Wellspring focuses on organic, vegetarian fare

Since we're located downtown, Wellspring Café, at 300 W. McDaniel, seemed like a natural choice.

The décor is eclectic, with lots of live plants and a variety of reading material lined up along the large display windows, much of it devoted to healthful and organic living. The café also bills itself as a general store, and visitors may purchase items ranging from candles and incense to clothing.

On the menu

Wellspring owners Paul and Nancy Day offer recipes developed without eggs or dairy products, and their breads and baked goods use whole grains and alternative natural sweeteners, facts that they proudly state on their menu.

The reliance on grains and the absence of meat meant that I was not able to stick to my low-carb diet for lunch, but while Dr. Atkins might not have approved, I have to say that I did.

While Wellspring offers organic, fair-trade tea and coffee, as well as smoothies, apple juice, spritzers, natural sodas, regular sodas and soy milk drinks, my companions and I all opted for water. Orders are taken at the counter and delivered to the table, and we received excellent service from our counterman/waiter, Jesse Day. Each of us received our food in less than 10 minutes, and Day repeatedly checked on us during the meal.

The orders

I ordered the hummus served with homemade pita bread ($4.95), plus a cup of tortilla soup ($3.95), which is the house soup and a popular favorite.

My companions, SBJ News Editor Eric Olson and Page Designer Aaron Scott, had the chili with jalapeño cornbread ($5.95) and the Chef's Favorite sandwich ($6.95), respectively.

I found the tortilla soup to be excellent. It was spicy and aromatic, with crispy bits of tortilla providing a textural counterpoint to soft and tasty vegetables and slivers of avocado. The hummus was a little bland to my taste, but some sea salt brought out the flavor.

Olson said that the jalapeño cornbread was what really made his meal. The chili alone was bland, but combined with the jalapeño cornbread, he said, the flavor was perfect.

Scott, our resident vegetarian, enjoyed the Chef's Favorite sandwich, which combines homemade hummus, grilled tofu, avocado, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onion. Like all Wellspring sandwiches, it was served on homemade, organic multigrain bread with eggless mayonnaise, mustard, alfalfa sprouts and carrot garnish.

Scott enjoyed his sandwich, noting that the tofu added texture and helped to set off the light but distinctive flavor of each ingredient.

We were in and out within 30 minutes, and all were left full and satisfied.

While Wellspring is a fine location for casual dining, we suggest you leave any stuffed shirts or carnivorous tendencies at the door.

Wellspring Café

300 W. McDaniel

Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday

Phone: (417) 865-1818

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