You know how you go to a restaurant for a while, then kind of tire of it, even if it is really nice? Revisiting said restaurant – The Clean Plate in Clinton (NJ) – is what happened recently when a lovely new client, who happens to be a vegan, and I planned to get together. I am admittedly a wannabe (but still aspiring) vegan, but almost completely vegetarian. The Clean Plate is so 
named because it serves really clean, often organic, and – whenever possible – locally sourced food, with plenty of choices for both vegetarians and vegans. The menu includes locally raised beef and chicken, as well. Anyone who wants to eat healthy can find something delicious here.
I also often think I’d like to take photos of my wonderful food when I eat out, but somehow it never happens. Happily, Danielle did take a photo to show her daughter, who always likes to see what Mommy eats when she is dining away from home.
We sat outside on this late, still-cool morning at a table in the shade and right next to the river. It was wonderful, as were our dishes. What you see here, from the top, is my excellent decaf and their Fava-Rite Bowl, a mix of fresh fava beans, asparagus, spinach, new potatoes, and roasted red pepper in a cashew-chive sauce with an over-easy egg and sprouts on top. Yum! Danielle’s dish was a red quinoa wrap with mixed baby greens, their featured hummus, avocado, toasted almonds, and dried figs, with apple cider vinaigrette, served with a side of sweet potato fries. She had Kombucha to drink.
It was all fabulous and we both cleaned our plates!
Accompanying us occasionally was a very friendly pair of not-quite-ducks, eager for a bit of our complimentary popcorn. I say that because these were two Mallards clearly crossed with another bird – a goose, I suspect, based on the markings. The larger of the two, likely the male considering the dark head, had the most amazingly kind face. Neither was pushy, so no need to herd them away, but the smaller female was very quick. The larger male just looked in your eyes and hoped. They did get a little popcorn, but I suspect too much wouldn’t be good for them. But for all we know, they may work this crowd regularly and have adapted. Who knows? They were both very sweet.
Should you be in the area and want some healthy and delicious food, perhaps accompanied by a duck or two, check out The Clean Plate and their menu!
Still A Dreamer 
Great story…love the ducks! I thought I was there with you and Danielle…could even taste the food!
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Thanks, MJ. That’s the beauty of words and images, is it not? That big duck – I could have just hugged him. 🙂
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Not-quite-ducks make great lunch companions, although we are usually accompanied by hungry sparrows at our favorite dining spot. This restaurant looks wonderful! Well, the food does. It used to be difficult to find great vegan food, but much easier now. I’ve been completely vegan before, but didn’t have the best diet to make it work. Now I’m mostly vegetarian, with an occasional serving of salmon. I also have anemia and iron storage deficiencies, so I begrudgingly eat meat when my body suggests I need to.
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Undoubtedly, we had ducks as we were next to the river. We also enjoyed watching them swim and splash about nearby – lots of males. We thought the females might be nesting. I tried vegan – it’s really, really hard – and especially, for me, the dairy. I tried every alternative milk available, and they all taste horrible in coffee. In fact, The Clean Plate only has milk on hand for exactly that – coffee – and also for children. I think if we’re genuinely doing the best we can for our health, the environment, and the animals, then we’re still doing a lot. BTW, I take a daily 500 mg supplement of Lysine, an amino acid, because I don’t eat meat. Vegetarians and vegans often lack it, though it can be found if you eat specific foods. However, lacking time to cook regularly, this offers a better option. Maybe it would help you?
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I’ll check into the Lysine, thanks for the tip:)
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Hope it helps!
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Oh, what a lovely post, Jeanne! Those ducks! Though your post also made me hungry. That food sounds delicious.
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I am very fortunate to have such a good variety of places not far from home that serve healthy and delicious food. I know – the ducks, right? 🙂
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Wishing you a great day, Jeanne!
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You, too, Cynthia. I will be by “your house” soon – having a hard time keeping up … even on my own stuff!!
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No worries, my friend. It’s the same here! Not keeping up at all, but exercising more.
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Well, that’s a plus (and one that I cannot say I’m doing.) You go! 🙂
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I have finally caught up with you, Jeanne! I love the ducks, too! Sounds like a great restaurant.
The weather is beautiful here now. We had a few 90+ degree days already, but it has settled back into the 70s and 80s again.
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Hi Lavinia, Boy, I totally understand, believe me. But happy to have you stop by and enjoy whatever I’ve posted since your last visit.
So far we’ve been staying in the 70’s, but there has just been never-ending rain. It’s crazy. Getting a sunny break this weekend, then more rain next week. Those ducks were real cuties. Tx for stopping by – always glad to see you.
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