Situated in the heart of Bloor West Village, the Black Rabbit Fresh Food Café is a refreshing change from the local pub grub fare that decorates the neighbourhood. Catering to the health conscious consumer in the area, the Black Rabbit offers an assortment of soups, salads and sandwiches along with amazing baked goodies and desserts. They also serve organic coffee, tea, espresso and fresh juices and smoothies by Joyous Health.
“Committed to serving local, natural, organic, healthy and delicious real food”, is the mission statement and foundation of what the Black Rabbit Fresh Food Café has built its successes on. Nutritious, family-oriented, creative, friendly and yummy are the adjectives that best describe my wonderful experience at the Black Rabbit.
As soon as you walk in the door you are greeted with smiling faces, the staff are extremely friendly and attentive.
The ambiance and décor is clean, earthy and elegant with a very eclectic feel of café casual or upscale dinning, whatever the mood or occasion may command. As you are being seated, you can’t help but admire the beautiful artwork showcased on the walls, which by the way, are from local artists. You are then seated at these simply stylish, locally sourced, hand crafted wood tables. As you take it all in, it doesn’t take long to notice that the owners are committed to their communities and to making a difference.
Meet the Owners
Brothers Peter and Alex Kiriakapoulos, whose family has been in the café business for 50 years.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Peter during my visit (in the picture below it’s Peter with 4 of us ladies from The Naked Label). He said, “I wanted to open up a place that is a reflection of my own kitchen, a place where I can share the way I eat.” This desire is reflected in the menu items – good home cooked meals that nourish the mind and body.
Meet the Culinary Artist/Chef
Adam Wisniewski, previously of Lucien
What’s Cooking?
Local, organic foods with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.
The Menu
The menu items are rotated based on freshness, quality and ingredient availability. There are two different salads and soup varieties daily and their staple sandwiches. All the ingredients are organic and sourced from local farmers in the area.
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Freshly Squeezed
Our palates were primed with three juices: Liquid Sunshine, Detox and Immune Boost, all three were delicious and refreshing.
Soup
Next we tried the Potato Nettle Puree – talk about a creative combination!
The nettle and the potato combination were a great compliment. The nettle is locally sourced from Pyramid Farms in Prince Edward County, Ontario. Stinging Nettle has been long used for its medicinal herbal properties and in cooking the young leaves are used.
Health Benefits: Stinging Nettle contains prostaglandins which have properties that support resistance to inflammation. Nettle leaf also contains high levels of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and beta carotene and high amounts of the vitamins A, C, D, and B complex.
Salads
After the soup, we lightened up our palates with two delicious salads: The Persia Salad – made of bulgur that is locally sourced and selected based on its high grade quality, tomato, soy bean, feta and spinach and the Quinoa Tabouleh salad.
The salads were outstanding. I have never tasted bulgur quite like that before. Bulgur is a Middle Eastern grain that is a great source of protein and fibre – it has more fiber than oats, buckwheat, or corn.
Sandwiches that you can really sink your teeth in!
Bring your appetite and taste buds, the sandwiches are out of this world!
Hopper – avocado, feta, capers, olives, kale, aioli, beets, yogurt sauce, eggs.
Bloor BQ – inspired by a vegetable burger, this lentil patty inspired sandwich will never leave you yearning for another beef burger again!
Smoothie
Next we cleansed our palates with an almond nut smoothie that contained little chunks of dates, called The Silky Mama. This was just a precursor of what was to follow.
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Sweets
Last but not least, the “plat de résistance” – but there would be no resisting from me – the most decadent Sweets.
Let me begin by saying that they delivered without disappointment. Decadent and nutritious, these desserts left you wanting more.
Decadent brownies – sweet and salty – made with organic cocoa and a pinch of Himalayan sea salt.
Coconut power balls – packed with power nutrients, like ginger, nuts, and coconut – this nutrient dense treat would also be an excellent start to your day or a post workout treat.
As I graciously finished up the last bit of my dessert, I couldn’t help but feel happy. My belly and being were in complete harmony. And this is what good, nutritious food prepared with love and integrity does to you. It is healing to the body and soul.
Black Rabbit Fresh Food Café left me wanting more. This is a great family-friendly restaurant and place to frequent. Not only are you getting an excellent, nutritional meal but you become part of the movement towards supporting your community. The key to being healthy and living a healthy life is a lot easier than we think. It’s about getting back to basics and the Black Rabbit Fresh Food Café has done exactly that.
For more information visit their website at: http://blackrabbitcafe.ca/
This review was written by the avid learner, sweet and fabulous holistic nutritionist-to-be, Laura Iamundo. We at The Naked Label can’t get enough of Laura’s bright energy, love of holistic nutrition and constant dedication to helping everyone change the way they eat and see themselves.
Have you been to Black Rabbit Fresh Food Cafe? Share your thoughts about your experience & tell us about your favorites in the comment section below! If you know of anyone else who enjoys eating healthily with locally sourced ingredients, or could benefit from hearing more about Black Rabbit, please share this review with them on the facebook & twitter links below so they can discover this gem also! We’re loving you for it!
