Vegetables Continue to Earn Center Spot in Restaurants

It seems like everywhere I look right now I'm seeing or reading about vegetables taking a central role on plates and menus. From the Culinology Magazine's December 2018 issue, "Plant-based Entrees," to Nancy Kruse's recent article "Vegetables Move to the Center of the Plate," published on the Nation's Restaurant News website, vegetables are steaming up trends all over the place.This isn't breaking news, however. We've even discussed this topic here before, with the "Plant-Based Protein Gaining Traction" article in 2018.What is new and noteworthy, is how well these changes are being received and how well restaurants are executing plant-based menus that speak to omnivores everywhere. There have been more than a couple breakout restaurants across the U.S. executing either vegetarian, vegan, or veggie-centric (focused on vegetables but still incorporate some meat products, mostly for flavoring) menus with great success and mass appeal.Let's shine a spotlight on a few of these locations nationwide.

Delicious Restaurants Nationwide Focusing on Vegetables

City O' City, Denver, CO

Anyone from Denver knows City O' City. A staple of the town for the last 20 years, CoC reflects the modern, trendy, hipster/hippie vibe that can only exist in Denver. Part vegetarian and vegan restaurant and coffee shop, part late night bar and art studio, CoC offers both great food and great culture.Menu items like the Savory Waffle with Vegetable Ragu and Kimchi Pancakes are presented for the more adventurous diner, safer items like the Cauliflower Chorizo Tacos and Seitan Buffalo Wings are safe and delicious options for someone a bit more hesitant. No matter what you choose, you'll find an imaginative, filling, and most importantly, delicious meal that'll make you not just forget about meat but fall in love with vegetables.

Bad Hunter, Chicago, IL

Clever name, right? As it implies, Bad Hunter is a veggie-centric (not vegetarian) restaurant on the West Loop side of Chicago.Rather than focus on the health benefits of veggies, Bad Hunter goes all in on the decadence. Try the Tempura Fried lemons with Black Garlic Bleu Cheese Dressing, or the Butter Dumplings with Candies Hazelnuts and Aged Balsamic to start. Then fill whatever room you have left with the Vegan Bahn Mi with Charred Trumpet Mushroom or the Black Garlic Tagliolini made with Koji-Almond Crema and Black Truffle.Seriously, who needs meat when you have plates like that, right!?

Bouldin Creek Cafe, Austin, TX

I'd be remiss if I didn't share a breakfast spot as well, it is my favorite meal, after all. While it seems easy to do vegetarian breakfast (for ovo and lacto vegetarians at least), some do it better than others.  In point of fact, Bouldin Creek Cafe.This quirky South Austin hangout is as popular as it is delicious. I've dined in multiple times, and no matter what day or time, I've always waited at least 10 minutes for a table. But the wait is well worth it for items like Zucchini and Cheese Migas with Fire Puree Scrambled Tofu or the Vegan Blueberry Cornbread finished with real maple syrup.Or try my personal favorite, the Tamale Breakfast. Instead of pork or chicken, these delicious corny confections are stuffed sweet potato and Texas pecans and served with fresh, locally sourced fruit. Booking my flight now...

Vedge, Philadelphia, PA

Finally, a restaurant from a pair of James Beard nominated chefs showing off just how special vegetable centric dining can be.Vedge, operated by Chefs Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby, offers an exciting menu based on seasonal vegetables in a beautiful historic brown house in Center City Philadelphia. Receiving accolades from Philadelphia Magazine and GQ, to Food & Wine and Bon Appetit, Vedge is rapidly becoming a prime destination restaurant.Items like Rutabaga Fondue with Fresh Pretzel and Ssamjang Tofu with Burnt Miso make it easy to understand why Vedge is topping the charts. Other delicious bites include Seared Maitake Mushroom with Smoked Remoulade, Romanesco Carbonara, and Stuffed Avocado with Pickled Cauliflower and Fried Rice.

Ciao for Now

We'll keep an eye on the veggie-centric landscape and let you know if anything else pops-up. In the meantime, it would be wise for restaurants, local and national, to start adopting the idea of vegetable focused items or menus to catch this trend early.Cheers!