Metro Detroit: Monroe’s Primal Plates
We recently attended a special “Detroit - The City of Chefs” dinner at Schoolcraft College, and were seated at a table with some wonderful people, Mark & Sadina Pulgar. They are foodies, just like us, and shared their love of dining out, wines, bourbons etc. Sadina specifically said she loves to be in the kitchen . . . not just cooking, but specifically baking. They mentioned their daughter, Ellen Genaw, had just opened a new restaurant in the heart of Downtown Monroe called PRIMAL PLATES.
Ellen has “worn many hats”. She’s been a paramedic, a personal trainer and a full time mother of 4 children. She does not have a culinary background, but has always been into nutritional eating and meal planning. The idea of Primal Plates was easy for her as it’s something she has always done healthy meal prepping for herself. But now, she’s doing it for the public!
With us being the foodies we are, especially when it comes to NEW and EXCITING places, we had to make the trip to check them out and see what they are doing and how they are doing it. They are a Grab-N-Go restaurant, so there is no indoor dining. They feature a rotating menu from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, making nutritious and delicious meals. All the meals are sold cold, but a minute or two in the microwave and they were ready to go. They also have a nice variety of baked goods, cooked fresh daily, homemade soups and locally roasted coffees.
ENTREES!
The menu is small, but very creative, and changes periodically. On our trip, they offered 3 types of chicken dishes: Italian Herbed, Asian Sesame and Honey Garlic as well as a plant based Mediterranean Power Bowl. All dishes were gluten-free. We got there around 11:30 AM, and they had already sold out of their Power Bowls. The Power Bowles consisted of roasted and fresh veggies, quinoa and lemon tahini dressing. So we opted for the Italian Herbed chicken and Asian Sesame chicken and a couple baked goods. (more on those in a bit) The Italian Herbed chicken was tender, juicy and served with parmesan roasted potatoes (so good) and sauteed veggies. The Asian Sesame chicken was also very good, served with Jasmine rice, roasted carrots and snow peas.
NOW THE BAKED GOODS!
They offer 8 or 9 selections daily of muffins, cookies, cupcakes and other delectable items. We tried their Blackout Cookies and one of the Orange Zest Vanilla Cupcakes with brown butter frosting. Everything looked so good.
We made another trip to get some of the treats that were sold out on our first visit. They’re known for their Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Loaf. It sells out quickly . . . and we can see why! OMG! So moist and flavorful! We also tried the Cinnamon Streusel Muffins with Walnuts, the Cream Cheese Cake Cookie and the Black Tea Blondie. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING!
Also, it was just announced that starting next week they will start serving hot Grab N Go breakfast sandwiches form 8-10AM.
Primal Plates is located at 15 Washington Street in Monroe. Right now their hours are limited. They are open Tues-Wed-Fri from 8-3 and Thursdays from 8-6. GO CHECK THEM OUT! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
Until next time . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker
