Being a vegan can be hard, thankless work—extended family members rarely understand, many restaurants don't accommodate you, and cows still try to devour you every chance they get. Today's Groupon proves that vegan eating can be stylish, sexy, and delicious: for $10, you get $20 worth of vegan and raw fare at Grass Root Organic Restaurant. This Groupon is redeemable at both the Tampa and Lakeland outposts of the natural-foods eatery.
Grass Root was founded by a pair of famished vegans and former New Yorkers. The restaurant's plant-based menu highlights the bounty of fresh local veggies in satisfying salads, vegan entrees, hand-held portions, and raw—not heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit—delights. Opt for the raw pad Thai ($12), made with high-mineral kelp noodles and veggies, or go for a vegan Nott Dogg ($4.50) with ketchup, mustard, vegan mayo, and onions on a sprouted bun. The Veg-ta-Bowl ($10), loaded with brown rice and sautéed vegetables, will add much-needed fiber to a cheese connoisseur's diet, whereas the raw Peace Zah Pi ($11), sprinkled with cashew sheeze, is topped with kale, sundried tomatoes, and avocados for those looking to boost their body's natural-mineral content.
Both of the comfortable eateries boast a stylish yet laid-back atmosphere, with vibrantly colored walls and fresh flowers at each table. Grass Root couples healthy eating with an eco-friendly lifestyle, exemplified by the use of biodegradable, nontoxic cleaners. So stop in for a refreshingly raw meal and spend a while lingering over a glass of raw horchata ($5.50), savoring the flavor of a nutrient-plumped meal knowing that you don't completely hate the sun's existence.
Reviews
Yelpers and TripAdvisors give Grass Root in Tampa four stars, and the compassionate-eating guide HappyCow gives it 4.5 stars.
My Tampa Life says:
- Everything you see is good for you, home made and delicious. – Denis Baldwin
The St. Petersberg Times adds this praise:
- Hardly the food of deprivation and hippie delirium, dishes are colorful, flavorful and satisfying, even for the unreconstructed carnivore. – Laura Reiley
Creative Loafing sums it up by saying:
- For average diners, an open-minded outing to Grass Root will likely be a surprising and rewarding experience. For vegans and raw foodies, the cuisine at Grass Root is easily the best in town. – Brian Ries
Grass Root Organic Restaurant
Owners Spencer and Sabrina Aird parlay a passion for nourishing vegan fare into Grass Root Organic Restaurant, which CBS Tampa named one of the best veg restaurants in the city. Carmine walls envelop diners in the cozy café space, creating a soothing atmosphere punctuated with vivid abstract paintings hung along the wall. While settled into high-backed wooden chairs, each topped with a lattice design, diners dig into a menu that features cooked vegan dishes as well as raw dishes. Raw vegan pad thai, guacamole, and spinach and basil pesto, among others, star on the restaurant's roster.
The Airds also run a customizable meal delivery system that sends clients fresh meals from a rotating weekly menu several times a week. Sabrina teaches occasional classes on how to replicate her culinary expertise and mimic items on Grass Root's menu by sitting very still on an oversized plate.
Customer Reviews
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