Starting Tuesday, October 19th and for every Tuesday from then on, Provence Restaurants (Marinaside in Yaletown and Mediterranean Grill in Pt. Grey) will be offering a special vegetarian three-course table d’hôte menu for $25. Dubbed Meatless Mardi the special menu is aimed at the growing number of people who are trying to cut down on their meat consumption.
The reasons for doing so are as varied as the people involved – some espouse environmental reasons having been influenced by authors and films such as Michael Pollan and Food Inc. Others are looking at the personal health benefits of a more vegetarian way of eating as exemplified by the famed Mediterranean Diet or the influence of Chinese culinary culture on Vancouver diners. Whatever the reason, vegetarianism is now recognized as a healthy life-style choice. “I’ve recently been inspired by friends making the switch,” says Provence Chef and Proprietor Alessandra Quaglia. “Vegetarians have been saying it for so long and I think its time we really listen. I’m actually making it my own personal challenge to cut out meat starting two days a week, working up to five days. I’ll still need my meat fix on the other two days! Meatless Mardi is our way of providing those who want to go meatless with a tasty, interesting alternative.”
The three-course menu will change every Tuesday to reflect ingredients at their seasonal peak. In addition, each Meatless Mardi menu will also be accompanied by an optional Wine Sampler for an additional $15. These are small 2oz. pours of organic and/or bio-dynamic wines chosen to complement the flavours of the menu.
All this is not to say you can’t dine meatless at Provence Restaurants on any other day of the week. Both locations offer a wide range of vegetarian appetizers and mains. There is also a great selection of vegetarian dishes to be found in the Antipasti Case. “Lots of people are already making a meal by selecting a number of vegetarian antipasti. It’s one of the things that Provence is known for.”
Whether vegetarianism is your chosen way of life or a sometimes addition to your regular diet, Meatless Mardi at Provence Restaurants offers plenty of choice for a healthy way to dine.
Provence Mediterranean Grill (Point Grey) 4473 West 10th Ave., 604.222.1980
Provence Marinaside (Yaletown) 1177 Marinaside Crescent at the foot of Davie St., 604.681.4144
