Sometimes, you find gems in the most unlikely of places. Like The Shaved Duck, my boyfriend’s favorite restaurant and one he rarely gets to enjoy since he dates a vegetarian. But like the good girlfriend I am, every once in a while, I relinquish control and let him win the restaurant selection.
Just as I was about to throw myself a pity party – seated at a restaurant whose very name contradicted my dietary philosophy – I was pleasantly surprised to find a few vegetarian options on the menu. I considered making a meal of the decadent sides – caramelized onion mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, jalapeño creamed corn – but an entree caught my eye. The Veggie Flatbread touted a cracker-thin crust and plenty of cheese. A hefty slathering of barbecue sauce pushed it into both salty and sweet territory, while smoked tomatoes, piquant peppers and wilted spinach offered flavors both fiery and fresh. The three cheeses oozed right onto the cutting board the bread was served upon.
It was a very surprising Meatless Monday. But with a sip of a draft beer by Urban Chestnut (just $3 on Monday nights), it was the perfect date night – even if my boyfriend got to choose (and especially because he paid).
This article appears in July 2012.