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Forget that calorie-packed clam chowder. Forgo
that lethal Boston cream pie. Boston’s newest culinary attractions serve up
a healthy and light fare, using a myriad of vegetarian, organic and raw
ingredients. From ethnic-vegetarian to raw foods delights, many restaurants
now offer a healthful yet tasty alternative to diners. Reviews of
health-conscious restaurants are popping up in papers all over town, and
loyal clients are proving that healthy eating isn’t just a passing
phenomenon.
Go Vegetarian
Several Boston-area
eateries boast vegetarian and vegan menus. Country Life, an unlimited
vegetarian buffet in the heart of Boston’s Financial District, features a
variety of menu items that change daily. 200 High Street, Boston, MA. 617-951-2534. From veggie burgers to “tofu
teriyaki” to vegetarian tacos and enchiladas, the buffet features several
hot dishes and an extensive salad bar. Prefect for a quick lunch that’s
bound to please everyone, Country Life is affordable at $7 for lunch and $8
for dinner. Also try their Sunday brunches, offering “tofu scrambles” and
whole wheat waffles.
Veggie Planet in Harvard
Square serves up vegetarian pizzas that delight herbivore clients
everywhere. This cozy eatery has all types of pizza toppings, including
curried sweet potatoes, grilled cheese and broccoli, and even a Thai-style
creation featuring coconut rice, peanuts and tofu. The menu also includes
soups, salads, “real meals on rice,” and desserts. The fare is
reasonable—under $6 for lunch and around $10 for dinner. An added plus:
Veggie Planet has live music on most nights.
Organic and
Ethnic Options
For an all-natural treat,
try the Organic Garden Restaurant and Juice Bar in Beverly, which sports a
vegan menu; its dishes entirely made with raw organic products. Organic
Garden’s selections include innovative falafel, scores of rich smoothies,
and even lasagna and ravioli—made without the processed pasta, of course.
Chef Robert Reid boasts a menu that’s free of wheat, dairy products, and
unhealthy fats. Dishes run between $10-14, while appetizers go for $4-7 and
desserts are $3-5. Smoothies and treats from the Juice Bar (a must-try!)
cost between $4-5. The restaurant also offers an extensive organic catering
menu. 294 Cabot Street,
Beverly, MA. 978-922-0004.
Healthy eating has been
extended to some of Boston’s ethnic restaurants as well. Several
restaurants are experimenting with vegetarian dishes and lighter fare,
adding new items to their menus in an effort to satisfy customers seeking a
healthy meal. In addition, newly opened ethnic vegetarian/ethnic vegan
eateries are becoming increasingly popular.
Buddha’s Delight in
Chinatown serves up authentic Chinese and Vietnamese dishes—vegan style,
without the use of animal byproducts. The meatless meals are made with
innovative meat substitutes, and include such favorites as lo-mein made with
tofu, wonton soup and several stir-fry dishes. Dinners run between $6-14
and the menu is extensive and convincing—it is sure to please even those
who prefer traditional Chinese food.
3 Beach Street, Boston, MA. 617-451-2395.
Masalaa in Billerica is
an Indian vegetarian restaurant, offering a variety of rice dishes and
meatless entrees in a plethora of sauces, for just under $9. Masalaa carries
a great deal of breads, rice cakes and Indian pancakes, as well as fresh
juice and milk drinks. The restaurant prides itself on its dedication to
preserving the individual culinary authenticity of the many states of India
through the use of genuine Indian spices and flavors in a healthy
environment. 786 Boston Road, Billerica, MA. 978-667-3443.
Healthy Escapes
And if a simple healthy
dinner isn’t enough, why not try a whole weekend of health? The
Shady Hollow
Inn in South Dennis is a great place for cozy Cape Cod weekends, as well as
vegetarian and vegan eating. The Inn offers healthy breakfasts, dinners and
picnics, made with organic ingredients whenever possible. In addition to
healthy food, the Shady Hollow Inn also provides plenty of opportunity for
exercise, with kayaks and bicycles available for rent and scenic trails for
walks and hikes. 370 Main Street, South Dennis, MA. 508-394-7474.
Fiending for a healthy
eating excursion? There are various happenings dedicated to honoring the
vegetarian lifestyle and healthy eating. The Boston Vegetarian Society
sponsors an annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival, which boasts natural
food exhibitions and cooking demonstrations, food tastings, and free
consultations with nutritionists. The Festival is a wonderful day for
exploring some of Beantown’s healthy eating options.
The Boston Vegetarian
Society, which was founded to promote and educate about vegetarianism, also
schedules a plethora of healthy-eating activities year round, including
cooking classes, social dinners, and even discussions on raising vegetarian
children. P.O. Box 38-1071, Cambridge, MA 02238-1071. 617-424-8846.
With a number of great
restaurants offering vegetarian, organic, and raw choices, it is easier than
ever to follow a healthful diet when dining out in Boston. So don’t get
those too-rich baked beansopt for some bean curd instead!
Ursula Furi-Perry
is a freelance writer and editor based in
Massachusetts. Her work has appeared in over twenty national and
regional publications.
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