Sunrise Cafe: A fun and conscious indulgence
Yellow Springs is known for their quaint and upscale dining
options. Most are organic and very conscious cuisine, a mix of vegan and
vegetarian, with free range, and filler free meats. Sunrise Café, located at 259
Xenia Avenue, is one of the most conscious and celebrated of these
establishments. All of their food is unprocessed, made fresh, and microwave
free. As I walked into Sunrise Café, I was greeted by a wall of teacups and the
smell of good food cooking. Each teacup had a similar color scheme, pattern, and
shape. They were indicative of the low-key, stylish but upscale attitude of the
place. It is a lovely little spot. The atmosphere has a fun and arty feel to it.
The walls are covered with photographs of cities and other special places, all
for sale as well. The walls are painted in a mix of colors, all making for a
warm environment.
I ordered coffee first. It was fair trade, and wonderful. As
soon as the small white tea cup was placed in front of me, the warming aroma of
the beans filled my welcoming nostrils. The coffee was smooth, dark, and rich
with flavor. It was well worth the dollar seventy-five. The wait for food was
little while, but it gave us time to converse. Talking and sipping coffee under
a lamp made of a vintage olive oil can is an unique and inviting experience.
When the food came out, we were all excited to indulge. I was
excited to try the Almond Coconut Dal. My plate was almost in the form of a
flag, three even strips of food- steamed broccoli, rice, and a lentil mix; with
two quarters of pita bread. The Dal was too mild for my taste. I had hoped for
more of a punch but it was still delicious anyway. It was good non-the-less. The
pita had a smoky flavor to it, and the Dal was flavorful. The broccoli was fresh
and vibrant. With a menu full of vegan and vegetarian options, I am sure there
are more flavorful choices. The price was also a little bit high but matched the
quality of the food as well as the effort involved.
Overall, I would rate the experience a 3 out of 5. It is a good
place to go to hang out and indulge a little. The consciousness of the
restaurant is highly respectable. The inviting atmosphere draws you in and makes
for a good experience. It is only the lack of spices in the food that bothered
me and the steep prices. However, it is still a fantastic place for a meal.
The Cafe's website: http://sunrisecafe-ys.com/