I had such a fun night on Monday, and I can’t believe it’s already Thursday and I have yet to tell you about it! On Monday night, my mom, myself, her bestie Kara, and her daughter Kourtney all went out to eat downtown in celebration of my mom’s birthday which was this past Sunday. Kourtney is in fashion school in LA and follows a raw diet, so we decided to try out somewhere in the city that we would all enjoy.
After a detour in the French Market to Raw (where the macaroons came from!), we ended up at Karyn’s Raw Bistro in Lincoln Park.
Immediately upon arriving, we all had to comment on how we loved the ambiance of the restaurant. It was fairly small – with only about 10 tables total in the restaurant. It was dimly lit, had beautiful white table cloths, and definitely had an “upscale” feel to it. On the other side of the restaurant (and divided by a door) was a raw juice bar/takeout/product store that you could purchase other goodies. Although these two were connected, it seemed almost as if the two were interdependent from each other.
After perusing the menu for a few minutes, we were all at a loss as to what to get. The entire menu looked absolutely incredible. If you’ve never eaten raw before, it is quite an experience! One thing I would advise people is to have an open mind and to remember that nothing is really going to be piping hot – it may be warm from being in the dehydrator though.
We decided to start out with a few appetizers – hummus, spring rolls, and their “famous” salad.
The hummus was actually made out of cauliflower (!!!) and was some of the best dip I have ever eaten. It was served with fresh flax crackers and cauliflower and carrots. You should be glad I don’t have any footage of us vultures going to town on these.
The spring rolls were also delicious – they were filled with fresh vegetables and served with a dipping sauce that tasted like sweet and sour sauce.
And the salad – oh my, the salad! It was filled with greens, onions, carrots, tomatoes, and candied pecans. It had their Caesar dressing on the side. I am not kidding you when I say that I wanted to bathe in that salad dressing. It was beyond delicious.
We all had a difficult time deciding what to order for our entrees as well. I wish I had snapped a picture of Kara and Kourtney’s dishes. Kara ordered the pizza (which was my favorite) and was so rich and decadent. I love the taste of fresh nut cheeses! Kourtney couldn’t decide on what to order, so she ordered two dishes and was able to bring her leftovers home. She ordered the ravioli and the alfredo – both of which were also great.
I ordered the Pad Thai, which I had high expectations for. The “noodles” were made of coconut flesh, and it was served with peas, carrots, and mushrooms. It was “okay”, but it was not my favorite dish of the night. I hate when I order things that I hear are excellent but then don’t turn out as well as I think they will be!
My mom ordered the portobello napoleon, which was filled with one of their nut cheeses and topped with tomatoes, olives, and some sort of cream sauce. It was really really good!
Although we were all incredibly stuffed, there was no way my mom and I could pass up a raw dessert. Raw desserts are so good, and it amazes me what raw chefs can do with the ingredients they make them with! My mom and I both love tiramisu, so when we saw the tiramisu cheesecake on the menu, we had to order it.
Yes, there are already bite marks out of that! There was no way I could use any of my self control to stop myself from trying this before I took a picture. It was better than I even imagined.
The whole dinner and experience was so wonderful. Our waitress was knowledgeable and made sure to meet our needs and answer any questions we had. Karyn herself even was walking around to see how our dinner was.
I would definitely go back to eat there again, but ext time I am ordering the pizza for myself!
Thank you to Kara for treating my mom and me to dinner on Monday – it was fabulous!
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I’ve been to karyn’s once- and it is so cute! Plus, the popcorn with truffle oil? Fabulous… just sayin’.
Where was that popcorn? Not that I could have eaten it, but I totally missed it!
wow, I’m so impressed with the creativity of raw meals! I would never think of these dishes!
I’m so impressed at how delicious all this raw food looks! I made almond milk at home today and was amazing at what a creamy texture just water and almonds blended together could create- great dairy alternative!
I agree! I find that it’s cheaper to just buy almond milk, otherwise I would definitely make ti at home!
Aww-I love the mother daughter picture!! Two lovely ladies you guys are!
I’ve been wanting to try a raw restaurant for so so long but there are none around me! Someday…
Why thank you! Just head on over to Chicago!
Wow that food looks extraordinary!! Enjoy the rest of your sb!
Thanks Linz! It’s gone by way too fast!
That looks delicious! I’ll have to see if my sister-in-law would want to go, she loves trying out things like that! I heard of Karyn’s when I looked up places with veggie juice but never actually went! Now I need to!
It’s good! I think you’d like it!
This place sounds fantastic! YUM
I love Karyn’s raw! The portobello napolean is my all-time fave. Her other restaurants are also quite fantastic, if you get a chance to try them - you will not be disappointed
I’ve been to Karyn’s on Green - I loved it! I dream of these brussels sprouts on the menu!
This all looks so good! It’s too bad your meal wasn’t up to par, but I’m sure that dessert made up for it.
It totally did!
That tiramisu looks amazing! I’ve never eaten at a completely raw restaurant before, and I think I’d love to try it at some point! The spring rolls…and the salads…ahh everything looks great!
