Taste of Crepes, 617 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611. Phone: (610) 685-2001

Wow!  Another vegetarian friendly restaurant in West Reading — how lucky are we!

Last Saturday, during “Art on the Avenue,” we stopped to have lunch at Taste of Crepes, a tiny new restaurant on the main street of West Reading. At this restaurant they offer savory(entree) and sweet (dessert) crepes. My husband and I both ordered the grilled veggie crepes and a side of mashed sweet potatoes topped with chopped walnuts and caramel sauce, which was the lunchtime special. I have eaten crepes all over the world, and I have to say that these crepes, which were made with buckwheat flour instead of white flour, were not only the healthiest,  but also the tastiest I have ever had. As a bonus you get to watch the friendly chef prepare your crepes before your very eyes — an art form in itself. The veggies inside were grilled to perfection and the whole crepe was drizzled with a tangy white horseradish sauce garnished with dollops of pureed red pepper, cranberry sauce, and a single fresh basil leaf. The presentation was lovely despite being served on paper plates (the proprietor assured us that china dishes had been ordered and would be arriving any day).  The side of sweet potatoes was more than generous (three large scoops) and so yummy it could have been dessert. At only $1.00, this side dish was too good to pass up, and we’re so glad we didn’t!

I would highly recommend this casual friendly establishment for a quick lunch or a healthy informal dinner out. Our entire bill, including green tea for both of us, came to just under $20.00.

Taste of Crepes is open Sunday-Monday: 11 – 5, Tuesday-Wednesday: 11 – 6, Thursday 11 – 7, and Friday-Saturday: 11 – 9.

Abigail’s Tea Room, 1441 Perkiomen Ave, Reading, PA 19602 (610 376-6050): www.abigailstearoom.com

Today my 6′3″ engineer husband bravely agreed to take me to Abigail’s Tea Room for lunch to celebrate my birthday. I say “bravely” because there is more than enough lace, fine china, and “cute” at Abigail’s Tea Room to strike fear in the hearts of ordinary men. As they say at Abigail’s, “It’s not just about the tea, it’s about the whole experience.”  Thankfully, I have an extraordinary husband!

As vegetarians we phoned ahead to be sure there would be something there for us to eat, and we were assured that they would make every effort to accommodate our request. Upon arrival, we were impressed with the superb remodeling that has gone into transforming this formerly rundown city property into the superb Victorian gem you see today. Decor is mainly burgundy and mauve with lace curtains and doilies on every surface, as it should be. Gold gilt mirrors, crystal chandeliers, and even an old Victrola concealing the speakers which softly played background music were all elegant touches that added to the feeling that we had actually stepped back in time. As tea connoisseurs we appreciated their extensive tea list and the fact that each person got their own full-sized pot of tea instead of the “one cup of hot water and a tea bag” that we are used to getting in restaurants today.

For lunch we opted for the “Tea Room Special.” This included an appetizer consisting of a scone and a slice of orange bread served with Abigail’s sweet cream and fruit preserves. This was followed by a cup of Garden Vegetable Soup (you could choose a Garden Salad if you prefer) and any 1/2 sandwich or slice of quiche. We chose the Vegetarian Wrap, and it was delicious.  The wrap consisted of tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, cucumbers, peppers, and a tasty hummus dressing. The wrap was served with a fresh fruit garnish of melon, pineapple, one globe grape and fresh strawberry all on a bed of greens — the presentation was lovely! To top it all off we each had a tray of  four mini desserts: brownie, fruit tart, lemon square, and vanilla cream layer cake. After all that we were quite full, and the tea lasted through the whole meal! (They do have honey for your tea — you just have to ask for it). For $13.95/person, including the tea, I would say this was a good value and a enjoyable experience.

Of course, they do have a gift shop for you to browse through. I found their prices reasonable and the selection of items unique and lovely. (Perfect gifts for the tea lovers you know). While there, don’t forget to walk upstairs and see the restored rooms on the second floor, too.

I would recommend Abigail’s Tea House to anyone. Take your sister, aunt, mother, friend, even the men in your life. If my husband could do it I know there are other men out there who are brave enough to try something different. Try it — you just might like it!

Restaurant review: Good Eatz Green Cafe

Good Eatz Green Cafe, 701 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611.  610-670-4885.  Open Monday – Saturday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.  www.GoodEatz.org.

Good Eatz is a new restaurant on the main strip in the quaint shopping district of West Reading.  Advertised as a green cafe, you can expect to find quality organic ingredients in an ecologically responsible environment.  Their baked goods are not only organic, but gluten-free. Many vegetarian, and even vegan, options are available, and the friendly and helpful staff is more than willing to make alterations to suit your dietary requirements. This is a blessing for those who avoid eating out because of complicated dietary restrictions or preferences.  The decor is modern and relaxed without being too trendy. I found the menu to be reasonably priced for the quality and variety of menu selections.

Last night I visited with a few friends, all of us ordering vegetarian dishes. My sauteed vegetable wrap was a delightful surprise for someone who has gnawed through many dry tasteless wraps at restaurants before. This wrap at Good Eatz was by far the BEST vegetable wrap I have ever had. It included a generous amount of broccoli rabe, butternut squash, onions, cubanel pepper, grilled asparagus, and hummus in a big gluten-free wrap. Included was a generous side serving of quinoa pasta vegetable salad garnished with an organic orange slice and a whole dried date. Delicious.

