Temple, a plant-based eatery with an interior as colorful as its ingredients, is officially open for business at 5831 Sunset Drive. The new spot is now serving up breakfast and lunch to South Miamians looking for farm-to-tummy edibles.
It's a vibrant addition to Sunset's array of eatery options. A rainbow-hued mural (painted by a local artist) colors one wall, and the fresh, aesthetically appealing eats echo the place's motto: Joy to the Food.
Entrepreneur and co-owner Olivier Jardon-El Hiny and partner Sebastien Perro are looking to offer delicious, healthy food without any self-righteous overtones. The Sunset locale is likely to be the first of several locations.
"We believe in a whole food, plant-based lifestyle, it's not being too specific in saying what you have to do or how you have to do it, but making sure that whatever you have is the right food -- the right nutrients, the right vitamins and making sure you're not taking in any processed foods," says Jardon-El Hiny.
"We wanted to help people in terms of feeling good and restoring energy. The whole idea was to try and make it in a fun way and a pleasant way."
Their spotless, open kitchen features juicers and a steamer, but no microwave or stove. Almost all ingredients are made in house, and processed items are avoided almost entirely, says Jardon-El Hiny. They even make their milks in house (except soy, but that'll change soon). And out of 84 dishes, only three include oil.
"The whole idea was really to challenge the status quo and come up with something a little bit cool, fun, fresh, but making sure people can have something really healthy," he adds.
There are cold pressed juices on display for passers-by to sample, including the "You clean up nicely" (pineapple, apple, ginger and aloe vera, $10), the "Contains the power of a superhero cape" (carrot, orange, grapefruit, ginger, cayenne and guarana $12) and the "This can't be beet (but it is)" (beet, kale, apple, ginger, plum and mint $11).
They also have a takeaway fridge, stocked with juices, their line of Wonderful Waters (which includes the AWwwww blend of aloe and water, $3.50, and the pretty pink Rose Above, with rosewater, $4).
The full menu (developed with the help of a dietician) includes a make-your-own salad station; hot and cold breakfasts like the Morning, Sunshine (quinoa, barley, hemp, coconut milk, pomegranate, date, pumpkin seeds and fresh fruit, $9) and the Puree Power Acai Bowl (acai berry, banana, apple juice, mint, homemade granola and fresh fruit, $10); parfaits like the Dreamboat (chia pudding, coconut and cashew cream, blueberry, strawberry and candied pecan, $7); smoothies, elixirs and even to-go snacks like edamame and tamari ($6).
Pop in for a bite (or a sip) Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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