Sure, we all want to eat healthy, but why did no one inform us that it takes so much time? Time to get to the grocery store twice as often to shop for fresh produce (or at least wait around for twice the number of FreshDirect deliveries). Time to meal prep. Time to cook entire meals rather than relying on pre-packaged sides. Time to realize that what you’re eating actually isn’t gluten-free. Time to make mistakes (a ton of them!). Not to mention time to actually get the kids to eat it, too! Well, moms, give yourselves a break—at least for lunch. Whether you’ve only got a grab-and-go minute or can spend a little while longer to sit and stay awhile while you refuel, these three new healthy lunch spots will have you feeling back on track—and a little less stressed—in no time.
Salud Café
Located inside NJ Eye and Ear, we were stoked to hear about this cheap and cheerful café, the first (and only) in Englewood to serve 100% plant-based offerings. Then we actually stopped in to see the place and fell even more in love. A bright, minimal space, gluten-free everything, tons of prepared takeaway dishes from Kale & Co., handcrafted teas from LA’s Art of Tea, coffee creations made exclusively with Devoción beans accompanied by our favorite non-dairy milk alternatives (oat, almond, you name it), and the entire line of Pure Green cold-pressed organic juices always in stock. We think you’ll find yourselves raising a glass too.
Salud Café
3 Nathaniel Place, Englewood
(201) 503-2323
Toasty
This gourmet eatery and cafe, now open in Westwood, is giving us the warm and fuzzies when it comes to eating well. Its thoughtfully curated menu of bowls, smoothies, salads, coffee and tea drinks, and a slew of signature and build-your-own savory or sweet toasts (think green goddess tofu topped with avocado, celery, cucumber, and sprouts on crispy slices of bird bread, or brioche smothered in ginger-bourbon-glazed peaches and topped with organic Greek yogurt, pure maple syrup, and pecans) are all AMAZING and made exclusively with fresh, wholesome, and locally sourced ingredients. In fact, the folks at Toasty are so sure they’ve got the goods, they’re offering them up for wholesale and catering clients as well.
Toasty
262 Center Ave., Westwood
Green Fusion
Vegetarians and vegans, rejoice! Finally, there’s a fine-dine restaurant where our kinds of dishes aren’t the ugly stepsisters hidden away at the bottom of the menu (if they’re there at all!). Featuring a full menu of exclusively veggie and vegan fare—from soups and salads to starters, sides, entrees, and desserts (not to mention kids’ options, too!)—executive chefs Nicole Skartsilas, who hails from Greece, and Tamil Mozhi, a native of India, have come up with some truly unique flavor profiles that will keep you coming back for more. We recently stopped with friends to experience their signature Buddha Bowl (your choice of Tumeric rice or quinoa served with chickpea, sautéed veggies, purple slaw, and grilled tofu; $14) accompanied by an order of Fusion Flatbread (cream of mushroom, mushrooms, sundried tomato, baby arugula leaves, balsamic reduction drizzle and truffle oil; $10) and a side of crispy, crunchy tapioca lentil chips topped with pickled mango and just the right amount of spice. Believe us when we say that not even the carnivores among us noticed there wasn’t a speck of red meat in sight.
Green Fusion
22 Oak St., Ridgewood
(201) 670-7502
B.Y.O.B.
