Veggie Grill Sign

LA JOLLA/UTC. Could a vegan enterprise be the darling of corporate America?  Yes, according to Forbes.com, which recently added Veggie Grill to its list of “15 Explosively Growing Companies to Watch This Year.”  In fact, during the past year, Veggie Grill successfully raised $20 million to further fuel its expansion.  As a result, its 20+ locations in the western states might be only the beginning! . . .   

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130128-905467.html?mod=crnews

So what’s all the fuss about?  Well, each Veggie Grill is 100% vegan and offers a wide variety of convenient, healthy dishes.  With vegan versions of comfort foods like buffalo wings, cheeseburgers, and steak tacos, Veggie Grill proves that it’s not boring to be vegan.

I am thankful that Veggie Grill decided to open up its newest location in San Diego, at the University Towne Center (UTC) Mall.  Although I am not a big fan of malls, I can be lured in with the promise of good vegan food.  (See previous posts on True Foods Kitchen and Seasons 52!)

Veggie Grill offers a well-rounded menu.  The diverse menu spans from salads and sandwiches to plates, wraps, and tacos.   On a recent visit, I tried the Gluten Free Power Plate, featuring a stack of blackened tempeh, portobello mushrooms, and caramelized onions with a side of kale and sliced tomato salad and chipotle Ranch dressing.  There is a lot going on in this dish!  And I love that Veggie Grill showcases kale as a staple side dish, complete with a creamy dressing and sesame seeds to reward the adventurous.

Next up was the Cheeseburger, ordered “El Dorado Style” – topped with jalapenos and caramelized onions.  The burger is served with vegan cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and chipotle ranch on a wheat bun.  I enjoyed the vegan patty – it was thick and juicy – but the best part was the layer of warm, perfectly melted “cheese.”  A great example of the recent evolution of non-dairy cheese.

The first trip to Veggie Grill was so good, I went back less than a week later.  Plus, the menu presents a lot of real estate to cover!

We ordered the Baja “Fish” Taco Plate.  Three flour tortillas arrived cradling crispy “fish,” green cabbage, original Baja sauce, cilantro, and lime.  The plate also included a side of roasted corn salsa, and “Bean Me Up” Chili.  The Baja sauce and salsa provided fresh flavor, but this is a light entrée that pairs well with the hearty and well-spiced side of chili.

The All Hail Kale salad exceeded all expectations.  It is a mix of marinated kale and red cabbage, corn salsa, and agave-roasted walnuts with a side of ginger papaya vinaigrette.  A beautiful medley of bright colors.  We also added Blackened Chickin’ strips, which added even more substance to the salad with their firm texture and grilled flavor.

And because I can’t go anywhere without ordering dessert, I succumbed to the Grilled Cookie.  Veggie Grill takes dessert to the next level by warming the chocolate chip cookie (and what cookie doesn’t taste better warm!) and topping it with chocolate pudding and vegan crema.

Veggie Grill has a relaxed and casual atmosphere.  You place your order at the front counter, then sit at a table with a number until some friendly youngster delivers your food.

The interior is bright and cheery – red red walls and green chairs with huge windows to let in the natural light.  The outdoor patio allows customers to enjoy warm San Diego days under bright, yellow umbrellas.  Need one last reason to eat at Veggie Grill?  It is clean!  I don’t know how they do it, but the counters and tables gleam, and the floor is free from crumbs.

4353 La Jolla Village Drive

Suite, H28

La Jolla, CA 92122

858.458.0031

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LA JOLLA/UTC.  I usually avoid eating at malls (see the True Food Kitchen post!).  However, Seasons 52 is well worth a trip to the mall.  The restaurant strives to prepare fresh and delicious dishes, all with less than 475 calories.  The restaurant offers a seasonal menu—the Spring Menu is currently being offered.

First up was the Double Hummus (edamame and roasted red pepper) and Crisp Sea Salt Lavosh.  I had never tried edamame hummus and immediately dug in when it arrived.  The lavosh was soft and warm and provided the perfect delivery device for the mild tasting edamame hummus.  Equally pleasing was the roasted red pepper hummus, which was smooth and creamy with a slightly smoky flavor.

For my entrée, I tried the Vegetarian Tasting.  I loved all of the 4 vegan components that made up the plate.  (1) Quinoa and Citrus Salad: the quinoa was firm and the citrus flavor mixed in provided for a refreshing taste.  (2) Soft Taco: the taco was filled with black beans, roasted peppers, pico de gallo, and guacamole.  The guacamole was smooth, the black beans well seasoned, and the roasted peppers and pico de gallo added additional spice.  (3) Cedar-Roasted Tofu: the tofu was firm and served warm with mango chutney on top.  (4) Vegetables: fresh grilled asparagus, red peppers, and snow peas, and golden beets.  All of the vegetables were fresh and tender.  I particularly enjoyed the sweetness of the golden beets.

Dark wood tables and comfortable chairs with soft lighting create an inviting atmosphere.  It is a restaurant in which customers can settle in for hours to share food and conversation.

Also, for those diners who are want to know more about the nutritional information of the food at Seasons 52, it can be found at:

http://www.seasons52.com/menu/nutrition.asp

4505 La Jolla Village Dr C1

San Diego, CA 92122

858.450.1252

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