Parsley brings Mediterranean flare downtown
The downtown restaurant environment seems to be evolving at a rapid rate, bringing in more and more restaurants that offer different options to what we’re used to finding. One restaurant that’s tried to take advantage of this is Parsley Mediterranean Grille, located on Monroe Center. But while the restaurant makes some pretty good sandwiches, it still hasn’t quite found how to bring a unique flavor to the table.
One walk into the Parsley, and you’ll notice a fresh, simple ambiance that is becoming more and more common amongst today’s dine-in cafes. The environment drives you into the food — fresh, sustainable options for any meal.
On my visit to Parsley, I was overwhelmed by the number of vegetarian options. If you’re a true vegan, this restaurant is truly a great place to go for lunch. But if you’re a little more of a carnivore, like I am, you’ll be searching for some options that are a bit more unique.
I went ahead and ordered the Chicken Caesar wrap ($4.99), and upgraded to a combo to get a drink and a cup of Chicken Lemon Rice soup (usually $2.99). Overall, I thought that the $8 price point was a great option for the quality of ingredients that were used in the dishes.
Despite my anticipation, the food seemed to be a little of a let-down. The pita bread was plain, and didn’t stand out as bringing anything to the sandwich. The ingredients inside, though, were great, and definitely satisfied my taste buds. I would’ve liked to see a bit more cheese and dressing; the large amount of lettuce made the sandwich taste a bit bland.
The soup was a different story. One bite of the soup and I knew instantly that there was no way that it was homemade. The chicken that I was able to find in the broth was small and torn apart. The broth had very little flavor, and there wasn’t that much rice either. It was truly a disappointment.
My dining partner, Bethany, had similar issues with her meal. She went with the Chicken Greek pita, which she described as being a perfect fit for the restaurant. But her soup, the Vegetarian Lentil ($2.99), was similarly bland. There weren’t enough vegetables or spices, which is something she’s come to expect with vegetable soups.
While each of us decided to go with a simple soup-sandwich combo, Parsley does offer several other items on its menu, including kabobs, which we both overheard were very good. But it seemed much more like a dinner entree than something either of us would order for lunch.
All in all, Parsley is a great addition to the downtown environment. I would like to see some more flavor brought in to their lunch items, and maybe expand their menu a bit so it isn’t so catered towards vegetarians. It has a great location and a great inside environment.
As far as lunch options are concerned, though, there are several other options on the street — including Jimmy John’s — that may attract fast-eating diners more. And while it’s definitely worth trying, I just haven’t seen enough of what Parsley can do that’s truly different to make it stand out over other lunch options.
Parsley Mediterranean Grille ( Rating:
out of 5 )Where: 80 Ottawa Ave. NW Suite 150
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. everyday
Ambiance: Fresh, simple, deli-style
How much will it cost you: Pita and soup combos are at $8, while main entrees start at $8.99 for lunch, and $11.99 for dinner.
Credit cards: All major
Alcohol: No
Contact: (616) 776-2590
Online: www.parsleymg.com/
