Searching For Brown Rice In Restaurants

I'm always looking for new restaurants that serve whole grains, but they're not always that easy to find. I've learned that if I add the phrase "brown rice"  in quotes to my online search, then I have a much better chance of finding what I'm looking for. If a restaurant serves brown rice, then chances are good that I'll be able to find other foods on the menu that I'd like to eat (like veggies and other whole grains). I also like to narrow my search down even more by adding "whole wheat" to the "brown rice." (Note: Some of the restaurant's online menus are unsearchable images, like Uncle Kwok's, so text for "brown rice" won't always show up in a search. These I found using the old-fashioned way, i.e. the phone book!)

34 Santa Cruz Restaurants That Serve Brown Rice and sometimes Whole Wheat too — (some of them have web sites and some of them I’ve written about in this blog):

    1.    Alfresco Santa Cruz, a sidewalk kiosk (#1) on 1520 Pacific Avenue, (831) 429-1765 (Brown Rice + Whole Wheat Tortillas)
    2.    Aloha Island Grille, 1700 Portola Drive, (831) 479-3299 (organic brown rice)
    3.    Asian Rose Cafe, 1547 Pacific Avenue (831) 458-3023 (no web site)
    4.    Aqua Bleu, 1108 Pacific Avenue, (831) 423-6999 (no web site) 10-15-2012 Update: Aqua Bleu is closed after 8 years. See article.
    5.    Bangkok West -- Aptos, CA -- 2505 Cabrillo College Drive, (831) 479-8297
    6.    Bangkok West -- Watsonville, CA -- 1433 Main Street, (831) 761-8509
    7.    Cafe Gratitude,103 Lincoln St, (831) 427-9583, (6 restaurants in CA, 1 in MO)
    8.    Center Street Grill, 1001 Center Street, (831) 423-4745
    9.    Charlie Hong Kong, 1141 Soquel Avenue, (831) 426-5664 (organic brown rice)
    10.    Chipotle Mexican Grill -- Santa Cruz -- 550 River Street, (831)295-6582 (online reviews say they serve a choice of white or brown rice)
    11.    Chipotle Mexican Grill -- Capitola -- 1955 41st Avenue, (831)295-6076
    12.    Dharma’s Natural Organic Vegetarian Food, 4250 Capitola Road, (831) 462-1717 (organic brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat tortillas, corn, and whole wheat buns)
    13.    Golden City Chinese 1230 Mission Street, (831) 423-0688
    14.    Linda’s Seabreeze Cafe, 542 Seabright Avenue, (831) 427-9713 (doesn't mention the brown rice option on their online menu, but they have it as a footnote on the PDF Menu — at the bottom of the Breakfast page; also, oatmeal)
    15.    Little Shanghai, 1010 Cedar Street, (831) 458-2460
    16.    Malabar Cafe, 514 Front Street, (831) 458-3023 (no web site)
    17.    O’Mei Restaurant, 2316 Mission Street, (831) 425-8458 (no web site)
    18.    Peachwoods at the Inn at Pasatiempo, 555 Highway 17, (831) 426-6333
    19.    Pearl of the Ocean Sri Lankin Restaurant, 736 Water Street, (831) 457-2350, fresh local organic food!
    20.    Phoenix Asian Restaurant, 2301 Mission Street, (831) 466-3888 (no web site)
    21.    Planet Fresh Gourmet Burritos, 1003 Cedar Street, (831) 423-9799 (no web site) (brown rice and whole wheat tortillas)
    22.    Pono Hawaiian Grill -- 120 Union Street, (831) 426-PONO
    23.    Real Thai Kitchen, 1632 Seabright Avenue (at Soquel Ave.), (831) 427-2559 (no web site)
    24.    Sabieng Thai Cuisine, 1218 Mission Street, (831) 425-1020
    25.    Saturn Cafe, 145 Laurel Street, (831) 429-8505 (also one in Berkeley, CA)
    26.    Sushi Totoro, 1701 Mission Street, (831) 426-6660 (no web site)
    27.    Thai Noodle House, 2106 Mission Street, (831) 457-0238 (no web site)
    28.    Tai Orchid Restaurant, 2238 Mission Street, (831) 425-2206
    29.    Thai House, 353 Soquel Avenue, (831) 458-3546 (no web site)
    30.    Tortilla Flats, Gourmet Mexican Cuisine, 4616 Soquel Drive in the Soquel Village, (831) 476-1754 (no brown rice, but they do have whole wheat tortillas!)
    31.    Uncle Kwok's Szechwan Restaurant, 7960 Soquel Drive, Aptos (685-2121)
    32.    Viva’s Organic Mexican Restaurant, 1201 Soquel Avenue (at Seabright Ave.), (831) 425-8482  (organic brown rice and whole wheat tortillas)
    33.    Windmill Cafe, 21231 East Cliff Drive, (831) 464-4698 
    34.    Woodstock's Pizza, 710 Front Street, (831) 727-4444 (doesn't mention the whole wheat crust option on the web site, but they have it!—no brown rice though)

Related Blog Articles:

My Favorite Local Restaurants Today

Lunch At P.F. Chang's

Whole Grains In Restaurants

The Benefits Of Whole Foods
Whole Grains For Centering
Breakfast In An Old Hotel

Getting Started With Macrobiotics

Many years ago, my first introduction to Macrobiotics was the book, Zen Macrobiotics, by George Ohsawa. I found the book in my local grocery store (New Leaf Market) and because I had been hearing the word “Macrobiotics” a lot at the time, I decided to buy it. I instantly fell in love with the whole concept as I read the book. George Ohsawa was appealing to my intellect, common sense, and desire for independence.

That book was published in 1960. Since then, macrobiotic teachers have improved an introductory course in Beginning Macrobiotics. On the George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation web site, there are eight recommended books to get you started with learning about Macrobiotics as well as information on where you can get hands-on experience, such as at the annual French Meadows Summer Camp that happens in July.

Eight books to get you started with Macrobiotics:

1. Essential Guide to Macrobiotics, by Carl Ferre
2. Macrobiotics: An Invitation to Health and Happiness, by George Ohsawa
3. Basic Macrobiotic Cooking, Procedures of Grain and Vegetable Cookery, by Julia Ferre
4. French Meadows Cookbook, by Julia Ferre
5. Essential Ohsawa, Understanding the Basics of Macrobiotics, From Food to Health, Happiness to Freedom, by George Ohsawa
6. Acid and Alkaline, by Herman Aihara
7. Health and Macrobiotics, #7 Diet, An Accompaniment to Ohsawa’s Zen Macrobiotics, by Francoise Riviere
8. Acid Alkaline Companion, An Accompaniment to Herman Aihara’s Acid and Alkaline, by Carl Ferre.

Related Blog Articles:
The Yin And Yang Of Acid And Alkaline
What Is The Macrobiotic Centering Diet?
Diet #7 By George Ohsawa