goods to rival some of the best bakeries in the city.

The restaurant, The Moss Room, is scheduled to open for dinner on October 7th...I've made a reservation to try it, so stay tuned. Loretta Keller of COCO500 and Bizou is in charge of the restaurant and I love her cooking. Can't wait to check out the "live wall" while sampling her latest menu...

I'll add this to my list of of my favorite solo "field trips" while my kids are in school-a place with beauty, education, and great food!