Weekend MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE
Q FOOD FEATURE Q MOVIE TIMES Q BEST BETS FOR ENTERTAINMENT
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o longer does a boring salad or tofurky come to mind when thinking of vegetarian or vegan cuisine. Meat-free fare is easily found — and taken to the next level — on the Midpeninsula, with local chefs cooking up modern dishes that appeal to veggieeaters and carnivores alike. Here is a non-comprehensive list of go-to spots in Palo Alto and Mountain View for all-vegan and vegetarianfriendly dining.
ALL-VEGAN/VEGETARIAN
Midpeninsula home to creative menus that are vegan, vegetarian-friendly
Right: Veggie Grill cashier Victoria Valles rings up an order at the chain’s San Antonio Center restaurant. Above: The Sonoran summer bowl at Veggie Grill. Photos by Natalia Nazarova
Story by My Nguyen
Veggie Grill | 565 San Antonio Road, Suite 26, Mountain View For an institution truly dedicated to vegetarian and vegan food, look no further than Veggie Grill in Mountain View. The fast-casual restaurant chain serves up innovative food — minus the meat — in a bright, modern space with wood-topped tables and soft lighting from hanging spherical fixtures. Creative veggie-focused entrees that hit the spot include the Sonoran summer bowl, ($10.95) with organic quinoa, black beans, fire-roasted corn, avocado, salsa, jalapeño and tortilla strips in a roasted red-pepper sauce. Other satisfying choices: the crispy cauliflower bites ($6.45) of panko-breaded cauliflower florets served with a sweet and spicy orange dipping sauce, and the banh mi salad ($9.95), which is loaded with organic tofu, eggplant, pickled carrots, white cabbage, cucumbers and daikon, accented with basil, cilantro, mint, kale and a five-spice glaze. A popular sandwich among herbivores and carnivores alike is the Santa Fe crispy chickin’ sandwich ($10.95), according to its vice president of marketing, Leah Smith. It’s loaded with lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado and a spicy mayo. The fried “chickin’” is a vegetable protein that is marinated and seasoned for a crispy coating “that delivers a sensory experience in terms of flavor and texture,” Smith said. Veggie Grill also offers a selection of organic iced teas and juices — no sugary sodas here. Continued on next page
August 26, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q
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