Vegan Shuffle
A few Friday nights back I called my wife to see what was on the docket for supper. I decided I wanted to get a "pizza" from this lovely new vegan place downtown known as the Soma Cafe. It had opened in May and been patronized by us at least 5 times. Their menu featured several types of hummus and really creative entrees. It was exciting to have another local spot in West Palm Beach with raw choices. Darbster, to the south, has been around for a year and they continue to do well and have a diverse menu. We love that place. Soma had the advantage of being closer and just another option. Note the past tense, there.
I went online to retrieve Soma's phone number and instead found headlines announcing their abrupt demise. After a mere 2 months. There went that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach again. Another eatery, gone! 2 months?! Maybe the signs were there: the place was usually slow when I went, and they were often out of several ingredients/dishes. But places usually stick it out longer, yes? It is summer time, slow season for S. Florida. Confusing. However, Soma was a second location-the original has been in Lake Worth for quite some time. I also read that the friendly couple who ran WPB Soma have relocated to the original one. So all is not lost, but dang....
There is another bright spot. After one gapes at the big FOR RENT sign in the window of where Soma once was, one can walk west on Clematis Street and happen upon the new Raw Kitchen, on the north side just past the railroad tracks. We went a few weeks ago and were pleased. The menu is limited, with only 5 entrees or so, but the zucchini based pad thai and spiral pasta type dish my wife had were very good. Our dessert, a hazelnut and fig crumble with fresh plums and cream atop, was a nice finish. Beverages included special ale and juice (separate) creations that we did not sample, but looked worthwhile. The interior has an upscale decor and a bar, but dressing down is not frowned upon. A sizable group was there that night. I hope this place survives.
I went online to retrieve Soma's phone number and instead found headlines announcing their abrupt demise. After a mere 2 months. There went that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach again. Another eatery, gone! 2 months?! Maybe the signs were there: the place was usually slow when I went, and they were often out of several ingredients/dishes. But places usually stick it out longer, yes? It is summer time, slow season for S. Florida. Confusing. However, Soma was a second location-the original has been in Lake Worth for quite some time. I also read that the friendly couple who ran WPB Soma have relocated to the original one. So all is not lost, but dang....
There is another bright spot. After one gapes at the big FOR RENT sign in the window of where Soma once was, one can walk west on Clematis Street and happen upon the new Raw Kitchen, on the north side just past the railroad tracks. We went a few weeks ago and were pleased. The menu is limited, with only 5 entrees or so, but the zucchini based pad thai and spiral pasta type dish my wife had were very good. Our dessert, a hazelnut and fig crumble with fresh plums and cream atop, was a nice finish. Beverages included special ale and juice (separate) creations that we did not sample, but looked worthwhile. The interior has an upscale decor and a bar, but dressing down is not frowned upon. A sizable group was there that night. I hope this place survives.
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