December 2006 deadline: Wednesday, November 15th @ Noon
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The Arcadia News
features restaurant reviews each month. Soma Express 3961 E. Camelback Road, 602.682.7760 Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. It is not easy sticking to a diet when one dines out. Except at Soma Express. A quickie version of their upscale North Scottsdale Soma Cafe location, Soma Express has opened on the southwest corner of Camelback Road and 40thStreet in the Wild Oats shopping center. The tidy eatery offers a menu containing complete listings of each item’s calorie, carb, fat, fiber and protein content. The calming interior with its muted tones of green offers plenty of seating arrangements with a mix of tables, com-pact booths, counter space and even a cozy corner to sit and read among three comfy upholstered chairs. A triple cooler at the counter where one orders, holds a variety of flavored bottled teas and domestic boutique beers along with milk cartons to go along with a Kid’s Menu with choices like healthy whole wheat pancakes, grilled cheese, baked chicken strips and vegetable-spiked spicy egg noodles ($5). With a focus on healthy eating, Soma offers both breakfast (‘til 11 a.m.) and casual fare (until early evening). Morning choices include multi-grain pancakes ($6.75); steel cut oatmeal ($5.75) other selections such as cheese or garden omelettes ($6.95). For those in a hurry any time of the day, Soma has several low carb and other healthy shakes. On the afternoon my dining companion and I visited, we had a difficult time deciding which area of the menu to choose from. We passed on the rice bowls, which include a delicious sounding Sweet Asian Chicken; Teriyaki Chicken or Steak; Miso-Glazed Salmon; and Steamed Veggie ($6.49); and decided to split one of the nine salad selections. The huge Salmon Salad ($7.95) we ordered contained a generous mix of tender fish mixed with spring greens, carrot, cucumber and Roma tomatoes. From the list of six vinaigrettes and one non-fat Ranch, we went with the orange citrus. “Zingy,” companion opined. “The citrus flavor bursts in my mouth.” Red-blooded American carnivore that I am, for an entree I chose the Soma Burger ($6.95). Two juicy extra lean beef patties were prepared with tangy bits of onion and served on a fresh multi-grain bun with tomato and lettuce. Side choices with all sandwiches range from baked French fries, four-grain rice or my choice—a crisp, cool Sunomo cucumber salad served in a tangy vine-gar and peppercorn dressing with red onion. Other sandwich choices include Grilled Salmon ($7.95); Veggie; Ahi Tuna; Chicken and Turkey ($6.75 – 8.95). We also sampled one of the many whole wheat flat bread “Piza” offerings with toppings like shredded steak with mozzarella and avocado; Veggie; and the Grilled Asparagus ($8.95). Our selected Grilled Pineapple Piza ($8.95) had a tasty thin crust, which was a perfect base for the sweet grilled pineapple pieces and chunks of chicken, all covered with melted low-fat mozzarella. So whether you’re into eating right or just into eating food that tastes good, Soma Express will keep the entire group happy. |
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