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The Kitchen Recessionista

So, here we are, in a recession. Let's eat!

Vegetarian Travel Guide: PLNT Burger, Alexandria, Va.

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PLNT Burger, 1700 Duke St., Alexandria, Va.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Menu: https://plntburger.appfront.ai
Suited for: Burger lovers of all persuasions!

Now, this addition to the travel guide is a bit off the normal scope, because PLNT Burger’s primary setup is not a sit-and-eat affair but rather a takeaway model. Nestled in a Whole Foods Market as it is, it’s more of a deli counter in terms of the walk-up-and-pay style of service. But don’t let this deter you! It’s Alexandria – plenty of nearby parks abound (including John Carlyle Square, just one block away, or the African American Heritage Park, one block to the other side) if you’re looking to take your meal al fresco. Or if you’re traveling, you can take it back to your hotel for a respite. Or, if you’re like me, you can take it HOME and enjoy it without having to lift a finger in cooking.

That’s my go-to play. Plate it on up like I’ve done all the cooking, only I haven’t, and everybody knows it. No lies were told.

As you might guess from the name, PLNT Burger is indeed all plant-based. And while it does center on burgers – which we’ll get to in a minute – it’s also got the skills down for chik’n and veggie-fish, as well as plenty of side items. 

In fact, the veggie-fish is just what I ordered last time we had PLNT Burger delivered to our doorstep! The Save the Bay Filet tastes sooooo much better than any other breaded filets of fish you may have had in your lifetime from – ahem – other burger joints. We won’t name names. With a creamy tartar sauce and all the veggie fixings, it’s pure joy on a bun. And paired with fries – and ALL the dipping sauces, because we can never choose just one – it’s the perfect rendition of fish and chips!

But don’t sleep on the burgers, either. When trying to decide what to order, the question is: How hungry are you? Are you hungry enough for a quarter-pounder two patties thick? Or something a bit more sedate? Do you want cheese? Bacon? The floor is yours. As for me, my go-to is the Steakhouse Burger, featuring a Beyond Meat patty, roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions, a slice of cheese, steak sauce and horseradish mayo. Oh man. So good. So messy, but so worth it!

Looking for a side other than fries? No worries. PLNT Burger also offers up bloomies – onion petals, fried to perfection – and, to gild the lily even further, chili cheese fries. And don’t forget dessert! Their cookies are on point, as are the shakes, which aren’t always available so be sure to snap them up when the moment strikes.

As soon as you finish your meal, it’s guaranteed you’ll be pining for your next visit straightaway. And good news: There are multiple PLNT Burger locations popping up all throughout the country, so keep an eye out closer to home for a nearby option.

:)

The Top 5 Best Cuisines for Takeout (or Delivery!).

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Whether your state (or country) is opening up again soon or whether your stay-at-home orders remain firmly in place during this covid-19 pandemic, you’re probably not too keen to venture out to every restaurant under the sun for sit-down service any time soon. Or maybe you are – but I’m certainly not. As much as I love the event of dining out, either with LeeLee or with a group of friends (or sometimes by myself!), I’m just not there yet. And so, now firmly into week 8 of our social distancing, it’s time to venture further afield than the pizza place or the Chinese restaurant. It’s time to get creative with takeout.

1. Ethiopian.
Ethiopian cuisine by its very nature makes a simple weeknight meal into an event! With its array of flavors and spices, bringing the cool fresh fitfit salad alongside spicy shiro, a creamy yellow-lentil dish alongside piquant collards, it brings a passel of excitement to the table. Grab a fistful of injera and start spooning up the offerings (be sure to wash your hands first, though, of course!) and before you know it dinner will be a thing of the past, nothing but a memory. Not feeling quite so hands-on with your meal? Many Ethiopian restaurants offer rice instead of injera – ask about it when you order. And though Ethiopian meals are usually meant to be communal, you can always order individual orders to make things a bit more socially distant in the household.

2. Sushi.
What better way to get some fresh veggies in your system in a more exotic way than ordering sushi? From sweet potato tempura (hey, there’s a vegetable under that fried exterior) to avocado rolls, oshinko rolls to kampyo to shiitake mushroom, there are a zillion veg-friendly options at your local sushi bar – and thanks to the magic of modern delivery, you don’t have to leave home to get them! Order up a side of miso soup and a salad to round things out, and if you’re feeling the need for protein (who isn’t?), maybe a starter of edamame. Turn your dining room table into the hippest sushi bar, grab some chopsticks, and chow down!

3. Vietnamese. 
Now, admittedly, this option requires a bit of assembly. The pho that is so often the star of the show at Vietnamese restaurants will likely come to you in various containers: the noodles in one, the broth in another, the tofu in a third, the accoutrements in a fourth and so on. But the work is worth the final product! Who doesn’t love a piping-hot bowl of brothy pho, with as much Sriracha as you can stand, at the ready without any kitchen prep? Or if you’re not in the mood for pho, a ton of noodley options await (like the one in the photo at the top of this post!) on any Vietnamese menu, so pick one, pile it high with toppings, and toast your good fortune and wise choices.

4. Indian.
Vegetable korma on a Saturday night = heaven in our household. Throughout quarantine, I think we’ve ordered Indian more than any other cuisine, and for good reason(s): It travels well, it’s always a special treat and it plates up just beautifully at home, no muss, no fuss! Dal lentils. Saag aloo. Chana masala. The choices are plentiful and the flavors are rich. Order some naan alongside, and be sure that rice comes with the delivery (it never hurts to ask!). And then kick back and do it the Recessionista Way: An Indian meal, an ’80s sitcom and a glass of white wine. 

5. Good old American.
Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the beauty of a good old American meal, and takeout and delivery make it a snap. LeeLee and I just enjoyed veggie burgers and all the fixins from one of our local eateries last weekend, and while I worried at first that the bun might come to the house soggy and the entrée cold, I couldn’t have been more wrong! Everything was perfect, right down to the crunchy pickles. And given Virginia’s more relaxed alcohol-delivery laws at the moment, we ordered a bottle of wine to go alongside, which I heartily recommend.

What are some of your favorite takeout cuisines at the moment? Share with the class in the comments. 

:)