Akin to broccoli yet providing a more subtle canvas for flavors (and loaded with potassium, fiber and some protein), cauliflower is finally attaining celebrity status. Prime example, the charred cauliflower small plate ($7) at Rize Artisan Pizza + Salad. Jewels of spiced walnuts and pomegranate seeds and a piquant maple sesame dressing doll up the sweetly charred florets. And, it’s good for you. Go ahead, order more than one plate the first time around.
FLIP burger boutique is keen, or make that quinoa, on piling on the veggies in the new year. The Shrubber, January’s Burger of the Month, nixes a bread bun in favor of Parmesan-fried eggplant slices. A quinoa patty hunkers down in between, capped by cucumber threads, pickled yellow beets, orange gremolata mayo and crispy shallots ($10.) Wait, there’s more on the plate -- zucchini fries underscore the veggie theme. Consider it a beverage or dessert but do consider tangoing with a mango and vanilla ice cream milkshake topped with pine nut crumble, cherry foam and candied jalapeños ($5). Mangos make the shake count as a fruit, right?
Next time they ask “What’s pho dinner?” you’ll be prepared, thanks to our board of Pho-nomenal Dishes. Served hot or chilled, a sweet-spicy Vietnamese noodle bowl could be your summer savior. Exotic? Bun bo xao. Quick? Shortcut pho bo. Veggie? Coconut veggie soup or bok choy-and-cauliflower pho with roasted tofu. Life in the slow lane? Slow-cooker rare beef pho. More noodles? Vietnamese charbroiled pork vermicelli. In Atlanta, you’ll find the ingredients in your supermarket, but a pho-ray into one of the many international markets around town will really entice you to go with the pho.
Monday’s coming around again, and those leftovers aren’t going anywhere fast. Clean out the fridge another night. Instead, wing it to Bantam + Biddy Ansley Mall on Monday, June 8 where Lost-n-Found Youth will receive 10 percent of Bantam + Biddy proceeds for orders placed after 5 p.m. Lost-n-Found Youth is Atlanta’s only non-profit organization dedicated to providing safety and shelter to homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth ages 13-25. For this tasty multitasking meal, pick your poultry -- rotisserie chicken, fried chicken tenders with wasabi honey, fried chicken and cheddar waffles or rotisserie chicken on powerful salads. Go for meatloaf made from White Oak Pastures’ grass-fed beef, or if you maintain a meatless Monday tradition, choose a fresh vegetable plate or penne pasta with San Marzano tomatoes, veggies and basil. Solo, duo, family -- there’s a place for everyone here.
How does your garden grow? At Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple, the backdoor Milton’s Acre garden grows some of the makings for the chef’s vegetable plate ($21), newly sprouted on the spring menu. Pick this veritable rainbow of colorful veggies -- garden vegetable and almond quinoa, grilled asparagus, garlic wax beans, pickled beets, summer squash casserole and sunflower pesto. Then, call mom, tell her you love her and confirm you are eating your vegetables.
