Rutabegorz Restaurant in Old Town Tustin has always been a gem of a place. Not only is it picturesquely located in a historic building that dates back to 1914, but it features some of the tastiest (and largest) salads in town, along with other hearty and healthy dishes such as Killer Chili, zucchini stuffed with vegetables, rice and cheeses, and falafel sandwiches. But Ruta's new special salad tops them all. Aptly titled the Apple Spinach Salad, this enough-for-two extravaganza features caramelized walnuts, chicken breast, apples, bleu cheese crumbles, shredded carrots, celery and a fresh, perfectly textured spinach base. All of this is topped with a delicious red dijon vinaigrette dressing. The salad is a fantastic medley of textures and tastes: The caramelized nuts provide a kind of burnt sweetness that is offset by the tangy bleu cheese. The soft texture of the spinach leaves is contrasted with the crunch of the celery and carrots, and the apples provide a burst of tangy fruitiness. The dressing gives the whole dish its delicate finishing touch. The Apple Spinach Salad is more than a meal ? either bring a friend or save some for later. Popeye would go nuts over this one. Call Rutabegorz Tustin at (714) 731-9807; two other locations are in Orange and Fullerton.
