Fresh Cafe - A Vegan Paradise

Fresh Café is a breath of fresh air. Literally, when you walk through the doors it smells like a fresh spring garden with a few spices blended in. This is because they specialize in wheat grass and so everything smells fresh! They have modern seating, with a light and comfortable atmosphere. What a fabulous hidden jewel in Des Moines! I have bemoaned the fact I couldn’t get fresh baked vegan goods in Des Moines and it was right by me all this time!

My co-worker Sara ventured out with me for a wonderful lunch! In case you have not been to Fresh, it is tucked behind a few shops off of University and 25th. (The road across from Toys R US). Kerri Rush, the owner of Fresh Café, greeted us and told us about the background of the restaurant. Fresh Café has been around for seven years, and has been vegetarian/vegan/raw for about three years.

The menu features sandwiches, entrees, drinks and of course dessert! All of the menu items can be made vegan and there are a few raw dishes as well. Their vegan black bean brownie is a hot seller and sounds like it may not be a dessert but it is phenomenal! YUM! All of the baked goods are vegan, and you will also be able to pick up raw treats as well. There was a very steady lunch crowd and everyone complimented their food.

For lunch I tried the raw pasta dish and Sara had the apple melt. Admittedly, this is where I am mad at myself for losing the take home menu – because I can’t remember the name of the actual dishes – but at least the essence is here. The base of the pasta was a zucchini “noodle” served on a bed of spinach with a tomato and pesto sauce on top. This is the perfect cool down dish for a hot summer day, and it worked just fine on a winter day in January as well. Delicious!  

Sara's sandwich served on honey wheat from Big Sky Bakery, was topped with melted cheese, spinach and apples. This sandwich can also be made vegan – they sub my favorite vegan cheese, Daiya. 

Sara is a meat eater with a teenage daughter who has become vegetarian. She took home some ideas for meals with her daughter and was already making plans to visit again while we were eating.

Then came dessert…

This is the whole reason we were there. We got to taste test a few cupcakes, the black bean brownie, a chocolate chip truffle and WOW! The cupcakes are the lightest, fluffiest vegan baked cupcake I have EVER had. It was melt in your mouth good. We tried three flavors, chocolate, vanilla and apple cinnamon. I’m a sucker for chocolate and it did not disappoint. The apple cinnamon had great flavor and would make a good fall cupcake. They were a teeny bit crumbly but made up for this by being so delectable. Fresh Café does cater cupcakes for parties, weddings, or any special day!

In case you were wondering, the black bean brownie does NOT taste like black beans. It tastes like a really fabulous soft chocolate brownie treat, and the fact it is healthy and vegan is a huge bonus. They are sized very generously and are pretty much guilt free in my book.

We left with more goodies, full stomachs and huge smiles. Sara got a treat for her daughter and another co-worker. Let’s just say our co-worker finished off the cupcake in 3 bites with a HUGE smile on her face. Yes, it was a good cupcake even for non-vegans!

Kerri is considering expanding, so we may see another Fresh Cafe pop up locally and this will only spread the goodness through the metro. Visit Fresh Cafe and enjoy!

Fresh Cafe

1721 Twenty Fifth Street Suite 110 

West Des Moines, IA  50266

515-440-4700 

http://www.freshcafeandmarket.com/