The Center Bistro
Profile
$$$ - expensive
American
Organic Vegan-Friendly Restaurant (just off Mill Ave in downtown Tempe)
The Center Bistro is the brainchild of head chef Damon Brasch (of Green Vegan Restaurant fame) and is a restaurant offering the finest organic, natural, hormone and pesticide free ingredients available. Though not strictly a Vegetarian restaurant, The Center Bistro has most items available as a Vegan option, (existing Vegan menu items are clearly marked with a “v”). They also attempt to accommodate any allergies or other special needs in preparing meals.
Appetizers include:
Raw organic hummus with raw power green pesto, accompanied by pita and apple chips, $6
Baked organic coconut tofu and blackened organic tempeh tower with organic grapefruit yuzu, $8
Wakame miso soup with organic bean curd, $3
Organic seasonal architecture of fruit served with a coconut blueberry ice cube, $7
Organic hemp granola, with organic soy yogurt, acai and fresh berries, $5
For Sandwiches, only one sandwich with organic wild mushrooms (with spring lettuce, fresh dill, organic olive oil and garlic, vegan cream cheese, and power green pesto) $10, starts out Vegan. All other sandwich menu items can be made Vegan. NOTE: All sandwiches are served with organic center house salad, organic seasonal fruit, or organic miso soup on your choice of toasted Ezekiel sprouted grain bun, Ezekiel sprouted tortilla, or pita bread. Vegetarians can substitute organic tofu and vegan mayo for non-Veg items. However, beware that sandwiches featuring pricey non-Veg items will cost you the same for that Veg tofu substitute, and there's not a lot in the way of bulk with the sandwiches in a bun - so at the very least, go for the tortilla wrap when ordering sandwich items to get more bang for your buck.
Salads include (add $2 for tofu):
Artichoke Caesar (romaine lettuce hearts, organic spring greens, organic heirloom tomato, imported Romano cheese, and garlic toasted pita) $10
Asian Peanut (organic spring greens, julienne carrots, green onions, and peanuts tossed in a homemade organic peanut ginger glaze and organic honey mango vinaigrette) $10
Citrus Spinach (organic spinach, avocado, orange, grapefruit, and crunchy organic crushed macadamia nuts with homemade basil agave nectar dressing) $10
Picnic (organic spring greens, blue cheese, organic apples, cane juice glazed walnuts,organic berries & peaches all tossed in our homemade tamarind balsamic glaze) $12
Center salad (organic greens, organic carrots and radish sprouts tossed in a homemade Japanese soy-ginger house dressing) $9
Their desserts are to live for:
Raw Fuji apple pie with walnut cinnamon crust, $6
Raw chocolate mousse parfait with seasonal fruit, $6
Monica’s raspberry cheeseless cake with raspberry orange glaze, $6
They also serve delectable Organic wines, smoothies, lemonade, organic teas and coffees.
The Center building also serves as a yoga studio and business/social event Meeting area. The restaurant itself has two rooms. (See pic below of the room that you first walk into - with a bar and a community table.) The back dining room is bright with big windows. (See pic below for a view out of one of the windows.)
Located south of University Dr and one block east of Mill Ave between 6th and 7th Streets, just west of the white church with the tall steeple. (See pick below of the front door and exterior of the building.)
- (Mostly) Organic
Added by Steve Carlson on Oct 1 07 (updated Oct 23 07)
Reviews
HORRIBLE!
Why dont these people look at vegan restaurants in California to get a tip. The only thing worthwhile was the deserts. We ordered a sandwich ( i could have done a better job at home) and it didnt even come with tomatoes! then a salad with a ginger dressing, which i eat ginger ALL the time. it was so spicy it made both of our noses and eyes water! They justified "because ginger is spicy" which is a load of crap because ginger is NOT spicy in the way that indian food is!
Just what the Vegan ordered!
I have been a vegan living in Tempe for 5 years and I am the Center is the answers to my prayers. Finally, a restaurant that has a spiritual awakening that has an organic focus and includes unbelievable great vegan food. A refreshing and relaxing environment away from the typically fast food vegan options that many other vegan/vegetarian restaurants offer. The hummus is just amazing and the daily specials are always exciting and flavorful. I highly recommend to all types of healthy food watchers out there.