AmeRAWcan Bistro is not your typical American dining establishment. Steak or chicken won’t be found on their menu.
Initially I felt as though I was walking into a green house; the windows were full of live plants with lights and heaters strategically placed. The entire view of the kitchen can be seen from the sidewalk and it is clear not a single stove is present—everything is either blended or dehydrated to perfection.
If you are unsure of what raw dining is, it is, in a nutshell, the act of eating raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
A raw foodist is someone who consumes 75 percent to 100 percent live, nutritionally dense, organic foods. The foods are never cooked over 116 degrees because it is believed that all nutrition and enzymes are killed once they are heated above that temperature . The heat also changes the molecular structure of the food, supposedly rendering it toxic.
“What does a raw foodist eat?” may be your next question. The answer is anything that can be dehydrated or eaten raw safely.
The AmeRAWcan Bistro shows that this diet is not a boring one and there are endless amounts of creative combination that carnivores and raw foodists alike can enjoy.
An initial glance at the menu and it would seem to be the same as a regular eating establishment, with taco salads, tomato soup and burgers, but when the diner reads the entree descriptions they’ll discover they are in a whole new world of food.
Cashews, walnuts and avocado are frequently the main ingredients in the dishes.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also offers a juice/smoothie/espresso bar. Prices are reasonable; entrees can be ordered for under $10, or you can enjoy a four course meal for only $19.95, including a starter, soup or salad, an entree and a dessert.
The restaurant gives off a very modern vibe, with a few blue and orange walls complimenting the white ones. Numerous mirrors are hung or leaned against every wall. Large plasma screens adorn the far wall, displaying the musical selection filling the room and perpendicular to this wall is another television featuring the Ducks game that evening.
The ultimate shock was an iPad that adorned every table. In place of paper menus, customers click the photo app and view the menu.
The iPad stays on the table throughout the evening, and customers have full access to the Internet. We took full advantage of this opportunity and browsed Reddit.com while we waited for our entrees to arrive.
After a long period of pondering, I decided on the Fiesta Quinoa Avocado Boat ($9.95): sliced avocado and sprouted quinoa tossed with sweet red pepper, olives and cilantro and served with greens, then scooped back into the avocado shell for gorgeous presentation.
One of my dining companions ordered the Cream of Tomato and Red Pepper Soup ($5.95), an avocado base blended with tomatoes, red pepper, onion, garlic and basil. Prepare yourself for a mild spicy kick that heats up this room temperature soup.
The Mediterranean Falafel ($10.95) was also enjoyed. It’s a vegan sesame seed falafel that can be served as a wrap or as a salad. A variety of vegetables accompany the falafel with both hummus and tzatziki sauce and it is a very nutty and filling meal.
Our other companion ordered the Zucchini Fettuccini Alfredo ($12.95). The entree is as reminiscent of a pasta as it can be without actually being pasta. The sauce is creamed cashews and adds a rich flavor to the meal without being overbearing.
Not knowing what to expect, we were all highly pleased with our entrees and the quality of our dinners.
