by Ellen White » Fri May 11, 2007 10:19 am
Ah, this is what I'm talking about. As someone who does not eat fast food (and who must please a non-fast-food-eating teenager), we almost always try to eat healthy or lite fare at restaurants. Here's our list:
Grape Leaf-
tabbouleh
baba w/pita (hey, eggplant is healthy, right?)
a cup of lentil soup
salad-it's big and has nuts and fruit
omelet
they have a large selection of vegetarian items and grilled fish and chicken items-if you want it "light" just order stuff a la carte, because if you order the entree with salad and rice, you won't be able to get up from the table!
Meridian Cafe-
I would eat there every day if I could, and I try to eat lunch there every Saturday (even though my daughter is starting to rebel). They have lovely specials. Their soup is always vegan and delicious. The best part for me is that you can order 1/2 a sandwich with soup. This comes with corn chips and a pickle spear. This is the absolutely perfect amount of food for me. Their sandwiches are delicious, fresh, and tasty, and they are not just plain old boring sandwiches.
Third Avenue Cafe-
Another good spot for vegetarian/vegan options. While they do not offer a half sandwich option (hint), they still have a nice variety of sandwich offerings, along with salads. You could order the Jamaican hummus appetizer to share with someone, and then get a cup of soup or a side dish (the soy wheatberry salad is good) along with it. I do wish that their tomato soup wasn't creamed, but they do offer a vegan soup each day as well.
North End-
Their tuna salad is good. It comes on mixed greens with a vinaigrette and toast points. They do offer a half sandwich and soup combo. While their omelets are huge, you could get some sort of egg dish (last time I was there, I ordered the migas minus cheese, and it was good).
Cafe LouLou-
Again, I really wish they offered a half sandwich, because their sandwiches are huge, but you could easily go there and share a sandwich. They have a turkey sandwich that I always get as a wrap instead of on bread. Or, you could order the Meze Plate appetizer and share it.
Of course, any of our sushi restaurants can provide a light meal, especially if you order sashimi instead of sushi.
City Cafe-
They also offer a half sandwich and soup (or salad) option. They have several vegetarian sandwiches, and their soup is always vegetarian (not vegan). Many of their vegetarian specials of the day would work.
Proof (for lunch)-
Minted Pea Bruschetta comes with a small salad and is a light, refreshing option, as was their pumpkin bruschetta in the fall.
Bristol (for lunch)-
Even though I don't like the Bristol anymore, the downtown Bristol has a daily fish special. Of course, it always comes with a sauce, but I ask for mine without sauce and they always accomodate my request. It usually comes with rice and a veg of the day. Just make sure that you ask them not to put any butter on the vegetables.
Jarfi's or Hard Rock Cafe (for lunch)-
Cobb salad with no bacon and no cheese. (I used to get this at Kunz's too, before it closed)
YaChing's (for lunch)-
Order from the appetizer list:
tea smoked chicken
shrimp summer rolls
Or, the pesto chicken salad
Well, that's all I can think of for now.
The good news that I have found is this: if you see something on the menu that you think would be good, but it is covered in sauce or dressing or has something in it that you don't like, the restaurant will almost always accomodate you by holding the sauce, putting dressing on the side, etc. This is not always true, but they will usually do that for you, especially if you often frequent those places.
