Bloodroot

Reviews 10

AN

Anthony LoFrisco Jr

First, the good. The owners of the restaurant, like the ambiance are friendly, cozy and unusual (in a good way). Being feminists, there is an eclectic mix of art and artifacts, mainly about feminism. All good. Its not often that a bookstore and restaurant come together in theme and in a space like this that works. Its cool. The not so good was the cafeteria-style service. Maybe it just takes some getting used to but I personally prefer a waiter. With this setup, you stand just inside the entrance until someone takes your order. There are no paper menus. You look at a chalkboard high up on the wall and try to decide quickly amidst the commotion of people coming, going and ordering, what to order. We felt a bit pressured and asking questions about the dishes felt awkward as we stood there as other people waited behind us. When the food is ready, they call your name and you go get it along with silverware and napkins. It is hard to figure out who to ask for things like water, salt, etc ...are you supposed to ask or look for the stuff you need? After all of that, the food was expensive, small and only so-so. Exceptions were an entree of puffed pasty stuffed with spinach. It was good but impossibly small (maybe six bites and smaller than many appetizers) and at $18, astonishingly expensive. There were no substantial garnishes or sides with it other than a leaf of lettuce. Also, the curry string bean appetizer was very good and tasty. But it went downhill from there. The tofu was cooked inconsistently, hard, dry and just like the beans and rice, very boring. The large salad wasnt very large and even less interesting although the tomatoes were excellent. The bean dip tasted like a mush of nothing. I cant remember what else we had but it wasnt memorable or good. Given all of the great reviews, I was surprised at the limited menu, bland food and high prices. Busing our own table at the end and getting dirty hands sorting silverware, plates and glasses was icing on the cake. No, we didnt stay for dessert. Ive been waiting for years to visit this place and I really wanted to like it. I really did like the atmosphere and the people but other than that, it just didnt do it for me or anyone who was with me.

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MI

Michael Otero

The good: - Its vegetarian food (hurray!) that can be yummy. My wife had the BloodRoot Burger once and she enjoyed it. When we went together she got the "chicken salad" on Sunflower Sesame Oat bread and it was very tasty! However my vegan spinach quiche, while having great texture, was very bland and overcooked (they cook it, freeze it, and reheat it prior to serving). - The feminist-focused atmosphere is unique, enriching, and potentially empowering for disempowered populations. - They use as much locally-grown food as possible <-- bonus points on that! - Super friendly and helpful staff. - Sitting outside Spring through Autumn is *amazing* -- the restaurant is situated in a very quiet suburban neighborhood and Captains Cove is across the lagoon, with dozens of boats gently bouncing on the bay -- it makes for a meditative, or at least poetically relaxing, environment. - The cats are fun and add to the eclectic vibe. The bad: - Very expensive considering the fairly small serving sizes. - If you identify as male in gender then the ultra feminist vibe may feel overwhelming. - Limited menu that doesnt seem to change often. - Some menu items (especially for the price youre paying and the fairly limited options) are hit-or-miss. - The cats are potentially unsanitary to house in a restaurant. All in all, check it out! Especially in pleasant weather. Support this local business and keep their legendary legacy alive!

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ST

Steph M

This isnt your typical casual restaurant - its attached to a small bookstore, and besides cooking the food, you get everything else yourself. Normally I like to have a server, but this style lent itself to the cozy family style. I had my reservations about going here at first, because of the feminist description and that I was wearing heels and a skirt thinking I would be judged, but everyone was so very welcoming (including one of the two cats keeping watch outside!). I got the classic veggie burger and it comes with this wonderful, slightly spicy topping that just brought it all together. The wines are carefully selected. This is a great place to go and feel comfortable, get a healthy and lovingly prepared meal, and be able to relax and take your time. Id be there all the time if I lived closer. Highly suggested!

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AD

Addye Susnick

The food is wonderful and fresh, and the atmosphere is very inviting both inside and out (with a beautiful view from the latter). The walnut pâte, oatmeal and sunflower bread, Thai "chicken," and summer rolls are my personal favourites, but Ive had many other dishes and have yet to be disappointed. Moreover, the women who run Bloodroot are as much of a draw as the food itself! We have the most interesting discussions about politics and current affairs, and I always leave with great book and film recommendations. Honestly, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

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CA

Carolyn Hoffman

For 30 years we have traveled from New York to celebrate our special occasions at Bloodroot, and come at other times just because we love it. It has food for the spirit as well as the stomach. We love every part of it being a gourmet seasonal vegetarian feminist cooperatively run restaurant. Staff, which is more like family, is knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive to food allergies. Some of our favorite dishes are the blueberry tofu mousse dessert, lentil salad with olive walnut accompaniment, fresh homemade breads, salads fresh from their garden.

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A

A Private User

Its a great place to just sit, relax by the water and have a great vegetarian meal. The portions are not too big but the perfect size.They have really great soups, homemade bread and vegan dessert! Its one of my favorite places to go eat out. When you first walk in, it might feel a bit strange because we are not used to being around places like this anymore. There is a sense of community and the owners, Selma or Noel are always there ready to chat. I highly recommend giving it a try.

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JA

James C

This restaurant had a sign posted asking people not to discuss the calorie content of their food out loud because all women are victims of "fat oppression". I think Id prefer to dine at a restaurant that didnt equate nutritional information with a made up form of "oppression", which is really about ignoring the obesity epidemic by pretending calories dont matter. Also, stop calling women victims, its demeaning.

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LA

Larry Perlstein

unique, delicious, healthy -- a venerable institution. if you love vegetarian, youll love bloodroot. if you dont love vegetarian, you still need to try bloodroot. amazing breads and desserts. excellent economical wine/beer list of mostly organic wineries. great little bookstore. the ordering process is a bit awkward so ask for instructions the first time but its worth the hassle.

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BR

Branden Scoggin

“New York Steakhouse atmosphere in Connecticut” Thats what my friends told this Texas gal! The house martini was divine, their bread and cracker basket was super healthy and their homemade steak sauce on the multi seed cracker could have been a meal unto itself! Wish I would have purchased a bottle of that to take home! The fish chowder was rich and delicious, but had to...

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GE

Gerald Williams

“Loved the atmosphere and the food” The owner and server are from Italy and both accommodating and pleasant. The food was tasty, -old style Italian dishes. We were offered homemade Limoncello or Amaretto at the end of the meal, on the house. There was no rushing here, just a relaxed atmosphere with fine food. I will look forward to another visit there.

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