Top Ten Meals: Green Zebra

This one I'll call number 2.
I don't yet have a fully-filled list of ten, probably due to my sprightly young age, but I'm designating my vegetarian chef's tasting menu meal from the Green Zebra in Chicago 2 of 10. It's not that GZ wasn't good enough to be top on my list, it's just that I'm not ready to commit. Let's just say that when it comes to eating, I'm still dating.

Which leaves me another 9 to fill in the rest of my life, so that's something to look forward to!

First course is a white bean spread on whole grain bread. I dig this. I mean, I'm a huge fan of hummus, but how cool is it when they make hummus out of something other than garbanzos? It's almost like a carrot dog, but minus the need for casing....


Second course: salads! Oh and were they ever! At Green Zebra you won't find huge bowls of greens filled with the usual suspects (onions, fruits, nuts); oh no, these were artichoke hearts, big shavings of parmigiana reggiano, peas (what?!), watercress, you name it. These guys went nuts. And it was amazing!

So, we have artichoke heart salad with some greens and some mushrooms and two big shavings of cheese. Wh0oah! And we also have grilled asparagus, on a bed of watercress (delightful!), with the littlest bit of parm melted on it, but lurking beneath is the secret something--a dollop of apple walnut puree.









Next up was the soup course: cream of fennel and cream of arugula. Although both were "cream," neither was heavy. The fennel one was drizzled with fennel oil, and the arugula one was drizzled with truffle oil! Oh my!









Following, a risotto cake with a crusty
cheese cracker and mushrooms, then, the magical morel mushroom dish: peas, shaved parmigiana reggiano, and yes, morels.

You can see that Green Zebra has a lot of repeat ingredients; probably, they use what's in season and what they can get from the local market, and that's what drives their menu. But I don't mind seeing more than one morel or repeat parm... no I do not! I hope they call me when its beet season! Or tomato season! Sweet jebus!

But I digress...

Moving on (yes, we are still eating here), the entrees. The dishes were small, a taste of each, really, but it was still a ton of food. So when the entrees appeared, I really wasn't hungry. at all. Which was good, because like a lot of restaurants that I've tried, it seems the chef expends his/her energy on the small plates and sides, and the entrees can sometimes be so so. These were good, very good, but nothing like the artichoke heart salad or apple walnut asparagus. Anyway, we had eggplant dumplings and asian stirfry. The dumplings were in a red pepper foam, which I know can be controversial (some people really hate the idea of foaming their food!), but I ask you: when it's good and creamy and light and flavorful, what's so wrong with foam? Don't hate on the foam!!

Finally, eegads!, came dessert. Two dishes: one all cherries and one all blueberries. The cherry one had a homemade chocolate ice cream bar with cherry ice cream, house made cherry soda, and candied cherries. The blueberry one was little pancakes with a wild blueberry compote on top. holy berry, batman. This stuff was good. I guess I am a convert. I guess I am.

And that's it. The meal, as you'd expect, took hours. The servers were friendly and offered both a wine flight and a non-alcoholic flight consisting of house-made sodas, teas, and fruit drinks. It was delightful.

Upon leaving, we walked a bit to try to shake off that daze of having consumed so much rich food, and we turned a corner, exiting the little vegetarian oasis in Wicker Park or Bucktown or wherever we were, and a sign, almost from God, appeared to remind us of what we just encountered and how we should never ever take it for granted:

Thanks, Green Zebra. I love you.

Late-night dining

What do you do when it's 4am, you've closed down Mangia or Atomic Cowboy, and you're hungry? You go to South City diner.

What's on the menu? Well usually, it's vegetarian eggs benedict. You might think it's the chorizo scramble and the biscuits and gravy, especially if you are a meater, but you are wrong. It's not.

No, english muffins, eggs over easy, hollandaise, and two baby black olive slices are where it's at. I promise you.

Unless you're at home, and you've got an organic four-cheese frozen pizza from Trader Joe's in the house, then that's your answer. And do you know why? Because, as the number one ingredient in that frozen pizza assures us, we are living in a "lactic culture." Amen. Again.

grown-up groceries

Many moons ago, probably in the 90s (didn't everything happen in the 90s?), I ran into a pal at the grocery store. In my basket?

