Cozily tucked into the corner of Persia Avenue and London Street, the aptly named The Salad Place, is the prime purveyor of salads in San Francisco, if not the entire Bay Area. 

Stumbling upon the sight of the beautiful hand-painted frescoes of the exterior, the wafting scent of fresh produce and herbs, and the lively chatter of conversation between old friends, the café was calling out to me and immediately compelled me to enter. 

After being greeted by a massive chalkboard spanning across walls, I chose to play it safe and purchase their fruit salad. Like many others, I am not a big salad fan. But, I quickly receiving a to-go cup, adorned with a plastic fork, chock-full of multicolored grapes and strawberries. 

As I sat down and took my first bite of fruit, a plump strawberry that tasted like the paragon of sweetness, I could not help but think of an old quote uttered by Bruce Lee, “Simplicity is the key to brilliance.” 

The simple concoction of fruit thrown into a bowl proved to be so much more than visually promised. It was not just a bowl of fruit. 

The Salad Place’s fruit was immaculate, tasting as if they were freshly picked — I felt like I was consuming sunshine incarnate, with the deliciousness and brilliance of nature shining through with every bite. 

If you ever find yourself in a time of dire need for a salad, especially fruit salads, The Salad Place in the City’s Excelsior District is the place to go.