Yerbabuena

Christmas is a time to eat with family and friends, so why not make it healthy? J and I went to yerbabuena today. It is a nice restaurant in the heart of Madrid. It is a little small but the waiters are very very nice. The inside is relaxed, clean and comfortable.

We had a try it all menu. Seriously, I had to take a doggy bag. For starters we got some hummus, beet juice, pinapple and coconut juice with poppy seads, salmorejo and a small salad with vegan shrimps (truly amazing!).

Salmorejo & Shrimp Salad

 To follow up, some nachos with cheese, guacamole and some spicy tomato sauce. We were certainly full after this one.

Nachos with cheese

And then, our main dish. J got a vegetable cake with blue chese with some  more veggies on the side and I got some vegetable crepes with nuts, flaxsead, spices and with some veggies as a side too.

Veggie Crepes

 It may not look so big, but believe me... it got me full half way through it. J felt the same with his. I think we can't call ourselves cookie monsters anymore.

Veggie cake (it is under all the white)

Last but not least, desert. Cake or yogurt. Oh! I always have a sweet tooth so I chose an apple cake while J got some Kefir with honey.

Apple cake with some yogur and cornflakes.

Light and filled with cinammon. I absolutely loved it :) And the presentation? Fabolous! I have to admit that J's Kefir was much better than I expected. I'm not so much into Kefir because it is too acid for me.

Kefir with a honey heart ;)

So, is anyone's mouth not yet watering? ;)

El Vergel

J and I were feeling sooo veggie today :) We had an offer at El Vergel restaurant, so we decided to go today. It is located near Príncipe Pío at Paseo de la Florida, 53. Upstairs a veggie-shop, downstairs...where they cook all the goodies!

 

The restaurant is orange themed: walls, decorations, paintings and even napkins. Candles at the tables with books to read if one likes. Relaxing. The menu has many options but we took the sampling tasting menu.

Starters

As a starter they brought was some delicious fried-like vegetables and some bread to go with it. Soon after, 4 dishes (chef's choice) were brought to our table: goat cheese salad with caramelized onion, walnuts, raisins and lettuce, brocolli filled red pepper with cheese, black rice (as if with seafood), and two croquetas (a type of Spanish tapas).

It thrilled me that they brought us a goat cheese salad, it is sure my fave. I have to admit I was almost full by this point but we still had our main dish and dessert to go (I shouldn't have eaten breakfast!). I had ordered lasagna and J got seitan fillets.

 Dessert was nice, I had some vegan orange custard and J sipped along with a soft lemon milkshake made with yogurt.

Oh, and last but not least...tea! It was so nice to sit and talk after lunch. It was sure a delightful evening, and I sure recommend this restaurant. They offer daily menu for 10 euros which includes two main dishes, bread, drink and coffee or tea, quite a deal right?

And of course... I couldn't help treating myself to some of my favorite soy yogurt: Sojade.