PALO ALTO EMBRACES HEALTHY FAST-CASUAL EATERIES
More and more people in the Silicon Valley are becoming consciously concerned about what they are eating. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and anti-inflammatory foods that are also pleasing to the palate are gaining popularity. In keeping with its blend of tradition meets innovation, Palo Alto is heeding the healthy, fast-casual food craze call with three new eateries, True Food Kitchen, Lemonade and Sweetgreen.
True Food Kitchen
180 El Camino Real Suite 1140
650-272-5157
Hours:
M-F 11am-10pm
Sat: 10am-10pm
Sun: 10am-9pm
Brunch: Sat & Sun 10am-4pm
True Food Kitchen is the newest of the three, having just opened its doors on El Camino Real near the Stanford Shopping Center in November. Serving “honest food that tastes really good,” the focus of True Food Kitchen is to offer a variety of flavor-forward, East meets West cuisine that appeals to everyone, whether they are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or none of the above. The menu at True Food Kitchen is based on the anti-inflammatory diet spearheaded by Dr. Andrew Weil, that optimizes health and longevity. The mantra at True Food Kitchen is that there shouldn’t be a difference between good food and food that’s good for you, and their creative, tantalizing menu definitely checks both of these boxes.
Lemonade
151 University Avenue
650-524-5028
Hours:
Open daily 11am to 9pm
Free 2-hour parking is available on High Street behind the restaurant
Lemonade opened in downtown Palo Alto in July 2016 in the space previously occupied by La Boulange. The Palo Alto location is one of six planned in the Bay Area. With over twenty SoCal locations, Lemonade owners/founders Chef Alan Jackson and Ian Olsen are expanding northward to share their seasonal, worldly cuisine in the Silicon Valley and Beyond. Lemonade is an “innovative fast-casual dining experience with a chef-driven menu that focuses on healthy, conscious, vegetable-centric eating”. Lemonade also offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options alongside slow-cooked, braised meats for those who desire protein with their meals. Salads, sandwiches and desserts are also found on the menu. The cafeteria-style eatery gets its name from their six signature lemonades, a perfect refreshment to enjoy on their outdoor patio.
Sweetgreen
581 Ramona Street #120
415-212-7385
Hours:
Open daily from 10:30am to 10pm
“A leader in the movement to make healthy food available to the masses,” Sweetgreen was founded in Washington DC in 2007 and has forty locations primarily on the East Coast. The chain made its way to downtown Palo Alto in May 2016, its second Bay Area location. The restaurant sources local, organic and sustainable foods to create seasonal dishes, scratch-made salads and warm grain bowls. Customers can choose from Signature Salads or design their own from an array of colorful, delicious ingredients all topped off with one of many gluten free, house-made dressings. Vegan and vegetarian menu options are also available. Sweetgreen has a casual counter-serve dining experience and also offers online ordering of their farm-to-table fare via DoorDash.
Palo Alto has embraced the healthy, fast-casual food movement that melds global, sustainable and seasonal fare that tastes as good as it looks. True Food Kitchen, Lemonade and Sweetgreen are three eateries offering flavorful, nutritious fare all located in or near its historic downtown.
