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REVIEWS - Juice For Life

Phone: (416)531-2635
521 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON

*also-
Phone: (416)599-4442
336 Queen Street West

This is a place that I would be proud to own. Despite the funky atmosphere, and the outright "coolness" of the place, it never comes off as being pretentious. It's a great hangout for a wintry day (air con would help in the summer though) and it is one of the most popular vegetarian restaurants in Toronto.

A huge assortment of various Juices and Smoothies that blend fruits, vegetables and tinctures are what take up the large banner menu above the serving bar. One kind of beer (Upper Canada Lager) is served and one kind of red wine (served in water glasses). Many of the concoctions are given creative monikers such as "Hangover Helper", "Lust for Life", "100 Metre Dash" and "Liquid Oxygen". Negril Beach and Lust For Life are 2 of our favourites (Coconut milk, mango, banana in a Negril Beach and Mango, Banana, Kiwi, Blueberries and ginseng for some Lust).

Despite the juicy name, it's the food that has been J4L's pulling point though. Large portions and interesting combinations at very reasonable prices pull in University students, and yorkville-ites alike.

The Salads are meals in themselves, and oftentimes I have been satisfied with one alone. The Caesar (vegan of course) is very tart with a very citrusy tang.

Some of our favourite appetizers include the sweet-potato fries and the spring rolls. The spring rolls are served with a sweet sauce that causes my eyes to roll back in their sockets. I've seen friends lick the bowl at the end of the appetizer course, so as to continue savouring the sweet and slightly hot sauce. Another popular appetizer is the miso fries (potato fries doused with miso sauce) which are great when you want to fill up with some stodge.

There are a number of main course selections with a wide variety of characteristics. You can have plain-old pizza, but there are so many interesting variations...I saw one spinach pizza that was virtually a mound of cooked spinach on top of the pizza. It was well received.

There are a number of different variations on the "Veggie Burger" with the same patty being used on each but with a variation on the "treatment". Mushroom Onion Burger (Almond grain and vegetable burger topped with fried mushrooms, onions, herbs, tomatoes and lettuce) and the Thai Burger (thai peanut sauce, cilantro, green onion and bean sprouts) top our faves list.

The Rice/Noodle Section of the menu is eclectic. A number of different variations of ingredients served with Rice (Soba Noodles can be substituted also). Piled high, the various veggies seem to go on forever, but once you finish your veggies - you're treated to wonderfully rich, flavourful sauces that have dropped through to soak the rice/noodles.

Of the rice dishes, the Tantric (avocado, marinated arame, red pepper, cucumber, pea green and fenugreek sprouts, green onions, roasted pumpkin seeds and wasabi sesame sauce with organic basmati rice) is my favourite.

A close favourite is the Free Tibet (marinated tempeh, spinach, basmati rice, tahini sauce, white pickled ginger, tamari, buckwheat sprouts, toasted sesame seeds).

I haven't touched on the tofu steaks, or the indian dosas and the list goes on and on an on. A wide variety of very exciting food, in a funky, hip atmosphere.

The staff have always been extremely friendly, and willing to help make suggestions for those who aren't used to such a wide assortment. A Juice For Life Cookbook is also available, and having tried a number of them - I've been pleasantly surprised that the results are legitimate (hint: buy the book, but go there and eat anyway). Great Place!

groovegan rating: *****

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