• 3 totinos party pizzas, meat deluxe (party on, dude, seriously)


• 5 boxes kraft mac and cheese


• 10 packs chicken-flavored ramen (10 for $1, remember?)


• hamburger helper


• tuna helper (oh god)


• 2 2-liter bottles of soda--one Dr. Pepper and one Pepsi


• chips a'hoy! [yes this is an actual list]


• and a laundry basket (when you're living on grocery cards from mom and dad, you gotta take advantage!)

Friend had fruits, veggies, fresh basil (what?), bread, milk, chicken breasts, yogurt, etc. Huh?

Even in my mid-90s state, I knew somethin' was funny. The fact that I subsisted on tuna helper just didn't ring totally true with me. But whatevs. Such was life.

Years later, I recall that occurrence. And I show you this:

Yes, I survived my box-food transfat high-fructose years, I lived to tell, and I'm here to stay. Friend, and you know who you are, thanks. Just thanks. I do know how to use basil, and I'm not afraid. Amen, brotha.

beef (and beef), I forgive you

Friend and I wanted to try a new restaurant in the STL: KOKOs. I haven't tried it yet, because every time I look at the menu, I'm reminded of how meaty it is. But the tagline for KOKO is "pan Latin meets Creole," so there MUST be something I can eat, right? I mean, Pans, Latins, Creoles, they all like beans. They all like rice. They all like tomatoes (I mean, who doesn't heart tomatoes?). But I looked again, just to be sure, and nope, it's pretty meaty. Friend suggested we try another place. But something on the menu caught my eye, and I declined the offer. Under entrees is an option called "beef and beef." Seriously, not just one dead cow, but two. And not even varying kinds of carnage, like I know meaters enjoy, like bacon-wrapped veal or turducken (but that's a convo for another day); no, this was just a double whammy: "Beef and Beef." I took it as a personal challenge. So we went.

Now I'm not opposed to putting up a little bit of a fight with waiters, "so, um... hm... you don't have ANY meat-free dishes?," especially when even the salads have meat in them. But I was feeling generous, gracious, so I did not respond when the waiter politely answered, "nope." He offered the standard off-menu veggie fare, pasta, which is OK, but I wasn't in a noodle mood. Typically, I'd put together a meal of sides, which I actually quite enjoy, but even the sides were pretty meaty, and also, they had pizzas with fresh veggies, so that won me over (they had me at mushrooms).


First course, cornbread muffins with some sort of sweet pepper butter. It was sweet like a honey butter, but it had a little kick to it, plus little red jobbies in there, so I think it was some sort of chile pepper. The muffins were nice and chewy on the outside, but then were moist inside. Plus they had real bits of corn!




Then we had the guacamole and plantain chips. The presentation was a little banana bonanza! Also nice was that they were showered in chili powder so they had a yummy kick. Oh and it was super limey--which was unexpectedly good. The guacamole was the standard avocado mash, a little smoother than you'd expect, which made me a little nervous, because that's how Kraft non-avocado guacamole tastes, but this also had fresh bits of tomato, green pepper, and oddly, green onion in it. So I ceased questioning and instead dug in. I am gracious, right? Right. Plus, it was good.


And the salad: lots of goat, one tomato. (ONE TOMATO). I guess they ran out? It represented, though; it kept it real.

Then came my pizza: housemade crust, mushrooms, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and peppers. Oh and light on the cheese. It was really yummy--totally didn't skimp on the veggies! I felt kinda dumb eating a pizza at a creole restaurant, but when the beans come with hamhock, I just can't partake. Besides, I do like me a good veggie pie!

Finally, though, was the dessert. It was so good, my photo had to be
all art-schooly (notice the fancy angle). But seriously, it was really just chocolate cake with chocolate icing, but there was this amazing inner layer of fruity cheese--kind of like strawberry cream cheese--which made it extra special. I don't know what's come over me lately--first strawberry churros, then strawberry filling. Next thing I'll be eating just plain old berries for dessert. And who does that? I mean really. Who does that? I don't even recognize myself anymore.

