Here's my open-letter to the Coterie:

Dear Dining Services Team,

Recently I had the pleasure of joining a resident for lunch at the Coterie, and I wanted to express how impressed I was by the beauty of the building, the graciousness of the staff, and the warmth of the residents. The atmosphere felt almost like being aboard an elegant cruise ship — welcoming, lively, and thoughtfully designed.

There was only one area in which I would encourage improvement: the plant-based dining option.

I appreciate that a vegan option was available, but the entrée offered — pasta with spinach — felt less like a fully composed entrée and more like a standard dish adapted by removing dairy ingredients. As interest in plant-based dining continues to grow, not only among vegans but also among people concerned about health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare, I hope the Coterie might consider offering truly complete and thoughtfully designed plant-based entrées.

Dishes incorporating ingredients such as tofu, beans, lentils, nuts, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables can be flavorful, nutritious, visually appealing, and worthy of the otherwise high standard reflected throughout the Coterie experience. Even the pasta dish I was served might have felt more substantial and intentional with additions such as pine nuts, white beans, roasted vegetables, or marinated tofu.

I offer these comments in the spirit of appreciation and encouragement. Since so much else about the dining experience was welcoming and elegant, it would be wonderful to see the plant-based offerings rise to the same level of creativity and care.

With thanks and best wishes,