Whether you’re a life-long vegetarian (or a recent convert), have celiac disease and stick to a gluten-free diet or just want to try something new, it can be hard to find that healthy and delicious meal when you are going out to eat. However, many local restaurants have great options. From Thai food to tofu tacos, dine-in to take out, these are the vegetarian or gluten-free meals you definitely want to try around town.
Eggplant parmesan Cafe Med Restaurant, 4809 Stockdale Highway This vegetarian dish is made with eggplant, tomato, garlic, basil, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and Cafe Med’s homemade marinara sauce. “If you love or like eggplant, you will fall in love with this,” said Kathy Brown, co-owner and marketing director. “It’s a vegetarian favorite for many.” Meir Brown, Kathy’s husband and co-owner of the restaurant, is from the Mediterranean, and eggplant is often used in that region’s dishes. Eggplant is highly sought after by vegetarians since it is a filling and delicious substitute for meat. “It can be fried, sautéed and cooked in so many different ways,” Kathy said. The eggplant parmesan has been on Cafe Med’s menu since the restaurant opened 20 years ago and is one of Meir’s favorite dishes. “Its such a full and satisfying meal,” Kathy said. The meal is high in antioxidants and has very little cholesterol.
Tomato basil mozzarella panini The Sequoia Sandwich Co., 1231 18th St., 9160 Rosedale Highway and 9500 Ming Ave. This hot vegetarian panini has sliced mozzarella cheese, Roma tomatoes and fresh basil, topped with balsamic vinaigrette on focaccia bread. Sequoia doesn’t use mozzarella cheese like the cheese that comes on pizza, they use the fresh mozzarella that comes in balls and they slice it up. The focaccia has a little bit of herbs, which add flavor to the sandwich. “This is a really fresh-tasting sandwich,” said co-owner Gary Blackburn. This sandwich is so tasty that even meat-eaters are willing to skip the meat in their sandwich. Continued on page 36
Photo by Henry A. Barrios
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By Laura Sverchek
Fresh mozzarella cheese is the key to The Sequoia Sandwich Co.’s tomato basil mozzarella panini.
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