Then after, I felt like coffee, but instead of ordering the
standard after-dinner decaf, I indulged... espresso
martini. And that's the truth. Oh my!

All in all, I had a great time at KOKO. The curtains are fantastic (I am a firm believer that EVERYTHING should be enshrouded in velvet!), which made the atmosphere pretty durn nice. The food was good. And I did not feel the oppression of beef-and-beef once, not once. No one judged; no one stared; it was just dinner. And a pretty nice one at that.



But, gracious though I am, I would quietly, meekly, gently entreat KOKO to consider their roots, remember that a bean without a bacon is as possible as a fish without a bicycle... even today, even in the STL. And maybe next time when I go back, I'll be able to eat black-bean-salsa topped tofu or chili con mushrooms. Maybe!

got lei'd at work!

It was luau day at work...

Know what they eat at luaus? White rice, buttered broccoli, microwaved carrots, and a PEPSI! MMMmmmmmmmmmmmm! ALOHA!

it gave me the crepes

I was never a big fan of crepes, partly because I don't heart pancakes, and party because I keep my egg intake to a minimum. And crepes are more or less eggy pancakes. However, in my efforts to expand my horizons and also achieve appropriate levels of daily B12 intake, I ate a crepe.

Well actually, in this instance, it was really more an effort just to get lunch, and Meshuggah, as usual, was out of bagels. So I went to City Coffee and ate a crepe.

It was late in the day—around 3:45 or so—and so I was hungry. Really hungry. I didn’t think much of the fact that the place was more or less empty or that the cooks were mopping the floor. I dunno, mid-day clean up?

Anyway, they have lots of crepes on the menu—sweet, savory, cheesy, meaty, and two veggie ones too! I ordered the roasted veggie (as opposed to the garden veggie, the only real difference I could tell was the roasted red peppers) (but that is a significant difference, my friends. It really is). I ordered a smoothie too, because they use only fresh ingredients and no smoothie mixes. I appreciate that, City Coffee!

And then I sat and waited. I got out my book and read, as you do in coffee houses, and then after about 15 minutes (made to order!), my crepe arrived. It was lovely, really, all big and folded and bursting with veggies—zucchini, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, mozzarella, and some other stuff too. It was especially nice for these reasons:

1. it wasn’t overly cheesy. I always appreciate when chefs don’t overdo the cheese, because my lactose won’t tolerate it and because it masks the flava!


2. it wasn’t overly seasoned. The veggies were more steamed and less roasted, but they were fresh and really perfectly cooked. Yum!

So I’m sitting there eating, thoroughly enjoying my meal, and I notice that the server is sort of leaning on the counter, across the room, watching me. Then I see that the cook is kind of leaned against the counter, watching me, too. But whatever. Perhaps my graceful knife-and-fork etiquette caught their attention. Or maybe they wanted to see if I liked it? Anyway, I get out my camera and I’m taking pictures and I’m reading and sipping and enjoying. But they keep staring. Then I start to hear my chewing. Which means it’s quiet. And I'm trying to think of why they are watching me eat.

And then I notice the sign on the door that says they close at 4:00.

Ah! So that was the end of my crepe. I enjoyed it. But the staring was weird. Why didn't they let me eat in peace? or they could have said, "yes you can have a crepe, and you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here." or something. Whatever it was, it was unnerving. It creped me out. But it was pretty good, though.

Tales of Meat Stock

Make no mistake: barley and roasted vegetables does not = vegetarian.

The consolation prize? Chilled green beans in a cider vinaigrette. Not bad, not bad. Kinda sweet and tangy and garlicy and very crunchy. Yum!!!


Oh, and peach-infused hefeweizen (with a lemon wedge!). Gotta get my fruits for the day!

Let my people go!

