An afternoon of chopping, mixing and marinating may yield a tasty, rewarding and especially fresh salad at home, but when time is slipping away, this is not always an option. My favorite grocery stores and local restaurants have a delightful mix of ready-to-pick-up ingredients that add a new dimension to the concept of fast food and satisfy a salad craving without all the prep work. The salads I’m sharing today all have a few things in common. They are cold, light and have a distinctive flavor (not just a bowl of cut-up fruit). They are at the top of my list around town, and, for those of us who keep up a fast-paced routine, there’s no cooking required!
We all enjoy the prepared selections at our Fresh Market and Whole Foods. (I know this, because I never go to this aisle of either place without bumping into friends!) There are many salad choices at both locations, but here are a few of the best.
Three of the best salads from The Fresh Market that can also be served as an appetizer on top of French Rounds: Traditional Shrimp Salad, Roasted Chicken Salad and Shrimp Capellini Salad. Dale at the Fresh Market deli says that the Roasted Chicken is their top seller.
Traditional Caesar Salad and Spinach and Strawberry Salad from The Fresh Market, two staples in our home.
Grilled Asparagus Salad and Bistro Pasta, both from Whole Foods, excellent!
How can we talk about salad without mentioning The Elegant Farmer? It is built on the concept of farm-to-table fresh foods, with salad being an obvious great choice at this restaurant.
The Elegant Farmer’s Caprese Salad. Photo: urbanspoon.com
I promise, this Kale Salad is good! And soooo healthy, too.
Kale and Carrot Salad from The Cosmic Coconut. The dressing is just right.
Visit Pete & Sam’s soon for one of these famous salads. Two local favorites!
Famous Italian Salad from Pete & Sam’s, perfect.
Beacon Salad at Pete & Sam’s: Sweet tomato dressing with bacon and cheese.
They have many great salads on the menu at the Booksellers Bistro. Good news: They are launching a new menu tomorrow! Bad news: One of my favorites, the Olympic Salmon Salad, is not on it. If you want to order a similar combo, order their Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with grilled salmon on top. This was our waiter’s suggestion, and it was a good one!
Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with salmon on top, at the Booksellers Bistro
Bogie’s Deli is another dependable place for picking up a personal serving or a party-size portion of these two salads.
Bogie’s Pasta Salad is ultra traditional, made with ham and mayo.
Bogie’s Broccoli Salad, a local go-to side dish. Light on the dressing to let the taste of all ingredients come through.
I have enjoyed thinking like a rabbit for the past few weeks to bring you this list of great salads that I did not make–locally prepared salads that, I believe, are especially distinctive and tasty. Let us know about your favorite salads around town in the comments below!
The places we went:
- The Fresh Market: http://www.thefreshmarket.com/
- Whole Foods: wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/poplar
- The Elegant Farmer: theelegantfarmerrestaurant.com
- The Cosmic Coconut: www.cosmiccoconut.com
- Pete & Sam’s: peteandsams.com/home
- Booksellers Bistro: www.thebooksellersatlaurelwood.com/bronte-bistro
- Bogie’s: www.bogiesdeli.com
