Week 7 - Fresh on Bloor + TLVC Progress Update!

Welcome back to Week 7 of The Lazy Vegan Challenge Blog!!! 

So just to quickly update you on the progress of this challenge for me thus far...

I'm rounding into my 11th week of the challenge (I began TLVC blog on my 3rd week and then had a school break...and shamefully I'm playing catch up on my blogs now). I have to admit that it is really starting to become a challenge. It's not like I miss eating meat or seafood or any of the other food elements that I had been used to eating prior to the challenge. It's actually just managing the proper healthy daily consumption and making it work with my busy time schedule. I don't know how y'all vegans do it! I know I can't be a "lazy vegan" forever...and I'm going to let you in on an exciting secret....I plan on sticking to being a vegan after the challenge is over! I know, I know. That means I have to change my lazy attitude if I want to keep up and eat the proper foods and maintain a proper diet....and maybe exercise for once, eh?

Fresh on Bloor - Bloor & Spadina

Anyhow, on to the good stuff! So for this week's featured restaurant, I'll be reviewing "Fresh", which has become another one of my faves. They've got three locations in Toronto with a fourth one opening this summer! This just shows how well they're doing and I'm excited to share this fantastic news! I had made the location on Bloor and Spadina my "regular spot", as it is the most convenient one to travel to in the downtown area, especially if you're commuting by the subway or TTC (Toronto's public transportation). The other two locations are on Spadina and Richmond St. W and Crawford and Queen St. W, and the fourth one opening this summer will be in the Yonge and Eglinton area.

Their atmosphere is pretty chilled, and no, not in the hipster kind of way. It's relaxing, a place where you can enjoy dinner with friends or lunch by yourself. As corny as this may sound, they actually do give off that "fresh" vibe.

Mushroom Onion Burger  - $10 / Jerusalem Bowl - $16

They have a great selection on their menu, with their entrée's ranging from burgers to wraps to fresh bowls.

At the top right of this photo is the Mushroom Onion Burger but on a bed of lettuce instead of a bun. It includes their high-protein, house-made vegan patty burger with sautéed mushrooms and onions, tomato, lettuce, alfalfa sprouts and their house mayo with a side of marinated kale slaw. Two words: soooo tasty!!! It's the kind of burger where after your first bite, you just close your eyes and say "Mmm..." Did I set the expectation too high? Guess you'll have to visit and find out for yourself ;P

At the bottom right of the photo is their Jerusalem Bowl (and no, I did not order two main dishes for myself...I was on another vegan date). My friend had decided to get it with the soba noodles which is a couple of bucks more (usually comes with brown basmati rice for $14). This dish was also really delicious. It had flax hummus, grilled spinach, cucumber, tomato, parsley, red onion, sunflower sprouts, olive oil, tamari, mixed herbs, lemon and chili powder. Normally I'm not one who can take anything spicy nor do I favour the flavour, but in this mix of veggie goodness, it was definitely acceptable and tolerable. Both dishes tasted "fresh" and light, yet delightfully satisfying.

Blue Lagoon - $4.50 - 12oz / Chocolate Cupcake - $3.25

I had always heard good things about their fruit smoothies (what vegan restaurants won't you hear good things about their fruit smoothies...) so I got their Blue Lagoon which was a mix of blueberry, mango and banana. It was very tropical tasting and went well with the meal.

I also decided to try one of their delectable Chocolate Cupcakes. You can never go wrong with delectable cupcakes. It was sweet and delicious but I was so full from the burger meal that I was only able to take a few bites and boxed the remainder to munch on for later.

It was actually over a month ago since this specific vegan date at Fresh, but I remember the experience very well. Our server was very pleasant and informative and gave suggestions to our meals that we probably would've never considered if she didn't. I definitely believe they deserve a 5/5 and I am sure any Torontonian vegan will assure you the same! :)



**All photo's are taken by me from my iPhone :)


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