113 W De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara
805-618-1233 green-table.com
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
Food: *****
Service: ****
Ambience: ****
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Matcha Cha Cha : Green Table Makes Taste Buds Dance
In Japan, matcha has been known since the samurai warriors, as “The Elixir of the Immortals”. In the West it has become the go to energy drink which some claim has better boost than coffee. At Green Table, they serve high quality “ceremonial” matcha from the importer, GotMatcha. This is not just green tea, but carefully harvested leaves from a skilled farmer who works on chemical-free soils. The result is a tea which is not bitter or astringent and at $36.00 for 80 grams not you average green tea. This organic matcha powder is blended with freshly made almond milk and other ingredients to create a tasty milkshake-type drink. The Salted Carmel Ice Blended Matcha is made with organic matcha caramel apple powder, Himalayan salt and dates (large – $7.90). The sweet and slightly salty combination doesn’t only taste great, it also seems to act like an appetite suppressant while providing increased energy.
Green Table was formally known as Boochies. Today at Green Table, many of the recipes are from Boochies’ founder and nutritionist, Rebekah Kjos. At lunch, many of the customers in yoga pants, make a meal out of just a matcha drink. For those not wanting matcha there are other drink options like The Liger ($9.00) blended carrot, apple, pineapple, ginger, turmeric and lemon. This is popular with those fighting a cold or just wanting a refreshing blended and spicy organic fruit drink.
There are also rejuvenation cleanses made with various combinations of green formulations like the HeartBeet ($9.00) featuring fresh lemon juice blended with pineapple, apple, ginger and spices which is reputed to be alkalizing and “body flushing”.
Still hungry? There is the popular Veggie Stir-Fry ($10.00) made with quinoa, broccoli, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, onion, garlic, ginger, kale and tamari topped with arugula. One can also add a fried egg for a protein boost. Served in a bowl, this surprisingly satisfying meal is ideal for those wanting to slip into their beach best. The Raw Veggie Wrap ($9.50) is a coconut tortilla wrapped around finely chopped cucumber, avocado, arugula, cabbage raw “veggie krackers” and house dressing. It is sliced into two medium size wraps, perfect to share.
You can’t beat the Roasted Beet Salad ($9.50) which has slow roasted beets, arugula, candid sunflower seeds, green onion, Himalayan salt and goat cheese. Also popular is the Avocado Toast ($10.00) which combines avocado, green onion and cilantro with a sunflower base house dressing on gluten free vegan oat bread. There are daily soups which are vegan and do not have any dairy. A favorite is the lentil soup ($8.50) which is slightly spicy and about as luscious as a soup can be without cream or butter.
At breakfast the Acai Bowl – The Koa runneth over with fresh fruits like strawberries blueberries bananas, dates, and acai. Included in the mix is home made granola, goji, nut butter, hemp seeds and honey. And as a special health addition, cordyceps, a fungus which in Asian medicine is believed to improve fatigue and weakness associated with aging.
Room for dessert? The Raw Fudge ($4.25) will delight the chocoholic, made with raw cacao, raw coconut, sprouted walnuts, vanilla bean, dates and cacao nips. This raw, vegan treat is sweet, yet sugar-free. The organic homemade foods at Green Table are mostly vegan and many are raw. One can’t help but feel healthy and nourished after a meal of these unique and creative combinations. Its a tasty way to get into shape for the summer.
High Points: The quality of the food is excellent and the dishes are fresh, clean, wholesome and satisfying. The matcha drinks are almost addictive, they are so good. Don’t be surprised if you feel energetic and have clarity of thought after drinking a matcha drink. Unlike the caffeine in coffee, this matcha doesn’t cause an energy slump after the initial boost.
Low Points: Its pricey for a very casual dining experience. On the other hand, you get what you pay for and in this case you are buying quality and creativity.
