REVIEW Healthy one-bowl meals? This Walker’s Point space has you covered.
Dig into healthy dining with these plant- and grain-based meals.
WONDERING HOW a vessel full of healthy foods came to be called a “Buddha bowl,” I do what comes naturally in our tech-dominated age: turn to Google. It turns out something so zen-sounding doesn’t just refer to plant-based meals-in-a-bowl but also to superfoods (acai fruit), nuts and grains all nestled in one dish. At last, the balance to our fried-cheese-curd-and-greasy-burger benders!
There’s a lot to like about this trend – from affordability to the sucker punch of delectable-ness. The new BOWLS restaurant sews those qualities into a cheerful Walker’s Point space with an open kitchen and both a “living” wall of herb plants and a wall holding shelves of handmade (for sale) bowls.
Co-owner Nell Benton’s menu hits sweet and savory bases. Most dishes start as vegetarian or vegan. You can add chicken, fish, avocado, egg or steak, although from my experience they’re satisfying without adds. The Green Goddess (shown above) hits all the textural and flavor bases. For the carnivore, there is steak and rice with kimchi and bibimbap sauce. Non-savory choices include a chocolate-peanut-butter smoothie bowl topped with coconut, raspberries, almonds and granola. If that doesn’t qualify as dessert to you, Purple Door Ice Cream is right next door, making this a very delicious block. (207 W. Freshwater Way, 414-800-5667; bowlsrestaurant.com. Mon-Sat B L D. Prices: $7-$12)