Buy Walking VideosLiving Cuisine Raw Food Bar
As I was reading this restaurant review, imagine my surprise that the national news was doing a review of a restaurant in my hometown of Salt Lake City. I was even more surprised when I found out that the cafe in question was just down the street from my house.
Of course, Mike and I ate at the restaurant the next day. Mike ordered the Hummus on Romaine Lettuce Leaves and I ordered the Falafel Salad. I was curious to find out how they were going to manage making Falafel without frying it. It turns out that they dehydrate the Falafel until they are like thin crumbly chips. The food was excellent.
The story was repeated within our presence. Mike and I waited at the table for our order and listened to Omar tell the mystical story of his conversion to Raw Food. He made it sound like a religion. He was visited in a dream by a woman he had never known before. In the dream, the woman handed him a book. Later, Omar realized that the woman from his dream was a real live woman. At this point, all of this sounds like an elaborate pick-up line. It went wrong for Omar, however, because the woman was married. She DID hand him a pamphlet on Raw Food, though. That was the moment that changed his life.
He gave up on his geophysicist training and ended up in Salt Lake City, Utah, opening the Living Cuisine, Raw Food Bar. As far as the food goes, it tasted really good, but we didn’t see Omar prepare it. There were two employees in the back making the food. Omar seemed to be the “personality” of the cafe, talking up the customers and telling his story.
Our trip to Living Cuisine was an interesting one. I always find it fascinating when food and religion become so intertwined that they become one jumbled mess. It’s like dinner theater and the Gospel Brunch all mixed in one.
Living Cuisine
Located inside Herbs For Health
2144 South Highland Dr (1100 East)
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
Phone 801-466-0332
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January 19th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
The best eating experience I have had all year. You lose track of time in the restaurant because you are so in the moment of eating and enjoying the peaceful environment. You feel like you are walking on air when you leave.
My favorite food in the world is in this restarant and the owners create the best enviroment.
Yummy!!!!
January 22nd, 2006 at 7:58 pm
I eat raw but not for spiritual reasons- I want to get healthy and lose weight, among other things. Unfortunately I have yet to visit any raw restaurants. We have one near where I live and your post makes me even more eager to visit it. I think raw restaurants and cafes are great ways for people new to eating raw to see what can be done with raw food. Thanks for the post! -Allison Allison’s Raw Odyssey
March 3rd, 2006 at 7:30 pm
yum yum yum i just started my raw (vegan) diet (after just being a vegetarian) and my boss told me of “omars place”, after being some what reluctant in fear of it costing alot… (though i like sages.. its defiantly nicer to the wallet then there) …. but it has great prices, great ample amount of food… and better yet it tastes great.
January 15th, 2007 at 8:40 am
My vegan friend took me to this restaurant just a few days ago. I have to say, as a non-vegan or vegitarian I was somewhat skeptical as to whether or not it would be food I would enjoy. I had a Lebanese Wrap, a special offered off of the menu, that had hummos, tons of veggies, and spices all wrapped up in raw collard greens. It was absolutely amazing! I also tried the brocolli soup, which I thought would be interesting since it was not cooked, and it too was very good. I would visit this place on my own. The food is amazing, and Omar is a treat to visit with. I would recommend this place to anyone, vegan or not! =)
January 15th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Where have you gone Omar?
Would be eating at your establishment if I knew where you moved to?
January 16th, 2008 at 6:42 am
They moved just a block south on Highland.
April 13th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
i went here yesterday and got a hemp smoothie in the morning and then later returned in the evening and got the pizza.. i really enjoyed my time spent here! the food was exceptional and all of the employees were so vibrant.. if you’re into raw– you will not be let down here!
October 9th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I have spent the last year on a very long, wonderful journey to finding my health- as i was in very poor health. I had heard of the “raw food bar” from a friend a long time ago but never went to check it out because it sounded strange to me. But through my journey, and coming to a raw foot diet, i remembered her mentioning it.
I went in yesterday and had the seaweed wraps and the Falafel Salad. Both were absolutely amazing. As i was eating them, i couldn’t believe that it was all raw delicious food!! They taste so good i almost feel guitly! And 100 times better than any cooking that I’ve done this far. It is a very exciting enviroment for anyone interested in the lifestyle or in healthy food in general. Omar is very friendly and the whole atmosphere is very energetic. Great people.
I can’t wait to take my friends there:)