By Jessica Sluys
Lyfe Kitchen Review
Everyone knows Dallas is home to some of the best burgers, steakhouses, and Tex-Mex around, but what about the people who opt to be a little more health-conscious? The ones who choose salad over french-fries or would rather have whole wheat bread instead of sourdough. Just where are they supposed to eat happily ever after? A perfect choice for the slightly pickier yet healthier human being can be found right in the heart of Uptown next to the Magnolia Theater. It’s a magical place known as Lyfe Kitchen.
The people at Lyfe Kitchen believe great food can do amazing things. They take pride in making quality food taste fantastic using only locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. If you know anyone who has a hard time eating well because healthy food “just doesn’t taste as good,” take that person to Lyfe Kitchen and watch in wonder at how quickly taste buds are surprised and minds are changed. It’s just that good. And if you’re vegan or gluten-free, no worries. Lyfe puts a marker next to each menu item to make it easy for customers with particular diets to know what they may and may not have.
Just in case the food isn’t healthy enough, there are plenty of inspirational quotes plastered across all the walls of the restaurant, so you can feed your mind as well as your body with all sorts of positivity during your dining experience. The layout is very hip, modern, and clean so patrons can enjoy their wholesome, fresh food in an equally wholesome and fresh environment. There’s also a patio area where Lyfe-goers can bask in some beautiful sunshine on a pleasant day where local musicians sometimes play. This area is also welcoming to four-legged friends. Anytime Fido needs a Scooby Snack, bring him on down to Lyfe Kitchen where you can both get your fill.
For my personal Lyfe experience, I decided to start my day off right and sample some of the delectable options Lyfe’s breakfast menu has to offer. Their Spinach & Avocado Frittata is a crowd favorite, but I wound up ordering the Quinoa Buttermilk Pancakes as well as a Greek Yogurt Bowl and was not disappointed by either selection. Drizzled with pure maple syrup and sprinkled with fresh berries, the quinoa pancakes were far too sweet to be considered healthy. But with each mouthwatering morsel I consumed, I took great guilt-free pleasure in knowing I was giving my body the nutrients it needed and my tongue the taste it so craved. It was heaven. The Greek Yogurt Bowl was no exception. I gobbled up those blueberries, pomegranate, chia seeds, and toasted almonds faster than you could say, “Where’d my Greek yogurt go?”
The best way to wash down a breakfast of such caliber is with a refreshing Lyfe Water. I chose the Cucumber Mint Water and couldn’t help but feel more rejuvenated with each passing sip. There are plenty of other great beverages to choose from including smoothies, juices, lemonades, coffee, tea and even local craft beer and wine. (Hey. It’s five o’clock somewhere.) Don’t forget to check out the special seasonal options Lyfe has to offer, too. There are always new flavors and items being added so the menu stays as fresh as the produce.
The lunch and dinner options definitely offer more variety. My personal favorite is the Lyfe Veggie Burger with Daiya vegan cheese. If you’re in the mood for something a little heavier, you might like the Chicken, Mushroom, & Spinach Penne. And don’t forget to ask about the Banilla Shake for desert. You could always order a warm chocolate chip cookie to dunk in your shake if you’re feeling adventurous. Food for thought. And thoughts for food!
The cool thing about Lyfe Kitchen is I not only love the food, the people, and the atmosphere, but I also love what Lyfe stands for. It’s all about being healthy and environmentally friendly. It’s a place I can feel good about supporting. Lyfe helps make other lives better, and I think we can all agree that that’s how it’s supposed to be.
