It seems like South City’s Urban Eats Cafe was made for picky people like me. At this vegetarian-friendly eatery, you choose your flavor (Asian, Italian, southwestern, Mediterranean or American), your main ingredient (Since it’s Monday, you know the meatless option is all I’m going to tell you about.) and then your style (panini, wrap, flatbread pizza or rice bowl). Lastly, you choose whatever combination you want. Here, the world’s your oyster – er – oyster mushroom.
For my Meatless Monday, I chose an Italian-Vegetarian-Wrap. The Italian sauce, seething with tangy garlic mayo, sweet red pepper pesto and decadent mozzarella, oozed from the sides of a toasty flour tortilla. A sweet and salty eggplant caponata spread, studded with chunky mushrooms, packed the wrap with a tender bite. And the veggies didn’t stop there: Caramelized onions, baby spinach, tomatoes and brown rice were all loaded into this monster of a meal.
A side of Asian Slaw touted crunchy cabbage that was dotted with sliced almonds and dried cranberries and then tossed in a light sesame oil dressing – a welcome change from the creamy cousins we see at backyard barbecues all summer long. Another side of Thai Ginger Noodles – cold, gangly strands speckled with firm sesame seeds – were a carb-laden foil to the light slaw.
Every urban neighborhood needs a healthy cafe that gives those gritty city streets the farm-fresh treatment. And that’s exactly what you’ll find at this Dutchtown spot. Boasting a wide range of vegetarian options and a full-service bar, Urban Eats is worth the trip even if you don’t call this neighborhood home – and especially if you’re a picky eater (like me).
This article appears in June 2012.