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Buffy88
July 12th, 2008, 02:37 AM
Elaine’s Cafe and Market features vegetarian and vegan options, including ice cream that may prompt you to abandon dairy forever.

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The cozy, earth-toned shop at 20th and G streets in downtown Bakersfield is having its grand opening Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

It carries herbal coffees, bagged grains and flours, fruit and meat substitutes.

“We carry a lot of things that regular stores don’t carry that people enjoy,” said co-owner Tracy Thompson. “Healthy food can be tasty.”

She and husband Tim have been vegetarians since 1983.

Tracy’s the chef; she’ll watch Rachael Ray prepare a meat dish and instantly knows how to “veganize” it, she said. Tim is her taster and, much like little Mikey from the old Life cereal commercials, if he likes her creations, Tracy knows others will, too.

Now, about that ice cream. It’s available in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, maple pecan and peppermint flavors, is made with MimicCreme. It’s a dairy-, soy- and gluten-free product that may be used in any recipe that calls for cream, including fettuccine Alfredo. Scoops are $1.75; pints, $3.99.

Plans include to install a kitchen with an oven and stove so Tracy can offer hot dishes such as lasagna. For now, breakfast and lunch items are available. Sandwiches are $4, and salads range from $3 to $5. Tracy’s homemade vegan dressings — Caesar, ranch and a maple vinaigrette — can top your creations.

Elaine’s is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Satya
July 12th, 2008, 04:06 AM
man, i sure wish i knew her ice 'cream' secrets. i would love to make my own non-dairy ice cream :)

CA gets all the good veggie restaurants :(

MrFalafel
July 12th, 2008, 04:37 AM
A veggie restaurant in Bakersfield? Holy cow that's a far cry from the Bakersfield I used to visit 25 years ago!

Buffy88
July 12th, 2008, 04:39 AM
Trust me! It's the first one! We still only have Lassens here. You'd think Whole Foods would of showed up but nope. At least there is Trader Joes too!

Buffy88
July 12th, 2008, 04:40 AM
When I go in there, maybe i'll pick her brain for the ice cream secret.

Satya
July 12th, 2008, 05:02 AM
When I go in there, maybe i'll pick her brain for the ice cream secret.

ohh, i'd love you forever if you shared it ;)

Amy SF
July 12th, 2008, 06:11 AM
BAKERSFIELD? Wow. :surprised

Buffy88
July 12th, 2008, 01:09 PM
I know Amy right?. And whats even better. It's right down the street from work. If they opened up a raw cafe. I'd die and go to heaven.