Thursday, March 19, 2015

Zoe's Kitchen - Giveaway CLOSE! Elle, you are the winner!

761 W Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 520-1389
Website

The folks at Zoe's Kitchen have offered one lucky Philly Phoodie reader a $25 gift card to any of their locations. To be entered to win, leave a comment on this post about your healthy food that still tastes good (even though it's not smothered in butter) and be sure to send me your contact information (phillyphoodie.com@gmail.com) so we know how to get in touch with the winner. Contest closes 3/24/15 at 12 PM EST. Winner to be drawn at random.

I had never even heard of Zoe's Kitchen, but when I was also offered a gift card to try some food, of course I was into it. Although they specialize in fresh, healthy food, I was still willing to give them a shot.


The inside is like a mash-up of Chipotle and Jamba juice. You order at the counter and make your way to a table with one of those little numbers on a standing stick things. This place is CLEAN. Also, the people working there were extremely friendly. It makes sense for a Mediterranean/Southern place.


Two of my favorite things here were their Greek dressing and spice blend, both available on every table.


You will be happy to have the salty spices and red wine vinegar tinged dressing to pep up the fresh healthy food they serve. It is all lacking a bit of salt, but I think that's what makes it healthy? But that's also why they let you season your own food. For a starter, I went with the hummus trio. Served with fresh raw veggies, pita wedges, and toasted pita chips, the red pepper, basil, and plain hummus's were pretty filling. I think my body is not used to raw vegetables, and so I felt artificially full. After a weekend of binge eating (including burritos at 2AM at Frankford and Girard, and two racks of ribs on the new Big Green Egg) this healthy food fit the bill. The hummus was very light and nicely textured. It did need a bit of salt, which I took care of by hitting it with the spice blend on my table.


My favorite was probably the roasted red pepper, but they were all good. I can't remember when I ate this healthy in the recent past. I mean, I DO get lettuce on my Chiptole, so I guess that's close?


The shrimp skewer platter was legitimately delicious. The shrimp were coated in a fantastic spice blend that had garlic and hints of paprika. They were surprisingly well executed, lightly charred and crispy without being overcooked; served over a bed of rice pilaf that had really nice flavor. The cucumber raita was a decent dip, and the salad had a load of feta, which is always a treat. Again, I was addicted to the dressing and spices, so I loaded it up. I was really surprised with how fresh and crisp all the vegetables were. I am pretty sure mine aren't that fresh within three minutes of leaving the grocery store.



Look at the beautiful crust and char on these things – the meat was delicately sweet. I actually even liked the zucchini.


The Greek chicken pita didn't fare so well. The problem was that it really wasn't a sandwich. Just a salad served in half a pita. When I tried to pick it up, all was lost.


Loaded with feta again.


Side of slaw had feta and was dressed with an oil and vinegar dressing. Pretty light and refreshing.


The aftermath of the first pita bite. A breech of the bottom and an outpouring of caramelized onions.


The bread tore in short order, so I doused the whole thing in more dressing/spice blend and ate it like a salad. Formal structure aside, it was quite tasty.


Even though this isn't my usual type of food, it was pretty damn good for a healthy alternative. I hope whoever wins is able to nurse their hangover with some fresh fare like I did.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Falafel salad!

Christian said...

Anything grilled on the big green egg!

Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com said...

My healthy food that still tastes good would have to be grilled veggie skewers - hurry up grill weather!

Anonymous said...

A Parisian lentil salad with veggies in a light vinaigrette.

Unknown said...

Grilled veggie sandwiches can be just as delicious as meats (if not better). Roasted red peppers, grilled eggplant with fresh mozzarella on a toasted ciabatta with fresh basil, good olive oil and some arugula was one of the best sandwiches I've ever made.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TJGersh said...

Who doesn't like a nice tossed salad.

Jay said...

the steak kabobs are very legit.
have eaten here several times (willow grove) and never disappoints
toyman70@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Roasted brussel sprouts. Pan fried with a little schmaltz, finished off by fish sauce and cracked black pepper, yum! Usually ends up being my dinner a few times a weeks.

Anonymous said...

I love artichokes with salt! They are so super yummy. Also, I attached my email in this comment. Next time I'm in bryn mawr, I'm going here!

Anonymous said...

I love artichokes with salt! They are so super yummy. Also, I attached my email in this comment. Next time I'm in bryn mawr, I'm going here!

Elle said...

I love simple grilled salmon. I don't need any fattening sauces, just plain salmon with a little squeeze of lemon on top is delicious.

Contact: prettyinhotpink6@gmail dot com
Just e-mail me and I can send you my info if I am lucky enough to win. :)

Linda said...

Grilled vegetables and white meat chicken.
cbythesea5@gmail.com

R-EASY said...

a nice grilled chicken breast with steamed broccoli

Anonymous said...

Who won?