{Disclaimer: We are working with Eco Bean and Greens to bring you this post.}
As a mom who cooks, A LOT, I am always thrilled to have the opportunity to have a family meal out. We recently went to Eco Bean and Greens located at 150 Dorset Street in South Burlington.
It was really what I like to call a twofer, or a two for one! One, I got out of cooking dinner for a night, and two, I got to eat at a restaurant that represents everything I want in a meal: fast service, family-friendly, and delicious, healthy, organic and non-GMO food. That right there is a WIN-WIN in my book.
Eco Bean and Greens is a locally-owned and operated restaurant whose focus is food as medicine. They provide organic, non-GMO, local and sustainable ingredients, which means the cleanest, healthiest food to support our bodies and minds. With a large menu filled with soups and stews, salads, rice and quinoa bowls, smoothies and soon, beer and wine, there really is something for everyone. Not only do they provide fast counter service for dine-in and takeout, they also offer online ordering, a few grab- and go meals and drinks, and delivery provided by Mr. Delivery of Burlington.
Although I had been to Eco Bean and Greens a few times before, my family had not. I quickly browsed the online menu so I could give my girls some dinner options before arriving at the restaurant. You know, dinner time + hungry kids + new menu= recipe for disaster. This dinner turned out not to be a disaster. Actually, it was quite the opposite.
My oldest daughter is a carb-o-holic. Meaning, she wants all the bread, pasta, and sweets she can get her hands on. I explained to her this was a gluten-free restaurant, and although she resisted at first, she decided to give it a whirl. Her go to at a restaurant when her favorite carbs are not available is a salad with chicken. She and I were both pleased to find make your own salads on the Eco Bean and Greens menu. She was able to order her own salad with the toppings of her choosing.
Everyone knows that offering kids control over their food can totally help keep the food drama to a minimum.
Our youngest is a more adventurous eater and gravitates towards proteins and ethnic flavors. There were a number of options she wanted to try. She wavered between the cobb salad and chicken turmeric soup. She decided on a bowl of chicken turmeric soup and ate every. last. drop.
Next was my husband. Who, unintentionally, scrutinizes all his food! He had previously eaten a rice bowl at a BVTMB event and loved it. This time, he decided to try something new and went for the Vermont harvest salad which is loaded with kale, beets, dried cranberries, chevre, sunflower seeds, and apples, and is tossed in a tangy and delicious balsamic dressing. He really enjoyed the salad, and left full and happy!
I had a long list of menu items I wanted to try, but in the end, I decided on the lime taco quinoa bowl. Which is really very heavenly. Kale and romaine lettuce, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, black beans, onions, quinoa and tortilla strips are all tossed in a cilantro lime dressing. It is a perfect combination of everything delicious.
The aesthetics of the restaurant are modern, hip, and clean. Our girls were in awe of the reclaimed wood flooring and loved the long tables and countertop seating. With compost, garbage, and recycling stations, Eco Bean and Greens is making every step they can to take care of Mother Earth. All of our utensils and dishes were compostable, and none of our dinners went into the trash. As parents, it is important to us to compost and recycle as much as possible. Eco Bean and Greens provided a remarkable station for our after dinner clean up.
Although my husband and I were extremely full and satisfied with our meals, our girls were looking for a sweet ending to their dinner. I had spotted the vegan macaroons, and the peanut butter cacao was calling my name, but I was just too full. Luckily, the macaroons were out of eyesight of the kids. They decided to share a berry delightful smoothie which is filled with banana, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and coconut milk. My non-banana loving girls both gulped down this rich and delicious smoothie before we made it out of South Burlington on the drive home. And we were thrilled that what they called dessert, was actually really healthy!
Burlington and the surrounding areas are filled with local and chain restaurants. All hoping to bring families in for an unforgettable dining experience. Eco Bean and Greens definitely gets my family’s vote for providing, fast, healthy, and delicious meals.
Now I need to go back for one of those macaroons and a coffee soon. Have you been to Eco Bean and Greens, or their sister restaurant, Eco Bean and Juice on Pine Street? What is your favorite thing to order?
