Perhaps I can best sum up Ayurvedic eating and Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe with this quote: “When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” – Ancient Ayurvedic Proverb. Ayurveda is the “science of life” and an Ayurvedic diet is part of living a balanced life. I’ve just begun to learn about it, but you can find an introduction here.
Curious, I finally stopped in at Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe on Silver and Yale to see what this restaurant has to offer. Annapurna is a Sanskrit word meaning “complete food.” The dishes are vegetarian, vegan, and are prepared according to Ayurvedic principles. Meals are organic and prepared from scratch. The seasons and 6 tastes are part of planning an ayurvedic dish. The menu and more information can be found here.
I convinced my parents to join me for this outing. We ordered the Malaysian Stir Fry, the Portabella Sandwhich, and the Veggie Burger. The stir fry consisted of brown rice, tofu, seasonal vegetables, and a spicy marinade. It was so rich with a fine balance of flavors. The portabella sandwhich was a hit too. The texture was great and it was very flavorful. The veggie burger was least popular in our group, but still tasty. The sandwhich and burger were accompanied by salads and a choice of sides (we chose fries and soup). I ordered coconut water and was pleasantly surprised when it arrived in a freshly opened coconut with a straw and spoon to scoop out the white coconut meat. So refreshing!
Annapurna's exterior walls are covered in colorful murals.
If you’ve been feeling like your diet is falling short of ideal, I recommend trying Annapurna’s (2 locations in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe). You’ll feel good about your meal, knowing it’s fresh, organic, balanced, and delicious. Where do you turn for your good-for-you meal when eating out?
~R
