Restaurant Review: Fresh

326 Bloor St West ( at Spadina) 415.531.2635
894 Queen St West (at Crawford) 416.913.2720
147 Spadina Ave ( at Richmond) 416.599.4442

The title says it all. This restaurant aims to serve nutritious food. All the food is prepared in house and made to order. There are no hidden dairy products, processed sweeteners or preservatives in the food or juice. I like to go for a fast lunch after an exercise class. I feel so virtuous eating healthy food that tastes so good.
The restaurant was previously in another location and called itself Juice For Life. It still features Power Shakes, Vegetable Juices, Espresso Shakes, Wheatgrass Shakes and Immune Elixirs. Prices vary according to the type of drink. They certainly are popular in this busy establishment. I have now eaten in all three of the restaurants. They are equally wonderful. As soon as you arrive a carafe of water with lemon is placed on the table. The lovely servers make sure it is refilled when necessary. This restaurant does a major take out business.
I love the Soup here.($4.00) Today I enjoyed a Curry Soup with Potatoes. On previous visits I was equally pleased with a Squash Soup and another time a Carrot Soup. It is a large bowl full of good nutrients and full flavor. Even when you watch your food from a health aspect you need to splurge a bit. The Sweet Potato Fries are a dream.($5.00) It is worth every calorie. Middle Eastern Plate is offered with golden falafel balls, hummus, tahini and grilled flax pita garnished with parsley, kalamta olives, tomato and red olive oil. ($8.00 small- $10.00 large) The large bowl is one of the most popular items. They are chock full of delicious ingredients. Beach Bowl offers grilled red pepper, eggplant, sweet potato, avocado, sun dried tomatoes, sunflower sprouts, olive oil, tamari,. lemon and mixed herbs. ($11.00 with brown rice, $13.00 with soba noodles).Power House Bowl offers avocado, chick peas, grilled tofu steak, cilantro, green onions and sesame seeds. The salads are a work of art. Parisien Salad offers garlic dill potatoes, sugar snap peas, grape tomatoes, red onion, sesame seeds, olives and baby spinach.(9.00) My friend ordered this salad today and thought it was superb. California Classic ($9.00) is a mixture of white beans, toasted pecans, hearts of palm, avocado, grape tomatoes and lettuce. There are so many salads from which to choose. The variety of vegetarian burgers is wonderful. Mushroom Onion burger sounds like my next visit.($8.00)
There is no meat or fowl served here. There are so many choices in each category. I love the food. It is always crowded but you never have to wait too long for a table. You will feel satisfied and full when you leave.