Veg Out: Field of Greens

By Abigail Dock     9/23/10 7:00pm

Field of Greens is a health-conscious vegan's paradise. The atmosphere is laid-back, and the self-serve condiments include Braggs Liquid Aminos and Stevia packets that can be found right next to the unprocessed cane sugar. Counter service makes the place feel more like a café than a restaurant, but I like to call it a deli with benefits. Not only can you get more than just sandwiches - there is a full menu of food selections, just like a normal restaurant - but Field of Greens also offers a few salmon and tuna dishes, as well as classic vegetarian dishes like eggplant Parmesan, so you can bring along your less adventurous omnivorous friends without feeling like you're pressuring them into eating tofu.

At first glance, the $8 to $10 sandwiches seem expensive, but you get a lot of food, and the taste is well worth the price. Having tried most of the sandwiches, I would recommend the tempeh BLT and the falafel burger - both sandwiches are tasty enough that I'd order them again, even with all the of other options.

I'd also recommend shelling out the extra couple bucks for tofu fries. They are unique: hard and crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside and especially good with a squirt of lemon juice. Field of Greens also has a rotating selection of soups that can accompany the sandwiches, but I must admit that the ginger carrot soup I tried was less than stellar. The flavors were good, with the pungent ginger playing off of the sweetness of the carrots, but the texture was all wrong. It was as though the kitchen had run out of time and forgotten to puree the soup before serving it. I was left with shreds of carrot in my teeth and the uncomfortable feeling of having eaten a bowl of something slimy.

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The "Favorites" section on Field of Greens' menu features entrees large enough to share. The Mexican-inspired dishes, such as vegan fish tacos or vegetarian fajitas, are especially tasty - the chef knows he can never truly replicate the taste of meat dishes and instead tries for (and succeeds at) a lovely fusion of Mexican spices and classic vegan ingredients, like seitan and nutritional yeast. Don't worry if you don't know what those are - once you visit Field of Greens, you'll be well acquainted with them. There is also a small selection of raw entrees, so raw foodists can actually go out to eat for once!

While the savory entrees are really tasty, it is the desserts that really shine at Field of Greens - or at least some of them. The tofu chocolate pie was absolutely outstanding. It was so rich that I couldn't even finish my slice. Your omnivore friends will never guess that there is tofu in it, and it may convert them to the wonders of vegan baked goods. On the other hand, the Warm Apple Maple Granola Crumble was nothing but soggy oats on top of apple pie filling and definitely not worth the $6. In general, I'd recommend any of the desserts containing chocolate.

The only downside is that when you go to Field of Greens, you should expect to be there for quite some time. The service is rather abysmal, as though the waitstaff are so chill and laid-back that they forget that they are actually paid to serve you. Make sure you are sitting at a table clearly visible from the ordering counter - that way, it's harder for them to forget about you. You can also order takeout, which cuts out the wait entirely and has the added bonus of allowing you to order off the kids' menu without feeling weird. (Can you say vegan grilled cheese?)

Field of Greens is open for both lunch and dinner, and the food is of such good quality that even carnivores will enjoy it. Just don't go there expecting a high-class dining experience.

Abigail Dock is a Jones College sophomore. Veg Out is a column reviewing vegetarian restaurants and their offerings.

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