Restaurant Review: Tama Cafe
Although I ate out in restaurants a lot in Raleigh, I am also a weary traveler with an autoimmune disorder, so sometimes I just grabbed something to take back to my hotel room and rest. One of the places where I got a meal to take back with me was Tama Cafe. It's not vegan, but they were advertising a vegan eggless salad sandwich, and it was on my way back from the museum I visited.
They made a special tea for me (a few minor alterations to their daily special because I can't handle caffeine) and I don't even recall what all was in it. But I was glad it was to take out, because I needed a lot more ice--and of course if nothing else your hotel will give you plenty of that!
It was curious that they advertised "plant based hydration" when their menu had plenty of drinks with dairy and honey. That just goes to show how far the "plant based" label has gone--and how little one can trust it anymore. (I'm looking at you, Panera Bread, with your "plant based" menu filled with cheese.) But this particular drink was definitely plants only. It was nice and fruity (you see the berries there at the bottom) and quite refreshing after what was a kind of long walk for me in my new, chronically ill state.
The tofu salad was nothing remarkable, but it didn't really need to be. The pickled onions were a really nice touch. It came with kettle chips, or I could have had chickpea side salad if I was in the mood. I wanted some crunch, though, so chips it was!
I was pleased that it was so easy to get a vegan meal--no substitutes needed. And their menu has several other vegan options, including Jamaican Jerk jackfruit, a spicy veggie wrap, a hummus sandwich, and the ubiquitous avocado toast.
General thoughts: The staff at Tama Cafe were very friendly and answered a lot of questions and happily made substitutions to accommodate me, and the food was perfectly serviceable--easy, fast, and satisfying. Overall, a 4/5.
They made a special tea for me (a few minor alterations to their daily special because I can't handle caffeine) and I don't even recall what all was in it. But I was glad it was to take out, because I needed a lot more ice--and of course if nothing else your hotel will give you plenty of that!
I was pleased that it was so easy to get a vegan meal--no substitutes needed. And their menu has several other vegan options, including Jamaican Jerk jackfruit, a spicy veggie wrap, a hummus sandwich, and the ubiquitous avocado toast.
General thoughts: The staff at Tama Cafe were very friendly and answered a lot of questions and happily made substitutions to accommodate me, and the food was perfectly serviceable--easy, fast, and satisfying. Overall, a 4/5.
That's great that they were so accommodating! The drink really does look refreshing and the sandwich looks really good too. Sometimes a no frills kind of meal is just what you need to refuel. I can imagine how exhausted you must have felt so having a good option that was easy and fast must have been a relief for you.
ReplyDeleteSo true--and I know you know what tired beyond tired is.
DeleteWhen I’m traveling and tired i would much rather pick something up to have in my room (because not in the history of ever have i had more than a “not terrible” room service meal)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great stop, I totally understand the need for a crunchy side. And yes the phrase “plant based” is now a marketing phrase and not necessarily a description of the actual food involved....
Ttrockwood
There wasn't anything vegan on the room service menu, anyway! I turned down their free breakfast on account of that. But I used to LOVE room service and if there had been something vegan, I would have chowed down happily.
DeletePlant based is being bandied about so much these days, I think some people don't even realise what it means.
ReplyDeleteIt really does seem to mean, in many people's minds, "contains plants." I'll be generous and say I think they think it means "mostly contains plants."
Delete