Healthy and Hearty Lunches at Plenti Grand

By JACQUELINE RUPP

Updated 9:36 AM EST, Mon, Nov 17, 2008

Print Email Share TWITTER FACEBOOK

Plenti Grand owner and chef, Richard Himes (local chef who trained at the Culinary institute of America and the Philadelphia Restaurant School) has created an adventurous menu that includes an array of bistro-style sandwiches and homemade signature soups and salads. There’s even a new low-carb menu and many of signature salads such as the Cajun chicken ($6.25, char-grilled chicken breast served with diced red and green peppers, celery, red onion and authentic Cajun spices) and the no-mayo tuna ($5.95, with assorted diced vegetables, olive oil, vinegar and seasonings.) will work with popular diet plans like Atkins and South Beach.

The homemade falafel is a fresh (grilled, not fried) experience for the tastebuds, as the soft and warm falafel is paired with extra-crisp lettuce, thickly sliced juicy Jersey tomatoes, hummus, and tahini ($6.95). The veggie burger is equally as good, with a far better texture and flavor than freezer burgers. All sandwiches are served with a classic deli pickle and fresh orange slices that are the perfect compliment to the healthy dishes.

Some of the cafe’s other interesting meals include the London broil sandwich ($7.59, served with fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, horseradish cream on parmesan bread) and the Greek ($6.98, a traditional Middle-Eastern pita stuffed with sweet red peppers, grilled eggplant, Calamata olives, feta cheese, and tzatziki).

Drinks are self-serve from the cooler, but offer a nice range of healthy options, like unsweetened iced teas and fruit drinks as well as soft drinks.

Once you’ve conserved calories on lunch, do not miss the opportunity to try some of the tastiest desserts available for miles around. The freshly baked, oversized cookies come in a variety of flavors from oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip to the decadent white chocolate. The homemade brownie is delicious as is the chocolate peanut butter stack with layers of rich chocolate cake intermingled with peanut butter and finished with a caramel topping.