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| - I have never been a fan of raw cuisine. I love flavor, and most vegan raw dishes that I've had have been very bland and boring, leaving me hungry and ready to eat again 5 minutes later. For this reason, it has taken me over 4 years to make my way over to Chef Sara's Raw Vegan Academy and Cafe.
As soon as I pulled up, I fell in love with the aesthetics of the cafe. It has the appearance of a country log cabin. There was a pleasant and welcoming aura which made me feel like I was visiting grandma's house. Its outside walls are covered with various vegan, positive, and health conscious messages. There is a lovely outside dining area, perfect for cooler weather months.
Once I entered, there was a sense of tranquility. Everything about the inside is very zen and there are inspirational messages throughout, even in the restroom.
Sara and a man whose name I didn't get, were both very helpful and friendly. They explained the menu, the ordering process, and advised me of what items were and were not available. I was instructed to ring the table bell when I was ready to order. I have to admit that I felt very uncomfortable doing this... It felt as if I was being rude. Nonetheless, after browsing the extensive menu, I coyly rang the bell, ready to order.
TURMERIC/CILANTRO/HIMALAYAN PINK SALT $4.50 -
I started my meal with this hot, caffeine-free, herbal drink. I couldn't decide between this drink and the Cayenne drink, so Sara added cayenne to my turmeric drink and it was amazing. The menu lists all of the active properties and benefits of each ingredient. (See photos for details.)
SPINACH PATE $9.95 -
A very tasty appetizer made up of spinach, various nuts, garlic, and black pepper. You get one medium-sized scoop, and it is served with raw crackers. The pate didn't taste nutty, which was pleasant; the raw crackers do have a nutty taste. Served cold.
PESTO PASTA w/ ZUCCHINI NOODLES $16.95 -
The menu pairs the Pesto Pasta with cucumber noodles, but Sara graciously allowed me to get zucchini noodles instead. I received a large bowl filled with fresh raw zucchini noodles, arugula, spinach, walnuts, and Himalayan Pink Salt. It was very satisfying and very filling. I ended up taking 1/2 of it home. Served cold.
Dessert! Chef Sara brought out a dessert tray and explained each dessert option in detail. She said that the coffee cake is their best seller. I dislike coffee so I went with something else.
CHOCOLATE CANNOLI @ $13 - This isn't listed in the menu with the other desserts, however its picture is on the menu cover. 2 nice sized chocolate crepes filled with banana ice cream and what seemed to be a date-based caramel. My dish was missing the chocolate drizzle that they show on the picture, but it was delicious nonetheless. The chocolate crepes were very rich and sweet. It was like biting into pure cacao. I'm not a banana fan, so I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious the banana ice cream was inside the crepe. Excellent dish, and it's unbelievable that it's raw. I honestly could've shared this with someone. I was full and had to force myself to eat the second cannoli because I knew it would melt by the time I got home.
KEY LIME PIE $9.95 - It was creamy and the key lime flavor was very strong. I usually like key lime desserts, but they've always had a nice sweet-to-tart balanced ratio. This one was a little too tart for my liking, but if you are into desserts that aren't too sweet, this one's perfect.
Chef Sara is also Dr. Sara. She is a kind, sweet soul who is passionate about the vegan lifestyle, promoting healthy eating choices, and "nursing" people back to health the natural, holistic way. You can read about her story in the cafe, where you'll also find advertisements for her Back to Health Program, which if I over-heard correctly, is $5000. Contact her directly to inquire about the price and program details. I hope that in the future she offers a detox retreat or camp. I'd totally join that!
I left this cafe feeling full without the drowsy "itis" that typically follows a meal. I felt energized and didn't get hungry for the rest of the day.
I won't always eat raw, but when I do, it will be at Chef Sara's Raw Vegan Academy & Cafe.
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