Patio Dining at the Prado
The afternoon is beautiful (typical San Diego gorgeous!) and we relax on the patio at the Prado, enjoying the fresh air, the setting, and anticipating a scrumptious lunch which starts out with a variety of seasoned flatbreads and a small serving of hummus to appease the appetite while we peruse the menu.
We are focused on salad, and quickly decide on the Chopped Salad 
(napa cabbage, radicchio, julienne carrots, mango, snow peas, & wontons tossed in a sesame-mustard vinaigrette, and substituting Prawns for the grilled chicken) 
and the Prado Pressed Salad
(organic baby arugula, shaved asiago cheese, strawberries, candied walnuts & figs dressed in a sherry shallot vinaigrette).
I begin reminiscing about my childhood experiences in San Diego and finally my curiosity gets the better of me. I send my sister a phone picture (just love this new-age technology!) and dialogue with her via text messaging. She remembers that we dined at the Cafe del Rey Moro with our grandmother. Our charming and efficient waitress, Stephanie, confirms that the Prado evolved from the Cafe del Rey Moro — I am immensely relieved and thrilled by this piece of trivia!
Feeling very satisfied, and with no particular agenda for the rest of the afternoon, we linger, enjoying the serenity of the park and this peaceful patio; and still considering possible ‘extraordinary’ dessert options, we indulge! This choice is much more difficult than our entrees were: unique variations of traditional fare create light delicacies such as amaretto liqueur- infused Creme Brulee with “almond cookies and fresh raspberries” or a simple Sorbet Trio of “pear, forestberry & mango sorbet served in an almond-poppyseed florentine with a raspberry coulis”…maybe it is just the description that sounds so intriguing!
We order the Balsamic Plum & Apple Tart: a crisp butter tart shell with aged balsamic vinegar, roasted plum & apple filling served warm with praline ice cream and a caramel sauce drizzle.
Well….decide for yourself!
I Loved this article – really brings back memories for me. I can just picture the serene setting and I can smell the freshness of the San Diego air and see the beauty of Balboa Park. Sure can’t beat an afternoon like this when you combine it with that wonderful Prado Restaurant menu!
I love eating at the Prado! My kids love it too (as there is a quaint fountain outside on the patio). The food is so unique and so good.
It is fun that your kids are developing fun childhood memories with the same fountain i did!! i was so relieved to find it still there!