Veggie Grill listened to its guests to create the new Mindful Living menu that focuses on the nutritional elements that are most important to their diners such as protein, fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids. All Veggie Grill menu items are free of animal fat, dairy, eggs, cholesterol, hormones, antibiotics, trans fats, and high-fructose corn syrup and nutritional information is available for the asking. Whether your goal is to lose weight, boost energy, detox, beat that head cold, or gain muscle, the 13-item Mindful Living menu helps guests choose the meal that’s best suited to their needs.
Crispy “Chikin” Plate
Santa Monica-based Veggie Grill now boasts 23 locations on the West Coast that offer delicious vegetarian food year-round, and with so many meat-free options, it’s the ideal choice for those observing Lent or taking on a personal challenge. During the 40 days of Lent, March 5 – April 20 this year, many Catholics forego eating meat on Fridays and the practice of participating in a 40-day sacrifice has also been adopted by non-Catholics who choose to give up something they love as a personal challenge – alcohol, chocolate, or fast food are common, but giving up meat is still the most popular.
The Mindful Living menu gives guests their ideal food choice based on the nutritional elements they’re most interested in. Each item lists calorie count, protein and addresses nutrient benefits such as fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. The new menu features 13 options including:
Bombay Bowl (GF): Whole roasted veggies, almonds + hemp seeds, packed with Omega 3s and Omega 6s (590 Calories | 17 g Protein)
American Stack Kale Style, side of Cauli-Mashed Potatoes: Kale is very high in beta carotene, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and rich in calcium (560 Calories | 33g Protein)
Bayou Chickin’ Kale Style, side of Herb-Roasted Veggies: Herb-roasted veggies are high in fiber, antioxidants, Vitamin B and potassium (470 Calories | 28g Protein)
Thai Salad with Chickin’: Great source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C and fiber (hold the wontons) (590 Calories |30g Protein)
Bali Bliss Blackened Kale Style, side of Chili: Organic non-GMO tempeh with 19g of dietary fiber – this one has it all! (530 Calories | 33g Protein)
The newly curated menu shines the spotlight on items that are lower in calories, high in protein and nutrient-dense. Many of the items provide about 30 grams of protein with calories near the 500 per plate range. The Mindful Living menu includes a variety of existing menu items along with new entrée and side combinations, including several that are already guest favorites such as the Quinoa Power Salad and the Bombay Bowl.
All Hail Kale Salad
Recently, I had lunch with a friend at the Veggie Grill in the Crossroads shopping center. Although she lives in Irvine near two Veggie Grill locations, I was surprised to learn that she had never dined at a Veggie Grill because she thought it was more of a wrap place. Just goes to show that what we “foodies” assume is common knowledge in regard to restaurants and dining choices, really isn’t. After what we tried, she was sold – and a new loyal customer is born!
I forced myself to pass on my favorite – the All Hail Kale Salad (pictured above) and try some new items. From the Mindful Living menu we chose the Quinoa Power Salad ($8.45) – a medley of quinoa, kale, diced red pepper, avocado, fennel, cannellini beans, carrots, almond, mint, hemp seeds and citrus dressing served on a bed of marinated kale and romaine lettuce. With loads of flavor and good for you ingredients it is one of the most popular items on the new menu. I particularly liked the addition of protein-rich cannellini beans and crunchy almonds.
Quinoa Power Salad
One of my friends raves about the Crispy “Chickin” plate ($9.95), so we decided to give it a try. Fried “Chickin”, a generous portion of cauli-mashed potatoes with tons of porcini mushroom gravy and steamed kale – it too is a favorite. Personally, I’m not a fan of fake meat products, but this plate definitely fulfills your craving for comfort food and there’s absolutely nothing fake about the cauli-mashed potatoes and gravy.
The vegan Mac & Cheese is made with Daiya vegan cheese and is as popular with adults as it is with children.
I discovered a new favorite in the Bombay Bowl ($8.45) of herb-roasted veggies, super grains, steamed kale, and cannellini beans in a mild cilantro-green curry sauce with coconut milk, almonds, and hemp seeds. A lover of cauliflower, curry and all things coconut, the sauce was a tad too tame for my taste buds and next time I’ll ask if they can turn up the heat a little, but I enjoyed the chewy, crunchy, toothsome textures and myriad flavors in this attractive bowl.
Bombay Bowl
For your sweet tooth, top your meal off with their new Chocolate Pudding Parfait (3.75) or Veggie Grill’s famous Carrot Cake (3.75). The chocolate pudding is made from scratch and topped with crushed cookies and walnuts and topped with a luscious vegan crema.
Reasonably priced, pleasant surroundings, nutrient-rich fast-casual dining, Veggie Grill is your solution for Meatless Monday, Lent, or whole foods craving any day of the week.
Veggie Grill’s 100-percent plant-based menu is prepared in-house and fresh to order with nutrient-dense, wholesome ingredients, made from scratch daily. All menu items are free of animal fat, dairy, eggs, cholesterol, antibiotics, trans fats, hormones and high-fructose corn syrup; many gluten free options are also available. For more information, locations, and the full menu, visit the website at www.veggiegrill.com.
We love hearing from our readers!