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Lunch at a Raw Cafe

Dallas has a raw restaurant—who knew? Although I discovered this fact a few months ago, it took me until yesterday to actually get over to Bliss Raw Cafe.

blissnap

Last summer, I ate amazing Vegan Pumpkin Lasagna.

That lasagna came to mind as I perused Bliss’ menu and saw “Rawsagna,” with the following description: Slices of zucchini and heirloom tomato layered with basil pistachio pesto, sun dried tomato sauce, pignoli ricotta cheeze

blissnap2

Much of the menu sounded appealing: Primavera Bowl, Margarita Pizza, Coconut-Kale Enchiladas… but my imagination kept returning to the Vegan Pumpkin Lasagna from this summer. So I went with the Rawsagna. Good decision!

Aside from the fresh zucchini and side salad, my favorite part of this dish was most definitely the basil-pistachio pesto. Oh no wait, did I say definitely? I take it back: the best part might’ve been the sundried tomato sauce. And the cherry tomatoes were the sweetest I’ve ever eaten. The cashew cheese was a bit boring, but maybe that’s just because my tastebuds were busy being dazzled by the sumptuous pesto.

bliss raw cafe dallas

I’m already planning a return trip. After all, there are coconut-kale enchiladas in need of trying!

P.S. My dining partner—Friend #1 from here–opted for the Pad Thai (which I thought was just okay; kinda bland). But I didn’t ask to take a photo of her meal; I felt awkward enough photographing my food in the company of a non-food-blogger!

Do you feel awkward taking food photos in public?
Does your family “get” it? Do your friends?

Published on December 10, 2010

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60 Comments

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  1. Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says

    I take pics of Jason’s food — mostly because when I don’t he gets kind of sad 🙁

    My mom just gets so excited when I take pictures (“ooh will this be on the blog tomorrow?” followed my a big smile) – what can I say, she is my biggest fan!

    That lasagna looks so delicious — maybe you need to recreate it and share the recipe? 🙂

  2. Gabbee says

    Omggg I am absolutely in LOVE with Bliss!!!
    You have to try their Avocado Soup and their AHMAZING Spagetti and “meat” balls it is to DIE for I could eat it everyday!!

    P.s. I ahdore your blog,I stumbled upon it when I first when vegan! Your recipes are delish and easy to make esp since I’m 16!!

  3. Anonymous says

    Katie, that photo of you is SO PRETTY!!! 🙂 You have that glow, probably from all the yummy raw food?
    And I love your nailpolish in the first photo too. Hope your having a good day!

  4. Ashley @ the fit academic says

    OMG YES!!!! I’m SOOOO struggling with that because I’m still new to blogging, and I haven’t brought myself yet to take pics of my food when I’m out in public (or at friends’ houses, etc.) My hubby is supportive, just lovingly jokes about all the food shots just at home & I feel like my friends would be a little weirded it if I whip out the camera every time we eat! Do you just get over it after awhile???

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Hmmm, I dunno… because I still haven’t lol. I guess it depends on the friends. Some of my friends know about my blog now, so I feel less weird doing it in front of them. But the others? Nope, not even going to attempt it!

  5. Brandi says

    That looks yummy!

    I have eaten out at some veg restaurants where I have live, but I have yet to take a picture of the food. I feel so awkward about it. I think I need to tell my other family members that I have a food blog, so maybe they’ll understand and it’ll be a little less awkward.

  6. Eric Jaffa says

    I visited Texas in the 1980s.

    The group I was with, including me, got chicken-fried steak (steak with batter) as Texan restaurant food.

    Since February 1, 2010, I’ve only eaten vegan food.

  7. Gina says

    I’ve been to Bliss Raw Cafe a few times before! I live in the Dallas area too 🙂
    You MUST go back to get the coconut kale enchiladas. You should try the location on Greenville ave in the spring/summer because there’s outdoor seating, and I thought it was better food-wise than the location you went to (when I went to that location a few months ago, there were so many flies inside! eww)

  8. Julia (The Veggie Side) says

    Hi Katie! I found your site not long ago and have thoroughly enjoyed it!

    The funny thing is that I just had an experience with my co-workers yesterday where they caught me taking pictures of my food. It was so awkward! They already know that I eat “weird” but taking pictures of my food must be a new level to them. Lol! Oh well…I am who I am.

  9. Tanya says

    Yay….I’ll have to try it when we’re in Dallas next May. I don’t feel weird about taking pictures of my food anymore. I did for a long time….always pulling out the camera. But I think the public is getting used to it, seeing as how there are so many bloggers out there these days!

