The Veggie Option – Grub

As the veggie, a lot of times when eating out you have to suck it up and hope that there’s more than a lame iceberg salad on the menu. If you’re a meat eater, it may be annoying to worry about the vegetarian in the bunch. So, let myself and my carnivorous friends eat out for you!

With the veggie option, my hope is to give you a review of the meat free options available at restaurants around the city.  A meat lover will weigh in on their dishes as well. Then we can be happy and eat together in harmony, give peas a chance, blah blah nom nom.

Please note, I am a food enthusiast, not a trained chef. I also may have a drink or 4 while eating these meals. User discretion is advised.

		There are some really great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver, and as a vegetarian, I love them. My meat loving friends, not so much.

Restaurant: Grub, 4328 Main Street www.grubonmain.ca

Eaters: Lana, the vegetarian who wishes bacon grew on trees.

Shane, the guy who will eat almost anything. No really.

Marlis, the prairie girl who only eats fish on the West Coast.

Ken, a carnivore through and through. Grew up eating moose.

Meat eaters, veggies & vegans will get along swimmingly here, you really can’t go wrong (unless you can’t get a table, but then that’s your fault. Make reservations, it’s a small place.) Order off the menu or choose from a 3 course meal off the Fresh Sheet at $30 for meat eaters, $27 for veggie or vegan.

With a wide range of salads and antipasto plates, there are enough options to share. Definitely check out the daily special boards, which include multiple meats dishes, a vegetarian & also a vegan entrees. They even have vegan dessert and drink specials, bless their hearts.

The atmosphere is quaint and hip, but not pretentious. When the weather is warm, be sure to eat outside on the back patio. Our server was lovely, informative and didn’t judge when we asked what the ‘fenugreek scented rice’ really smelled like (bad joke, funny at the time).

What we ate:

Lana: Leek, gruyere & cheddar filo pie, lemon potato & corn hash, cucumber salad with mint yoghurt dressing

Marlis: Seared lemongrass sable fillet, fenugreek scented black rice pilaf, papaya salsa, lemon peashoot salad

Ken: Sweet Italian sausage pizza with mozzarella, rapini, garlic & crushed chilies

Shane: Cumin & chili marinated rack of lamb with yam & goat cheese, braised eggplant & red pepper ragout, minted sour cream

Meat eater mentions: Shane, “So fresh and so good.”Marlis, “I would lick  my plate clean.” Ken, “Amazing!”

Veggie verdict:  Lana, "Delicious, balanced. This flaky filo is my friend.”

Expect to pay: Around $25 per person for an entrée and a drink. It is more than worth it.