The dog days of summer will quickly upon us, and though we’re actually not quite sure what that expression means, we know it’s a good time for something fresh and refreshing for lunch.
Daphne’s, the California-Greek fast casual eatery with a location in East Pasadena, has launched two new limited time special salad plates which will be served through October 4 at all Daphne’s restaurants across California.
Both salads, we were told, “spotlight the freshest ingredients that summer has to offer,” and that’s really all we had to hear. We headed east on Foothill until we stopped, and there was the comfortable and welcoming Daphne’s patio. (It’s next door to Peet’s and just below Ralph’s, you know the plaza.)
The Strawberry Salad features spring mixed greens tossed with honey vinaigrette dressing, topped with candied walnuts, feta, freshly sliced strawberries, grilled chicken and is served with warm pita and tzatziki sauce.
Save for the grilled chicken, this is almost a dessert salad, and we mean that in the best way.
Meanwhile, the Salmon Kale-Quinoa Salad piles lots of shredded kale tossed with quinoa, sweet lemon tahini dressing, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and red cabbage next to wild-caught Alaskan salmon, and is served with warm pita and tzatziki sauce.
Walking in alone and faced with a choice between the two salads, we opted for both—one for lunch and one packed up for dinner. The salmon salad was moist and flavorful, and as we picked around the red onions, the rest of it disappeared pretty quickly.
Saving the Chicken Salad for a late dinner, it was also just as flavorful, despite sitting in a fridge for several hours. Given the choice again, I would have trouble choosing between both the impressive salads.
And so might you.
Daphne’s is at 3573 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA (626) 351-5005. www.Daphnes.biz
