Brunch Review: True Food Kitchen
A few weekends ago, after Cherry Blossom Run, my friend and I brunched at True Food Kitchen in Fairfax, VA. Upon entering, the wait staff asked if we wanted a table or “communal.” They added that the wait for a table was 45 minutes, and I don’t love anyone or anything enough to wait for food after running 10 miles. So we sat “communal.”
What this meant was - besides removing our clothes, sharing heroin needles (do you use needles for heroin?), and discussing the blessings of socialism – we sat at a bar where strangers (OMG, strangers) could sit down beside us. But this didn’t happen until the end of our brunch. And then our seat neighbor asked what I had ordered because it looked so good (which it was), and I wanted to ask for her number, but is that awkward? Aren’t we all already married in the commune?
Okay, I’ve taken that joke far enough. I apologize.
Anyhow, eating “communal” is not bad at all, especially when compared to a 45-minute wait for eggs. I endorse you also making this decision.
The aesthetics of True Food, which matter almost as much as the food, are stellar. I immediately took photos for my Instagram feed, but then realized I had already Insta’d four times this day and it wasn’t even noon (I mean, I had just run 10 miles; there were things to #humblebrag about).
A waitress soon doted upon my friend and me. She asked if we had been there before, which my friend had several times (she had Instas to prove it), but I confessed I had never been to the commune before. I was promptly informed that the menu was based off of some doctor’s anti-inflammatory diet. I didn’t want to pretend to be a journalist so I didn’t ask for a spelling or a reiteration, and I actually can’t find the info on their website now, so. But their website’s “About” section does begin: “You don’t have to be a die-hard Yogi to dine at True Food Kitchen.” Which I’m not at all, so they’re speaking truths. Though there is a Lululemon across the street from the Fairfax location of True Food that I went to after brunching (and didn’t buy anything because $68 for a shirt? I thought Dick’s Sporting Goods was expensive!).
My friend ordered the butternut squash pizza, which features walnuts, smoked mozzarella, sweet onion, and arugula ($12). I was mesmerized by the dish and almost ordered this, but then saw the Market Scramble (organic eggs because duh, they’re organic; red pepper; broccolini; caramelized onion; spinach; sweet potato; and parmesan - $9). I asked my waitress which would fill me up more since I had just run 10 miles, and she told me the scramble, but to also add some toast.
Me: “What if I’m not a toast person?” Because I’m not a toast person.
Waitress: “Get a Johnny cake. And it has quinoa so it will help your recovery from that run.”
I think anything with calories would’ve helped my recovery, but whatever you want to think. I briefly saw the Quinoa Johnny Cakes were $9.50 before I agreed to this, but I didn’t want to come across as a penny pincher (though my mind flashed: $9 for market scramble and $9.50 for Johnny cakes, I need to hit the brakes!). Thankfully, I only did get one Johnny cake for $5, which was very reasonable and plenty for my stomach.
My friend thoroughly enjoyed her butternut squash pizza, which isn’t a surprise since she’s ordered it before. She even gave me a slice. I’m grateful that my waitress advised against this pizza for me. It is definitely good, but upon reflection, there’s not much on this pizza. I would add chicken or something. Or extra cheese. But I’m also not a die-hard yogi, so.
My market scramble, on the other hand, was perfecto. It might not look the most aesthetic, but it’s a scramble. It’s not supposed to. This is the dish our seat neighbor asked about, and she ordered it, and so did our other seat neighbor (who joined us belatedly and did not ask my opinion on what he should order - obviously, he doesn’t understand communal living - but I murmured after he ordered, “Good choice”).
As for the Johnny cake, I’m also super grateful for this blessing. It’s quite a large “cake” topped with banana slices (not a whole banana, that would be too expensive) and Greek yogurt. And maple syrup on the side, which health-conscious me always appreciates. The cake is basically a buckwheat pancake. I’m not sure how much quinoa is in it because my friend and I didn’t really detect that flavoring. So I would say get a Johnny cake on the side or just get the Johnny cakes meal, period ($9.50).
Ultimately, I’m glad my friend showed me True Food Kitchen. I’ll definitely be back.
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