Belmonte Raw makes delicious gluten free, plant based meals using fair trade, local and organic produce that is sourced directly from the farmers. Continue reading the Belmonte Raw Restaurant Review to see if it looks good naked!
Meet the Fabulous Chef
Carol Belmonte, the chef and owner of Belmonte Raw, was inspired to become a chef and restaurant owner because she loves helping heal people through food. Before becoming a chef, Carol traveled around Asia studying, loving life and falling in love with food. Upon returning, she worked in the restaurant industry as a front-of-house employee but her passion to help others through raw food motivated her to get creative in the kitchen. In 2011, she did just that and her dream of Belmonte Raw became a reality. Carol’s scrumptious menu is inspired by Mother Nature, her personal meditation & curiosity and the healing power of food.
Belmonte Raw Undressed
At Belmonte Raw, they believe in the power of fair trade, local and organic produce that is sourced directly from the farmers. The menu is loaded with gluten free, plant-based vegan options that are very nut-centric and their signature juice cleanses are packed with phytonutrients that will help you lose weight, increase your energy and renew your zest for life! Combined, the mouth-watering dishes and juices will help you to detoxify and heal your overworked mind, body and spirit.
Who’s Hungry?
My friend Kailani and I went to Belmont Raw together. We were lucky enough to start our meal with a Green Juice, one of the most popular items on the menu. The Green Juice is crazy refreshing and has a delightful hint of sweetness. We also sampled the Refresh juice containing carrot, apple, beet, lemon and ginger which was earthy and delicious.
The appetizer for the meal was the Nachos, which is made of jicama – a crunchy, juicy root vegetable. The nacho meat is a nut based fusion full of spices that would fool even the biggest meat lover! The nachos are topped with a creamy cashew cheese sauce which I particularly liked. This dish was so unique and the fusion of flavors was amazing, making it my favourite dish of the night.
Next up was the Asian Slaw which is a vibrant dish bursting with color and nutrients. The main component of the slaw is purple cabbage accompanied by jicama, carrots and green beans. The slaw is topped with acai powder, goji berries and sunflower sprouts and comes with a tangy peanut tamarind sauce. This was Kailani’s favorite dish; the peanut sauce was so good she wanted to lick her plate clean!
The second main that we devoured was Carol’s favorite Madras Curry and Kale dish. The kale is treated like a paying guest at a spa as it is massaged in olive oil, salt and agave to cut the bitterness and soften it up. It is topped with a cauliflower based curry which contains tomatoes, cilantro, carrots and a cashew curry sauce. This is Carol’s favorite item on the menu because it reminds her of one of her teachers in India and the flavors and textures remind her of the beautiful country she traveled and studied.
Our delicious dinner was finished off with a Peanut Butter Thimble and a Comfort Smoothie. Carol’s handmade chocolates are another restaurant and chef favorite. They are made with a raw cashew based ganash which melts in your mouth and the peanut butter thimble is filled with Ontario peanuts. I tried to eat mine slowly to savor the flavors but I finished it way too fast, I could have eaten a dozen more! The Comfort Smoothie is made with bananas and almond milk and spiced with garam masala. The spice was really interesting and complemented the chocolate really well. To die for dessert, honestly.
The ambiance of Belmonte Raw truly sets the stage for a calming and relaxing dinner. Beautiful art hangs on the exposed brick wall and each table is adorned with a fresh flower. Carol was a lovely host who spoke with such passion as she described her dishes and the inspiration behind each one. The menu items are very original and reflect the culinary experience she gained on her travels. I think Belmonte Raw looks delicious naked!
Have you been to Belmonte Raw? Leave a comment letting us know what you ordered and what you thought!
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