Here's another brief video from our travels. Since time for editing is limited, I think I'll just run some more of the shorter vids this week and then get into the longer, more in-depth interviews next week. So, this is a short, fun conversation I had with Steve, who tends the raw juice and smoothie bar at Cousin's Incredible Vitality raw restaurant in Chicago. Here's the vid:
So, as you can see from the graphic below, the official name of that restaurant is "Cousin's Incredible Vitality" (better known as simply "Cousin's"). Why we had such a tough time recalling what the "I.V." stood for is beyond me. I kept thinking "insane variety" and all sorts of other hilarious but absolutely wrong word-combinations. Steve, having worked there for a while, still seemed to be having a tough time with the name, so I didn't feel so bad!
Anyway, I talked with Steve during my first visit. Mainly, I just stopped in briefly that day to grab a juice (which you can see was a tasty carrot / ginger / cinnamon concoction). The owners, Chef Mehmet Ak and Hatice Yavuz, weren't around at the time. But, Wendi, KDcat and I returned later along with a raw friend (who you'll also meet this week in some vids!) for a second visit. We were very fortunate to be able to sit down with Hatice for some fascinating raw talk (including a wonderfully thought-provoking backstory on the restaurant's name). I'll be running that video next week -- probably a two-parter.
Well, my friends, I need to get some sleep, as we're returning to Pittsburgh tomorrow and it's a painfully long drive. I'm saving a short, fun durian video for tomorrow's blog post. In it, you'll fnd out (among other hopefully more useful things) whether our dog Julia digs the durian or not. Dogs on durian... where else can you go for such gripping content !? ... But, seriously, there's *so* much spectacular stuff coming next week with these longer interviews (as well as one of the shorter ones).
Also in the works is the December Pure Jeevan newsletter, which I'll probably send out this weekend. That goes out to all Pure Jeevan family members each month. So, if you're a reader here but not getting that every month, please sign up (see the sidebar). It's free, and hooks you up with all sorts of additional raw info and inspiration (newsletters, special recipes, raw tips, our free eBooks, etc.). See you tomorrow!
Original Comments
Below, we have included the original comments from this blog post. Additional comments may be made via Facebook, below.
On December 17, 2009, wrote:
Excellent! I have family in Chicago and didn't even know there were raw restaurants there. I live in Arlington, VA, where we have zero raw restaurants. So I guess I'll have to fly to Chicago (in the spring!) for my raw restaurant fix until we finally catch up with the cool cities with botanical cuisine. Thanks so much for doing this.
On December 18, 2009, wrote:
You'll love the content we put up next week, then! We used to live in Arlington, btw. Falls Church, then Arlington, then Alexandria. Seems so long ago... As for DC metro raw destinations, I know only of Senbeb Cafe (way up north in DC) and Java Green (which isn't really only raw, but I think is kind of into the raw scene a bit & probably has some offerings). Sometimes you'll get lucky w/ some Whole Foods salad bar offerings, too. Is there one of those nearby?
On December 18, 2009, wrote:
Thanks, I'll be sure to check in. You certainly got around in northern VA! I have lived on Capitol Hill and in Baltimore, north of Georgetown and now Arlington for 16 years. Baltimore was by far my favorite, to tell the truth. I am from Alabama and just fit better there. Strange but true. Maybe it was everybody calling me "hon" all the time.
I hope to get to Senbeb someday. I went to Java and I have to be honest, did not care for their raw offerings. I have sampled online offerings and went to Rawfest East , so I am spoiled by the excellent raw cuisine available, made by talented chefs like Rorydawg, etc. I hear the Maryland Whole Foods have raw food bars. But at Virginia, like you said, salad bar.
Someday!
On December 18, 2009, wrote:
Yeah, we lived there for 5 years. Great town... we just felt the real estate was too pricey there for our situation at the time.
Senbeb struck me as very rich raw food, which is okay once in a while. I tend to like simpler raw dishes now. I never tried Java Green's food. Wendi did once and I think she said it was decent. I went there during Raw Spirit fest to attend Vanessa Barg's chocolate party for Jeff Skeirik, but didn't eat anything (got there too late).
BTW, Rawdawg is awesome! Did you watch the interview I did w/ him? Really loved his energy -- so positive and enthusiastic. :-)
On December 18, 2009, wrote:
Also wanted to note that the DC area has a pretty great meetup. Are you involved w/ that? If not, definitely check that out. We've done one Pittsburgh / DC meetup to date. Maybe we can do another in the spring!
On December 19, 2009, wrote:
I know re real estate! I insisted on buying a small place during the early '90s, when it was still doable for normal people. Because the rent was the same as a mortgage then. It has come down some but still is ridiculous. A neighbor told me her mortgage was $3,400 a month and these are little bitty houses!
I like simple raw food too, but it is nice to have the option of dishes made by someone else to supplement. A few years ago a wonderful woman in D.C. ran "Raw Meals on Wheels" out of her home. You could order online ahead and pick it up several days later. It was so delicious and an excellent way to keep raw. Some food was simple, some complicated, and always a choice of desserts. Then she disappeared and I have hoped for someone to take her place since. I have ordered from afar but the shipping is exhorbitant, it has to be because the food must be sent in coolers on ice.
And I am a member of the Northern VA meetup group, just haven't gotten to a meeting yet. I have a very busy teenage son who playes sports and is not yet driving so I just haven't been able to make one yet. I am hoping to meet somebody at one of the meetups who could steer me in the right direction of some of the things I need.
Rawdawg Rory is the best and I haven't seen the interview, but will find it. And re a Pittsburgh/DC meetup, with notice I will make that a priority!
On December 21, 2009, wrote:
My son, Mason Mitchell is snowbound in Triangle, VA at 18425 Woodland Drive, with 10 goats and 1 dog with no food for anyone. Please someone, find a way to get a bale of hay, some dog food and people food to them. He has been sick and still doesn't feel well. God bless you. Some of you were thinking of donating some money to me for my help earlier, but please help this man instead. His truck is not running, and the goats are usually housed in Fredericksburg, 27 miles away. Thank you, his phone # is 540-288-7241.