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| - I am a carnivore. Most of my meals revolve around a meaty centerpiece. And whether that is lamb, chicken, beef, pork or fish I don't really care, but rarely do I ever eat any vegetarian dishes.
Indian Food is the first thing that comes to mind when I think about things I've eaten without meat. Or a chunky Greek salad. A grilled-cheese sandwich. A mushroom-swiss omelet. Things like that.
Then my friend invites me out to dinner for his Mom's birthday. Awesome. Where are we going? Raw Aura. Uhhh... where?
So I get there, and the name says it all: all the food is raw. Yes. Raw. Hasn't been cooked. And no meat. And no dairy. Not only that but most of the dishes are either cold or warm.
As the four of us entered I was actually being teased due to my carnivore-ness, and under duress I decided I should appease the masses for the next hour or so, and we could go for burgers or ribs after for some REAL food.
To start my friend ordered a round of Nachos (veggiefied chips made from carrots, flax, and whatever else it needed to give it a crispy texture, because remember: everything is uncooked). The chips come with hummus, guacamole, a tomato salsa and another sauce.
While those were being prepared we ordered two of their Falafels (uncooked chick peas, filled with some veggie goodness and wrapped in a leafy green) a chickpea stew (that night served without chickpeas, but with mung and another bean instead), and a veggie lasagna.
They also had a impressive variety of fresh juices, with Mill St. organic beer available.
So we talk, and I nervously await our uncooked dinners I'm not too keen to try.
The nachos arrive. Wow. impressive! So the chips are quite tasty, as are all the sauces. Nothing is cooked and yet things are looking up!
Then the main courses arrive, and I was instantly impressed by the plating before I even try anything.
Each of our dishes - especially my Falafel - looks like great care went into its presentation. Not only that but the flavours are quite good, everything is fresh of course, and the portions are substantially sized for adults.
We're stuffed, but decide to share two desserts: Blueberry Cheesecake and Pecan Pie. And yes, remember that there is no dairy here, nor did the cheesecake taste like soy milk (which I actually like anyway).
Walking out of this place - after a single beer - I was absolutely stuffed. And did not regain my usual post-meal hunger until the next morning... as opposed to later that night.
Needless to say I was impressed by this place, enough to write this review. I have never done this. Not even for proper meat restaurants!
Veggies, you may not have convinced me that I need to give up meat, but you definitely impressed me with what you can do with uncooked food.
So Carnivores: give Raw Aura a try just to see how the other side lives, because there's really no better way.
All the mains are $15 or less, and there are enough options that you should find something to appease your palette.
Service is polite with a smile, the decor is comfortable and it's just a fun place to try - with or without your vegan friends.
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