Food Restrictions aren’t so Restricting
The stigma around dietary restriction is that it is very expensive and hard to follow. This is so not true! It takes a lot of will power and you have to be dedicated to it, but after time, it becomes second nature. Eating out when you have a food restriction can be very interesting- but it’s never impossible. Whether you are Paleo, Gluten Free, Keto, Vegan, or Lactose Intolerant, there are so many places you can still find things to eat in and around the Fairfield area. Personally I’m Vegan, my best friend is Gluten Free, and both my mother and my sister are Paleo/Keto- and no matter where we eat, we can always find something.Some of my favorites are:
THE STAND - $
87 Mill Plain Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824
KEY MENU ITEMS:
HUMMUS-AVOCADO - raw almond hummus, avocado, tomato and baby greens (Vegan)
SWEET-TART - blueberry, raspberry, agave (Vegan, GF)
CEASAR-ISH- romaine, toasted pumpkin seeds, and cauliflower croutons with Ceasar-ish dressing (capers, lemon, kelp, olive oil, sunflower seeds) (Vegan, GF, Paleo/Keto)
CURRY COLLARD WRAP - raw curried almond pâté, red pepper, microgreens, spicy sprouts in a collard leaf wrap (Vegan, GF, Paleo/Keto)
FRESHII - $
1 Main St, Westport, CT 06880 (Sadly the one in fairfield has closed but you can still order from the Westport location on Grubhub)
KEY MENU ITEMS:
SPICY LEMONGRASS SOUP - spicy vegetable lemongrass broth, rice noodles, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms, cilantro (Vegan, GF, Paleo/Keto)
BUFFALO WRAP - romaine, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, greek yogurt ranch, buffalo sauce (Paleo/Keto)
BAMBOO BOWL - brown rice, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, coconut, mushrooms, cilantro, lime wedge, green curry sauce (Vegan, GF)
COBB SALAD - romaine & field greens, hard boiled egg, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, tomatoes, corn, honey dijon dressing (GF, Paleo/Keto)*All of these items allow you to add a protein of chicken, steak, tofu, or falafel
ORGANIKA - $
3546 Post Rd, Southport, CT 06890
KEY MENU ITEMS:
FALAFEL ON PITA - baked falafel, hummus, Israeli salad, cabbage, lemon tahini, served on a warm whole-wheat pocket pita (Vegan)
KALE CAESAR - kale, romaine, parmesan cheese, grape tomatoes, toasted chickpea croutons, caesar dressing (GF, Paleo/Keto)
ASIAN VEGETABLE STIR FRY - assortment of organic fresh vegetables, brown rice, tamari soy sauce topped with sesame seeds (add tofu or grilled seitan + $2.50) (Vegan, GF, Paleo/Keto)
DRAGON BOWL - banana, mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, topped with blueberries, pineapple, coconut flakes and raw honey (Vegan w/o honey, GF)
B.GOOD - $$
1460 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824
KEY MENU ITEMS:
SPICY AVOCADO & LIME BOWL - kale, sauteed veggies, avocado, black bean & corn salsa, tomato, queso fresco, lime, cilantro, chipotle puree, red pepper vinaigrette (Vegan w/o queso fresco, GF)
ZUCCHINI SPAGHETTI & EGGPLANT MEATBALLS - kale , parmesan, herbed marinara, green beans, heirloom tomatoes, balsamic glaze (GF, Paleo/Keto)
ADOPTED LUKE BURGER - mushrooms, caramelized onions, smoked gouda, bbq sauce (GF upon request)
ACAI BERRY - acai, blueberries, pineapple, banana, almond milk, chia, lemon (Vegan, GF)
MECHA NOODLE BAR - $$
1215 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824
KEY MENU ITEMS:
KINOKO VEGETARIAN- mushroom dashi, shiitake salad, king trumpet, shio kombu recommended add-ons: greens, tofu (Vegan upon request)
PHO TAI - rare beef slices, 'classic' recommended add-ons: brisket, tripe, & marrow oil (GF)
SAIGON EGG ROLLS - ground pork, lettuce wraps, nuoc mam, mint (GF, Paleo/Keto)
KALE SALAD - fresh and crispy kale, miso vinaigrette, avocado recommended add protein (Vegan, GF, Paleo/Keto)
WILD RICE $$
1612 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824
KEY MENU ITEMS:
AVOCADO SWEET POTATO TEMPURA ROLL - without eel sauce (Vegan)PAD THAI - thai rice noodles with choice of chicken, pork, vegetables, tofu, beef, or shrimp (GF)GRILLED SHRIMP SALAD - with cranberry miso dressing (GF, Paleo/Keto)VIETNAMESE GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD - spicy (GF, Paleo/Keto)
COLONY GRILL - $$
1520 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824
KEY MENU ITEMS:
SALAD PIZZA - signature colony crust baked with a touch of olive oil and sea salt, topped with hearty mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers & carrots, tossed with balsamic vinaigrette, no cheese no sauce unless you want it! (Vegan, GF upon request)
HOT OIL PIZZA - spicy oil on a cheese pizza (GF upon request)
BREAKFAST PIES - weekends only 11:30 am-3:30 pm...bacon or sausage, egg & cheese. made to order. (GF upon request)
SAUSAGE AND SWEET PEPPERS - my dad's favorite combo, he highly recommends this! (GF upon request)
THE GRANOLA BAR OF FAIRFIELD - $$
1876 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06825
KEY MENU ITEMS:
YOGURT PARFAIT- greek, cashew (vegan) (+$2), coconut yogurt (vegan) (+1), or plain tart froyo with three toppings (Vegan, GF, Paleo/Keto)
THE B.L.A.T - bacon, lettuce, heirloom tomato, parm jalapeño sauce on toasted multigrain (GF upon request)
BUDDHA BOWL- warm quinoa, sautéed baby kale, avocado, portobello mushrooms, tomato, soft egg, with your choice of dressing (GF, Paleo/Keto if substituted with cauliflower rice)
THE STANDARD - three eggs any style with bacon, sausage, or smoked ham served with toast or greens (GF, Paleo/Keto)
I hope this article helps you– whether you have a food restriction and want to eat out more, or are thinking about becoming vegan and need to be convinced you won’t starve.
Happy Munchings,
Elizabeth Benson