Tastemaker: Noggin Room’s chopped romaine salad

By Kristi Kates | Jan. 14, 2017

Considering the popularity of trendy chopped salad eateries like Chop’t, Saladworks, Chop It, and Chop Stop — none of which have made it to Petoskey quite yet — it’s no wonder that one of The Noggin Room Pub’s latest menu additions is quickly becoming a big hit.

Noggin Room’s chopped romaine salad is a combination of garden ingredients and Middle Eastern influences: earthy tomatoes, mild red onions and fresh, cool cucumbers sharing plate space with sharp and aromatic feta cheese, nutty chickpeas and toasted sesame seeds. The lettuce is chopped more thickly than at the chain restaurants, which adds a bit of extra chew. A tangy lemon-herb vinaigrette brings all of these elements together in harmony.

Accompanied by a side of pita bread, this salad makes a great healthy lunch or dinner, and is a nice change-up from the heavy soups and stews that are so prevalent this time of the year.

Find it for $11 inside Stafford’s Perry Hotel, 100 Lewis St. in downtown Petoskey; staffords.com or 231-347-4000.

Kristi Kates is a contributing editor and freelance writer.