I’m currently in our hotel room in Palo Alto watching Kyle nap. It’s not as creepy as it sounds. We woke up crazy early to get to Stanford for a weekend thing, and since I snoozed for 45 minutes on the way, he is getting his own beauty rest now so we are on level playing fields (sleep-wise).
After doing Jillian Michaels’ yoga at 4:30 am I guzzled a Starbucks soy misto on the road. My on-the-go breakfast consisted of an apple and Larabar. Which explains why we were ready to grub when we finally arrived at our destination.
First we had to swing by this small company to say hi to our friend Mark.
Have you heard of him? [kidding] A friend was meeting another friend here so after we dropped him off at facebook, Kyle and I skedaddled off to lunch.
Knowing my food preferences, a friend recommended Sprout Cafe to me and I was in love as soon as I saw the place. It is conveniently located block from our hotel (and in a very cute part of town I might add – reminded me of a union of Santa Monica and Santa Barbara).
Busy much? Apparently everyone else feels the same way about this place.
The concept is simple – salads and other cafe fare made quickly to order. In other words, fast food that’s not “fast food.”
They have a long station for salad assembly, similar to many places I’ve been ton in NYC. Unlike NYC (or other chopped-style restaurants), the ingredients are exceptional. I’m talking toasted pumpkin seeds, dried currants, mango, roasted butternut squash, brussel sprouts, fresh buffalo mozzarella, etc. The list of ingredients goes on and on…and that’s just salads.
They also have Mighty Leaf tea (love) and natural beverages aplenty.
I stuck to the (free) cucumber water, while Kyle went with the fresh lemonade.
Goodies.
After debating between 5 different salads on the menu (they all looked so good!), I finally decided to make my own.
I’ve never been so excited about so many ingredients for a salad. This was like the Whole Foods hot bar on crack. It was veg lovers paradise.
In the end, I made a beautiful creation with:
- baby spinach lettuce
- bean sprouts (you have to get sprouts at a place called Sprout Cafe)
- quinoa
- grapes
- carrots
- red bell peppers
- jicama
- dried cranberries
- roasted butternut squash
- avocado
- furikake crusted tofu
- balsamic vinaigrette
*I highlighted my favorites, although they were all absolutely perfect when combined together.
Seriously, this salad was SO good.
The crust on the tofu was divine, while the sweet grapes and savory roasted squash added some textural variation. Naturally, the quinoa and avocado packed a hearty and lasting kick to hold my appetite over.
The fresh sourdough bread was also super soft, and in the end the only thing I would have done is ask for more dressing (this is my own fault though since I ordered “light” dressing). For future Sprout Cafe diners, don’t worry that your salad will arrive doused in dressing if you order the normal amount.
Kyle got the Hunter salad with grilled marinated tri-tip steak, red onions, roasted bell peppers, avocado, aged sharp white cheddar cheese and bleu cheese dressing. He adored it as well.
And now we are off – I’m the (self designated) official cheerleader for Kyle’s basketball team!
That place looks awesome, wish there was one in NZ!
um, that looks awesome. i have been goign to school less than 30 min from stanford for almost 2 years now and have yet to actually go up there… fail. haha.
Just stopping by to tell you how much I’m loving your blog.
That restaurant looks soo good.
Oh my god. Will you two adopt me and take me there? I promise to cook, clean, and do any and all errands that you guys need done! This place reminds me of THE BEST salad bar I have ever been to… And do you know where it was? SANTA MONICA! I totally forgot to tell you about this place. It is in a big secret hiding spot on the lower floor of an office building but this place has like 100 options (no lie) of fresh, glistening produce to add to your salad. It was called Mrs. Winstons. You HAVE to go! 😀
That tofu looks to die for! 🙂
ohhhh my gosh! I need to go to lunch there!!
That crusted tofu looks AMAZING!
furikake crusted tofu looks awesome
have fun in Palo Alto. I have only been there twice each just for an afternoon but it looks like such a cool place to explore.
holy balls of salad! please tell me you didn’t have to pay per item haha
That tofu looks amazing! Love your sweet/savory salad ingredient choices! I would’ve never thought to add grapes to it!
I’m not sure if you’re into frozen yogurt, but if you are you’ve gotta try Fraiche while you’re in Palo Alto. They have soy! Their yogurt is homemade and simply amazing.
It seems like you always eat out at the best places. I am so jealous!
omg that looks like an amazing lunch!!! I’ve heard of so many people hitting up sprouts and I seriously want to try it out..if only they had one anywhere near me! That crusted tofu looks bomb. love it!
This place looks amazing….. it is such a travesty that I live in the Midwest lol. Glad you had a great meal… enjoy the rest of your weekend! 🙂
Wow your salad looks delicious!! I’ve never had sprouts before 🙁 I wish Miami had more healthy restaurants but we don’t =/
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