On Yale's "Greens, Grains & Grill"

Any writer worth their social-climbing salt knows a surefire recipe for societal approval: criticizing university administrators in a public forum. I am no different, so it pains me to say that the new “Greens, Grains & Grill” option is wonderful.

The groans of an irritated friend usher me into the high arches of Timothy Dwight’s dining hall. “Why,” he asks, “are we eating in the middle of nowhere?” Another grimly replies: “I’ve never entered this place before.” Fizz is similarly unenthusiastic: vengeful condemnations of “cost-cutting” hit the app the second the menu changes were announced. And yet:

The dining hall pulses with a new enthusiasm. A sturdy assortment of grilled sandwiches, grains and greens. Deceptively simple turkey and chipotle mayo flatbreads. Elaborate chicken Caesar wraps. Vibrant macaroni and cheese shells. Stacked eggplant sabiches. Desserts and soups lurk to the side, with salad (and a newly diverse dressing selection) to boot. Let's break it down.

For the vegetarian: ask for the falafel. I do remember a promise of falafel wraps in the advertised menu. At TD, there were no wraps in sight, but falafel were available upon request. And not the traditional dry-sand-textured dining hall falafel. No, these decadent falafel melt in your mouth, and as a stand-alone dish elicited strong nods from all three of my companions. I can only imagine the power of a full falafel wrap.

The eggplant sabich intimidates at first glance. It brings to mind Commons’ Rooted eggplant and pita combo. The sabich condenses the Commons plate into a pita-mounted heap of cucumbers, tomatoes, and eggplant with a strong underpinning of tahini and lemon. It manages to be both interesting and filling. More importantly, it’s all-you-can-eat. The strict rations of Commons are forgotten here.

My most critical companion, his cynical questions long forgotten, speaks highly of the ciabatta. With a mix of turkey, arugula, and a chipotle mayo rivaling that of the Good Nature Market, I can see why. The ciabatta boasts a tasteful but not overwhelming peppery spice, complemented by a solid “crunch” factor. It’s a solid albeit starchy option. All rave about the chicken Caesar wrap as both heavy on the chicken and tastefully sauced. The macaroni and cheese could use a little more seasoning, in my humble opinion. Still, it rounds out the plate quite nicely.

It should be noted that the TD lunch menu remained constant Monday through Wednesday. This may irritate some people. But there’s a strong selection of items available, and I personally would take a solid, consistent lunch over gambling with my meal. Based on the daily mob for Commons’ fixed menu, many agree with me. If Yale Hospitality maintains a steady rotation of options week by week, I think there is a lot to be said for Greens, Grains, & Grill. Get on it!