LOCAL: Greenbar & Kitchen - Fort Lauderdale [Review]

Hi Collective! Today I am bringing you a restaurant review from the Fort Lauderdale area. We typically like to do restaurant and local reviews in our own area, Fort Myers, because there aren’t a lot of options and we want to bring awareness to the options that we do have. However, I have been spending a lot of time on the East Coast of Florida since I started attending school for my Masters degree. I decided last week that I wanted to take my father to a plant-based restaurant that Rob and I had tried once before, to see his thoughts (plus I usually can't each much when we go to restaurants he chooses).

Greenbar & Kitchen

The restaurant I will be reviewing today is called the Green Bar & Kitchen. To start off, I do want to mention the restaurant is a bit difficult to find, it is situated in a strip mall of sorts around Harbordale in Fort Lauderdale. It is close to the drawbridge, but not too close where the traffic impacts getting to the establishment. Any who, once you find the restaurant the outside looks like a typical store front but on the right hand side there is lush greenery. To enter the restaurant you must go through their outside dining area, which has plenty of plants, like bamboo, pothos, monsteras and many more! Once you pass the tropical décor and enter the restaurant you are greeted with a counter where are you to place your order. This plant-based eatery offers sandwiches, burgers, grain bowls, smoothies, salads, wraps, craft beer, and mimosas with brunch on the weekends.

While waiting to place our order, I noticed that it seemed the majority of the business came from take-out and delivery. There weren't many people dinning for a late-lunch or early dinner (when I went with Rob last time, this was the case as well). But the server was steadily on the phone or entering to-go orders on the computer system, which is a great option if you are a busy on-the-go person like me!

When it was our turn to place our order, I decided to order the Blackened Chicken Caesar Wrap, my father ordered the Roasted Veggie Wrap, and we split an order of house-cut french-fries. The prices on the menu are a bit elevated (in my personal opinion). This may be because of the location, and also the cost of plant-based substitutes. My "chicken" wrap was about $12.50, my father's veggie wrap was $10.50 and a large side of fries was $4.75. After adding tip and drinks if you so choose, it can add up. However, compared to surrounding restaurants, serving "normal" food, a real deal chicken Cesar wrap will run you about $8.00 for 6" or $13 for 12" wrap (but it is served with a side of pasta salad). So, I guess the prices are worth it, I just wish a side was included.

We paid for our order and was given a wooden Jenga block with a number "8" on it and was told to choose a table we'd like and the food would be brought out to us (this was different than the last time we came because Covid was in FULL force and everything was in take-out containers). The food came relatively quickly and was very fresh!

The Food

Now we can talk about the food! I will start off by saying I was shocked! When I came here in December of 2020 with my "then-boyfriend" (now fiancée) Rob, I ordered a fried "chicken" sandwich because I feared the "fake chicken" feeling and taste. In order for me to eat seitan or other substitutes, you really have to wow me because the textures and underlying flavors freak me out. With that being said, I was hesitant on trying a "grilled" version of the imitation chicken. But, when I bit into that wrap, it took my back to my childhood days of ordering a chicken Caesar wrap on the weekends with my mom from our local pizzeria and then trying to make my own version later that week (peep my homemade Buffalo Chickpea Cesar Wrap recipe, here). The chicken substitute, which they market as "soy pieces" were cooked to perfection, if you didn't tell me - I don't think I could tell the difference between this and "normal" chicken apart. I gave it to my omnivorous father, and he was SHOOK. He praised them for being able to cook vegan food so well. He couldn't tell the difference either!

Now, the Roasted Veggie Wrap got a 5-star rating from my father. He said "this is really really good" and "wow" at least 5 or 6 different times. He applauded me for being able to find such a restaurant and was thoroughly impressed. This is a big deal coming from my father since he has been a chef for decades, if he doesn't like something or something isn't cooked right, he doesn't hold back. He gave it to me to try and to be completely honest, it just wasn't my thing. For people who like sweeter sauces, and a more "veggie" (mushy) texture, this might be right up your alley, but I can't say that I would personally order it. However, again - he raved about this option. The french-fries were really delicious too, reminded me of boardwalk fries we used to enjoy in Ocean City, Maryland during the summer months.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I would give this restaurant a 4.5 out of 5 star rating! Food wise, it was extremely impressive, I will definitely be eating there again before university, in the coming weeks. The only thing I wish was better, would either be more affordable prices or including a side with the main dish, most restaurants serve a side salad, chips or fries with a wrap - but at this establishment you must pay an additional almost $5.00 for this. Other than that, I have no complaints and can't wait to go back and take Natalie with me! Thank you Greenbar & Kitchen for making vegan/plant-based foods more accessible and delicious!