Of the many reasons a restaurant may not be a crazy success, often ¾ dare I say most of the time? ¾ the quality of the food is the last. Some of those places are so devoted to the goodness of what they serve that they totally overlook everything else, including promoting themselves. They miss unbridled potential. That is the biggest problem with one of my favorite places in town, The Book Lover's Café.
This nerdy little vegetarian/vegan place is a morsel of tree-hugging goodness that reminds us why we are alive, and why over processed foods suck.
To find it go north from campus on 13th Street about four blocks. It's a low-slung brick building next to a bike shop and under a very big tree. It's also a used bookstore. You'll find yourself surrounded by books, which they encourage you to read while eating and buy afterwards if you like.
Everything seems homemade, fresh and preservative-free. The food is vegetarian or vegan, depending on the necessities of the dish, and often with the option for either. For example, the quiche has eggs and milk, but you can get it with tofu instead.
The flavors are pungent and powerful, and the combinations are exquisite - even the weird ones. Ever consider a classic Reuben sandwich with tempeh instead of pastrami? Neither did I. But get it; it's fabulous.
It comes with everything else a Reuben should - Thousand Island Dressing, sauerkraut and bits of red onion. The sandwich is served hot, baked together on rye bread and with a side salad or chips. Get the salad. It's a nice mix of greens, onions and tomato with a choice of dressing. The chips are regular Tostitos, possibly purchased at the gas station across the street.
My favorite dish is the Chimichurri sandwich. Rye bread ¾ everything is whole grain here ¾ is baked with slices of Granny Smith Apple and Monterey Jack cheese, absolutely smothered in Chimichurri sauce, and finished with greens, tomatoes and sweet onions. The apple lends an element of sweet tanginess to the herbal aromas of the pesto-like sauce.
The Lasagna is a large slab of pasta and cheesie deliciousness, using mozzarella and feta. Thick and hearty, with good tomato sauce, you will hardly miss the beef. Again, get the salad with this. Two carbohydrates are just awkward.
Of the dishes I tried, I feel obligated to say my least favorite was the Hummus wrap. The interesting thing is even though I was comparably disappointed, I found myself oddly tempted to take another bite - which I did and was glad for. I looked at it thinking it lacked something ¾ the flavor was diminutive, and I've had better hummus at Publix. It was slightly bland, but felt loving and the vegetables were just so fresh that I have to say it was nice.
Somewhat randomly organized, the menu is not boring. It has a selection of deserts baked in-house that are "white-sugar-free" presumably using that "sugar in the raw" stuff that's so popular at Starbucks these days. It's healthier and better tasting for many people. The carrot cake looks to die for. There are also tons of soup and salad options ¾ exactly what you would want at an all natural place like this. They also offer a Sunday brunch, and daily specials of rotating fare, including Ethiopian and Greek dishes.
If you've always had a bad impression of vegetarian food and want to see more than celery sticks and tofu, come hereIt's great, not expensive, although by Gainesville standards not cheap either, and thoroughly satisfying.
The Book Lover's Café is on N.W. Fifth Street and 13th Avenue, north of campus. The walk is very easy. It is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., for brunch, lunch and dinner.
