Summer salads that hit the spot in Edmonton
Maybe it’s the hot weather, or simply the fact that everyone wants to be in better shape in summer, but salads take over the menus at our favourite restaurants once summer comes around. Fortunately, salad never means limp lettuce and no dressing at these places — instead, the summer menus are full of creative, fresh salads that are big enough to be a meal and tasty enough to keep us coming back for more.
XIX Terwillegar
5940 Mullen Way NW, Edmonton AB T6R 0S9There’s a wide range of gourmet salads on the menu, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and seafood. Nothing quite says ‘summer’ like their Gull Valley tomato and bocconcini salad with aged balsamic, extra-virgin olive oil, prosciutto and crispy risotto. The kale and quinoa salad with seared ahi tuna is also a light, delicious option. The California San Mateo, which consists of organic greens, berries, cashews, soft goat cheese, honey mustard dressing and a choice of herb aioli-crusted chicken or pepper-crusted ahi tuna is a meal in itself.
The Chopped Leaf
3356 Gateway Boulevard Northwest, Edmonton AB T6J 6V1You can dine in or take your salad to go at this cafeteria-style hangout. They have a ton of fresh, hearty salad options, all made to order right in front of you. You can design your own salad by choosing from a list of available ingredients or go for one of Chopped Leaf’s creations, such as the Chopped signature, which has romaine, cranberries, onion, feta, roasted pecans, croutons and balsamic vinaigrette.
Manor Casual Bistro
10109 125 Street NW, Edmonton AB T5N 1S7The menu at this hip bistro changes seasonally but one mainstay is that they always have at least one fantastic salad option. The spinach salad generally stays year-round — it comes with pancetta, leeks, mushrooms, hard-boiled egg, goat cheese and a honey mustard dressing. In summer, they usually add a few additional salads, like the beet and quinoa salad, which consists of roasted beets, quinoa, spinach, pickled red onions and white balsamic vinaigrette. Another good bet is the pear pecan salad, which has vanilla poached pears, greens, cranberries, candied pecans, blue cheese and a sherry shallot vinaigrette.
Freshii
8882 170 Street Northwest, Edmonton AB T5T 4J2Even though it’s a fast food and takeout place, Freshii focuses on healthy snacks and meals that are actually filling and tasty. Salad options range from buffalo and cobb to fiesta and ninja. You can add your choice of protein, such as tofu, steak, chicken, falafel or gourmet tuna, to any of the salads. For extra energy, try the Metaboost: field greens, spinach, kale, mangoes, carrots, edamame, almonds and goat cheese drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.
Cactus Club Cafe
11150 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton AB T5K 2V2The quinoa salad here is absolutely incredible, with golden quinoa, arugula, feta, raisins, grape tomatoes, red peppers and spicy pecans. It comes with a sherry vinaigrette, and tastes so fresh and healthy. If you want something slightly less healthy but still chock-full of veggies, go for the rocket salad, which consists of parmesan-crusted chicken, arugula, vine tomatoes and a lemon caper dressing. The Raincoast Greens salad is also a popular choice, with grilled chicken, avocado, tomatoes, feta, egg, spicy pecans, berries and a lemon-thyme dressing.
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