 |
 |
|
|
||
|
Media Contact: Beth Floyd 3/19/2004 - Zoe's Kitchen Fresh New Dining Option By COLLEEN COFFIELD Daily News Columnist DESTIN -- Destin's dining options continue to grow with the opening of Destin Commons. One of the first food venues in Destin Commons is Zoe's Kitchen. Its bright colors and clean lines hint at the fresh fare served there. Zoe's is fast food with a healthy twist. Grilled chicken, lean turkey, and soups and salads are all parts of a menu that is light on fat and calories, and big on flavor. There are light meals that have fewer than 400 calories and 10 grams of fat, Zone-inspired meals that fit the 40 percent carbohydrate-30 percent protein-30 percent fat guidelines, meals that fit the American Heart Association guidelines, and a Protein Power plate with fewer than 10 grams of carbohydrates. Zoe's even has its version of Jared in the Powderly sisters, who between them lost 387 pounds on a steady diet of Zoe's grilled chicken roll-ups and salads. That's not to say that there aren't higher calorie and carb options, including delicious pimiento cheese, potato chips, and a dark, moist chocolate cake. The cake itself is faintly sweet, and it is topped with a sweet, fudgy frosting, the kind that forms a crusty layer of sugar on the surface, and stays rich and creamy below the surface. It is available by the slice or whole cake. There are good choices throughout the menu. Among the sandwiches, which come with one side item and a small bag of potato chips, I like the No. 2 Grilled Chicken Pita dressed with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions and Feta cheese. The No. 1 Grilled Chicken Pita is dressed with Zoe's slaw, a light slaw with crumbled Feta and finely shredded cabbage in a Greek-style vinaigrette. Both sandwiches feature moist chicken breast that has been seasoned and grilled. Chicken Roll-ups include the same grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, and caramelized onions rolled into a tortilla and grilled. Salsa is served alongside. The quesadilla is similar (and is found under Hot Plates on the menu), with a filling of spinach and Feta (chicken can be added) inside grilled tortillas. I also like the Gruben, a Greek-inspired Reuben with turkey, Swiss and spicy mustard topped with Zoe's slaw. Ham and Swiss on rye can also be grilled. A simple egg salad is excellent. Finely chopped egg is held together with just a bit of mayonnaise, and lightly seasoned. It is offered by the pound, or on a tasty seven-grain bread that is soft, but has a nice chewy texture from whole grains. The tuna salad, which is also simple, but good, works well on the seven-grain bread with a little red onion added for flavor. Grilled cheese is offered with American, Swiss or Cheddar for a classic sandwich. It is also offered in a less conventional, but equally delicious version made with Feta, tomato, basil and caramelized onion. Grilled pimiento cheese on rye is outstanding. Pitas fillings include tuna with capers, red onion, kalamata olives, lettuce and tomato; fresh vegetables with Zoe's dressing; and a Greek salad. Salads at Zoe's are generous meals. A Greek salad includes lettuces, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green pepper, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, red onion, Feta cheese, potato salad, pita bread and a vinaigrette dressing. Grilled chicken can be added for a little extra. Chicken or tuna salad is served with slaw, potato salad, cucumber, and tomatoes on lettuce with dressing and pita bread. Zoe's slaw, which is a part of so many of Zoe's menu items, can be served by itself as a side. Other sides include fresh fruit, a seasoned rice pilaf; pasta salad with diced tomato, basil and Feta; and an excellent potato salad. The potato salad is made from red skin potatoes that have been tossed with scallions and a vinaigrette. It is light and has great flavor. The fresh fruit was one of the few menu items that disappointed. Melon (which was not is season) was too firm, and too flavorless. The other disappointment was the chicken and orzo soup that was bland. Zoe's is family friendly, and offers a kids menu with grilled cheese, chicken fingers, a quesadilla, PB&J, and ham or turkey and cheese. A family dinner of a whole chicken, rice pilaf and a Greek salad feeds four, and is perfect to take home (call at least 90-minutes ahead of time). Pimiento cheese, tuna, chicken and egg salad, and side dishes are sold by the pound, and are another good take-out option. Zoe's caters for larger groups, and also offers box lunches. Soft drinks and good iced tea are among the beverages. Orangina is there too, as is limeade made from fresh limes (cherry juice can be added for a cherry limeade). Without exception, the staff at Zoe's was friendly and helpful. Everyone seemed well-acquainted with the menu, and accurately described different menu items. After orders are placed at the counter, the staff brings the food to the table. They also do a good job of clearing tables when the restaurant is busy. There is seating inside, but on busy days it can fill easily. Fortunately, there are tables outside as well, which are preferable in good weather allowing slightly more room, and much better people watching in the heart of Destin Commons. Zoe's is convenient for shoppers at Destin Commons. But with easy access to the parking lot, and good food that is good for you, Zoe's works even if you aren't shopping, and just want to take dinner home. Colleen Coffield is restaurant reviewer for the Daily News. She dines unannounced at area restaurants for this column. -- Source: Northwest Florida Daily News |
|
 |
||
|
|||
|
Privacy Policy | Web Development by Infomedia | |
|
|||
