Looking for dishes to honor your Lenten practice of abstinence? Here are some choice restaurants offering meat-free menus.
Those who observe Lenten abstinence might be in search of meals that don’t contain meat like lamb, chicken, beef, pork, and venison.
After all, abstinence rules for Catholics encourage practitioners to eat one full meal along with two smaller meals—so it’s important to make each one count.
Luckily, there are a number of restaurants offering dishes that only use Lenten-friendly and nutritious ingredients like eggs, seafood, milk, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Below are five dining establishments with offerings for those observing abstinence:
Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse and Bar
Although acclaimed steakhouse Ruby Jack’s is well-known for their sumptuous steaks, don’t be fooled: the multi-faceted restaurant also offers a premium selection of pescetarian dishes made with care using the freshest ingredients. Guests can expect attentive service within the sleek interiors of the classy restaurant’s branch in Ayala Triangle Gardens The Shops.
Some of their tasty seafood dishes include iced plates of oysters, prawns on ice, Thick Cut Japanese Hamachi Crudo, and Teppan Grilled Atlantic Salmon.
Blackbird
Blackbird is another restaurant that serves classic cuisine paired with contemporary Asian cooking. Guests can enjoy their meals in the restaurant’s various spaces, which include a high-ceiling dining area and alfresco garden-terrace.
Among the notable meat-free items in their menu is the Prawn Scotch Eggs with betel leaves and coconut chili sambal.
Guests can also try their Soft Shell Crab Laksa and Pickled Beetroot salad with whipped goat cheese, lentil, pickled onion, and mint.
China Blue
Those in search of Chinese fine dining may want to pay a visit to celebrity chef Jereme Leung’s China Blue located in Conrad Manila. With floor-to-glass windows that feature a view of Manila Bay, guests can enjoy an assortment of contemporary dishes—including seafood items like their Crispy-Fried Shrimp with wasabi and mango salsa and signature Deep Fried Crab Claw.
The award-winning restaurant also serves a selection of vegetarian dishes, such as the Fried Somen Noodles with fried tofu and vegetarian ham, and the Wok-Fried Organic Black Rice with wild mushrooms, wolfberry, and assorted vegetables.
Brasserie Sagana
Serving up timeless French food under the leadership of talented chef Marc Aubry, Brasserie Sagana is the go-to place for francophiles with a hankering for authentic cuisine.
Lenten-friendly specialties from their menu include Gratinated Parmesan Polenta Gnocchi, Roasted Atlantic Cod with crushed potato, and Vegetable Adlai Risotto with a choice of cream-base or tomato-base sauce.
Yawaragi
Yawaragi is one of Okura Manila’s luxury Japanese restaurants, and offers a variety of menus that feature gourmet favorites from the Land of the Rising Sun. This Lenten season, the dining establishment has crafted Teishoku set meals composed of meat alternatives and paired with an assemblage of side dishes, which will be available from April 3 to 9.
Some of their meat-free Teishoku sets include the Tempura Moriawase Teishoku (made up of three pieces of Black tiger prawns, five pieces of assorted vegetables, and one fish tempura) and the Hamachi Kama Shioyaki Teishoku (which is a grilled Yellowtail jaw seasoned with salt).
Mantra Bistro
In the mood for flavorful and authentic Indian cuisine? Mantra Bistro in The Grand Midori Makati serves a selection of North Indian dishes that will satisfy your cravings. Since many kinds of Indian food are considered vegetarian, guests have a lot of options to choose from for the Lenten season.
Sink your teeth into the bistro’s crunchy Samosas, which are 100 percent vegetarian. They also serve Palak Paneer, a specialty curry composed of cottage cheese in spinach puree that’s flavored with fenugreek. Guests can also try their meat-free Dal Makhani that’s made with black lentils.
Corner Tree Café
This well-loved café in Makati has a menu selection that’s perfect for the Lenten season, since they serve purely vegetarian dishes.
Those looking for a fresh and hearty bowl of vegetables may want to try Corner Tree Café’s Quinoa Salad, which contains grilled asparagus, feta cheese, and toasted sunflower seeds—all topped with a sprinkle of paprika and citrus dressing.
They also serve vegetarian twists to traditional meat dishes, such as “Swedish” vegan meatballs with mashed potatoes and a special charcuterie tray.
Banner Photo from the World Luxury Restaurant Awards official website.
