The Vegetarian Experience

Although I lived the life of a vegetarian in my twenties, I most ashamedly gradually reverted to a full fledged meat-eater much to the shock and horror of my vegetarian friends. One thing I remember was that it sometimes became tiresome choosing a restaurant that offered good food for both vegetarians and meat eaters. It was this recollection that set me off on a search for restaurants that offered a pleasing gastronomic experience for both.

I discovered the bountiful world of vegetables lead me to the diverse cuisines from around the world.

The simplistic, tastefully prepared dishes of Greece are the focus of Chef Tommy’s on Bayly Street in Ajax. This restaurant is a little difficult to find, set back from Bayly on Westney in a non-descript plaza where an unassuming patio sets the pleasant setting in the summer months. Friendly staff are quick to welcome you to the latest home of Chef Tommy Antoniacis, a world-renowned chef, whose experiences include a stint as host on a BBC cooking show in England. Today, Chef Tommy’s authentic, lovingly prepared Greek dishes are served to anxiously awaiting guests and the vegetarian guest is not overlooked. A specialty of the house is Chef Tommy’s Artichoke Bake, which can be likened to a Greek Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie — a dish filled with spinach, artichoke, feta cheese and tomatoes lightly herbed and topped with golden brown mashed potatoes and a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese.

Beautiful, fresh ingredients are found in traditional favourites such as Dolmades, vine leaves wrapped around tender morsels of rice, fresh, Marinated Grilled Vegetarian Souvlaki, and Feta Stuffed Peppers. Hummus, a dip of blended chick peas, sesame based tahini sauce and garlic would please any palate, as would the Cold Trio Appetizer Platter which offers generous portions of delectable dips including gorgeously spicy Feta, zesty Red Pepper and of course the cooling flavours of the Greek staple, Tzatziki, a blend of yogurt, cucumber and garlic all served with an ample supply of fresh pitas for dipping.

I always automatically think Indian when I think vegetarian and at Signature Indian Cuisine on Dundas in Whitby vegetarians are sure to be impressed. With an upbeat atmosphere and warm and attentive service, this restaurant welcomes guests with the exotic aromas of India.

Vegetarian dishes abound on this menu, where the added excitement of exotic spices offers an extra layer of flavours to experience. Still one of my favourite dishes from my vegetarian days is Palak Paneer, a mixture of pureed spinach and spices blended to form a sauce for warm cottage cheese. Chana Masala, chick peas cooked in a rich deep golden sauce of whole spices is delicious, as are lentils cooked down to a smooth, almost soup like dish called Dal Tadka, made even more delicious when scooped up and eaten with fresh Naans, authentic Indian flat bread served soft and warm. I could not get enough of them, using them to sop up every drop of those tasty sauces. And the Rice Pilau was just one of many masterfully prepared rice dishes available on the menu.

Signature’s appetizers are equally pleasing such as Vegetable Samosas, a deep fried pastry filled with potatoes, peas and distinctly flavourful cumin seeds, served crisp and warm, an excellent contrast to the tender morsels of potatoes inside. Mixed vegetable Pakoras are deep-fried fritters, with a spicy kick and Aloo Tikki are almost like an Indian Latke, pan-fried potato patties stuffed with cottage cheese.

Finishing off the meal, the exotic flavours work perfectly in sweet and creamy rice pudding infused with cardamom. The fragrant cardamom adds a welcome twist to this old favourite. Kulfi, an Indian ice cream is placed in a martini glass, whimsically served on a stick with the lovely green of the pistachio making it all the more appealing. If you have to try just one, I would recommend the Gulab Jamun, moist balls of cake served in a warm, sweet cardamom infused syrup.

Staying with the exotic, veggie dishes are plentiful when it comes to Thai cuisine. There are many excellent Thai restaurants to choose from, but I still favour Thai Hot Spot Fusion Cuisine located on the border of Oshawa and Courtice at Townline and Hwy 2. I have mentioned this restaurant before, a funky, stylishly decorated restaurant, where creating new Thai flavours has become an art.

You will not be disappointed when viewing their menu for vegetarian delights. It is difficult to choose between tasty dishes such as Green Curry Vegetables that blend coconut cream, lime leaves, peppers, bamboo shoots, eggplant, tofu, long beans and broccoli in a beautifully aromatic sauce or rice noodles, lettuce, cucumbers and tofu with a spicy home made peanut sauce in Vegetarian Vermicelli.

One of my favorite Thai vegetarian dishes is Thai Spicy Basil Eggplant, which adds life to delicately cooked eggplant with the fresh, slightly licorice flavours of Thai Basil finished with a delicious, slightly spicy sauce. And of course there are lots of appetizers to choose from such asFresh Vegetable Summer Rolls wrapped in rice paper and stuffed with delicious crisp veggies and mango and served with a fresh home made dip. If there was ever a more delectable salad than the Green Mango Salad served here, I have yet to taste it. Wonderfully fresh slivers of brightly coloured mango blend beautifully with slices of pepper, green papaya and a splash of lime dressing. Ask for the vegetarian version as it is usually served with sliced chicken. Vegetable spring rolls filled with glass noodles, cabbage and carrots are served with an original lime dip unique to Thai Fusion Hot Spot and the likes of which I have never tasted. It is so refreshingly different you will come back just for the dip!

Finish the meal with lusciously original desserts such as Mango and Sticky Rice served warm with coconut cream or Banana Rolls, deep-fried bananas served with mango ice cream and chocolate sauce. With choices like this, vegetarians may be surprised to find their meat- eating friends eyeing their dishes with envy!