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2018-01-30
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Summary: The pumpkin risotto is a meal that will satisfy even the meatiest meat eater (throw in a side of roast vegetables). Great that it promotes healthier eating habits but I wish their menu was a bit more consistent.I really wanted to really like Kale. I'll spare you all the eat-less-meat speech this time but suffice to say i support any restaurant that tries to give us more vegetarian options, especially for lunch. It’s a “flexitarian” (God bless Millenials) restaurant that has about the s
I really wanted to really like Kale. I'll spare you all the eat-less-meat speech this time but suffice to say i support any restaurant that tries to give us more vegetarian options, especially for lunch. It’s a “flexitarian” (God bless Millenials) restaurant that has about the same number of choices for vegetarians as for meat-eaters, so you can eat whatever your conscience will allow that day. Sadly though, I’ve been three times now and I can’t say Kale is anything more than okay (though I haven’t tried the meat dishes).
I am conflicted though because should a restaurant be defined by its best dishes? Or should it be rated by how good it is across the whole range of its offerings? This is what I’ve had:
Vegetarian Sliders
Chickpea Slider
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Beetroot Slider
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Kale Side Salad
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Unless it was an off-day, these won’t be converting any meat-eaters, which is huge shame because veggie burgers can be delicious (try Morrison Café’s delicious Falafel burger, any of Mana’s, or even Beef and Liberty’s Goat Cheese & Beetroot burger).
The texture of the chickpea burger was too pasty and mushy, with barely any texture or chewiness; over-blended, and under-seasoned. The beetroot one was TOO chewy (lesser of two evils in fairness), and didn’t taste anything like a vegetable… made me wonder what else was in there. Both sliders were cold, including the buns (unforgivable!), which only intensified how lifeless the patties were. Just feels like a lot more can be done with these, since they have some pretty appealing toppings, and with a side salad (the actual one made out of kale was pretty good) should be a great meal.
Truffle Quinoa Risotto
Truffle (and its offshoots) has not halted its inexorable assault on every meal in HK, and sadly even Kale is not exempt. Both the risottos, Truffle and Pumpkin, are rich, chunky, and more incredibly, vegan. The staff said they use blended almonds to add solidity, as well as blended cauliflower/pumpkin and other vegetables. Of the two they offer, the truffle one is predictably worse, with far too much truffle oil where a bit MIGHT have been okay. The texture is also a bit watery compared to the pumpkin (cauliflower has more water in it I guess?), but the overbearing truffle is really what doesn’t work.
Pumpkin Risotto with Portabello Mushrooms
Pumpkin Risotto with Portabello Mushrooms
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I’ve saved the best for last – this dish is why I’ve been three times; because I keep hoping there are other dishes as good as this. Just a great texture and richness to the risotto, savory with just a hint of sweetness from the pumpkin. The quinoa works well as a healthy base and just this meal kept me full all day, an impossibility. I was thus convinced it had tons of either butter or cheese in it, but was delighted to discover it was vegan. The roast vegetable salad is also terrific as a side; eggplant, tomatoes, pumpkin and okra that aren’t overly oily or overcooked, and remain crunchy and coherent as vegetables. Surprisingly hard to find good roast vegetables!
Anyway, for a conscience-clearing lunch that packs a filling, delicious punch, go try Kale’s Pumpkin Risotto with roast vegetables as a side. The fact that this risotto is this good as a vegan dish gives me a lot of hope for this restaurant. Hope you find some other things you like there, but I haven’t just yet.
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