Tonight, head to Pi where you can enjoy a Meatless Monday without even eating pizza. In no way am I knocking President Obama’s favorite pie; I love Pi and its Meatless Monday creations. I’m just asking you to venture outside the (pizza) box and try something different.
The Bada Bing, one of my favorite salads, could serve as a light meal on its own, but I would rather split it and another dish as well. Tart dried Bing cherries, buttery roasted almonds and sharp Gorgonzola cheese dot a large plate of mixed greens dressed in a sweet yet acidic raspberry vinaigrette.
When it comes to appetizers, the Roasted Vegetable Bruschetta (pictured) stole the show – and my heart. Piled on a thick, crusty slice of Companion rustic bread is a plethora of balsamic glazed, roasted vegetables that are just soft enough to break apart but not at all mushy. Speaking of veggies, this isn’t your tired old tomato and basil bruschetta; Pi packs on grilled portobello mushrooms and a colorful combination of roasted zucchini, red peppers and peppery red onions. Hidden beneath that mound of veggies is the dense Companion bread that has become slightly softened thanks to a creamy coating of ricotta cheese.
So maybe you didn’t bypass the pizza, and that’s OK – I don’t blame you. (Who can turn away that crispy cornbread crust?) But promise, next time, to save some extra room in order to taste the other great meatless options that this local pizzeria has to offer.
This article appears in October 2012.