Vindu

I always fantasized about a restaurant (and I am sure most of you too) that is a melting pot of all cuisines. One that has creative menus and artistic presentation (hell, I even have a secret blog with my own fancy menus). One that truly celebrates food. One that promotes cooking with consciousness. And if one is lucky one might actually chance upon a place that does all of this. Like Sutra.

I read about Sutra here and I knew the very instant I had to try it out almost immediately.  We set out that very weekend with a couple other friends.  The food- divine, experience- sublime, and the ambience- minimalistic yet charming – that is how I’d describe Sutra.  It was night then and I didn’t take any pictures at all.  The following weekend I arranged a meet-up with the owners and here we are.

Sutra

Started by two Seattle families, Sutra, a community dining restaurant, is esconced in the warm Wallingford neighborhood just couple of blocks from Wallingford center. It is a vegetarian joint that focuses on global cuisine.

What does “Sutra” mean?
According to Amber, Colin’s partner here is the story behind the name. Amber wanted to place to signify something quintessential..something that powers life.  Something that means a thread that weaves all things life together. As she was driving one day in a sudden moment of epiphany the name Sutra came about.

Colin – the incredibly talented cook, was gracious enough to allow me to step into his kitchen and take some of the following photos.  I met with the crew early in the day and he whipped up something quick – Black rice Risotti so I can click it.

The menu changes every other day!! Isn’t cool!  The night I had been there I tried the following (it was more than month.. so the names are a bit off..I did my best to remember)

• Lettuce cups – very delicate tasting totally out of the world.
• Artichoke hearts in a heirloom tomato sauce – the best artichokes i have ever had
• Soba noodles in a tamarind suace with wilted arugula and green beans – totally awesome
• Coconut chocolate truffle with a smidgeon of hawaiin salt - I have had better truffles.

All this for just $33.

The great taste from everything that is cooked by Colin comes from the ingredients.  The Sutra team works with a group of local farmers that deliver fresh, organic ingredients. Everyday!

What’s charming about Sutra is their outlook.  They maintain a little herb and vegetable garden in the back. They also have worm bins to generate compost/bio-fertilizer.  The wastes from Sutra’s kitchen end up in the worm bins and decomposed on site.

Everybody at Sutra makes a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint.  They even convinced their Coffee merchant to deliver fresh roasted coffee beans in glass jars …. by walk.  Cool, isn’t?

I haven’t been to a place that was more fulfulling than Sutra.  If you are in the ‘hood do give it a try.

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