The Lime in Norwalk...Healthy Eats for 30 Years

So why review an old standard - a restaurant that has been on the Fairfield County radar for over 30 years? Because we are so caught up in the latest, new new thing, we sometimes forget that an extra spritz of LIME can go a long, long way. Not just any old lime, of course, but THE LIME, serving organic vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights for over three decades. We walked into THE LIME with some rather "energetic" children for lunch during the winter break and came out well juiced! Though the staff seemed a bit harassed and not THAT excited to see the 5 year olds, they did their best to serve with a smile. The salads were fresh and tasty, the wraps were over-stuffed with fresh ingredients, and the burritos came covered with tangy melted cheese and bursting with exceptional sauteed onions. THE LIME was rocking - and this was lunch:

We started with the HUMMUS which was heavy on the tahini and had great rich creamy texture. The veggies sticks were a better match for the well prepared hummus than the standard pita. The NACHOS were a perfect kid-friendly option, served atop well-seasoned black beans and accompanied by a spicy mango salsa (which was excellent) for those desiring heat. I was disappointed that I couldn't order my drug of choice, diet coke, and was forced to settle for organic STEAZ, a blend of tea and carbonated fruit juice. So glad they didn't serve my potion because the STEAZ was a worthy substitute. I ordered the raspberry flavor and I think I have found the methadone to replace my heroin! Very quenching and delicious! Others ordered the fresh fruit juices; carrot, mago/orange, and all thirsts were quenched. Anyway, I digress. Back to the food...

Our orders were lunch typical - salads and wraps - and THE LIME does lunch right. So much so that, two days in a row, STEW JR from STEW LEONARDS was spotted. (You have to assume that Stew knows something about food!)

First on our list was the MALIBU CHICKEN SALAD. Here, crunchy garden greens are tossed with fresh, grilled chicken breast, smoothly roasted red peppers, ripe avocado and artichoke hearts. A tangy honey-dijon dressing is served on the side with just enough citrus to cut the honey down to size. We also sampled the plain CHICKEN SALAD which consisted of chunky chicken cubes, mayo, crunchy apples, sweet raisins, and slightly bitter walnuts mixed with garden greens. The kids loved this salad and we ordered it as a 1/2 portion, which the servers were happy to arrange. We replaced the dressing on the menu for the CREAMY HOUSE and this was garlicky and delish. 

The wraps were also excellent. Here we chose the TURKEY CRAN ROLL -UP, a sweet and savory combination of oven baked turkey, avocado, cheddar cheese with a creamy cranberry dressing and garden greens. All wraps are served with the brown rice salad, a nice textural compliment to the cold and crunchy veg items which reside in just about every wrap you choose. 

For those with a vegetarian bent, there is plenty to choose from on the sandwich menu. THE LIME is famous for its VEGGIE-NUT BURGER, made from bulgher-wheat, carrots, zucchini, sesame and sunflower seeds. It is  served with that creamy house dressing and avocado, cheese or tofu if you like. Another vegetarian favorite is the FALAFEL PITA. Here, a spicy, Middle Eastern chick pea patty is served with onions and smothered in Tahini dressing. My pita pocket runneth over!! 

We didn't have the time or the stomach capacity to try the famous SOY CARROT or ZUCCHINI LOAF but these are two of the staples that have given THE LIME the great reputation it has earned. Next time, we will come for dinner where the choices expand dramatically. From 5-10 Mondays thru Saturdays and from 4:30 - 9:30 on Sundays, the menu includes such delights as NY STRIP with herb-crumb and gorgonzola topping, CHICKEN MARSALA, VEGETABLE TOFU STIR FRY, CAJUN SWEET-FIRE STEAK, and TUNA WASABI. 

You feel good, eating at THE LIME. You feel healthy, eco-friendly, and somehow sustainable.  As you walk through the door, you read a sign which promises that all fryer oil is converted into renewable energy. You enter a small room which is packed to the organic gills with people who don't throw their batteries in the trash can. Even the STEAZ promises, right on its label, that everything you consume is "GOOD FOR THE MIND BODY AND SOUL" and you must  believe in the STEAZ. 

THE LIME takes reservations. Make some :)

168 Main Street

Norwalk, CT 06851

(203) 846-9240

Open Mon-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 4:30pm-9:30pm