It’s no joke - everything WAS great!
Looks like a great time - I’d love to try that salad dressing.
she actually sells it by the bottle! I was going to buy some, but it was like ten dollars. Um, no thank you!
Yum! I’ve never eaten at a raw restaurant, but after that meal recap I certainly want to try one!!
wow i want to come try there asap! they got nothing but one restaurant from me and its still 45 mins away:( but i hate that when you think somethings gonna be great and i would def get it to it sounds good? coconut noodles uhh get me some! but that tiramisu, wowww i need to try to make that it looks sooo good!
That cheesecake looks A-MAZ-ING!
I know everyone is going to say it - but you and your mom are IDENTICAL! You’ve got a good-lookin’ future ahead of you
We do get told that a lot - I don’t mind. And thank you!
aw, you and your mom are so pretty!
no, YOU’RE so pretty!
Raw restaurants are always SO good! I tried one here in Dallas and everything was incredible. I wish more people gave them a chance
What is it called in Dallas?
Bliss Raw Cafe
ok this is most certainly where our next date is!! i’ve been dying to try it (matt said over his dead body)… and everything looks more delicious that i imagined!
We’ll have to!
One thing looks better than the next…the spring rolls, the cauli dip, and then, of course, the dessert. I think that raw desserts are many times wayyyyy better than anything cooked or baked!
I agree - raw desserts are in a category all of their own!
You know, I try to eat healthy and we thought that Panera Bread was a some what healthy restaurant but I just read the ingredients in their Greek dressing and was shocked! (corn syrup solids, natural flavor, citric acid, hydrolyzed soy protein, monosodium glutamate, calcium disodium EDTA added to protect flavor). That’s just their Greek dressing. It’s just amazing what are in our foods! So sad! I wish we had a Raw restaurant near us!!! Looks so healthy and good.
Isn’t it sad what they put in our foods? Since it’s a chain restaurant, they need something with a lot of preservatives so it will last.
I want to goooo!
Well then pack that baby up and get over here!
I’ve never been to a raw restaurant before! Looks like I’m missing out…big time! So funny that you and your mom look so much alike and same with the other 2 people you were with, like same smile and everything!
haha yeah we’re both clones of our moms!
Have you been to the Chicago Diner? “Meat Free since 83″. It was sooo good! You Must try it!
I haven’t been there - do they have a lot of gluten free options?
I think that raw food is really interesting and I’m constantly amazed by the things they are able to create! I love the nut sauces the most! Bummer about your dish not being as good as you’d hoped but it sounds like the apps and dessert made up for it! Glad you had such a fun time with your mom and friends!
I’ve been to Karyn’s on Green in West Loop and it was so good (not all raw though). I love how the restaurants feel really upscale.
And cauliflower dip sounds amazing!
I’ve been there too - it is SO good. I love the brussels sprouts!
Oh gosh, raw desserts are some of the best I’ve ever had! Oh, and I had a raw falafel once with cashew sour cream that was absolutely amazing. Raw food is so good!
That sounds DELISH!
OMG I love all of Karyn’s restaurants! I have met Karyn a few times too, she is amazing!
Can you believe she’s 72?!
That dessert looks out of this world! I wish I could eat at a raw restaurant but they use a lot of cashews for “cheeses” and my duaghter had a severe allergy to them. I don’t even eat them if i go out to eat without her because I would be worried about coming home and kissing or touching her (shes allergic to the touch).
And you look so much like your mom!
Yeah, that would be scary! I had a boy in my class last year who was severely allergic to peanuts like that. I had an Epi-pen in my desk for any emergencies! Luckily I did not have to use it at all.
Those spring rolls are so good! Lovely day and lovely food!
All that food looks amazing! I’ve never been to a raw restaurant but I’d love to check one out.
I got so excited when I saw this post because I thought this restaurant was in Lincoln Center, in NYC so I forwarded your post to my BF stating that we had to go here ASAP as our first raw food outing. Sadly I realize its Chicago
but I want to thank you for making me realize how delicious raw food is at these places and I have already found some great restaurants picked out in the city, Thanks Chelsea! (I may try to make my own version of Karyn’s restaurant recipes since I have no idea what the real thing taste like to compare 
)
Aw that’s sad! There are so many good places to eat in NYC though. Have you ever gone to Pure Food and Wine? OMG - get their mint chocolate chip ice cream sundae. Best 14 dollars I’ve ever spent.
I found them last night and bookmarked them for us to go! I can’t wait-I’m going to try within the next two weeks! and Mint Choc Chip smoothies have been my latest favorite I will def try it!
i used to eat at Karyns all the time!! i ate more at their cooked place (that was still vegan.just not raw) and its SO good. Id always get a sloppy joe..amazing!
I have been wanting to go to Karyn’s so bad! I live only a few blocks away but everyone I ask hears the word ‘raw’ and says no! I’m glad to hear it was so good though, gonna have to try harder to make it there. Let me know if you ever decide to go back and maybe I will invite myself! haha
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