Several years ago I got a job that
required me to travel a lot. Just over a month into it I’d gained almost ten
pounds! This was how I learned about the extra fat, calories and other
additives restaurant meals can have in comparison to the ones I made at home.
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However the good news is that since
then the restaurant industry has been picking up on the fact that many, like
me, would probably dine out more if offered healthier entrees. In addition, a
growing number of Americans are seeking menu choices that are non GMO, Organic,
and also Vegetarian and Vegan.
Nine in 10 restaurant operators say
their guests are more knowledgeable about food than they used to be and pay
more attention to food quality than just two years ago. Healthier options are
now at the top of the list of what consumers consider when choosing a
restaurant, according to the National Restaurant Association. Followed by
Eco-friendly dining, Technology, Quality Innovative Food, Local Foods, Ethnic
Options and Mobile Options. In addition, research shows that about a third of
all adults have gone online to get nutrition data on restaurant food.
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| El Dorado Cantina Las Vegas...A Non GMO Restaurant |
One of the restaurants I recently
checked out that promotes its healthy and Non GMO menu is the casual but
upscale authentic Mexican restaurant, El Dorado Cantina here in Las Vegas. A large part of their menu includes entrees that are
GMO-free and Organic, as well as some unique Vegetarian and Vegan
choices. To find out more about how a Non GMO establishment is different,
I spoke with El Dorado Cantina Co-Owner Darin Feinstein.
“We believe strongly that
sustainably-raised products are of superior quality, and we offer exclusively
products from carefully-selected U.S. farms that are free of antibiotics,
pesticides and steroids.” -Darin Feinstein, Co-Owner of El Dorado Cantina
The restaurant is in its
first year of operations so I asked Darin how it was different setting up a Non
GMO restaurant compared to a traditional one. He told me that it took a little
longer than it did for his previous restaurants to locate and set up
relationships with suppliers, organic farmers and the like, but once those
relationships were in place, the system operated smoothly.
I also asked him what is unique about the menu at El Dorado Cantina. He said, “Our menu shares
information with the consumer such as who our supplier farms are. Also, there’s
a symbol next to each entrée on our menu that tells you if it is or can be
prepared to be Gluten free, Vegetarian, or Vegan!” Darin went on to say, “Non
GMO foods are healthier and often times better tasting than
Genetically Modified Choices."
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| Aguachiles |
As for my own personal
experience with the menu, two items I enjoyed from the small bites section of
the menu were
Shrimp Taquitos, (Pacific wild shrimp wrapped in fresh corn tortillas, topped
with, chipotle ranch dressing, roasted morita salsa, queso fresco & fresh,
guacamole), and Aguachiles, (Pacific wild shrimp in lime juice & rich spices
with cucumber, cilantro, red onions & chiles, served ceviche style with
house tortilla chips). Both of these items by Chef Paco, (a native of Mexico
City), were flavorful beyond my expectations. The shrimp taquitos were
what a taquito should be, (but seldom is) light, tasty and fresh, and the
Aguachiles item was modified to contain no onions per my request.
I also noticed the El Dorado Cantina beverage choices include a
variety of cocktails of course, but also a selection of non-alcoholic fresh juices
like Horchata and seasonal fruit drinks such as Tamarind, Hibiscus, Mango and
more. I wish I’d see more of this out there because I don’t think a drink
has to contain alcohol to be an exotic drink.
As for me, I will be expanding my
dining horizons to include more Non GMO restaurants like El Dorado
Cantina.
To locate restaurants and retail shops like this in your
city a good source is eatwellguide.org, a listing of
thousands of local, organic and sustainable proprietors.
Anna
Wendt Copyright 2014
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