On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of lunching at True Food Kitchen at the Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix. Many of you recommended it on the blog and on my Facebook page (thank you!), so we figured it was a safe bet. I later found out that the famous Dr. Andrew Weil (along with restaurateur Sam Fox) opened this first location of several, in 2008. The entire menu is based around Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet and food pyramid with an emphasis on local and organic food whenever possible.
The weather was gorgeous and sunny, so we opted to sit out on the large patio. A quick peek inside the restaurant revealed a huge interior absolutely packed at 1:30pm on a Tuesday. That’s always a good sign!
We soon deemed the weather beer worthy.
I tried the organic Eel River Acai Berry Wheat Ale. Loved it. Light and fruity, but not overly so.
For an appetizer, my mom and I shared the Shiitake and Tofu Lettuce Cups with Ginger, Cashew, and Garlic.
The lettuce cups are filled primarily with cashews, teeny-tiny bits of tofu, and shredded carrot all coated in a lovely Teriyaki-like glaze. Very fun to roll up and make a huge mess!
For my main, I ordered the Teriyaki Brown Rice Bowl with Asian vegetables, sesame, and avocado. I also added big chunks of tofu.
Oh my gosh was this ever amazing. Easily, one of my favourite meals in a long time. It’s so simple, but not lacking in any way. I also loved the huge sliced avocado half on top. Not one single piece of rice was left behind.
Eric and John ordered the Turkey Burger with provolone, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mayo, on a flax seed bun. It came with sweet potato hash and a kale salad.
They both gave it two thumbs up!
Mom ordered the Spaghetti Squash Casserole with mozzarella, organic tomato, and zucchini. She also really enjoyed it, but thought the cheese was a bit heavy.
For dessert, Eric devoured the warm & pudding-like Flourless Chocolate Cake. No surprise there!
My mom and I shared the Vegan Apple Crisp with Maple Ice Cream. John also had the apple crisp, but did not share with anyone. ;)
Absolute perfection. The crispy, sweet crumble topping was the best part.
I washed it down with a big glass of water when I realized that beer probably wasn’t the best idea before hiking a desert mountain!
After lunch, Eric and I drove straight to Camelback Mountain to begin the hike of our lives, my dangly earrings and all.
All in all, it was a great experience at True Foods. The service was friendly and attentive, the atmosphere to die for, and the food fresh and satisfying. My only suggestion is that the restaurant adds more vegan options on their menu as there were only 2-3 vegan entrees indicated on their lunch menu.
As for that hike, my glutes and quads might recover some day. Just not today.
Tomorrow = Sedona and the promise of more hiking. Better rest up!
Oh, enjoy Sedona! We spent 4 days there a few years back and I absolutely loved the scenery and trails. It’s gorgeous :)
Yum. What a sweet lunch!
Ok by looking at these pics I have to know how to recreate the lettuce wraps and the flourless cake….that would make me happy today ;)
Have a great time down there!!
xxoo
Oh my gah! Acai berry wheat beer?! I am swooning.
so glad you’re having a good trip! i live in scottsdale and frequent true food kitchen regularly–in fact, i chuckled b/c the teryaki bowl with tofu has become my regular meal and the turkey burger is my boyfriend’s! i saw you mentioned d’lish above–have you eaten there yet? i would recommend both that and green…..but i know it’s always hard to squeeze everything in!
Hey Briana! That’s awesome :) so yummy.
We were under the imppression that D’lish is in Sedona, but we couldnt find it and their number was disconnected…perhaps it closed?
Oh, I’m not sure about the one in Sedona, but there is one in Scottsdale–North Scottsdale Road, just south of Thomas. Have a great rest of your vacation!
Ooooh HEEEEEY, shout out to Eel River… My homeland :-)
That place looks AWESOME and i cannot wait to see the future recipe of that apple crisp and maple ice cream. I also never had a desire to go to AZ, but now I see why I should (Food, Hiking… HELLO)!
Thanks so much for your blogging dedication.
I’m so jealous of this experience! Looks amazing- unfortunate about the small selection though. You’re going to love Sedona- try to hike Bell Rock, and if you want to get gimicky: go to the ‘vortex’ haha
We have a true food kitchen in California too that is pretty good! A tad bit pricey but very nice :) Last time, I tried the edamame ravioli and fell in love!
I love True Food Kitchen — been to the one in LA. It is tasty food that feels like it is actually feeding your body rather than just empty calories.
Everything looks so good, especially the brown rice bowl!
That restaurant looks amazing! I wish we had more places like that in the GTA, not including Toronto. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a restaurant like that here. We have a small handful of vegan restaurants, but none that offer both vegan and non-vegan food! Why is Canada always so behind on food trends? :P
They might not have a lot of vegan – that isn’t really their approach – BUT they are supper flexible. The spaghetti squash pasta dish is superb without cheese! Also, they have a vegan kale and carmelized onion pizza that doesn’t come with cheese which just melts in your mouth. The farmer’s market salad is by far the best salad (quinoa, marcona almonds, arugula, avo, green beans… yummy). Also, always get a side of roasted veggies – the best brussel sprouts! – which varies from season to season. You did right by the dessert… the apple crisp!
I love restaurants like that! i food is always so inventive…..not to mention healthy and delicious!! That maples ice cream looks amazing!
Looks fabulous! You will love Sedona, it is so beautiful and serene! One of my favorite places!
What a lovely meal and time out.
And BOTH OF THOSE desserts look KILLER!
Have a great day. :)
I visited True Food Kitchen of Santa Monica once, and I love it! I think I got a curry dish for dinner, but my desert was the strawberry rhubarb crisp. Heaven!
Wow, that food looks great! Love Eel River! I’m surprised they have it there.
I love True Food Kitchen. We have one here in Newport Bach, CA and it’s always a place we go for a date night or when people come into town to visit. I can never get tired of it.
I’m jealous now :) Those Shiitake and tofu lettuce cups look so so good!
True Food is the best!! I’m waiting for them to open one in DC! (fingers crossed) Did you see all of their amazing clean juices? I’ve been meaning to try and replicate them.