Henley’s Wholefoods serves paleo-friendly foods. I don’t actively follow the lifestyle, but their core principle with keywords like “choice”, “nutrient-dense” and “sustainable” is right up my alley, so it’s only appropriate that I selected the recently opened branch in Alexandria near my workplace as the venue for the lunch meetup with the Zomato Sydney Community Managers today!
The small cafe on Mitchell Road has a handful of tables parked along the walls inside, and outdoor seating for bigger groups. Unfortunately, because of the rain, we had to settle for the indoor table meant for two with an extra chair popped next to it. I ordered the original Cocowhip ($6) and a long black ($3.5); the community managers got the Grain Waves with Poached Chicken ($16) and Pumpkin Hazelnut Meal Bread ($14) for their lunch. Our food arrived shortly after the order.
I love all things coconut! Disappointingly, my gluten- and dairy-free CocoWhip didn’t taste quite as coconutty as I’d hoped, but it definitely didn’t have any added sugar in it. This would probably make quite a nice treat on a hot day — just eat it as soon as it’s served, because mine deflated very quickly while I waited for the others’ food to arrive.
Grain Waves with Poached Chicken comes in two parts: one dish for the grains (brown rice, quinoa and millet), accompanied by lentils, vegetables and garnishes; and the other for the added protein. I don’t think this is strictly a paleo dish, though, what with its “anti-nutrient” ingredients.
The pumpkin hazelnut meal bread, on the other hand, has every ingredient both the paleo community and I would approve. It doesn’t look like a huge plate, but the nut meal content plus the stack of smoked salmon and zucchini ribbons on top make it a rich and filling dish; a good option for someone who prefers a heavier lunch. If it had a few more slices and the cafe was opened beyond 4 pm, I could see myself ordering it for dinner.
Henley’s Wholefoods at Alexandria has a selection of vegetarian, vegan and paleo-friendly menu items that allow for mixing-and-matching, great for anyone with those dietary restrictions or pursuits. I thought it was a bit pricey for its smallish serving size, but health comes at a cost, I guess! If I return, I would be quite interested in trying the grass fed beef burger or one of their eggy breakfasts.
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