Veggie Review: Eastland Cafe

For the second year in a row, Bill and I have given up meat for Lent. So far (5 days in), this go-round has been much easier: I’ve had my eyes peeled for new and interesting vegetarian recipes for months and have more dishes I want to cook than days until we’re back eating meat. That being said, the most challenging part of this experiment, eating out, is the same. So, if only to make next year even easier, I’m going to review our forays into vegetarian eating in Nashville. 

First up: Eastland Cafe. This was our first time to this East Nashville spot and it’s already on my list of staples. The atmosphere is inviting, the staff is welcoming, and the incredible kitchen smells hit you the minute your foot crosses the threshold. They had me at homemade-and-still-hot-from-the-oven bread when we sat down.

We started with the goat cheese brulee with local honey; we loved it. Off to a good start. When we looked for entrées, though, I think I had an easier time than Bill did: I love making two appetizers my meal, while he prefers a full-portion main. So he had the only vegetarian entrée on the menu, local linguine with broccoli rabe and a host of other vegetables, and I had a simple salad with house-pulled mozzarella and a bowl of french onion soup. Everything was delicious and satisfying; we didn’t miss the meat (much). 

But when you boil that cabbage down, here’s the bottom line: 

  1. How easy is it to be a vegetarian at Eastland Cafe? Moderate-to-difficult. While there are several vegetarian appetizers and salads, there is only one vegetarian entrée and none of the specials (though delicious-sounding) were veggie-friendly. 
  2. If you go back as a vegetarian, will you have to eat the same thing? It depends. If you’re like me and are happy with a salad and a veggie app, you’ll have options. If not, I hope you like their one entrée offering. 
  3. If you do have to eat the same thing twice, will you be upset about it? NO. The food we had was so good that I would gladly double up. 

In sum, we will rush back to Eastland Cafe as soon as we’re meat-eaters again, and not just for the house-cured bacon. Well, maybe just for the house-cured bacon.