All Entries in the "Vegan/Vegetarian" Category
Restaurant Review: Smoothie King
What can be said about a chain drinkeria like Smoothie King (3423 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803-4755, (863) 647-9602)? Not much that hasn’t been said about a million smoothie places before. If you enjoy cold, tasty fruit beverages with added powders and vitamins that may or may not make fruit taste like library paste, you’ll probably enjoy Smoothie King.
That said, I wanted to take a moment to note a trend I’ve noticed in how I feel after I consume something from smoothie king. At first, I thought I was buying into the hype. I drink a smoothie (usually the Gladiator, a ridiculously high protein and high vitamin C concoction that actually tastes like fruit and yogurt) I feel great for 4-5 hours afterwords. When I was working out every day, I’d have one on my way home and the combination of simple sugars with all of that protein piled on top of a rigorous workout gave me a buzz that I would carry the rest of the day. Even without the workout, I find that the drinks give me a good feeling of fullness and general satisfaction that I haven’t found from anything else.
There’s a lot more to Smoothie King than just smoothies. They sell a number of power bars, take home shake mix, add-ons for your workout and other quick fixes for the mechanical quagmire that is the human body.
The employees at Smoothie King range from clueless to helpful, depending on which store you go to and who you get. For this particular trip, I got the very helpful perky girl in her twenties that genuinely wants to help her customers. I also spoke briefly with the disenfranchised jock who is coming to terms with his life as a slush-barista after this near miss as High School Hero. Over all, very nice people and quick service.
As for the taste of the smoothies, I can’t complain. It seems they’re getting more creamy and less fruity each time I go, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Restaurant Review: Grass Root Organic Restaurant
It’s most likely a sacrilege for a guy like me to get within 50 feet of any place with the words “vegan” and “raw foods” on their entrance. After all, what good could possibly come from forcing down bits of vegetable matter made to resemble “real food”? When it comes to Grass Roots Organic Restaurant (2702 N. Florida Ave, Tampa FL 33602, 813-221-ROOT)and the passion of it’s owner Sabrina Aird, the food is not only palatable but surprisingly tasty.
I was introduced to the Lakeland branch of this restaurant a few months back by Danise Rosak, and I haven’t turned back. Now that I’m less than a mile from the Tampa location, I find myself eating there whenever funds and time allow. It’s really a treat, even for a flesh-chewing meat snob like me.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is relaxing and natural. Low-key trip hop and world music plays in the background. You’re surrounded by bright walls, natural decorations and a bohemian atmosphere. From the second you sit down, you feel comfortable. It’s the kind of place I could go to read a book and enjoy a nice meal and slip out of the day-to-day. This very deliberate design should set even the toughest of preconceptions at ease.
What makes Grass Roots unique is it’s dedication to a true vegan lifestyle. Whether food is adhering to the standards of the Raw Movement or the Vegan Movement is fodder for the menu to explain. Everything you see is good for you, home made and delicious. The menu is filled with raw takes on foods we all know: pizza, burrito, hamburger and pie. How could you possibly have a raw pizza? or a vegan hamburger? It all makes sense when you consider the substitute ingredients living a double life as your mainstream pasttimes. Bread substitutes are made of nuts, legumes and vegetables. Cheeses are substituted with their vegan counterparts. I am really amazed by how versatile many of these ingredients are when used in exquisite dishes at Grass Root.
For this outing, I chose the “Original Sabrina’s Favorite Sandwich”. A meal that will fulfill even the most demanding stomachs, this raw onion bread with hummus, avocado, sprouts, sheeze and lettuce is a flavorful two-hand undertaking. When you first bite into it, the texture is likely to throw you off. The raw onion bread is somewhere between the consistancy of a tortilla and pita bread, with a definite nutty and earthy undertone. It flecks away gently in your mouth as you eat it, all while holding the ingredients firmly in place for each bite.
As you eat through the sprouts and lettuce, the main components of this dish, each bite is complimented with the cool essence of avocado and hummus. When I first looked at it, I thought the sandwich might be dry or chewy, but it’s actually very tender and throughout, complimented by both the follage and the sauciness of the dish.
To compliment their menu, a soy-free juice bar serves up everyday favorites and a few off-the-wall concoctions. I was very impressed with the consistency and the very powerful flavor of their Mango-ra, a mix of mangos, strawberries, fresh apple juice, lime, vanilla and agave. I had only recently opened up my tastebuds to mixed juices and Grass Roots has one of the more sophisticated and flavorful selections.
The thing that got me hooked on this place my first time out was the dessert. They have key lime pie that is, well, can I use the word “decadent” when describing raw food? Small in size but big on taste, this syrup-covered treat is heaven from the first bite to the last. The first thing you notice is how incredibly sweet it is. Almost ice-cream sweet, infact. Secondly, you notice the texture. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear this was made of cream cheese. The crust has a nutty flavor but is not overpowering. Every spoon full makes you wish you had a second piece. When it’s gone, you feel satisfied but you always desire more. To be honest, if nothing else, the Key Lime Pie is worth the trip.
All of this healthy and delicious food does come at a price. For my sandwich, a glass of water and a piece of pie, I forked out $23.54 + a five dollar tip. When you consider the cost in terms of value, it makes total sense. Sabrina and her crew spend considerable amounts of time developing this wonderful food, experimenting with new recipes and backing up her dishes with a vast knowledge of the Raw Food Movement and how food affects your body.
For more from Sabrina, you should check out her blog:
http://thegrassrootlife.blogspot.com/
She posts regularly about goings on in her restaurant, her life and her ever-widening view of the world.