Mention quinoa to someone unfamiliar with the tasty grain and they might respond with a "keen-what?"
Luckily, many metro Atlanta restaurants can introduce them to the nutritious dish, because there are a wide variety of delicious quinoa-centered dishes sure to satisfy any palate. Don't be shy. Dig into the following tasty offerings receiving high praise from diners:
3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, www.truefoodkitchen.com
Dishes to Try: The Inside Out quinoa burger packs so much flavor into each bite, you won't even miss the beef. This popular pick features hummus, tzatziki, tomato, cucumber, red onion, avocado and feta. Then there's the Panang Curry. It combines brown rice, quinoa, potato, broccoli, ginger, carrot, mushroom and a coconut shellfish broth for a lunchtime choice that's anything but dull.
Bocado
887 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, www.bocadoatlanta.com
Dishes to Try: Guests rave about the quinoa salad, which features avocado, cranberry beans, cilantro, radish, cucumber and lime creme fraiche. A second option is a small plate combination of quinoa, Lady peas, avocado, cilantro, radish, cucumber and cashew lime butter. Either way, your tummy will thank you.
Farm Burger
3365 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, www.farmburger.net
Dishes to Try: The restaurant's name sounds like its choices might be all-beef, but Farm Burger offers a veggie quinoa burger that gets rave reviews. It comes with mixed greens, marinated beets, balsamic onions and garlic aioli. It's a good pick for lots of flavor without the bloat.
2140 Peachtree St NE and 5975 Roswell Road, Atlanta, www.cafesunflower.com
Dishes to Try: This spot has an array of meals with quinoa as the main ingredient. Order the quinoa paella, which is prepared with organic quinoa pilaf seasoned with sun-dried tomato, zucchini, yellow squash, onions, garlic and herbs, sautéed broccoli, spinach, artichoke hearts and mushrooms. Or satisy your belly with the quinoa avocado burrito, which has organic quinoa, avocado, spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, mashed sweet potato and chipotle aioli rolled in a spinach tortilla. If neither of those tickle your fancy, you can't go wrong the quinoa bowl or spring quinoa.
1812 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, www.rthomasdeluxegrill.net
Dishes to Try: In the mood for breakfast? The Hearty Breakfast Stew is the Grill's red potato corn chowder with quinoa, veggies, dulse and shredded nori. If you're craving dinner instead, there's much to choose from like the Ginger Tamari, which features quinoa topped with a saute of scallion, zucchini, carrot and blue corn pozole, or the two tasty salmon dishes: the R's Grilled Soy Ginger Salmon and the R's Salmon Piccat.
Kale Me Crazy
300 N. Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, www.kalemecrazy.net
Dishes to Try: The vegan wrap features kale, quinoa, carrot, cabbage, red onion, avocado and hummus, and it's all wrapped in a spinach tortilla with tahini. You can call that yummy.
