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Karyn's Fresh Corner Cafe 1901 North Halstead St., Chicago, Illinois 60614
Phone: 312.255.1590 Fax 312.255.1592  Hours: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

Forget salads and "rabbit food." Karyn's Raw food restaurant is a display of textures, flavors and plenty of variety with dishes that are yummy, filling, and yes, uncooked.

When I walked into Karyn's I felt immediately rejuvinated. The place is very posh and clean in that minimlaist kind of way. There's plenty of Feng Shui going on at Karyn's, allowing all air to flow freely. Immediately the belly dancing and yoga class posters caught my eye, then the fliers advertising the spa services, and the cooking classes too. The restaurant is divided into two rooms; the first dining area is more of a cafe, with blonde wooden floor and furniture. The second is darker wood floor, with black charis and white table cloths. Karyn, who happens to be the black woman who started the restaurant, had not just good raw dishes in mind when she opened this restauraunt, but healthy living.

I can personally attest to the almond pate, which in combination with spinach and chips left me full for hours. Being a cheese fanatic, I was happy to learn I did not have to give up my cheese should I choose to really go raw. There's the $4 beet seed cheese, made of pumpkin seeds, beets, onion, carrots and garlic.  My favorite dish was The California Roll, which is Nori sheet stuffed with Almond pate and avacado. I have a small appetite, so this $8 dish of three rolls and a small side salad was two meals. At first glance, the food looked expensive, but each meal cost the same as I'd normally pay for lunch or any other meal I'd buy here in Cleveland, so the prices really aren't that bad. When you factor in that the body processes the whole foods (organic) better than cooked heavy food, it's an added bonus. Dining at Karyn's you end up satisfied, not stuffed. My only regret was that I did not see the oxygen drops. Oxygen is used to help cells breathe, wich helps them fight the toxins in the body. A visit to the website told me there's an oxygen bar as well. My next trip ack I will definitely check that out.

You can also buy goji berries, vitamins and other healthful delights for when you're back at home. Along with a spa, there is a small section books about healthy and spiritual living.