Fresh Food for Lunch
November 26, 2008
My sister came for a visit yesterday and took me out for lunch.
We went to Fresh (326 Bloor Street West).
Everything was vegetarian, which is not a huge problem for me because I enjoy most vegetarian food, but I think she found it a bit daunting.
I thought the menu looked great! I started with a Dr. Tomato vegetable juice (parsley, celery, red papper, tomato juice, lemon, sea salt and freshly ground pink pepper). I followed it with a Warrior bowl (chick pea & vegetable stew with rich coconut curry sauce & grilled spinach served over brown basmati rice). It was delicious!
Things weren’t so easy for my sister.
The vegetable juices did not appeal to her, but to eat she chose an Ayurvedic bowl (steamed seasonal vegetables sprinkled with sesame, hemp & poppy seeds. This was served atop a bowl of brown basmati rice and her choice of dressing: she got Power House (tahini, lemon, tamari, hot sauce).
Her assessment of Fresh is not quite as positive as mine. Overall, she thought her meal lacked flavour. She did not find the ‘Power House’ powerful at all and said that the meal was a bit ‘blah.’
In spite of our differing views on the food, we agreed that the portions were generous (neither of us could finish our rice). The atmosphere was warm, but casual. Ideal for an afternoon lunch date, but not for a romantic dinner. The service was excellent; our waitress was efficient and friendly. She was also super-cute and smiley, but that’s beside the point.
We were a little surprised by the bill. It was $31.64 before a tip. We thought this was pretty pricey for a lunch.
Our (averaged) rating for Fresh is: 6/10
Photo is courtesy the Fresh website: Thanks, Fresh!
Entry Filed under: 12 Grain Program, Diet Rehab, Food, Grain of the Week, Health, Local, Restaurant, Toronto, Vegetarian. Tags: Dr. Tomato, Fresh, lunch, review.
6 Comments Add your own
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <pre> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed
1.
Heather @ SGF | November 26, 2008 at 11:41 am
Mmmm. Those main dishes sound yummy! Definitely pricey. What would you normally expect to spend for lunch in your neck of the woods?
The lunch I had at our local/organic restaurant was $20+ for 2 people and then a tip on top. For me, that’s a lot, but considering the food was local and organic and it was a small locally-owned business, I’m willing to pay a little more on a special occasion.
2.
Liz | November 26, 2008 at 1:43 pm
For a casual lunch, I usually pay $10 or less.
I agree that if it was a local, privately-owned business I would be willing to pay a bit more, but for a chain restaurant I thought it was a bit much. Most restaurants I go to for lunch tend to have a revised lunch menu (with smaller portions and cheaper prices), but I don’t think Fresh does this—hence the price.
3.
Meghan Telpner | November 26, 2008 at 10:56 pm
It’s the juices. They’ll get you every time and cost about the same as the meals there. Soon you’ll be cooking up your own rice bowl goodness. We can name it after you. Liz Taylormazing? Lizarific Ricetastic? K… I’ll stick to being a nutritionist.
4.
Liz | November 27, 2008 at 11:28 am
Yeah you’re right–but the juice was so tasty! I guess I’ll have to come up with a recipe on my own…along with rice bowls…which we will have to name. I’m a fan of Lizarific Ricetastic myself.
5.
Meghan Telpner | November 27, 2008 at 11:41 am
Want to make your own juice at home and not have to invest in a juicer? Here is how…
First blend 1/4- 1/2 cup of water with a celery stick or two (apples work as well). Then throw in whatever you want to make your juice from. Blend on the highest speed until the mixture is liquefied. Then using an old (but clean tshirt) cut into a large square. Strain the goodness. I lay the damp t-shirt over a bowl, pour the blender contents in and squeeze. Out comes the good juice and the pulp or fibre is trapped in the fabric.
What is left over can than be used in muffins as added fibre, in soups as added fibre (and thickener), in stuffings etc.
When it comes to eating healthy there are twp options… spend more time or spend more money.
6.
Tammy | November 27, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I L-O-V-E Fresh, but I make it more budget-friendly by enjoying several glasses of the free (and generously served) water rather than the pricey beverages.
My only question – How can anyone have a meal at Fresh that doesn’t involve sweet potato fries? They’re ridiculously tasty.