For some reason I haven’t written about the one restaurant I visit regularly. For me, it’s my “go-to” spot for something quick and healthy — especially if I’ve indulged in a greasy or heavy meal the day before. Fresh is my healthy fast food joint. While some people might choose a burger and fries as their backup meal, I go for the All Star salad (I feel like one when I eat it) with good stuff like quinoa, adzuki beans, kale, goji berries, herbs, nuts, sprouts, and grilled sweet potato and tofu, along with a giant bottle of Detoxifier juice with kale, spinach, parsley, celery, and apple.
With three locations in the city – and a fourth to open at Yonge and Eglinton this summer — Fresh is known for their modern vegetarian food and made-to-order juice. I am not a vegetarian and neither are the friends I take there. But everyone enjoys a meal that makes them feel good and the occasional fried foods that taste good and make you feel, well…good-ish. Yes, I’m looking at you, quinoa onion rings ($5.50) and sweet potato fries with miso gravy ($6.50).
If you’re reading this thinking, “yeah, I know this place. I’ve been there. They have good wraps and salads and green stuff.” Well, a new menu is launching on April 15th and it’s got even more green and good stuff. The Chipotle Bacon Burger with tempeh bacon and chipotle mayo will be new. So will the Tiger Bowl with Fresh’s new 369 dressing (featuring the healthy, antioxidant blend of 369 oil), grilled napa cabbage, crispy tofu and hot chili oil, or the Ace of Kales with marinated kale, tempeh bacon, avocado and jicama.
You can also expect a “green smoothies” section to the new menu. Maybe you’ll be craving a mid-day gojiccino; a cappuccino-like drink made with goji berries.
Fresh also has a small weekend brunch menu available with gluten-free pancakes, scrambled tofu, tempeh bacon and vegan sausages. Pair it with the popular Date Almond power shake made with almond butter, dates, maple syrup, banana, soy milk and cinnamon, and it’s not a bad way to start your day. Or make up for the night before.
Follow Fresh on Twitter: @freshonSpadina, @freshonBloor, @freshonCrawford
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