Dear Chicken Stock,

Must you always have your way with me? Must you wrap your dirty bone- and muscle-filled little tendrils around my vulnerable vegetarian soul? Can’t you just leave me in peace, existing with my veggie stock and just plain H20? I must beg and plead, from the bottom of my free-range heart, please just let me be.

Sincerely yours,
Meg, Vegetarian, Foodie, and Lover of all things Animal (except not to eat)

So friend invites me over for dinner. We’re having salad and asparagus risotto. She is quite familiar with my food needs, and assures me that all is a go!

So she’s stirring, I’m sitting and sipping, and third friend is standing and chatting. Friend three comments on friend two’s amazing kitchen abilities, and sighs, “boy, I wouldn’t even THINK to keep chicken stock in my house.”

Convo continues….

But then my ears catch that word, “CHICKEN STOCK,” and I start to lean over in my stool. I’m leaning, I’m leaning, trying to catch a glimpse of the image on friend two’s container (is it a chicken? Is it a carrot?) (and which came first, by the way?) and finally friend three starts leaning too, trying to see what the heck all the leaning is for. Friend two finally pauses her stirring, her attention caught by all the leaning, and suddenly says, “DOH!”

But, being the excellent foodie and hostess she is, she keeps a tiny container of veggie stock on hand (I like to think it’s just for me) and starts me my own pot. Aw shucks. I’ve got the best friends.

It was delicious.

She also made this really fab plated salad which consisted of romaine lettuce, blue cheese (DOH AGAIN!) (But I subbed feta), red onions, and a fantastic white balsamic vinaigrette. White balsamic is almost fruity, like an apple or something, and is just to die for.


So the day was saved. But seriously. What is this beast, this monster, this behemoth CS doing to me? LET MY PEOPLE GO!!!!

Smitten...

While I was driving out in east jebus this afternoon picking up supplies for a work event, I suddenly was overcome with… yes! hunger! (ooh hunger!)

But all I saw was Hardees, McDonalds, Wraps, Pockets, Frieds, Mexicans, Drive Thrus, Meat Patties, etc. Nothing appealed.

But then I passed a place that intrigued so I popped in. Great Harvest was the name, and it’s clearly a bakery that offers a few lunch items (mainly sandwiches). I was thinking to myself, “I don’t really want a sandwich and I don’t want to eat a muffin or a cookie. Hm. You know what would be good? Just a slice of whole grain bread or somethin’.”

Then this character says, “hey there! want a free slice of bread?”

Amazing!

So I go to the counter and he shows me 6 (SIX!) loaves of bread—9 grain, honey whole wheat, challah, raisin cinnamon, delicious, and fantastic. I chose the 9 grain and he slices me a big thick piece. Then he points towards this pound of butter and a honey bear. I don’t usually partake of real butter, but this was melty and looked perfect, plus it was housed in a mosquito net (how quaint!) so I slathered. I did! And I added some honey, too, just for good measure (sorry, vegan friends).

OH boy. This was fresh baked and soft yet whole grainy, too. The butter and the honey made it really special. I’m not converting, but when in east jebus, you know….

So as I have my mouth full and I’m sticky with honey, the owner, Lou, is chatting away. He asks me my name (“methah” is what I get out) and then he takes me on the full tour. Everything is natural, everything you can pronounce and spell, and every day, every day, they grind their own whole wheat flour. In the back of the store! He and his wife Jean!

So he shows me the lunch menu and then he shows me the big loaves then he shows me the small loaves (for the singles and the elderly) and then he shows me the rotating bread menu for the month of May. Armed with papers, I end up buying a small loaf of high fiber bread, (it will really clean me out) which is a good source of omega threes from the flax seeds. I can pronounce that!
So I ask him if other Great Harvests exist in STL and he says only in St. Charles. I say, “hm. I live in the city,” meaning, neither one is close to me. But as Lou astutely points out, east jebus is closer to me than the other. True, indeed.

As I leave Lou tells everyone that “Meghan’s leaving” and they all shout goodbye and wave. Then I almost get run over by one of his elderly’s in the parking lot, but that’s OK. I mean, we all need our good carbs. What are you gonna do?