While I believe in and enjoy eating meat, there’s always room on my plate for veggies and veggie-based proteins. So when I was asked to try out some of the new items at Rockford Grill made with gardein, a blend of soy, wheat, and pea proteins, organic ancient grains and veggies. I conveniently walked over to their Broadway location in Kitsilano (my hood) to sample. After all, sometimes, I’m told, it’s good to cut back on the, calories, cholesterol and trans fats on your plate. And I hopefully without too much trade-in for real flavour.
The Rockford Grill is a casual dining spot that is part of the Moxie’s group. Before you write these spots off as just another corporate chain, do know that the current Canadian representative for the Bocuse d’or, Chef Alex Chen, works with the group, the title sponsor. The group has put some research into their menu items.
The Rockford Grill has items that are more traditional and some Asian-Inspired wok-fired dishes. There are three locations around Vancouver; West Broadway, North Vancouver and Langley, but the West Broadway is the only location serving the gardein menu at the moment. The location has a heated patio, comfortable interior, bar seating and has fairly low lighting; a perfect spot to catch up with a friend.
We sampled some of the regular menu items such as the wok broccolini with garlic, chilies and shaved parmesan ($7.95), an item from wok menu that allowed us to get our veggies with some flavour.
We also tried the blackened prawn tacos with shredded slaw, salsa fresca and chocolate bacon ($12.95). These which were good, however the bacon probably didn’t need to be part of it, and was more of a novelty addition. There was enough flavour without.
The spicy wok-seared squid garlic, with jalapeños, spicy sambal and sweet thai chili sauce ($10.95) had a nice crunch and a good amount of heat to it.
On the gardein portion of the menu are the following items:
gardein spicy chicken naan-wich crispy breaded chicken, sharp cheddar, spicy chipotle mayo, shredded iceberg, avocado-mango salsa, roasted garlic naan bread 13.95
gardein kung pao chicken water chestnuts, garlic, ginger, baby corn, fresh red chilies, peanuts and jasmine rice 15.95
gardein Mongolian beef noodles seared beef with bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, bean sprouts, bok choy, fresh ginger, green onions and chow mein noodles in a black bean hoisin sauce 15.95
gardein teriyaki chicken rice bowl wok seared vegetables, bean sprouts, wasabi cream 14.95
gardein mumbai chicken bowl wok seared vegetables, spicy Indian curry, bean sprouts, papaya salsa 15.95
Rockford’s Chef Harley Darnel uses three gardein products in the menu and incorporates each product within his own creations. You can buy the products yourself locally at the following locations: http://www.gardein.com/wheretobuy/store_locator.php
The Gardein Chick’n Breast: in Gardein Mumbai Chicken Bowl, Chicken Naan-Wich, Gardein Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
The Gardein Beefless Strips: in Gardein Mongolian Beef Noodles
The Gardein Crispy Chick’n Morsels: in Gardein Kung Pao Chicken
Off the gardein meun we went for the gardein Mongolian beef noodles with seared “beef”, carrots, broccoli, bean sprouts, bok choy, fresh ginger, green onions and chow mein noodles in a black bean hoisin sauce (comes with green peppers, but I hate these creatures so left them out). While the beef wasn’t entirely the texture and taste of beef, it was still tasty as the protein took on the taste of the sauces. It’s a great choice for those looking for items with no cholesterol, trans fats, or a few less calories and for those opting for a vegetarian lifestyle.
I’ve been known to steal the faux chicken nuggets off my sister’s kids plates and there’s a reason why. These are the same nuggets used in the gardein kung pao chicken at the Rockford Grill. Here they come water chestnuts, garlic, ginger, baby corn, fresh red chilies, peanuts and jasmine rice. These are not entirely chicken-like either, but taste great and have actually made me a food thief, sometimes filling up on them before the adult dinner was served.
We had saved some room by packing up some of the items to enjoy later and were entirely pleased with the flourless chocolate cake and the sticky toffee pudding.
