Something you may not know about me: I actually really like salad. I really enjoy a well-made, delicious salad. Yes, I said delicious. With the right combination of ingredients – and I don’t mean “a can of tuna + mayo” or “diced chicken + mayo” (which are yummy in their own right, done properly) – a salad can be a totally filling, satisfying, incredible meal by itself. Even without meat, though the one I’m about to share with you has meat. I normally don’t share with you just how many salads I eat – I crave raw veggies like no one’s business – but this one was just that good.
Unsweetened ice tea made me wish I’d just gotten water. Haha.
The story here is that I’d talked to Dr.PB about meeting up my first day in SF on this trip. When she asked me what I wanted to eat, I told her “a really good salad” and she immediately texted back the name of a restaurant, whose menu boasted lots of YUMMY sounding salads, and told me she’d pick me up. Okay – so we get there, and there’s no outdoor seating – which wouldn’t be an issue except Dr.PB was dog sitting and needed a place for Fido (okay, that wasn’t his name). So we wandered around the corner to Plant Organic Cafe, and I happily ordered something with the word ‘dino’ in the name.
Look at that salad! Isn’t it gorgeous? We sat happily outside in the bright sun – it was so gorgeous while I was there! and in February! – while we ate. My ‘dino kale salad’ – dinosaur kale, red quinoa, cherry tomatoes, avocado, carrots, cucumbers, toasted almonds, arugula, with a lemon cumin vinaigrette – I added roasted chicken – was delicious. Admittedly, I ordered it from the pre-set salad choices almost entirely because it had avocado and almonds – two things I really like – but everything worked together nicely for a very satisfying meal. I was very happy with my choice, and even happier that the chicken was tender and not overcooked, though it was white meat. It was the perfect size, and not dripping with dressing – just a really properly made salad.
While the locations are mostly in areas I don’t particularly frequent – with the exception of the one near the Ferry Building, but if I’m near the Ferry Building, it’s unlikely I’m going to be eating salad – I would not object to returning and trying other salads on their menu. Dr.PB actually got a “bowl” – one of their hot entrees – which looked really good as well, so hmmm maybe that next time? … they also let you make your own salad! The possibilities are endless! and there are gluten free, vegan options as well. (My salad was vegan until I added chicken.)
If you like salad, I highly recommend giving this place a try.
Okay, now I’ll stop talking about salad. Don’t worry, tomorrow’s post is all about MEAT. I haven’t gone completely California on y’all 😉
Corinne Flax says
This looks lovely, a medley of colors and textures, just how I like my salads.
Feisty Foodie says
Same! I really want to try this quinoa-to-raw-kale thing. I like how it wasn’t a LOT of quinoa
CheeeeEEEEse says
Except for the kale, that looks like a really tasty salad. I’ve never liked kale’s texture. Bleh.
I’m also a big proponent of salads, but I do them really simply at home. Marinated chicken breast sliced over baby romaine, with shredded carrots, red and green pepper slices, and cucumber all tossed with my favoritest dressing, Makato’s Ginger. (http://www.iheartpublix.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/images9.jpeg) Salt and pepper to taste. I can eat that nearly every day and not get bored.
Sometimes I substitute the chicken for avocado or slivered almonds or pine nuts too.
Feisty Foodie says
Ah I love it. I had this great wrap in October in SF with collards instead of ‘wrap’ and it was delicious. It’s very different… but I liked it a lot.
Your salad sounds awesome. Make me one 😉
kim says
Cool that they used red instead of the usual white quinoa. Could totally copycat this at home. 🙂 Loooove avocado. It goes well with anymore, right?
Feisty Foodie says
I was thinking about the red quinoa – do you know where I can get that (uncooked)? I have only seen the regular white one but I don’t really look that hard either.
Ttrockwood says
Whole foods bulk bins have red quinoa at the union square nyc location- no taste difference from white really…. Cheaper is trader joes tri-colored quinoa mix. Awesome addition to salads.
Feisty Foodie says
I’ll check out Trader Joe’s (and maybe Whole Foods) – I like colorful foods, so it’d be more about the color in this case than the taste. Especially if I use as little as they did – it’s just a bit of texture as opposed to anything else. Thanks! 🙂
hungry says
As much as I enjoy a good piece of meat, I also really enjoy vegetables. In fact, I love them the most together. A well balanced meal makes me the happiest.
Feisty Foodie says
The past few years have found me craving vegetarian meals on a regular basis – or rather, a “really good salad” – more often than a huge chunk of meat. I do still get my cravings for a “big hunk of red meat” (like last week), but in general, I tend to prefer less meat, more vegetables… that’s my body’s preferred balanced meal. I’m sure everyone’s body is different!