Saintly diet: Plant-based meals, meat-free options to try for Lent
MANILA, Philippines — The Lenten season is once again upon us. While praying, meditating and repenting are our main activities in the coming week, we should also be reminded that we should be watchful of our meals, and make sure they're meat-free so as to truly observe the Holy Week.
We've gathered here some of the restaurants in the metro that serve delicious vegetable meals and other food options:
Pipino Vegetarian Food by Pino
Located in Teacher's Village in Quezon City, Pino Restaurant has always been frequented by health-conscious customers because of their mouth-watering spin on vegetable meals. What better way to go Lent-friendly on your dishes than by enjoying Pino's famous plant-based Veg Triangle, or even its Veg Karekare.
Other yummy options include Pino's Eggplant and Tofu Miso, as well as Tofu Bistek. This dining place also offers Steamed Pampano and Seafood Karekare.
Pino is open until Holy Wednesday and will resume on Easter Sunday. You can also order online through Lalamove.
Mimi & Bros
No meat for you this Lenten season? Don't worry, because Mimi & Bros continues to diversify its menu with its new Plant-Based Chicken Sandwich and Plant-Based Burger.
The Plant-Based Chicken Sandwich is tasty and tender like chicken. It is made with a crispy plant-based chicken patty that is served in between buttery brioche buns. This sandwich is generous with its toppings: Mimi & Bros' secret sauce, topped with American cheese, lettuce, and house-made pickles. The Plant-Based Chicken Sandwich is priced at P350 and is served with fries on the side.
The Plant-Based Burger is made with a thick and juicy plant-based patty, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, white onions and secret sauce. Housed in between slightly toasted brioche buns and served with a side of fries, this burger experience is priced at P450.
The LA walk-up bar inspired restaurant is situated at Crossroads, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City and is open for al-fresco dining.
Antipodean Salcedo
Mostly frequented by young professionals and expats, this spot in Salcedo is loved for its international food offerings and drinks. And the cool thing is this place is open on Maunday Thursday and Good Friday at 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is perfect for those looking to have a nice meal with the fresh air of the morning until after lunch.
A must-try for the Lenten season is its Fish and Chips in beer battered deep sea fish, which is double battered and fried to perfection and served with chips and salad.
Antipodean's breakfast offerings are also delicious, and perfect to start your day. Its Banana Pancake with Butterscotch is one of the best-sellers.
Antipodean Salcedo is at Citadines Salcedo Makati, 148 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati.
Falafel Yo
This restaurant offers authentic Israeli street food. One of their bestsellers is Falafelito, served with small pita bread, Humus, white cabbage, french fries, fried eggplant and green chilli.
Falafel Yo is available at Uptown Mall in BGC, SM North EDSA and Metro Alabang.
Cucina in Marco Polo Ortigas
Cucina in Marco Polo Ortigas serves a curated selection of cuisines from Asia and Europe. Designed for guests to interact with the chefs across all stations, guests may discuss how they prefer their chosen dishes, which makes the place dubbed as "Manila's Culinary Theatre.”
During the Holy Week starting Thursday, breakfast at Cucina is available starting 6:30 a.m., while lunch and dinner buffet service will be on offer on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday. (April 16 and 17).
After the Easter holiday, guests may enjoy the breakfast buffet selection for P1,380 per person, which is open daily starting 6:30 a.m. The lunch spread, available from Thursdays to Sundays from noon to 2:30 p.m., is available for P1,980 per person. The dinner buffet rate per person may be availed at P2,180 from Thursdays to Sundays from 6 to 10 p.m. These promotional dining rates afford guests with free-flowing iced tea (for lunch and dinner), and are inclusive of applicable taxes and local charges. Children aged 8 to 12 years dine at 50% off from the published rates.
Panda Express
For more plant-based dishes, Panda Express is also a nice dining option. Eggplant Tofu is a fan-favorite entrée, the ultimate comfort food made with lightly browned tender tofu that is crispy on the outside, simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce with eggplant and red bell peppers, and pairs well with White Steamed Rice, Mixed Vegetables and some Veggie Spring Rolls.
The world famous Original Orange Chicken by Panda Express is also available now southbound, as Panda Express opened its newest branch this April at the SM Southmall in Las Piñas City.
Greenwich
Seafood option is now available in Greenwich, as it has recently unveiled its savory seafood options that are sure to help you with meal planning during the Lenten season.
Offered for a limited time only, Greenwich recently introduced its newest Cajun Shrimp Overload Pizza and Creamy Shrimp Spaghetti to let you discover exciting seafood flavors, that’s guilt-free.
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