Green Gables Cafe offers "real food"

I've been trying to eat meatless more and more these days. Almost daily for months I've gone to The Last Carrot here in the Grove for a green drink and also lunch and I am now juicing at home. I've always eaten this way, but I'm being more strict now and because of that, I've been venturing outside 33133 to find variety.

A few of us checked out Green Gables Cafe in Coral Gables recently. It's been there for three years, but this was the first time I visited. The cafe is located at 327 Alhambra Circle.

The family-owned restaurant serves meat (turkey and chicken) as well as vegan and vegetarian dishes, they just serve "real food," as they call it -- organic vegetable and fruits, free range, grass fed, hormone free meats and gluten free breeds along with lots of nuts and seeds. They work with local artisans and sustainable farmers. There are wraps, salads, healthy burgers, fish and they serve breakfast as well as lunch. Above left is one of their veggie wraps and at right is the crab cake salad.

There are lots of great and "healthy" desserts like this carrot cake, at right. The variety changes daily.

Burgers include the Black Bean Veggie Burger, The Vegan Burger and the Green Gables Burger, which is a turkey burger. All $15. There's a local fish of the day, Turkey Picadillo, Turkey Vacafrita and of course the artisan sandwiches: Sauted Veggie Wrap, Pulled Turkey Breast, Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, Roast Beef, Chicken Curry Salad and more from $9 to $12 each.

Salads and appetizers and a soup of the day also are on the menu. Sides include Black Bean Veggie Patty, Light Tuna Salad, Sweet Potato Fries, Baby Greens, Basmati Brown Rice and lots more, from $2.50 to $9 each.

Drinks include things like Lemon Water (very tart), Spicy Apple Juice,  and lots of mixed fruit/veggie drinks as well as iced tea and bottled water.

For more info, please check out their website at www.greengablescafe.com. They are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. They offer take-out and delivery. Phone: 305-445-7015.