Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The Red Avocado, Iowa City

I am just posting away today, mostly because I am playing catch-up with reviews.


Anyway, this last Saturday my friend Tyrone and I took an excursion to the bustling metropolis of Iowa City, to get some lunch and chat. We stopped first at the New Pioneer Co-Op, the original. I have already profiled their Coralville branch, which I like much more- bigger and better equipped. However, this one had a lot of character.


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It also had the advantage of being right across the street from our brunch spot- an all vegetarian restaurant called the Red Avocado, of which I had heard a lot.




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The interior was very cool as well. We sat down, and the very attentive waitress (she really was very good) fetched us two Americano's, which were just the thing for a cold and wet morning. We waited for our food nursing our coffee, and I don't mind saying I was very happy when my sampler plate came.




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On the top is the french toast, with some jam. Below that in the middle is a tofu scramble. Bottom right is a barley and black bean salad, and to the left is marinated tempeh.


Let me start by saying I wish I enjoyed this meal.


Don't get me wrong; it was perfectly decent, if a little expensive. It just wasn't very good, and at 10 dollars for the meal, I was expecting much better. For all the items on the plate, I got bored after a bite.It was just...flavorless. For all the items except the french toast, the seasoning seemed to consist of a mild level of curry, and then nothing. The french toast was good, but I mean, its fried bread: of course it was good!


Bottom line: if you are a vegan or vegetarian, you will enjoy the Red Avocado. If you eat meat, don't waste your time here.



5 comments:

Tyrgyzistan said...

Congratulations

You probably have the best food blog in Iowa.

http://des-loines.blogspot.com/

Emily said...

Um... I'm a meat eater and I love red avocado. Most foodies are equal opportunity, no?

Ben Gordon said...

Emily-

I am sorry you got the impression that I disliked the Red Avocado just because it was vegetarian- I meant no such thing! My favorite restaurant in Iowa City (Masala) is entirely vegetarian. My main issue with Red Avocado was that the food was so tasteless- although I plan to go back during the summer to see if fresh seasonal produce improves it.

T and R said...

I stumbled upon your blog after reading the Des Loines log via a Flickr foodporn group. As a former Iowan, I am really enjoying reading your blog!

I haven't had the experience of dining at The Red Avocado yet but I have to say the food pictured does not look very appetizing to me, so I'm not surprised that you found it bland (your other photos look pretty good so I don't think it's due to the photography from the looks of it!)

Ben Gordon said...

T and R-

I am glad you enjoy the blog! I have some very exciting visits for the Spring, so I hope you will stay tuned.