What does eating greens mean to you? Does eating greens means tasteless and boring to you? In the month of November, gourmands can rejoice with the launch of Gourmet Greens Week by FIJI Water and Chope. This special week that is happening this week will showcase a new culinary wave for vegetables appreciation you have probably not experience before for both vegetarian and non-vegetarians. 17 established restaurants would be featuring a 4 course vegetarian theme set meal spanning cuisines such as Balinese, French, Italian, Indian and Mediterranean! I am blessed to embark on a Gourmet Greens Week Restaurant Trail with a few fellow foodies to catch a glimpse of some of the dishes that will be available during this special week.
For our first dish of the night, we had an Asian kale salad with sesame oil and ginger vinaigrette from the Gourmet Greens Lunch Menu. The kale salad dressing was made with rice vinegar, honey, olive oil, lemon zest, freshly grated ginger and sesame oil which give a refreshing and appetising touch. I like how the in house made candied almond gave a crunchy and sweet textural bite while complementing the tofu. 
Being a bistro that advocate healthy eating, Afterglow has its food specially prepared below 42 degree to make sure that all the nutrients in the food are not lost. They believe that food cooked above this temperature would start to lose vital vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. On top of that, cooking beyond this temperature would change the PH of the food and would turn the food acidic which is not good for our health . So tuck in to healthy food here! Not to forget that Afterglow is sugar free, gluten free and dairy free.
Afterglow
24 Keong Saik Road Singapore 089131
Tel: +65 6224 8921
Email: kampung@anglowgroup.com
Operating hours: 12pm – 11pm (Mon, Wed, Thurs)
5pm – 11pm (Tues) 12pm – 12am (Fri & Sat)
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Next, we walked over to Neon Pigeon which we had an awesome dish that all of us unanimously thought it was one of the highlights of the night. The Miso Roasted Pumpkin Rice is from Gourmet Greens Dinner Menu and served with sugar snap peas, crispy garlic and egg yolk. The pumpkin rice on its own was flavourful and specked with the natural sweetness from the roasted pumpkin. Mixed it well with the egg yolk to give it a rich and buttery flavour. The crispy garlic and the sugar snap peas provide the dish with an addictive essence that would make even someone like me who doesn’t like to eat rice, polish up the whole dish in no time. 
Besides, the Miso Roasted Pumpkin Rice, you will also find interesting items such as the Yuzu Kosho Croquettes, Butter Braised Mushrooms and Charred Carrots & Parsnips on the Gourmet Greens Dinner Menu ($45++ per pax) at Neon Pigeon. With indie house soundtrack and low dim light, one might be surprised to find this Modern Izakaya served more than just cocktails and booze. In fact, it changes one of my fellow foodie’s perception of vegetarian food. All i heard was “this is so good.. so good” as we digged into the Miso Roasted Pumpkin Rice served on a hot skillet pan.
Neon Pigeon
1 Keong Saik Road Singapore 089109
Tel: +65 6222 3623
Operating Hours: 6pm-Midnight (Mon-Sat)
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I have tried quinoa (pronounced as keen-wah) in varies forms, salad, burgers but never in the form of a falafel (a middle eastern version of deep fried ball). When Quinoa & Beetroot Falafel from Luxe Sydney’s Gourmet Greens Dinner Menu was served, I was impressed by how Luxe Sydney has managed to make this dish taste so “meaty” and without much of the earthy taste from beetroot. Well well, this is definitely a holistic dish packed with heaps of nutrients! Quinoa is afterall a gluten free seed (yup it is a seed not a grain) and known for its excellent source of plant source protein, iron, magnesium, vitamin E, potassium, and fiber. Beetroot on the other hand, has anti-cancer properties, anti inflammation and lower blood pressure. So this dish should be quite well received by those who are health conscious. But the chef was slightly heavy handed on the salt. Perhaps a gentle reminder while you place your order would be great. =)
Originated from Australia, Luxe Sydney has brought with them the modern contemporary Australian dining with an Asian twist. The Quinoa & Beetroot Falafel is available both during lunch and dinner served in this minimalistic Scandanavian space.
Luxe Sydney (Singapore)
1 Keong Saik Road The Working Capitol building Singapore 089109
Tel: +65 6221 5615
Email: info@luxesydney.sg
Operating Hours: Tues – Fri 11am to late
Sat 9.30am to late
Sun 9.30am to 4pm
Closed on Mondays
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Our last stop of the night led us to The Song of India which we ended the night on a sweet note. Chef Mural has created the Alphonso Mango Kulfi (traditional Indian ice cream) from The Song of India’s Gourmet Greens Dinner Menu made with Alphonso Mango, one of the most expensive varieties of mango. Known for its superior sweetness, richness and flavour, this is indeed a pleasant way to end a meal. Contrary to traditional indian cuisine, Chef Mural prefers to cook with moderate usage of seasonings, coconut milk, oil, cream and milk. Thus the food served at Song of India is lighter and healthier. =)
Nested in the black and white heritage bungalow along Scotts Road with free parking and sophisticated interior, the restaurant itself is a charm for many. Besides enjoying dishes such Tomato watermelon soup and Paneer gulnar tikka from the veggies themed dinner menu, diners might also score the chance to meet the friendly head Chef, Chef Mural who is very open to share a tad of his life story.
The Song of India
33 Scotts Road Singapore 228226
Tel: +65 6836 0055
Email: namaste@songofindia.com.sg
Operating Hours: 12pm to 3pm (Daily)
6pm to 11pm (Daily)
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Thanks to the collaboration between Fiji Water, Chope and the participating restaurants (including Absinthe, Afterglow, Blue Bali, Burlamacco, Highlander (Chijmes), Humpback, Luxe Sydney, Original Sin, Oso Ristorante, Pepenero, Punjab Grill, Song of India, Sugarhall, Tandoor, The Missing Pan, Neon Pigeon and Sopra Cucina & Bar), we can now experience vegetables as the highlight of a meal. All menus during Gourmet Greens Week are meat-free, with a focus on vegetables! Additionally, each diner will also receive a complimentary bottle of FIJI Water during their meal. 
Aren’t you as excited as me? Many a times, our vegetarian friends compromised by having the sides while we enjoy our meals when dining out. I see this as a chance whereby both vegetarians and non vegetarians can enjoy vegetable themed menu together. Many might be carnivores who can’t go on a meal without meat like my fellow foodies, I assure you this is really do-able. My fellow foodies left feeling filled and satisfied at the end of the meal, so I am sure you can as well. The booking can be done by visiting Chope at www.chope.co and bookings has already started! So check them out as the Gourmet Greens Week is only from 23 to 29 November.
