Want to know my favourite raw restaurant? Belmonte Raw in Leslieville. The glorious Carol started her restaurant to serve raw food (which means it’s vegan & gluten-free, so I can eat everything on the menu). And best of all, Carol features local & organic produce. And her food is glorious!
When I can’t make it down to the restaurant, I love to check out the updates on their Facebook page to see what dishes they are serving. As the menu changes daily and is posted on a blackboard, you get whatever’s fresh and inspiring the chefs that day!
My favourite options are the rainbow of juices (I must admit I’m partial to the Refresh and also to the raspberry limeade that my friend Dani and I call “Liquid Summer”), anything wrapped in collard greens, and some divine kale salads.
The lovely Ashley and I have eaten there a few times with great delight. Ash is partial to collard green bowls:
While I tend to order kale salads — this one was a particularly divine Madras Curry & Kale Salad:
Why raw food? And why Belmonte? Well, I heard a great piece of advice once: “when you’re done eating, you should feel like dancing” — and that is what Carol’s food does for me. Whenever I eat her food I end up dancing down the street (instead of needing a nap, like I feel after heavy meals) — and I usually dance right to Damzels for ’50s style dresses that make women look good (my most recent ones feature polka dots, and squirrels & acorns — too perfect).
The restaurant is a little oasis of calm. I love quotation on the mirror: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined”, which always is a helpful reminder and re-inspiration.
And before you think it’s all greens and veggies, you’ve got to treat yourself to a Peanut Butter Thimble. I would never believe you if you told me this was a raw dessert. Ohhhhh heavens it’s the best thing ever.
And isn’t it gorgeous?
So next time you’re in Leslieville, grab yourself a bite and a treat at Belmonte Raw. And I hope you leave the restaurant dancing down the street.
Kitchen Operas 
love Belmonte.
and Damzels.
And mostly you xo
❤
wow! that madras curry and kale salad look out of this world delicious!!
Seriously it is to-die-for! I’ve seen Carol put it in a collard green wrap too. Mmmmmmm.
Great review! Belmonte Raw is on my must-try list, too bad it’s more than an hour from me. If you like gluten-free and vegan (and delicious!) have you tried Kindfood in Burlington yet?
I haven’t tried it yet, but have heard really good things. I think a road trip is in my future!
I love raw food as well. I do feeling dancing after I eat raw! 🙂 The dessert looks AMAZING!
The salad looks *so* good! And the dessert… wow *drools*
Belmonte Raw is my favourite resto, too! 🙂