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| - Trying to stick to that New Years Resolution to eat better? Perhaps you came to the conclusion that a hamburger a day keeps the cardiologist paid? Then an inventive guilt-free meal from Luna's may just be what the (other, more holistic) doctor ordered!
If you've never had raw vegan food before, come with an open mind. This is not sushi, no understand that this translates into minimally processed and heated (not heated above 104 to 115 °F, as this destroys their nutritional value) vegan foods. This may sound bland, but it often results in very creative combinations of ingredients and resulting flavors--not to mention colorful and inspiring presentations! And Luna is among the best on both of these accounts.
When you think lunasagna, I know that you are imagining a piping hot brick of grandma's layers upon layers of noodles, meat, cheese, noodles, tomato sauce, and (maybe) a few minced onions that have been cooked into oblivion. There is nothing raw about this.
No, the Lunasagna in practice is rather simple in its elegance, with pastel greens (cashew/basil cheese) and bright reds (sun-dried tomato sauce)--colors that you have never before associated with incoherent mass that is grandma's sometimes blackened lasagna. A closer inspection reveals that there are only these two green and red layers, partitioned by very thinly sliced zucchini. Then you introspect that this, indeed, is what Willis was talking about. The consistency is rather consist throughout both layers--like that cranberry jello (the one with cool whip in it) during Thanksgiving; however, the zucchini adds a pleasing crisp to the texture. The flavors are explosive, much more overstated than the pastel colors might suggest. You will likely finish by scraping every morsel from the plate. There is no shame in this.
Next to this colorful concoction is placed the most perfectly designed salad (for designed is the only way to describe the obvious intention with which someone created this culinary art). Enveloping your senses is a cornucopia of greens, sprouts, bell pepper, onion, and yes, even a fresh flower. It is a literal work of art that I was forced to admire and interpret before gathering the courage to destroy and consume. It is, bar none, the best side salad (in every sense of the word) I have ever had. All of this humbly labeled as 'Local Green Salad'? I tip my hat at you.
Finally, the smoothie menu looked too good to pass up. The Incan Warrior's combination of (homemade) hemp milk, maca, cinnamon, cacao, and banana is far better than you can even imagine. How can you read that and not crave it? This alone will keep me coming back to Luna's.
All in all, I provided 4 stars for two reasons: as good as everything is, I can't see myself coming here all the time as it is not the most filling of meals and I could see some food fatigue taking over. Also, the cost ($10 - $13 for lunch), whereas totally fair considering the quality of ingredients and artistic display, makes my wallet perhaps the only unsustainable item in the restaurant. Besides that, this place is magic and a much appreciated stroke of awesome in Charlotte.
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