Week 6
So, the past 2 weeks were without adventure in meatless dining. We met friends and family at some of our familiar restaurants. Don’t get me wrong, their food is just fine, that’s why we returned. , But I didn’t select any unique meat-less meals. I mean, fish and chips or seafood salad are hardly daring choices, You could do that without benefit of my experience..
Yesterday I ventured out alone in search of a place I’ve never been with prospects of a good meat-less lunch.
Can you say Pie??? The Grand Traverse Pie Company was glowing with tasty promises. I see them at various holiday shows and know they make some mighty fine pies. Their sign said they also serve lunch so I pulled in. I mean, even if the only option was peach pie or carrot cake, I could justify because I’d have fruit and vegetables!
Turns out, they do serve sandwiches and salads.. Meatless choices included egg salad and tuna sandwich. Both looked pretty good, but having failed to eat creatively last week I went for the Mediterranean vegetable sandwich. Perhaps you’ve tried one of these healthy creations at other restaurants? They are usually very disappointing. Not to be confused with a great panini, grilled with lots of hot gooey cheese, mushrooms and olives.
Cold vegetable sandwiches too often are the product of a chef (I use the term generously) who was told he has to have one no-meat-no-protein option on the menu. The worst one I ever had was last summer. I will not name the restaurant, nor will I ever go there again. Everyone else at our table ordered delicious juicy hamburgers. The menu said they had a vegetarian sandwich. No description. That’s always a bad sign. The server told me it was served cold. There was cheese on it. She told me they could toast it up for me. Okay, sounded pretty good.
Let me just say this, some vegetables are not meant to be served warm: Think:cucumbers. Pickles warm or even fried are great but cucumbers are like revenge: best served cold. So, here was my sandwich. . . Did I mention how terrific all those juicy hamburgers looked? My sub bun, was warm. Inside was a smear of mayo (also not meant to be served warm) two anemic tomatoes sliced so thin you could read through them, three slices of cucumbers and a limp piece of lettuce. No cheese. However on the side of the hamburgers were pretzels so that was dinner for me. (Sometimes eating meat-less does mean one goes hungry)
I was remembering that disappointment when I courageously ordered Grand Traverse Pie company’s Mediterranean sandwich. Their creation was cold, served on a fresh baguette, both sides coated with a roasted red pepper hummus, topped with tomatoes, roasted red peppers, red onion, cucumbers, chunks of feta cheese and spring salad. It was very satisfying. The hummus really made the sandwich come together.
The only improvement would have been Kalamata olives. But there was a good quality dill pickle. The sour and crunch with the savory sandwich was a perfect pairing. Side options were apples, blueberries or potato chips. A true health-nut would have gone for the fruit. I chose the potato chips. Fresh, crunchy and salty. A successful meat-less lunch!
TIP :Only order a vegetarian sandwich if there is a detailed description. This shows the chef put some thought into it Or ask if the server ever tried it. If she A) says no, or B) makes a face. Go for egg salad instead.
Of course on the way out I bought a pie, Peach crumb pie. Chuck ate half of it last night.
Grand Traverse Pie Co: 5 pies up!