I’m not big on celebrating my birthday. I don’t need a party nor do I care for a ton of gifts patiently waiting to be opened by yours truly. Instead, I prefer to go to a restaurant with friends or coworkers and have a low-key meal. Earlier this month, a coworker took me out for my birthday celebration. A little side note: my birthday is October 10; let that sink in. Regardless of the time that passed, I was excited. The only thing we had to figure out was where to dine. She knows how much I love cheeseburgers so she proceeded with caution when suggesting we try something different. “Let’s go to Au Lac, its vegetarian!” I shook my head saying, “What you talking ‘bout, Willis?” She replied with, “It’s something new and if you don’t like it we can go somewhere else.” That really translated as: two free meals, so I agreed.

The day arrived and skepticism was all over my face as we walked passed the restaurant sign. It read, “plant based food and drink”. I’m not an herbivore so I was sure I would leave hungrier than I came in. As the waiter took us through the menu I rolled my eyes. “Leaves, lettuce, and flax chips?” was all that ran through my mind. And if tofu was my closest meat option, I was surely going to die. There was a moment when my eyes glazed over and I fantasized about grabbing roast beef from the Subway doors down. My rationale is that it would still be a vegetarian dish, just under all of the meat. I didn’t escape. Instead I kept my mouth shut, put a smile on my face, and ordered. I had to convince myself that this would work! I ordered the Egg Rolls ($6) to share with my coworker, and got the Green Pyramid ($16) and Whole Coconut ($6).

The moment arrived when it was all finally in front of me. I figured that if I could pretend that it tasted like a prime rib from Lawry’s, then maybe it would. I started with the whole coconut. A beautiful alternative to the average cup, the fruit was cracked in the center. One sip and it was such a fresh drink.

I then tried the egg rolls. They’re were good egg rolls, but what made them taste better than those in other restaurants was the mint paired with the dipping sauce. When you wrap the mint around the egg roll and then submerge it into the sauce it emerges with a sweet and minty flavor! I was somewhat annoyed with how much I liked drinking the coconut and eating the egg rolls. Ok, I was a little interested in the restaurant now. But only a little interested!

It was now time to eat the plant-based dish. I grabbed my fork and attacked the Green Pyramid. I’m afraid to admit it, but it was amazing. I know, I know, how could wild rice with Thai basil pesto, coconut, avocados, and a ton of other vegetables taste good…dare I say great? And the answer is: I don’t know. I’m still at a loss for words trying to figure that out. All I can is that I didn’t hate it. I loved it. It was fresh, slightly creamy, and had so many different types of vegetables that my taste buds were dancing from all the different flavors. I even ate all the accompanying dulse. I got into the whole experience and towered the rice and dulse on top of the flax crackers like I was creating a food building that my mouth would tear down. I cleaned the plate. I even told the waiter I would come back, and I meant it.

As much as I tried to hate Au Lac, I really enjoyed it. The food was light and I wasn’t hungry afterwards. It made me feel like I was putting goodness in my body. I’m not saying I’m going vegetarian from this one meal, but I am saying that Au Lac made me eat my words. I’m not opposed to it anymore. That doesn’t mean I’ll pass up a burger for a Chinoise Chicken Salad, but it does mean I’ll consider it. And that’s a big step for a burger lover like me.

Job well done, Au Lac.

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