Upon entering The Plant Café Organic, the realization of having crossed the threshold from shopping mall to nutritious restaurant is immediate. The cement walls, pictures of painted flowers and agrarian attire of the waiters gives the impression of a wholesome restaurant that attracts the healthiest of consumers. The salubrious menu features unique items such as Chinese five spice tempeh or a PB and kale shake which contains pineapple, blueberries, kale and orange juice. The excess amount of odd vegetables mixed in with other ingredients can be either enticing to the buyer or a turn-off.

Plant attracts an adventurous eater, and those who shy away from foods they have never heard of should be warned before eating here. The cafe preaches organic, local, fresh, and affordable foods, although, in the latter category they faltered a bit. The 16-ounce smoothies start at a steep $6.75 with added supplements for an extra $1.25 each. The choice of supplement ranges from something as simple as almond butter to obscure items such as bee pollen or hemp protein. The multitude of raw organic juices and smoothies offer a wide range of options for what to drink. The Healthy Sunrise was a raw organic juice blend made with carrots, beets, orange, apple, and lemon. It was delicious but also very pure and rich
which made it flavorful, almost to a fault. Juices are all made with fresh fruits and vegetables and come in eight ounces ($4.75), 12 ounces ($6.25), or 16 ounces (7.75) As a fan of the classic banana and peanut-butter snack, I tried the banana almond shake, which consisted of bananas, almond butter, vanilla, and milk. The shake was thick, palatable, and packed with protein.

Next, I tried the Tuscan chicken panini, which ended up being less of a Panini and more of a sandwich on focaccia bread. The panini was no bargain either, at $10.75. Despite the costliness, the taste was of high caliber and worth the price. The panini contained fresh basil, local goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, and aioli. Accompanying the panini is a side salad with a lemon and olive-oil dressing. The sundried tomatoes were slightly blended so they seemed more like a sauce to garnish the chicken then an extra layer of the sandwich. They added a superior level of taste to the panini, along with the quality of the free-range, organic chicken. Along with panini’s, Plant offers a wide selection of other sandwiches, veggie burgers, salads, and curries.

Plant is a little pricey for the average Tam lunch outing, but for a venturesome healthy eater, it may be just the place. Located in the Strawberry Village Shopping Center off of 800 Redwood Highway, I would recommend giving Plant a try, if for nothing more than to say that you ate something you have never even heard of.