  10. Camille says

    Sometimes I am uncomfortable taking photos in front of others, but I am lucky enough, now, that people say, “Camille! Take a picture of my meal for your blog!” It makes it much, much easier 🙂

  11. Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says

    “sundried tomato sauce. And the cherry tomatoes were the sweetest I’ve ever eaten. “–

    Nice. I love tomatoes. I eat at least one every day. Every.single.day. love them!

    I want to go to a raw restaurant and eat raw lasagna. I make raw spaghetti w/ zuke noodles but it’s easier to spiralize than to use a mandolin to make the thin noodles for lasagna. I have made raw wraps using cukes and zukes w/ my mandolin and have about taken off my fingers with that sharp bugger so am leary of making lasgana. lol.

    Food pics in public…I have gotten a bit more comfy w/ this but it’s taken 18+ mos of daily blogging to even consider it. Lol. And even then, I am FAST and dont take tons. I want to forget about my blog when Im out 🙂

  12. Laura @ Meet Virginia says

    I’ve always wanted to try a raw restaurant!

    I used to feel pretty uncomfortable taking pictures of my food, but now all of my friends and family are really supportive! They will often say, “Oh you need a picture of this for your blog!” Sometimes it’s awkward if people don’t know about my blog, but I get over it. 😉

    You look so gorgeous in your picture!

  13. Eleanor@eatinglikeahorse says

    That’s weird… I had a huge craving for pesto today, went out and bought some roasted red pepper stuff and it’s possibly the best thing I’ve ever eaten!
    I’m currently almost unable to move, having just eaten sauted aubergine, baked in layers with mushrooms, spinach, tomato, garlic and pesto and it was A.Mazing… that lasagne looks delicious as well… I might have to try something like that 🙂

  14. melissa @ the delicate place says

    oh my husband totally gets it now. he’s like do you want a picture of this or that haha 🙂 my fam totally thinks i’m a space cadet.

  15. Alyson says

    Oooooh yummy! I had this dream the other day that I moved to Texas! 🙂 A raw restaurant would be my love (especially since I’m going to be going raw for a month coming soon! What a challenge!!!! Ahh!). But this restaurant sounds amazing. 🙂 “Mmmmm-mmmm-mmm” for raw food goodness! 😉

  16. Fi says

    I love raw lasagne- I’ve only had it once but it was yum!! My family aren’t keen of me taking photos of food at all, and my friends would probably give me funny looks,food blogging ain’t a be thing here, they just don’t “get it”. Would u consider doing a “katies rawsagna” recipe? Xx

  17. Christine (The Raw Project) says

    The lasagna sounds wonderful, especially the pesto! When I’m with family or friends, I don’t feel strange taking pictures when eating out. But totally do when on a lunch with co-workers and try to discretely take with my phone, so they always look like crap. 😛

  18. Bianca- Vegan Crunk says

    Yum! We have a little raw cafe in Memphis too, and I don’t go there often enough. This reminds me that I should go there!

    As for taking food photos in public, doesn’t bother me a bit. I’ve taken ’em in fancy restaurants (with the flash) and I’ve even requested tables by a window to ensure good lighting. I always explain to my server that I have a food blog, and they’re always very receptive. At one restaurant, I went to take a picture and my server actually asked me to hold on. He took my plate back to the kitchen and came back a few minutes later with cutesy garnishes because the chef wanted her plating to look nice on my blog!

  19. bitt says

    I don’t blog every meal out but I do sometimes. Most of my weird looks are from the servers but then I tell them I am doing a review and they don’t mind. The small businesses at the farmer’s market LOVE it because they will take the free exposure.

    No friend/family has ever been mean about the pics but they have been frustrated if I make them wait to eat while I take a picture. Who wouldn’t?

  20. Shannon says

    Katie! That food looks soo good. Have you ever been to Spiral Diner and Bakery? I am from the WIchita Falls area, and I try to go there at least once every couple of months. There is one in both Dallas and Fort Worth, and they have all vegan food. Every time I’ve eaten there I’ve loved it.

  21. Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says

    I’ve been to a raw vegan restaurant in London, which was great! The best part was dessert- raw cacao cake 🙂
    Sadly most of my friends and family find the photographing food thing very odd, so I definitely try and avoid doing it in front of them where possible!

  22. Mary @ Bites and Bliss says

    How awesome you found a new raw restaurant! Even better that the foods really good 🙂

    I don’t feel awkward taking food photos (or any) in public anymore. I take my camera everywhere and am constantly taking pictures all around campus and what not. People probably think I’m some tourist..but I don’t care. 😛 If they know me, they know about my blog..and if they don’t know me then it doesnt matter lol

  23. Namaste Gurl says

    Lucky you have a raw food cafe in your area– unfortunately mine went out of business. I guess people just don’t get it :)! Oh well, there’s still plenty of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, I’m grateful for that!

