Better options served fresh at Café Verde

“We are what we eat.”

I’ve heard this saying several times before but I never thought I could ever really relate to it until now.

Just recently, I had to start going on a diet again. I’ve been having some health problems and shedding a few pounds and getting my diet back on track should really be helpful in my quest to becoming healthier.

After a week or so of eating less red meat, sweets and stuffing myself more with fruits and vegetables, I have come to truly realize the true meaning of that quote. What we eat is defined by our lifestyle, and our own personal choices. But in the cities where we live in right now it’s just so difficult to make the best food choices with all the famous fast food chains conveniently hovering us with the usual food options that are bad for us if we have too much of it.

Thankfully, there’s a new addition to the growing number of restaurants offering better food options –the newly opened Café Verde. The first vegan cafeteria offering fresh alternatives to those who want to make healthier choices. Located at the 3^rd floor in the Sports Loop of Robinsons Galleria, Café Verde is Manila’s first vegan quick-service restaurant serving appetizers, rice meals, sandwiches, pizza, pasta and more.

Zucchini Sticks

They’ve got a lot of new and exciting dishes to you can try such as the Bean and Cheese Taquitos served with homemade salsa and sour cream which is surprisingly very light despite it being a deep-fried dish. Same with the herb crusted Zucchini Sticks served with rich tomato sauce –I liked this appetizer because even if it’s also deep-fried (they deep-fry everything in vegetable oil), there is still some crunch in the zucchinis, ensuring freshness in every bite.

Café Verde’s main dishes are also winners in their own right for their unique flavors. I really enjoyed their Caramelized Onions and Cheese Panini which was slow cooked onions and cream cheese in a pan de sal panini. Their Veggie Burgers are an interesting find too. These are mini burgers made of mushroom and tofu patties that were light in the tummy but heavyweight on taste.

Caramelized Onions and Cream Cheese Panini

Veggie Burger Sliders

The Layered Beancurd with Rice meal is also a delight for those who just can’t do away with eating rice and who still want to eat something meaty. And of course, Café Verde’s also got something familiar to the palette such as their Tomato Garlic Spaghetti which was as tasty as ever.

So the next time you’re hungry, think first before ordering and choose the better options served fresh –just like the dishes served at Café Verde. Always choose what’s best for your health, eat with an open mind and an empty stomach!


http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2011/may/11/lifestyle1.isx&d=2011/may/11