Dining Pick of the Week: Red Velvet Cafe

PICK OF THE WEEK:

RED VELVET CAFE

7875 W. Sahara Ave., 702-360-1972; Fashion show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-998-9799

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and that takes a clear mind to move among the many crazed shoppers. A vegan or vegetarian meal can keep your mind clear, and Red Velvet Cafe has an extensive vegetarian menu that promotes clarity. It also has non-vegetarian dishes if clarity isn't an issue. Paninis include chicken provolone on nine-grain bread, veggie grill, California and spicy turkey with cheddar, grilled eggplant, zucchini, squash, red onion and Caesar dressing in a whole wheat pita. Popular salads are lemon herb shrimp orzo, Caprese, baby beet and tangerine, and taco salad with vegan taco meat. Among the pizzas, made on whole wheat pita with organic marinara sauce, are spinach and artichoke, two cheese, pepperoni, and chicken and goat cheese. There are wraps, appetizers (spiced hummus, avocado dip, chili-rubbed roasted potatoes, nachos with black beans), organic teas and smoothies, including Strawberry Dream, Raspberry Cream, Tropical Delight and Chocolate Peanut Butter. Smoothies start at $6.50 and salads at $12. Red Velvet Cafe is inside the Fashion Show mall is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The Sahara Avenue location is open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. - Jack Bulavsky