Low Protein Dining

Hi fellow foodies. This is my first time posting. I have a specific need. My grandson has PKU and thus is extremely limited in his protein intake. Being vegetarian is a necessity. The problem is that most vegetarian friendly restaurants seem to rely heavily on soy or tofu, both protein rich and so he can have neither. He is eleven years old, and for his birthday I wanted to take him to his first Broadway play at the Kentucky center and out to eat at an "adult" restaurant downtown. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good place for us to dine not too far from the Kentucky Center? Thanks in advance

Welcome to the forum Tom! I would suggest Roots at 1216 Bardstown Rd. While not downtown they are close enough for a pleasant pre-theatre dinner. I'm sure that you could find ample offerings from one of Louisville's premier vegetarian hosts that fit your requirements. Happy B-Day to your grandson, enjoy!

[Robin Garr]

I love Roots, but one issue there is that soy-based products are really at the center of its cuisine. I'm sure Coco and staff would be delighted to work with them, but I suspect the low-protein, no-soy requirement is going to be a limitation there.

I had suggested to Tom in Email that he take a look at vegetarian offerings in Indian restaurants, which are not likely to be soy-based; and consider asking about a combination of veggie sides being served as an attractively plated main course at nice places around the Ky Center (Dish on Market, Bristol, Saffron's, Doc Crow's, etc.) as a possible alternative.

Hoping the gang here can come up with even more good ideas ...

Hi Tom,
I would love to chime in and say that we offer some fantastic vegetarian options on our menu (my wife is vegetarian) and I am very accomodating when it comes to special dietary needs. I would love to have you both in for an evening downtown. We are located in the old Kentucky theater next to the Brown hotel and the Louisville Palace. If you would like to make reservations online you can go to our website, http://www.theatersquaremarketplace.com. You can also view our menu there. Please let me know if you decide to come in, we have an open kitchen but I would love to come out and say hello.
Thanks!

Chef Dallas McGarity
Marketplace Restaurant @ theater square

Yes - go to Marketplace. You won't be disappointed. Also, if you wanted to go fancy in ambience; I'm sure Vincenzo's could do a pasta dish without protein.

The Ethiopian restaurant a block up from the Galt House on 4th St is a good choice. I love their Ethiopian vegetable platter. They also have the standard Middle East offerings such as hummous, falafal, etc.

The Ethiopian restaurant a block up from the Galt House on 4th St is a good choice. I love their Ethiopian vegetable platter. They also have the standard Middle East offerings such as hummous, falafal, etc.

Falafel and hummus are both made from protein rich chickpeas. Not a good choice.

The Ethiopian restaurant a block up from the Galt House on 4th St is a good choice. I love their Ethiopian vegetable platter. They also have the standard Middle East offerings such as hummous, falafal, etc.

Falafel and hummus are both made from protein rich chickpeas. Not a good choice.

You're right, David. Oh well, they have greek salad.

The Ethiopian restaurant a block up from the Galt House on 4th St is a good choice. I love their Ethiopian vegetable platter. They also have the standard Middle East offerings such as hummous, falafal, etc.

Falafel and hummus are both made from protein rich chickpeas. Not a good choice.

You're right, David. Oh well, they have greek salad.

And other tasty veggies.

Not super "fancy" but BBC has a very tasty spinach walnut burger, if walnuts are low enough in protein for your grandson.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. As you can see, it gets difficult - chick peas, soy, walnuts, tofu, all are forbidden. I love Ethiopian dining, so I'm sorry to hear that it's not appropriate in this case. Dallas, your menu looks great and is a definite possibility, and I have enjoyed your wonderful creations before, but even your vegetarian options almost all included seafood, except for the salads. The birthday dinner is in June. Keep those suggestions coming everyone!

I would think just about anywhere could make a simple vegetable stir fry. Remember you can always modify a dish.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. As you can see, it gets difficult - chick peas, soy, walnuts, tofu, all are forbidden. I love Ethiopian dining, so I'm sorry to hear that it's not appropriate in this case. Dallas, your menu looks great and is a definite possibility, and I have enjoyed your wonderful creations before, but even your vegetarian options almost all included seafood, except for the salads. The birthday dinner is in June. Keep those suggestions coming everyone!

Tom,
Dallas makes amazing gnocchi w/ cream sauce and mushrooms that would work. If it's not on the menu right now I'd bet he'd make something similar for your son.

If your son is like mine, sit in the room with the water/fire wall. Deb

Tom,
An interesting thread. I've been a vegetarian since 1994, and one of the most common questions people ask is "how do you get your protein?" But upon doing any amount of research, one finds that almost anything you eat has substantial amounts of protein. So vegetarians have no problem getting plenty of protein.

If you want a low protein diet, it might be easier to look at the challenge from another aspect. Because you'll still need about the same number of total calories, you can seek out a diet that is high carbohydrate and/or high fat. Those are your only options. And because high fat diets have many health risks, I'd lean towards keeping the fat percentage moderate and going to high carb diet. That'll keep your protein numbers down.

That way, you can ask for high carb diets, which people can relate to more easily. Of course, try to avoid the concentrated protein sources like tofu, and beans. You can't avoid them entirely, but just use them more sparingly.

Good luck...