Tao Organics Cafe Restaurant Review

TAO Organics Cafe! WOW Organics more like it. This place is such a pleasure from the moment you step foot into Tao’s wonderland. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect because I had a feeling it was going to be a small, quaint spot, and it’s slightly hidden in a courtyard of an old brick office-like building in North Vancouver. However, don’t be fooled by it’s somewhat outdated surroundings and hidden location; Tao does not disappoint! 

There is something very genuine and cozy about Tao that I discovered within the first few moments of stepping foot into the cafe. From the communal wooden tables to the open-concept kitchen and service-front, everything about Tao invites you into it’s warm, organic arms. A lot of aspects come into play when feeling out a new restaurant and trying to figure out whether or not it’s a winner. One of my main criteria is congruency. It’s not necessarily always about the wow factors of bright lights and state-of-the-art decorations and equipment. Those things can be important, but they are not a requirement. In Tao’s case, the elements and patterns that define it are felt throughout the cafe. Sustainable, environmental, organic, fresh, raw, delicious and warm. This factor is truly emphasized when you hear the friendly, Quebecois voice of Tao’s owner and magical mind behind it’s creation, Agat Eva Mathieu.

Meet Owner and Creator, Agat!

Agat really does “walk the talk” when it comes to an environmentally conscious, grass-roots business. Tao has been in business for almost 1 year now, but Agat has been living this life since fall 2003, as a raw foodie. She was introduced to the lifestyle through a friend, Victoria, who lent her the book, “12 Steps to Raw”. She read it front to back in an evening. What really attracted Agat to the raw food lifestyle was the issue of ailments growing as she aged. Within three months of eating raw food the arthritis, rashes, bumps on her arms and foggy vision had all disappeared. Agat is so dedicated to living and breathing this lifestyle, that she even sleeps in a Cabana outside, which her brother built for her in 2004. For Agat, it’s all about giving your body the tools to live, as she says it “the body is amaaaazing”. What started out as a health-inspired change has become a true lifestyle, encompassed through her love for the planet and in creating a future for her children. “I have three children and wish to build a planet for them and their children to live on”.

Tao Organics Undressed!

There’s a lot that goes into Tao Organics. Agat’s vision for Tao Organics is to continue to build a product and platform that the community can follow and be inspired by. Agat’s passion truly lies in education; building a platform which she can use to inspire others to carry-forth this lifestyle in their homes and communities around the world. Simply put, in Agat’s words, “whatever you eat downstairs, or eat in a class, you will be able to make the same at home”. All of the products and food that is served at Tao’s is 100% organic and sourced as locally as possible.

The menu is filled with delicious, raw, colourful dishes that will satisfy any and all taste preferences. Breakfast, lunch, salads, juices, smoothies and desserts galore! Along with the cafe, Tao offers an abundance of products which range from all of the food and dishes that you can find on the menu, along with bulk ingredients and equipment! You can even find the amazing glass straws for smoothies and juices on the shelves of the Tao store. 

Onto the food!

Agat recommended that I bring along a friend to the review and within the first five minutes of entering Tao, it was clear as to why she insisted. We were warmly greeted by Agat and my fellow holistic nutritionist colleague, Michelle, who works in the kitchen preparing all the wonderful eats. Once seated, Agat brought along a large plate of goodies which included the famous Rawkin Pizza and Gaia Burger. Sam and I came with eager appetites, so the first plate of food disappeared pretty quickly, leaving us licking our lips in pure excitement. The pizza is a gluten-free, sprouted buckwheat crust which is topped with Tao’s famous dill nut cheese (which you can also buy in a glass jar), sweet chili sauce and an array of fresh, raw vegetables. This was definitely one of our top favourite foods of the experience.

The Gaia Burger is a hearty patty made from sprouted sunflower seeds, walnuts and almonds, topped with a similar list of ingredients as the Rawkin Pizza.

The next platter Agat brought to our picnic table included their incredible Felafel Wrap and one of raw food’s best-sellers, The Real Lasagna. Simple flavours and wonderful taste is what characterizes the felafel wrap. True to an authentic felafel, this dish comprises of a felafel, smothered in Tao’s nut cheese and wrapped in lettuce with tomato, cucumber and sprouts. Meanwhile, the Real Lasagna is one you’ll have to try for yourself to really understand what raw lasagna is all about. Lots of love and fresh ingredients are what go into this ‘health-i-fied’ version of the famous Italian pasta dish. When it comes to raw pasta, you’ve got to “see it to believe it” or in this case, taste it to love it. Let’s just put it this way, raw zucchini noodles will change your life! Tao’s Lasagna is dressed with their nut cheese, house-made marinara sauce, marinated mushrooms and spinach.

Before we had a chance to feel full, Michelle graced us with yet another dish, this time embracing a more Japanese theme. Tao’s Nori Rolls, Tao’s Vegetable Crackers and my favourite, the Parvati’s Roll. They may look simple, but when it comes to raw food, simple is wonderful.

Parvati’s Roll is Tao’s take on a vegetable spring roll, however it is raw, and wrapped in Collard leaves. For me, the star of this dish is a mouth-watering spicy sweet raisin chutney (which luckily, you can also buy at the Tao store)!

At this point, Agat brought us each a beautiful, awe-inspiring dish. The crepe. This is no regular crepe. The texture of the crepe is so amazing that it’s hard to believe that it’s raw and made of only coconut meat, grounded flax and apples! They were filled with marinated apples, berries and topped with the most delicious maple, coconut cream you will ever taste! If you have a sweet tooth at all, this will never, ever disappoint!

By this point, Sam and I had really begun to slow down. Agat sat down with us to chat about her life, love and passions while Michelle prepared us each a fresh juice.

I got the Apple Ginger Ale juice (apple, lemon, ginger and cayenne) while Sam couldn’t help but order the Royal Green (mango and kale) after Agat told us the story of how she encouraged children to eat kale through adding it with mango in a smoothie!

What a way to get someone to eat their greens!

Final Notes on the Wonders of Tao

The charm that is Tao extends throughout the cafe from the food, to the decoration to the people who are a part of it’s creation. Family, community and love are what make up Tao- and it becomes even more apparent by the fact that Agat’s beautiful mother works in the kitchen, making the soup and helping out in leading the food preparation. Agat’s mother has always been a pivotal part of her life, “my mother taught me about food and the layers of flavour, the bite, the aftertaste; she is a beautiful cook”.

If you have a love for raw food, an itch for a new delicious spot in the city to fill your belly or any interest in warm, healthy, sustainable restaurants, I whole-heartedly encourage you to give Tao Organics a try! Grab a seat on one of their friendly, communal picnic tables and order yourself one of those delicious raw delights, and even more, share some with a friend!

Part of the magic of raw food is the benefits that manifest after the meal. You feel great, you feel energized and your body loves you! Let us know your comments about this article! We would love to hear your opinions on raw food: do you love it? Have you tried it? Also, have you been to Tao before? Are you excited to check it out? Be sure to share this on Facebook and Twitter to spread the word about Tao and Agat and help friends find this amazing gem of a place hidden in North Vancouver! If you are at all intrigued and find your mouth watering from this review, stop in and say Hi to Agat, she’s waiting!