When it comes to restaurants that make healthy taste good, no one tops, beats, or surpasses Flower Child, the madly popular restaurant chain that has just opened its very first location in Houston, at Uptown Park.
Flower Child is part of Fox Restaurant Concepts (FRC), the trailblazing restaurant group based in Arizona that has changed the culinary landscape in America with concepts such as North Italia and Blanco Tacos & Tequila. But perhaps none of the FRC concepts is as big a cult phenomenon as Flower Child, a restaurant that's met with adulation (and long lines) wherever it goes.
It isn't just the fact that it serves food that's as tasty as it is nourishing, making it easy to make better-for-you lunch and dinner choices. It's the whole free-spirited vibe, with a bright and cheerful pop-art atmosphere — think rainbow colors with splashes of lime green — that feels as fun and liberating as a concert picnic with friends.
The restaurant offers literally something for everyone; whether you're paleo, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, or just plain hungry, you are welcome here. On the menu are bowls, wraps, grains, and greens, all made with fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients. It has a freewheeling mix-and-match approach that lets you configure your meal in whatever format you like.
You can go traditional with an entree like grass-fed steak, or graze through many flavors via smaller dishes such as spicy Japanese eggplant with Thai basil and cashew.
Of course, there are killer salads, such as the organic kale with pink grapefruit, apple, black currant, smoked almond, white cheddar, and apple cider vinaigrette.
There are also bowls: Consider the Mother Earth, with ancient grains, sweet potato, portobello mushroom, avocado, cucumber, broccoli pesto, leafy greens, red pepper miso vinaigrette, and hemp seed.
The whole-wheat pita bread is baked in-house for the wrap sandwiches, such as the Flying Avocado with smoked turkey, gouda, romaine, tomato, and avocado hummus. Speaking of hummus, it comes in two versions: the simple one with peppadew, olive, lemon, and oregano, or with avocado, corn, clementine orange, and pumpkin seed. Both are served with warmed pita triangles, although you can order with crisp, raw veggies if you prefer.
There are also soups and gluten-free desserts, and a healthy menu for kids.
Flower Child also boasts an extensive beverage program that includes organic wine, local beer, Texas-based Kosmic kombucha, cold brew coffee, and juices. The lemonades are a trademark: made with fresh ingredients and available in a variety of regular and seasonal flavors.
One cool thing is Flower Child's stance on sustainability. The juices are made with the same fresh fruit and veggies as the main dishes and sides to create delicious beverages while conserving every bit of food.
The Uptown Park store is at 1101 Uptown Park Blvd. and is open daily from 11 am–9 pm, with indoor and outdoor seating and a separate line for to-go orders. Everything is designed to make life easy for you.
The hummus comes in two versions, and is served with either pita bread or crisp veggies.
Don't skip dessert at Sayad Mediterranean Kitchen.KSayad Mediterranean Kitchen/Facebook