4. True Food Kitchen
2910 District Ave., Merrifield (Mosaic District)
True Food Kitchen’s innovative style is reflected in seasonal menus inspired by Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet, which advocates fresh (rather than processed) foods to counteract chronic inflammation, a condition believed to increase the risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. A vegan pizza layered with smoked onion, roasted garlic, almond ricotta and truffles is both decadent and fresh. Or go for the Chioggia-beet bruschetta, which is spread with vegan ricotta, Spanish almonds, pomegranate molasses and beets that taste more like candy than vegetables. On the beverage side, you can’t go wrong with one of the restaurant’s “natural refreshers,” such as the Kale Aid with kale, ginger, apple, celery and cucumber. The craft cocktails are tasty, too.
Other dishes to try:
- West Coast-style kale salad
- Ancient grains bowl
- T.L.T. (smoked tempeh, lettuce, tomato, avocado and vegan mayo)