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!
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.
Wow what an absolutely fabulous lunch! I would definitely have ordered the same thing you did. I love when dishes come with huge chunks of tofu in them instead of all scrambled up and hard to detect. Oh holy crap, that apple crisp looks tasty. It’s still breakfast time around these parts, but I want that dessert right now. Maybe apple-cinnamon oats should be in my near future. Oh to heck with it, I’m having desssert!
I saw someone mentioned the Enchantment Resort – I got married there, surrounded by the Red Rock Canyons. So beautiful, enjoy!! Sedona is one of my favourite places. Don’t worry about the hike, I did it 4 1/2 months pregnant!
you were right it was great!
The apple crumble looks amazing! So vegan is basically anything dairy and meat free?
I LOVE True Food Kitchen. I’ve tried a lot of their dishes but have never tried a dessert. I must try one next time because they look really good.
I had that same rice bowl when I was there in November and I loved it!!! I tried to recreate it, but it didn’t taste the same :( Maybe you can figure out the recipe!
That maple ice cream sounds amazing! I wouldn’t have shared either :)
My family is from Sedona, it’s an absolutely breath-taking place! I highly recommend hiking Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock or Broken Arrow. As for good eats, Cafe Elote is fancy but has some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had and for casual daily eats the Wildflower Bakery located next to the Hilton Hotel has a wonderful breakfast and lunch. They also have a Pioneer Foods market there that has some good quick on-the-good vegan and vegetarian options. Enjoy!!!
Thanks Lauren! Cathedral rock was amaaaazing
What a gorgeous series of photos you’ve had this past week. I am living vicariously through your pictures… back in Sounthern Ontario we’ve had grey skies since Tuesday. That food looks amazing! Looking forward to reading about your hike soon.
Ah yes we aren’t looking forward to the grey skies after all this sun.Maybe we canbring it home on Sunday?
First of all, it must be so wonderful to be sitting on a patio on a warm sunny day, while drinking a beer!!!
Secondly, I wonder if that Acai Berry beer is available in Ontario???
The food there looks absolutely incredible! I look forward to seeing your take on the lettuce bowls in an upcoming post :)
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Sedona. It’s amazingly gorgeous and the energy, wow. I bet your photos are going to be breathtaking.
Lettuce wraps look awesome. I am most curious as to how that ice cream tastes. I’ve been thinking of getting an ice cream maker and I’m really into vegan ice cream.
I’ve been reading your blog for about half a year and this is my first comment. I would like you to know that I use your recipes all the time, and my boyfriend frequently asks “is this Angela’s recipe?” in order to determine how much he is going to like whatever I’m cooking. He is now a big fan of your blog as well, has started cooking himself, and we both enjoy your upbeat and inspiring view of life, as well as your chocolate chip cookies.
Thanks for your great blog, and keep it coming!
Thank you so much Brianna, I’m so honoured!
If comments had a like button i’d definitely like this one! Keep it up Ange!
Enjoy Sedona! it’s amazing and leave at sundown, the reds are incredible! We were there exactly 1 yr ago. Can’t wait to go back. Love your website! I’m telling everyone about it!
signed an Oakville fan!
Everything looks delicious! I can’t wait to hear about Sedona. I’ve always wanted to go.
Unreal! You always do hind the greatest little restaurants!
They must be pleased to be featured on your blog :)
Angela, Just started reading your blog and I love it. My husband and I just returned from Sedona – make sure to hike Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte – amazing views!!
Sedona is gorgeous! I’m from california and my parents and I went there a few times now. It is great. Go to Chocolatree!!
Nothing wrong with a bit of glam added to a fab hike :)
Looks like a great lunch! I’d love some of that maple ice cream. Maple is such a nice flavour.. especially in cookies!
Wow, that food looks delicious! Glad you’re having a great time :)
The sunshine makes your food look like it is glowing! (in a good way)
Ok seriously…right now it is gloomy and snowing in Toronto. Do you know how jealous I am?? Unfair! :)
Sounds like a relaxing afternoon out on the patio!
Those lettuce wraps look AHHH-Mazing!!
The Flourless Chocolate Cake actually made me salivate! :P
Oh WOW, what a wonderful place to eat! Im jealous, I wish I had one in my town! I’d love sweet potatoes and kale as a side rather than the average unhealthy fare, eating out could be good for you that way :) And the Acai beer looks almost healthy too ;)
Yummy looking food!
I must say the food looks sensational…but more than that your hair looks amazing!!!
i found the official true food recipe for the tofu lettuce cups!
the video — http://www.fitsugar.com/Vegetarian-Lettuce-Wraps-From-True-Food-Kitchen-Fight-PMS-18198248
and in print — http://www.fitsugar.com/Dr-Weils-Vegetarian-Lettuce-Wraps-From-True-Food-Kitchen-Fight-PMS-18199349
also, the recipe for the tuscan kale salad. my fave! http://www.truefoodkitchen.com/recipes/tuscan-kale-salad.php
enjoy :)
awesome!!! Thanks Lyndsay I will check them out :)
Aaaah, I feel ya – no worries, not a DOUBT you can create sum’in even BETTER your own self! ;D
I live in Phoenix and was just at True Food. Were we there at the same time? Glad you enjoyed your time in Arizona.
Hi sweetie!! OMG, I HEART True Food Kitchen – I went there this past summer -yummy, and they were really nice, fun atmosphere – two enthusiastic thumbs up…oh and LOVE the kale salad there! Did you try it – It’s fabulous even w/o the parm. :) (I’m usually not a raw kale girl but whoooa – LOL xoxo Karen
No I didn’t get too since Eric’s had cheese on it…but it looked insanely good!
This was the first place we went to eat brunch for our honeymoon the day we flew in. We absolutely loved it and wish they had them in Florida.
Yea! I am so glad you were able to visit True Food. It is an awesome place to eat. Thanks for coming to Arizona.