Wow! I had one of the best salads I've ever eaten here. That's really saying something, because I eat an infinite number of salads. Actually, my new obsession on the weekend is to create a salad with only items I've gotten at the farmer's market. I usually cheat and add avocado and a few other items. Well the point is, I like to put everything together, but keep each item separate. I want to be able to maximize my different flavor combinations. I want to be able to taste each item individually. It makes a very simple salad interesting. A flavor adventure, if you will.
The salad I had at Eat Cetera also allowed me to explore different flavor combinations. It was off the special menu. So, if you look at their normal menu, and think - mmm ehh, remember they also have a far superior, healthier special menu. Oh. The ingredients? Steamed beets, English cucumbers, arugula, shaved red onion, tomatoes (I had these omitted), and some sort of thinly sliced, slightly crumbly cheese. Everything (except the beets and cucumbers) was in it's own district, gorgeously arranged. I asked for the dressing on the side, and that came on a separate plate with the requested lemon wedges and a couple of toasted french bread slices. Think giant crouton orb cross sections that I could dip in the dressing if desired. I also spread the remaining blue cheese spread from the bread plate onto the orb sections. Oh. I didn't mention the bread plate? Orb sections, sliced in half, with a tiny ramekin of blue cheese spread. I ate every last morsel, and I rarely add anything to bread.
The entire experience was fantastic. The interior was austere, but in an engaging sort of way. I was dining solo, so I looked around for something to read (I grabbed a magazine called Afar - I'm now getting a subscription), and sat next to a wall with a plethora of CDs and post cards for sale. The host/waitress even politely watched my stuff when I had to run to the car to grab my spectacles. I would have even gotten dessert, but I was trying to hit as many spots on my short visit, so didn't grab anything to go. I should have.
Gem? Oh, that's an understatement. 25th street was like a crown you'd find in the Tower of London. read more