Other dishes ordered at our table included the Harvest Salad, a compilation of roasted butternut squash, grilled asparagus, dried cranberries, spiced walnuts, and cherry tomato served on a bed of mixed greens with a cranberry white balsamic vinaigarette.  The pasta primavera included a whole grain gluten-free pasta with a variety of organic vegetables tossed with an aoli sauce served with grilled whole grain gluten-free bread.

The entire presentation of each entree was lovely besides being delicious and ample enough to satisfy the most ravenous appetite. After considering ordering bottled water with our meals we were encouraged by the waitress to try their filtered tap water to drink.  Another surprise — this tap water tasted better than the spring water we have delivered to our home! (More restaurants should consider the quality of water they serve. Bad water even changes the taste of  food).

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is concerned about their food choices and the environment.  If you want to enjoy an evening out or just a quick lunch knowing that you are eating for the health of your body and the planet, then Good Eatz is the perfect destination. My meal came to under $10.00 with tax. What a deal! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Restaurant Review: Bensi

Bensi (Italian restaurant) at The Shoppes at Wyomissing, Woodland Rd., Wyomissing, PA, (610) 375-3222.

Hours- daily: 11:00am – 11:00pm, Fri. and Sat.: 11:00am – midnight

   Bensi is a new restaurant in the Reading area. It is located in the Shoppes at Wyomissing mall which contains a collection of upscale clothing/accessories stores and a couple of other restaurants. The cuisine at Bensi is Italian, and it is open for a casual lunch break while shopping or a special dinner date.

   My daughter and I visited on a Friday afternoon. I couldn’t understand why we were told that there was a 15 minute wait for a table when two thirds of the restaurant was empty, but we were. Our waiter set us up to enjoy the experience with his opening words. When we commented that this was our first time at the restaurant he enthusiastically replied, “You are in for a treat!” , and he handed us their heavy menu.

   We were happy to see that there were many vegetarian options, from unusual salads to creative entrees. If you can’t find something to eat at Bensi you’re just not trying. I ordered the rigatoni with cauliflower, white beans, tomatoes and spinach. My daughter had the penne with vodka sauce. We also ordered side salads, which were huge and very fresh. A crusty loaf of white bread (wish it could have been whole grain) and butter were complementary — we requested olive oil instead of the butter and were promptly accommodated with a dish of olive oil and herbs.

   The serving sizes were generous and the staff pleasant and attentive. We both thought our entrees could have been more highly seasoned — a little soy sauce or pesto would have added some zing to mine. Instead, we made do with the salt and pepper on the table, which was okay. (Maybe they were thinking of folks who are on a salt restricted diet or those who simply prefer to control their own seasonings — I give them the benefit of the doubt). We had plenty leftover to take home, and were too stuffed to even consider dessert. I finished my leftovers the next day with a few spritzes of Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, and that was just what it needed.

    Dinner entrees at Bensi are priced from $10.95 – $24.95. Lunch entrees are a few dollars less. Phone reservations are recommended for parties of 7 or more. I would definitely go back – I can’t wait to try some of the other original menu items that are so unusual for health conscious diners to find in Berks County. I would recommend this restaurant to friends.

 

 

THAIWAT: RESTAURANT REVIEW

Thaiwat Restaurant, 1145 Berkshire Blvd. (between Redners and Walmart), Wyomissing, PA, (610) 898-9191

   Thaiwat is a small family-owned Thai restaurant, less than a year old. The casual decor is done in a lovely oriental motif, and everything looks very clean and orderly. I must mention their lovely jade green china — very unusual to see dishes this nice in most restaurants. The menus themselves are classy heavy black book-type things which hold an extensive offering of traditional Thai appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. There is a vegetarian section on the menu, but any dish may be altered to be vegetarian or to meet any diet or allergy requirements.

   The vegetarian Tom Kha (coconut soup) is outstanding. If you don’t order it with your dinner, then I would suggest taking some home with you. (This restaurant also has take-out service available for those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking).  The Pad Thai is a favorite of mine — the vegetarian version (without egg) is excellent served with  sides of fresh crunchy bean sprouts, sliced lemon, and peanuts. An unusual dish on the menu is called “Jack and Sue,” a spicy heart-shaped vegetable pattie served on a bed of rice and vegetables. (I bet you won’t find that anywhere else!)

   If you still have room, several desserts are available for your sweet tooth. As long as you’re eating Thai try something traditional like the Mango Sticky Rice or Fried Banana — both are yummy, and you can have ice cream any day, right?

   Prices are moderate. Sometimes this restaurant is very crowded and there is a wait, and at others it is almost empty, so to be safe call ahead for reservations. Convenient location and plenty of parking. Closed on Mondays.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: ZOU’S GARDEN

Zou’s Garden, Clock Tower Plaza, 2846 Main St. (Rt. 23 & Rt. 10), Morgantown, PA 19543 Tel. (610) 913-0633

   We discovered Zou’s Garden by accident after noticing that the neon sign in their window said “Vegetarian Chinese Cuisine” — we had to try it. What a treat! They have an extensive vegetarian menu in addition to the traditional Chinese and Japanese offerings. Zou’s uses vegetarian chicken, beef, pork, and duck (made from soy or wheat) to make almost anything on their regular menu suitable for vegetarians. The General Tso’s Chicken is excellent. The generous dinner includes a spring roll and vegetable fried rice (brown rice substituted for white upon request). The carrot curl flower garnish is a tiny work of art. Two people can easily eat for under $20.00 and be more than satisfied.

   Zou’s Garden was recently remodeled to accommodate casual dining in, but everything on the menu is available for takeout, too. If you are in the mood for Chinese, try this little restaurant — you will be pleasantly surprised. It’s worth the trip.