WIAW #35: Lunch at The Little Beet

This WIAW will be a little out of the ordinary, showcasing last Friday’s lunch at The Little Beet. Lunch is often my least interesting meal, and I often forgo it in favor of lots of snacks between breakfast/brunch and dinner. This time, it was anything but boring. (Also, I was caught in the blogger act by my dining companion…)

 

 

 

My friend Kaitlin and I met at The Little Beet around 1pm to kick off the weekend a little early with a catch-up session and a good meal to get us through the rest of the workday. The Little Beet is a fast casual restaurant just a few blocks from where both of us work in Midtown Manhattan. I went there last summer, before I started the blog, stumbling upon it as one of my safe places to eat in the area because it is 100% gluten free.

 

 

 

 

When you walk into the restaurant, you see a menu board on the righthand side listing the soup, salad, and juice options for the day. The build-your-own plates include a variety of regular proteins, veggies, and starches, as well as some seasonal rotations. You wait on line to order and pay, then pick up your food and bring it back to the office – or if you’re us, you take turns hovering to snag one of the tables inside!

 

 

 

 

I went for a build-your-own plate with a protein and two sides. I chose the grilled salmon and the charred cauliflower and charred kale. All were delicious, though the kale was shockingly spicy. I didn’t realize they use chili in it! Otherwise, all food at The Little Beet is cooked only in olive oil or safflower oil, and it’s often sourced from local farms. Even the baked goods at the counter and the coffee and water are in keeping with the mission.

 

 

 

My meal was delicious, and I polished off every last bite. The salmon, while not my favorite wild kind, was cooked perfectly pink, and the cauliflower was charred to a nice soft bite. Next time I’d try a grilled chicken, sweet potato and broccoli combination, and I’m also keen to sample the tofu.

 

 

 

 

I would recommend The Little Beet to anyone looking for a satisfying and safe gluten free lunch in Midtown Manhattan. It’s a little pricey, as are most restaurants in the area, but for a once-in-awhile treat you won’t find a better option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever been to a Little Beet location?

 

Is it easy for you to find safe allergy-free restaurants where you live?

 

What kind of plate would you build?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2015 Renaissance Runner Girl. All rights reserved.

Advertisement