Oliver’s: Veggies Rule!

If you are turned off by the idea of a vegetarian restaurant, think again. Go directly to Oliver’s —and keep an open mind. My first meal at the highly anticipated opening of the former burger centric Peabody’s was a delicious surprise— from the swell décor (Sue Firestone and Associates) to the tasty dishes and pleasant staff.

We loved the “artichoke crab cakes” ($16) made with hearts of palm piled high with arugula and served with a spicy aioli, as well as the zucchini flatbread ($17) with arugula pesto, peaches, caramelized peaches and cashew cream on the summer menu. (Peaches have been replaced with barbecue sauce for winter). Truffle fingerling potatoes ($8) were quickly devoured by two of us.

Entrees range from grilled cauliflower steak ($22) with chimichurri lentils, pad Thai ($20), butternut squash ravioli ($24), a veggie burger ($18) and wild mushroom tostada ($23). There are lots of salads ($12-$14) – chopped, sunflower Caesar or chickpea nicoise, among others. The menu reflects the seasons, so look for new dishes depending on what’s fresh. The tab can run up quickly here, but isn’t your good health worth it? Desserts include a chocolate fudge tart and a maple apple crumble with coconut ice cream.

Whether you dine at the long communal table in the bar, under prettily lit trees in the patio warmed by outdoor heaters, the indoor dining room or just sashay up to the cool bar for a specialty cocktail incorporating fresh organic squeezes from The Juice Ranch, Oliver’s delivers on many levels, especially for the vegans in the house. —Leslie A. Westbrook

Oliver’s, 1198 Coast Village Road, Montecito, www.oliversofmontecito.