Yerbabuena

Christmas is a time to eat with family and friends, so why not make it healthy? J and I went to yerbabuena today. It is a nice restaurant in the heart of Madrid. It is a little small but the waiters are very very nice. The inside is relaxed, clean and comfortable.

We had a try it all menu. Seriously, I had to take a doggy bag. For starters we got some hummus, beet juice, pinapple and coconut juice with poppy seads, salmorejo and a small salad with vegan shrimps (truly amazing!).

Salmorejo & Shrimp Salad

 To follow up, some nachos with cheese, guacamole and some spicy tomato sauce. We were certainly full after this one.

Nachos with cheese

And then, our main dish. J got a vegetable cake with blue chese with some  more veggies on the side and I got some vegetable crepes with nuts, flaxsead, spices and with some veggies as a side too.

Veggie Crepes

 It may not look so big, but believe me... it got me full half way through it. J felt the same with his. I think we can't call ourselves cookie monsters anymore.

Veggie cake (it is under all the white)

Last but not least, desert. Cake or yogurt. Oh! I always have a sweet tooth so I chose an apple cake while J got some Kefir with honey.

Apple cake with some yogur and cornflakes.

Light and filled with cinammon. I absolutely loved it :) And the presentation? Fabolous! I have to admit that J's Kefir was much better than I expected. I'm not so much into Kefir because it is too acid for me.

Kefir with a honey heart ;)

So, is anyone's mouth not yet watering? ;)

Viva la vida!

Viva la Vida is a buffet & take a way restaurant. There are two restaurants in Madrid, one is located in Huertas and the other in La Latina.

I visited  "Viva la vida" in Huertas. It is a small buffet, but with a wide variety of choices. The store also has a small bio-market with soy yogurts, bio yogurts, breads, cookies and tofu and other veggie goddies.

The buffet has both cold and warm entrées. I visited it on Wednesday. The dishes I tried:
- Corn, lombard, chickpeas and carrots salad.
- Papaya, mango and green beans salad.
- Falafel.
- Rice and oat "meatball".
- Carrot and peanut "meatball".
- Apple and onion pie.
- Filled zucchini.
- Veggie-canelloni.
- Polenta pizza.
- Polenta tortilla.
- Tahini and eggplant pie.

On one hand, the best day to go is during weekdays for lunch. There is a menu for 500 g + drink for 10 euros. A dessert buffet is also found there, which includes carrot cake (so good!), brownie, chocolate chips or oat cookies, muffins...

On the other hand, there isn't a comfortable place to seat in Huertas Viva la Vida. There are two seats inside the buffet and another two outside. The Viva la Vida in La Latina has large lounge, but I haven't visited it yet (... coming up!).

However, the decoration of Viva la Vida is unique. It's colorful, green and filled with plants.

La Biotika

I'm sometimes in the mood of treating myself to a nice healthy meal. You know -  The type that makes you feel full but good inside.

I'm not thinking about a elegant or fancy restaurant. It's actually like dinning in you own living room. That's when "La Biotika" comes to my mind.

It is located in the center of Madrid, near Puerta del Sol, in Huertas. The outside of the restaurant doesn't call much one's attention, but as soon as you walk in, a small store of bio-products catches your eye, and the waiter welcomes  you in. The inside is simple with an open kitchen.

As soon as one sits down, the waiter brings water, bread, and some nuts. 

A minute later, the menus are handed out, and the fun begins.

The meal consits of soup, salad, a main dish with 3 different veggie-dishes, dessert, and tea. There are normally two differents soups to choose from. Also, one may picks a macrobiotic or a vegetarian meal. For dessert, they offer home-backed cakes (Algarroba is espectacular!), baked apple, soy yogurt or kefir. Teas vary from day to day.

Great place to enjoy with friends or family. Even better for dates, specially if your sweetheart likes vegetarian food. It's always crowded for lunch during the weekend, so it is better to make a reservation. At night, on the contrary, it's enought to go a little early (around 9 o'clock is fine). It also makes a good choice for celebrating birthdays. Once can order a cake... they are great.

It is a very affordable restaurant. Plus, every now and then they have 2x1 promotion for dinner during weekdays.

So... anyone feeling like some homemade vegetarian food?

Oh! Almost forgot. On Sunday afternoons they offer cooking classes, so the restaurant is closed.  They also have different events :)