The 4 Best Salads I've Ever Eaten

I’ve alluded to “Salads That Have Changed My Life” multiple times in my few short posts so I thought it was probably necessary to write a little bit more about these superior salads, since I’m a self-proclaimed salad sommelier (who really likes alliteration).

1) Public house chicago - quinoa chopped salad

This "Quinoa Chopped Salad" had 14 ingredients that worked together to create magic in my mouth. They were: corn, red pepper, snow peas, red onion, cannellini beans, quinoa, cucumber, celery, tomato, black beans, avocado, mixed greens, basil vinaigrette and last but not least a HUGE chunk of perfect grilled salmon.

This picture is a very poor, sad representation of how amazing this salad really was. You want to know what else was sad? I forgot the leftovers on the table.  I will never forgive myself. 

Quinoa Chopped Salad at Public House Chicago

 

2) panera - mediterranean shrimp couscous salad

I'm shocked that a salad from a chain restaurant made this list too, but the Mediterranean Shrimp Couscous Salad from Panera is incredible (and only 360 calories)! Baby spinach, romaine lettuce, lemon balsamic vinaigrette, couscous, shrimp, feta, kalamata olives and tomatoes. Yes please.

Mediterranean Shrimp Couscous Salad from Panera

(I clearly need to work on my salad photography)

3) V-Note organic wine bar and vegan bistro - Wilted spinach salad

I wrote about my delicious dinner at V-Note recently, and here I will reiterate that they’ve found sweet, savory, salty perfection with this salad that includes spinach, shiitake mushrooms, corn, tempeh, cashews, soy bacon crumble and warm balsamic vinaigrette. 

V-Note Organic Wine Bar and Vegan Bistro NYC

 

4) society cafe - chopped salad

While on a work trip to Las Vegas, I ate this salad twice in two days.  It’s from the Society Café in the Wynn Resort.  

Wynn Resort Las Vegas

(#wynning)

Check out the ingredients of this Chopped Salad (I opted to swap roasted turkey for grilled shrimp!) 

  • Perfectly grilled/blackened shrimp
  • Avocado
  • Jicama
  • Carrots
  • Havarti Cheese
  • Radish
  • Edamame
  • Pumpkin Seeds
  • Dried Corn 

Honestly, what more could you ask for in a salad? Mayyyybe some sort of fruit would have added a refreshing, sugary pop to the salad, but I have a newfound obsession with jicama, which definitely has a sweetness to it, so really, the salad was perfect. 

Welcome to the club, Society Chopped!

Chopped Salad at Society Cafe Wynn Las Vegas