When I fall off the gluten-free wagon, I fall off hard. And possibly permanently. The Native Foods event written about below took place on day 20, and I knew before I even arrived that I was going to eat everything on the menu live dangerously, gluten-wise. But, more on my three week gluten-free adventure in another post. With that teaser written, here is the story of my very enjoyable fall from GF grace.
I have written many times of my love of Native Foods, my favorite vegan restaurant, my disappointment when the Palm Desert location closed, my trips to other sites in Southern California, special occasions celebrated, my fear that the Palm Springs store would not re-open. In regards to the latter concern though, all my worries are over. Native Foods in Palm Springs will reopen on Tuesday! Even better, a few days ago I received this (click the photo for the full sized version):
Not only was I invited to the pre-opening party a few days before the grand opening, I was able to bring up to three friend along with me for a free meal to celebrate. I invited Alan, of course, and Megan, my vegan co-worker. I told her to bring a guest and she came with Renee, another co-worker. We met at Native Foods on Saturday at 6:00.
As we were checked in, we were handed a menu and told that we could each order an appetizer, entree, side, dessert, and beverage. Beer and wine were $2 each, with all proceeds going to a local charity.
As we walked into the restaurant, it seemed lighter and larger than before. They now offer counter service like the rest of the restaurants in the chain, so we stepped up to order. We decided to share appetizers, so we ordered one each of the Butternut Polenta Bites, Native Fries, Nuevo Native Nachos, and Native Chicken Wings (remember, despite the names, everything on the menu is 100% vegan – no animal products at all – you can see the complete menu here). I’ll let the pictures do the talking:
Butternut Polenta Bites
Native Chicken Wings
Nuevo Native Nachos
Native Fries
Dinner arrived before we were done with the appetizers, something that usually annoys me, but these were special circumstances. Pile that table with food!
We all ordered different entrees. I had the Bistro Steak Sandwich with fries, Alan had the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger, Megan the Twister Wrap, and Renee the Soul Bowl.
Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger
Bistro Steak Sandwich
Twister Wrap
Soul Bowl
By this time, we were pretty much all stuffed. We had selected our desserts when we first ordered, but I was too full to eat another bite. We boxed up our leftovers, including my pumpkin cheesecake. Alan and Megan managed to devour their Peanut Butter Parfaits, while Renee took his Oatmeal Cream Pie home to his daughter.
I admit it. Full or not I ate this Pumpkin Cheesecake as soon as we got home. Decadent!
We all agreed that our food was excellent. The staff was efficient and cheerful, and they seemed as happy as we were to be there. Our meals arrived quickly and everything was hot and delicious. The reviewers:
Bottom line? Native Foods is back and we’re all happy and excited! As the only vegan restaurant in the desert, they fill a huge hole that has been empty since they closed in February. The grand opening is Tuesday, November 20.
Have you been to Native Foods? If not you’re missing a treat. What is your favorite vegan restaurant?
Wow! Sounds wonderful! #jealous
Mindy Artze recently posted..No time? Need a quick fix?
It was a lot of fun. I felt special to be invited and who doesn’t love free food?
Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
oh my goodness, that just made me really hungry. It looks delicious and sounds like you all had a great time.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Thanksgiving Day Workout {Guest Post}
I’m already planning when I can go back for lunch
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Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
You had me at butternut polenta bites. Dang, please ask them to open in Santa Barbara. That all looks so good.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..How to Avoid Overeating on Thanksgiving
You’ve actually got a pretty good vegan restaurant in SB, Adama. But, they are opening all over so you never know.
PS Those polenta bites were scrumptious.
Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
restaurant openings are so fun! this one looks aewsome. so much delicious food!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Bean Bytes 15
I was so full! But I’m ready to go back for more now.
Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
Yay! I’m so happy for you that they’re open again! If you’re only going to have one vegan restaurant locally, you definitely lucked out that it’s Native Foods. I was just in Chicago this past weekend for a few days, and I ate at Native Foods three times. I had the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger, Cobb Salad, and the Reuben. It was all amazing as usual!
Cadry recently posted..Vegan Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Palm Springs was the original, back when Tanya started out. I was afraid for a while they weren’t going to reopen. I love the OK Bacon Cheeseburger. It’s one of the things I recommend to meat eating friends when they go to NF, it’s so rich and tasty. I’ll have to try the Reuben if they put it back on the menu. I never ordered it because I wasn’t a fan back when I ate meat, but people seem to go wild over it.
Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
I have never been to a Vegan restaurant before. Native Foods looks great…especially that soul bowl
Kierston recently posted..Stop and #ENJOY!
You’ll have to try a vegan restaurant someday. Lots of good stuff to try. (The soul bowl is delicious).
Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
This looks amazing! If we had this restaurant near my house I would be full as tick and poor a church mouse. It looks fabulous!
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Malibu Marathon Race Recap- November 2012
I love that saying. Your roots are showing
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Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
That place looks fabulous!
It is fabulous. I’m ready to go back already.
Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
wow look at all that food! can you say delicious!
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife recently posted..Magical Jelly Beans
Mmmmmm, delicious. And it was
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Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
OMG this looks AMAZING! I was trying for a fast day, but these pics are making me hungry :p
Elyse recently posted..Paleo and Me: My First Guest Post!
They make me hungry and I took them! To heck with fasting
Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
Haha! I love a good piece of restaurant love. This one looks like fun. That soul bol looks incredible. And the desserts…I’m sure I would have found room
Kate recently posted..I Sucked
The desserts were awesome. I don’t eat dessert very often, but I could eat that pumpkin cheesecake every day!
Debbie recently posted..Native Foods Is Back! Palm Springs Grand Pre-Opening
ALL OF THAT LOOKS YUMMY.
I had my first all vegan dinner the other night. Really good, as it should be. Thanks for the info.
Pavement Runner recently posted..Next Stop: A 4-photo story