Don’t get me wrong, I love animals. I think their flesh is delicious. Think I’m joking? Just look at my reviews: nothing but meat, meat and more meat (with sides, of course). But, as people say, exercise moderation in all things. At some point my body says “take a break. Have a nice salad.”
I get it. There are environmental, moral and social concerns associated with the raising, slaughtering and transport of flesh. Some people just don’t want to eat anything with a face. Believe it or not, there was a time when I was a vegetarian. The experiment lasted for 18 months until one day my body said “liver”. With bacon.
Plumeria, 4661 Park Blvd., is a vegetarian Thai restaurant. I love Thai food. My mother and I would often muse about how we would spend the money if we ever won the lottery. She said she’d hire a full-time chauffeur. I said I’d hire a full-time Thai chef. I love the concept of Thai food, combining flavors and textures for a complete dining sensation. And enough friends have raved about Plumeria, so I decided to check it out for lunch on a weekday.
The medium sized space has plum colored walls and dark wood accents. A large mural of colorful flowers dominates one wall in the dining room. Chrome and glass bauble chandeliers hang overhead in the high ceilinged room. The booths are gold and grey. A frontage of windows allows ample sunlight and a view of University Heights.
I told my server this was my first time and please be gentle. Sandy was very friendly and knowledgeable. I followed all of her suggestions.
I knew I was in for a treat when I sipped my tall beverage. The Thai iced tea was exceptional – such a deep rich tea flavor and auburn color. You can choose to have it prepared with soy or coconut milk, or dairy-based half-and-half.
The Tuna Flower Cups appetizer is amazing! Tangy tuna salad, a blend of soy-based protein, carrots, red onions and mint, are served in a crisp “flower” made from gluten free wheat. The smooth moist tuna salad contrasted nicely with the satisfying crunch of the flower shell. Small bites with a complex and complete flavor profile, the perfect combination of sweet, sour, salty and savory.
I ordered the Eggplant with Crispy Duck. The duck had a good meaty bite, but lacked the full flavor of duck. The dish, served with white or brown rice, is very colorful with eggplant, bell pepper, red onion and basil in a mushroom sauce. The vegetables were cooked perfectly with a tender bite and a delicate crunch. I only wish the dish included more basil for an aromatic note. A word of warning: be careful with the heat. I love hot food and I ordered a six on a scale from one-10 with five being medium. The chili was a bit too much and overpowered the dish and my palate.
The extensive menu offers several gluten free, vegetarian and vegan dishes. Everything is prepared fresh daily and are MSG and meat free. Plumeria uses only locally produced organic non-GMO and gluten free tofu. Eat this, hungry readers. You’ll be glad you did.
Plumeria
4661 Park Blvd., San Diego
Reservations: (619) 269-9989
Mon-Fri 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lunch
4:30-10 p.m. Dinner
Fri and Sat Open till 11 p.m.
Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