    And yes, I TOTALLY get embarrassed taking food photos around other people, even my parents and close family/ friends. Like I said, people out there just don’t get it!

  24. Erika @ Health and Happiness in LA says

    I love raw lasagna. I think every one I’ve tried has been good.

    I don’t like taking pictures of my food in front of other people, I feel super weird! The only person who doesn’t think it’s strange is my mom. So in front of other people I might just sneak a cell phone picture.

  25. Jess@atasteofconfidence says

    A lot of people don’t know about my blog, so they think it’s kind of strange when I attempt to snap pictures of food!

  26. Brandie says

    OH I want to try raw so badly! 🙂 I don’t know that San Diego has ANYthing, we so suck, lol. Your hair is getting so LONG! Wow, you look great as usual and I WANT some of that Rawsagna Lol… Think they ship? *giggle*

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Wha? LOL I always heard San Diego was like a healthy HAVEN (not to mention warm and sunny :)). I’ve always wanted to go.
      No, I don’t think the rawsagna will ship… you’ll just have to get your butt over to Texas so I can take you in person 🙂 :).

      • Brandie says

        Hahahah – I’m on the next flight! Well, maybe not the NEXT flight 😉 But I have family in TX, when I get out that way I’ll so go with you! 😀 OH and feel free to come out and vists SD too! I researched last night and turns out we have 2 raw restaurants! Not near me of course 😉 But close enough.. and we do have some awesome vegan places too… just not ENOUGH LOL 😉 More, we need more! *rofl*

  27. Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says

    Sheesh I wish I had a raw restaurant nearby!!! It would be so fun and interesting 🙂 That lasagna looks amazing!

  28. BroccoliHut says

    Sometimes I feel a little awkward, but most of the time I know that no one is paying attention to me. That being said, I most definitely refused when Seth’s mom asked if I wanted to take pictures of the family’s meals at a restaurant!

  29. GirlonRaw says

    Oh wowee Katie, that tomato slice looks almost as big as your head! I wish I had of made it to Dallas when I was studying at 105degrees in OKC earlier on in the year, even to just get to check out Bliss Raw Cafe, but I can live vicariously through you!

  30. Heather Eats Almond Butter says

    Katie,
    You look so pretty in that photo, but then you always look pretty in all your photos. 🙂

    So envious of your Bliss Cafe experience. Nashville is in major need of a place like that. I no longer feel weird taking pics in restaurants. My friends and family are very supportive and are always like, “do want a picture of mine too?” 🙂

  31. Erin says

    You should also check out the Spiral Diner- they have two locations, one in Fort Worth and then one in Oakcliff. Their menu is a bit more varied and the prices are pretty great too!

  32. Jenny says

    Looks like the restaurant is named appropriately. 😀 Well… at least based on the taste of your dish! And their tomatoes must be MASSIVE! That’s one big slice there, haha~

    I used to feel so embarrassed taking pictures of food while eating out in restaurants, but I never do anymore. 🙂 One of the friends I always eat out with does it too (though she’s not a food blogger so I don’t know her reasons?) and our other friend just goes with the flow so… XD It definitely took a while to get over the awkwardness though!

    PS – You look so great in that photo! Practically glowing with health, as always!Probably due to all the great and delicious food you always eat… and all those antioxidants from a chocolate covered diet! 🙂

  33. Jos says

    My other friends also like taking food pictures, though they’re non food bloggers so I’m fine doing it. My hubby is the only one that know about my blog.
    My parents were a bit wonder what I was doing but then got used with it. If I eat with strangers or people that I am not close to, I will feel a bit awkward taking food pic.

  34. Amber Shea @Almost Vegan says

    I’m so happy to see you finally BLISSed out ;P I’ve reviewed Bliss on my blog three times in less than a year. It’s right alongside 105degrees as my favorite raw restaurant ever.

  35. Alisa Cooks says

    I have eaten at a couple of raw restaurants and do find the entrees to be hit and miss. Since it really is “new” food (not like how you can walk into a Mexican place and go “I like tacos” and order the tacos and be able to compare the quality), it can be a lot of experimentation for the diner too! Fun adventure though.

  36. Becky @ my life be like says

    wow that lasagna looks delish! yes, i feel awkward taking photos most of the time with non-bloggers. they don’t understand that blogs are VERY unappealing without pictures 🙂 I didn’t know you live in Dallas. I live in Tulsa. Wooohooo for Middle America!!! 🙂

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