Italian Cuisine – Vegetarian’s First Choice

Becoming a vegetarian is not an easy choice to make, but one that is gaining popularity. For the sake of one’s health, or as a result of religious beliefs and personal convictions, more and more people are becoming vegetarians. As a result, restaurants are now revamping their menus and offering creative and delicious meat-free options, in conjunction with all the old favorites. If ethical or environmental concerns have led you to become a vegetarian, you need to be positive that you are not consuming any meat or meat byproducts when you are dining out. Many dishes may contain gelatin, which is a meat by-product and refined sugar is often made using bone char. Some dishes may have been cooked in chicken stock, so clearing up any doubts prior to ordering is necessary to ensure your dish is truly a vegetarian entree.

That being said, vegetarians are given quite a few options when eating out nowadays. Exotic cuisines such as Indian or Middle Eastern cater easily to the vegetarian palate. But all things considered there can be no better choice for vegetarians than Italian cuisine. Traditional Italian cooking boasts a number of classic, vegetarian dishes, and those that aren’t can easily be modified.

Thanks to the fertile soil and moderate climate, Italy as a country is largely agricultural. Fresh ingredients abound, and the cuisine of each region makes the most of the seasonal fresh produce in simple yet tasty recipes. Italian cooking varies due to geography, and the South as a rule produces a more varied menu than the North.

In keeping with their vision to offer the best Italian food, The Urban Food Group brings its hugely popular Italian restaurant, Vivace, to Charlotte. Already one of the finest Italian restaurants in Raleigh, Vivace is a modern day Trattoria offering the best of home cooked Italian dishes. Urban Food Group is confident that the savvy diners in Charlotte will welcome this latest entrant onto the contemporary dining scene of the Queen city. Guests can look forward to a choice of formal and casual dining options – a formal dining room and a more laid back mezzanine lounge area. There are also two bars and a breathtaking view of Uptown Charlotte to add to the appeal.

Vivace will offer the best of modern and traditional Italian cooking and service. Executive Chef Jeremy Sabo, and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Schaumann, who has been Sous Chef at Vivace in Raleigh since 2007, has developed the creative Italian menu for the new Charlotte restaurant. But what is even more exciting is the extensive vegetarian items they offer. Start your gourmet feast with a variety of meatless antipasti options or artisanal cheeses. Move on to the salads using the freshest seasonal produce, bursting with flavors, and no meal at Vivace is complete without a taste of their creamy, indulgent pasta and the rustic, wood fired pizzas. Finish off the experience with one of their signature desserts, or a post dinner aperitif, and you will soon understand why Italian cooking is a vegetarian’s first choice!