#root cafe

Chipotle Bacon Cheeseburger. The Root Cafe. Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.23.2020.

MENU DESCRIPTION: Grass Roots bacon, chipotle mustard, stout braised onions, cheddar.

NOTE TO SELF: (I’m doing my best to not let the fact that we waited over an hour for this meal to come out even though there were never more than two other tables at the restaurant.) My initial response was that this wasn’t what I ordered because it didn’t have bacon on it. Turns out, the bacon is chopped into little bits and mixed in with the onions. Not impressed. Pretty plain. 

Smoked Shitakes. The Root Cafe. Little Rock, Arkansas. 7.20.2019.

MENU DESCRIPTION:  Marinated and smoked Sweden Creek shiitakes, served with cornbread, purple hull pea relish, and braised greens

NOTE TO SELF: Peas and cornbread are delicious, obviously, but to order this again, I would need for food to be on the whole plate. I’m a grown man.

thursday night in the 216

who wants to hang out and get a carmilla fix?

sadly it’ll only be for the finale

double sadly we won’t be at the VIP party

i’ll be chillin’ in lakewood around 5:30

come to Root and watch with me!

we can cuddle and watch and cry

I wonder if they have anyone in there that actually is gluten-intolerant, or bakes g/f at home. I can't figure out what flour they use, but they insist it's almond flour. It tastes a bit like potato flour. I also think that they're looking for the same consistency as non-g/f foods, but that's very hard to master. They might be overcompensating with the flour, or perhaps they really like the taste of the flour. I'm not a huge fan of pastry items that just taste like flour, but that's a personal opinion. I wonder what it would taste like if they used a milder flour. I want to suggest it to them, but I don't want to be that customer. They probably won't listen to me, and/or they'll kind of not like me after that, I'd think. Still, it's the only place in the area that I can get fresh (not-frozen and chock full of preservatives) gluten-free foods.

Root Cafe in Lakewood is the type of cafe you’d expect on Coventry. With large windows, butter yellow walls, chalkboards shaped like hearts and carrots, and multiple vegan and gluten free options, Root is warm, welcoming, and just a little bit crazy. If Root was your neighbor, it’d be the sightly batty artist who gives out oat bars on Halloween that actually taste good.   

The service was super accommodating, going out of their way to move tables and chairs to fit our large group of seven. They were more than willing to explain the menu, giving pointers on the best dishes and coaching me on the difference between herbal teas and tisanes.  

All menu options are vegetarian, and quite a few are vegan. Everything my group ordered was devoured and praised, even by newcomers to “veggie” food. There’s no need to travel to Ohio City for great drinks: Root brews Rising Star coffee, and has its own vegan syrups made with almond, rice, or soy milk. Tea drinkers don’t despair: Root’s teas and tisanes have their own three page menu!

Unlike other cafes, Root brings you your food right at the table. Drinks are handed over the counter. Everything is on porcelain. Teas and tisanes come with roomy saucers that are placed on top of the cup to keep it warm while it steeps. 

Root’s lavender tisane ($3.15) is stress relief in a cup. My lavender tisane smelled wonderful and tasted the same. Some teas can be dry, but this was smooth and soft, with a light taste of lavender that was just enough to be calming. The effect was soothing, like drinking a lullaby. 

The “On the Road” sandwich ($7) (beets, caramelized onions, goat cheese, and spinach) was the best vegetarian sandwich I’ve had in a while.  The fresh, whole grain bread was toasted one side and crunched when I bit into it. The warmth of the beets and onions melted the cheese and wilted the spinach. The plate was peppered with a dusting of fresh rosemary. All the flavors melded together, but remained separate. 

  Meat eaters may be looking for something more, but vegetarians and anyone in need of a study space and fantastic tea and coffee will come to Root.  

Location: 15118 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, Ohio 44107

Atmosphere: Causal

Price: Sandwiches range from $5 to $10. Most are around $7. Coffees range from $1.50 to $2. Teas are $3.15.    

Best for: Casual lunch with friends, studying.

Service: 10/10