Robin’s Restaurant, one of Cambria’s most iconic restaurants, is leading the Central Coast by joining the Meatless Monday movement. Every Monday, Robin’s will feature delicious, eclectic vegetarian fare that highlights seasonal, local produce.
The Meatless Monday movement actually began in World War I, when the government encouraged families to cut out meat on Mondays, in an effort to preserve the nation’s limited food resources during the war. In 2003, a Meatless Monday nonprofit formed to encourage mindful, meatless eating—just one day a week. In conjunction with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the campaign has since gone global. The overall mission is to cut meat consumption by 15% as a way to improve health and help the environment.
Leading chefs, such as Wolfgang Puck and Mario Batali, have joined the movement and are featuring meatless items every Monday at their restaurants. We sat down with Shaun Behrens, Robin’s head chef, to discuss the Meatless Monday movement at Robin’s.
J.J. What was your inspiration to bring "Meatless Monday" to Robin's?
S.B. I was inspired and always have been by the Slow Food Movement. Robin’s Restaurant has always been on the forefront of responsible nutrition and ethical cuisine, so it was a natural and organic idea.
J. J. What local foods are you excited about to incorporate into the meatless dishes?
S.B. We at Robins shop two to three local farmer's markets a week. We always incorporate seasonal, organic produce in everything we do. So we would be utilizing seasonal local produce at the height of its season in all of our featured meatless dishes.
J.J. Can you give us a preview of what types of dishes you'll be featuring on the Meatless Monday menu?
S.B. As a chef who is educated in diverse cuisines from around the world, we would offer just that--cuisine from around the world--only meatless. Anything from Indian pakoras, vegan sushi rolls, tempeh korma and Chinese noodle dishes. The possibilities are endless.
J.J. What's an easy meatless dish that home cooks can make?
S. B. Roasted portobello and spinach lasagna. Mmmm.
Robin’s is located at 4095 Burton Drive, in Cambria. To make reservations and learn more about their restaurant, visit http://robinsrestaurant.com. To learn more about the Meatless Monday movement, visit http://www.meatlessmonday.com/.
