Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Souplantation, Pasadena

201 S Lake Ave Pasadena, CA
(626) 577-4797

Can I please get a plain baked potato, anyone? Yes, I can at Souplantation on South Lake in Pasadena. If you're on a weight loss diet like I am, you might agree that there aren't enough restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley that offer baked potatoes. Sheesh, you can't even get a simple baker at freakin' Dennys!
This month, Souplantation is having their "Potato Fest". They always have baked potatoes but now they also have baked sweet potatoes (in golden foil), roasted potatoe focaccia, potato leek soup and a few other potatoey recipes. My husband had several servings of the focaccia, which I think should actually be called "Potatoes Au Gratin Pizza"--it looked AMAZING but its not a food I allow myself to eat.
So I had my little baked potato and topped it with their good chili. The potato hit the spot. It was so hot and creamy inside. Why can't I make them that good at home??
There wasn't much to choose from in the fruit department as melons just aren't in season now. I think I saw mostly oranges and apples, so I didn't bother.
The soup selection today was more generous than usual and there were only two pasta selections, one being mac & cheese, to my 4-year-old's delight.
Service was excellent. We walked in carrying an infant in a bulky baby carrier so after we got our salads and paid, a floor person helped us carry our trays to a table in a quiet corner. He seemed like a manager type but I did not get a look at his name tag. Very friendly guy. The busser, Juan, kept our table clean the entire meal. I am always pleased with the service at this location.
Souplantation has good-tasting healthy food and if you gotta have a buffet feast, you really can't go wrong by limiting yourself to everything they have to offer. Just don't go crazy on the bread (my favorite and I didn't have any of it this time).