The Veggielante is on a mission to spread the word about places to order good, meatless grub. Check out this week's pick.
Destination: The Wood (2733 Sutton Boulevard; 314-781-4146)
Neighborhood: Maplewood
Cuisine: "A Step Above Basic Pub Fare"
Overview: A concert venue in its former life, the Wood has been revitalized by owner Mike Jacks to become a family- and vegetarian-friendly neighborhood spot. The Wood is a large, open space with arcade games for the kids (kids eat free!) and a huge bar for the adults. The menu is loaded with both veg and non-veg options, and anything non-veg can easily be made vegetarian. Jacks also lives by the motto "If he has the ability to cook it, it will be made."
See also: West End Grill & Pub Serves Great Vegetarian Food Late
Highlights: The Wood's veggie wrap ($8.50) is stuffed (and we mean stuffed) with feta, sauteed mushrooms, fresh spinach, kalamata olives, red onion, green pepper, roasted red pepper, fresh tomato and lettuce, then drizzled in the restaurant's balsamic vinaigrette. It's a delicious, light entree that is also served with your choice of side (of course Gut Check chose waffle fries).
Sticking to St. Louis tradition, the Wood first layers its pizza with provel, then loads on the veggies: green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, black olives and red onion. The nine-inch veg pizza goes for $9.25, while the fourteen-inch goes for $12.25. The Wood also has a gluten-free crust available for anyone with an allergy. As true St. Louisans, Gut Check couldn't get enough of this Provel.
The Wood's other favorites include the "Big Bend Grilled Cheese" ($9) that can be made sans meat -- cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss cheese with tomato on toasted sourdough -- and an awesome quesadilla ($8).
See also: Pomme Cafe & Wine Bar's New Fall Menu Debuts Vegetarian Comfort Food
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