It’s that time of year again, when we promise ourselves that this is the year we will lose weight, get in shape, and eat more vegetables. Unfortunately, our schedules don’t usually change to allow extra time for our new eating plans, and we will still have those nights where we get home from work and just don’t feel like cooking.
Does this sound familiar? Well, fear no more! St. Louis is home to ten restaurants that pack some serious nutritional punch.
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The HotPot
This Asian-inspired restaurant and juice/smoothie bar caters to all sorts of dietary needs. Vegan? No problem. Paleo? They even have desserts for you! HotPot sources its ingredients locally, which means they are as fresh and nutrient-dense as possible. My friends especially recommend the hot pot bowl with chicken “raked through the garden” and paired with a mango curry sauce. They cook each bowl to order, so call ahead if you need the order to-go. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 11215 Manchester Rd. 314-315-4421, hotpotsmoothie.com.
Frida’s
This place is all vegetarian, and some dishes are straight-up vegan. Frida’s “zoodles” (noodles made from thin pieces of zucchini) dishes are cooked to absolute perfection, and the sunflower seed tacos will make a carnivore question her purpose in life. Wash it down with a glass of the infused water of the day. And whatever you do, try the chocolate walnut torte. You can thank me later. Tues-Sat 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 622 North and South Road. 314-727-6500, fridasdeli.com
Seedz Cafe
Founded by a former Whole Foods Market buyer and his partner, Seedz Cafe gets its name from the Shel Silverstein classic The Giving Tree. The entire menu at Seedz is 100 percent organic with a seasonal selection of plant-based dishes and an impressive juice and smoothie bar. My favorite part of the menu is the Incredible smoothie, made with bananas, maca, dates, and cacao. Want an actual meal and not just a power smoothie? Order yourself the Raw Pad Thai (zucchini noodles in a basil garlic peanut sauce) or the Rawfreddo (zucchini noodles tossed with cashew cream and pesto), and round out your meal with an antioxidant-loaded raw brownie. Tues-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 6344 S Rosebury St. 314-735-7333, seedzcafe.com.
Russell’s Café & Bakery
While not particularly a “health food” restaurant, Russell’s Café, with locations in Fenton and in SoHa, has enough healthy options on the menu (and a homey atmosphere) to make this list. The Farmer’s Stand Salad with mixed wild greens, sun-dried cranberries, candied walnuts and sliced apple is, in my opinion, the best thing on the menu and my staple order whenever I visit. The Balsamic Garden Wrap is simple and delicious, with mixed greens, bell pepper, and kalamata olives tossed in balsamic vinaigrette in a whole wheat wrap. If you’re a meat-eater, I recommend the chicken salad sandwich, made with boneless, skinless chicken roasted in-house and loaded with rosemary, walnuts, red grapes, onion, and celery mixed with a light mayo. Mon-Thurs 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 952 Brookwood Center, Fenton, and 5400 Murdoch Ave., St. Louis. russellscafe.com.
Revel Kitchen
Want healthy options but also want to please your most carnivorous friends? Revel Kitchen is your place! It uses healthier options of grass-fed beef and butter, though some dishes have a decidedly vegetable focus. Try the gluten-free buffalo chicken mac and cheese with a butternut squash sauce, or for a vegetarian option order the Roasted Roots Bowl. Check out Revel’s online calendar to locate its food truck, and watch out for its newest location, soon to open in Brentwood. Thurs-Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 2837 Cherokee Street. 314-932-5566, eatrevelkitchen.com.
Tree House
Tree House has a bit of a rep’ for convincing that meat-eater in your squad that there is life outside of bacon. The restaurant puts its own unique twist on a vegetarian menu with interesting flavor combinations, such as the Brussels sprouts salad with house-made chili vinaigrette and the tamale entree with black bean mole sauce. It keeps its local vibe by serving Goshen coffee, from an organic, sustainable roaster out of Edwardsville. Tues-Sun 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-10 p.m. 3177 S Grand Blvd. 314-696-2100, treehousestl.com.
Lulu’s Local Eatery
In the heart of the coolest part of South Grand, this place is a gem. Lulu’s Local Eatery serves local and organic ingredients whenever possible, and all sauces are made from scratch. Lulu’s is a completely vegan restaurant, replacing non-vegan items like cheese with tasty alternatives, such as butternut squash cheese sauce or walnut parmesan. The winter quinoa bowl with cranberries, walnut parm, and kale pesto is the dish of my hippie dreams. Follow their food truck on Twitter @lulusfoodtruck so you can find their food truck for some Lulu’s on the go. Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. 3201 S. Grand Blvd. 314-300-8215, luluslocaleatery.com. Closed for the holidays until Jan. 3.
PuraVegan Cafe
PuraVegan Cafe is 100 percent vegan and definitely the place to go if your New Year’s resolutions are more holistic than just making better food choices. Not only do they serve large portions, delicious smoothies and a cashew/date-filled take on a twix bar, they also have a small store with books and vegan clothing options, a donation yoga class, health coaching, and cooking classes! Seriously, if you are ready to make 2016 your health awakening year, you need to check out this place now. Tues-Fri 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 307 Belt Ave. 314-932-5144, puravegan.com.
Sweet Art
While mostly a place you go for sweets (hence the name), this isn’t your typical cupcake spot. What sets this place apart? For starters, the cupcakes might include sweet potatoes or blackberries, and the gluten-free and vegan offerings change each day, so there is always something new. The lunch staple is the Sweet Burger, made with lentils, and even the bun is made from scratch in house. Come in early on Saturday if you want breakfast because Sweet Art stops serving food once brunch is sold out. Tues-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 2203 S 39th Street. 314-771-4278, sweetartstl.com.
Whisk: A Sustainable Bakeshop
When you really want a cupcake but you’re trying to get right with your health choices, head on over to Whisk. In the heart of Cherokee street, this bakery has all-natural, seasonal flavors for every sweet tooth. Gluten-free and vegan options are available for health-conscious people who don’t want to miss out on that super indulgent taste. Whisk has a booth at the Tower Grove Farmer’s Market, in case you feel the need for a treat while you shop. In the summer, be sure to try their frozen fruit pops. My favorite last season was the apricot ginger. Wed-Sun 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 2201 Cherokee Street. 314-932-5166, whiskstl.com.
Next time you’re hungry and want to feel good about what you are eating, check out these options around St. Louis. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.
Here’s to a healthy and delicious 2016!
Amanda Kintz is a registered nurse, a veggie-loving wife and mom, and author of the blog Crunchy Hippie Life. She can usually be found eating delicious food or drinking yet another cup of coffee.
