By Marrissa Ballard | Managing Editor
Raw Power Juice Bar & Kitchen is located on Broadway Street and stands apart from other Newport restaurants as a home-owned establishment dedicated to health foods. It caters to any and all dietary needs, whether you’re a vegetarian, a vegan, or gluten-free.
Inside the small shop, customers order and pay at the desk before selecting a table. The front of the restaurant is made up of large windows, which allow for sunlight and people-watching. The room is decorated with plants either on the tables or hanging from the ceiling.
Music blares from a small stereo and alternates between commercials, talk-radio, and rock songs. Patrons sit around the restaurant, talking or studying. Some people stop in only for a juice or smoothie, while others will sit for a meal.
I was first introduced to the existence of the restaurant by a vegan and gluten-free friend, but I didn’t visit it until after I took up the vegetarian lifestyle myself. I was attracted to it even more because Raw Power is one restaurant where I don’t need to search the menu to find meat-free options. In fact, the entire menu is meat-free.
In lieu of meaty options, Raw Power’s menu includes healthy juices, smoothies, rice and zucchini bowls. Appetizers include baked – not fried – sweet potato fries and gluten free corn-chips and salsa or humus. You can view the full menu online here.
For the appetizer, I tried the corn-chips and salsa. The corn-chips were crunchy and salty; they perfectly complimented the thick, slightly sweet and spicy salsa.
As a main course, I ordered the dish that had piqued my interest when I first heard about Raw Power: Dready Benny’s Zucchini bowl. I got the “veggie loaded” version, topped with peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and a light garlic oil sauce.
The zucchini was fresh and crunchy, and the dressing contained the perfect amount of garlic. The meal came in a small plastic container, as if the chef knew I would be taking left-overs home. He was right; the portion was actually extremely large and I was full after only eating about half of it. The rest became my lunch the next day.
I had to order one of the famous Raw Power Juices, of course. I had the “Energy” juice, which contains orange, apple, and beets. The juice was sweet with earthy tones and went really well with the salty chips and zucchini pasta. I also got to try the “Lemonade” juice, which was thicker and more like a smoothie, but still delicious.
Overall my experience at Raw Power was amazing. The only tricky thing about eating there is the parking, as Broadway can sometimes be busy. I didn’t have any trouble finding parking when I went around lunchtime, though.
The only other possible downside to Raw Power is the price-tag, because healthy food often comes at a higher price. But if you’re used to shopping for organic food and veggies, the prices at Raw Power probably won’t make you blink. The juices are 7 dollars each and the smoothies are $8, which can seem expensive for a small drink. However, the zucchini bowl was only $10 dollars and I received a huge portion that lasted for two meals.
If you’re worried about cash, I would recommend getting a full meal and skipping the juice or smoothie. But if you’re willing to splurge on some really well-made and refreshing drinks, the juices are definitely worth the price.
Even if you’re not a vegetarian or even a health-food enthusiast, I would recommend giving Raw Power a try. The juices are amazing and the food is fresh and filling. The atmosphere is really casual and comfortable, making it the perfect place to stop and hang out while you eat. You can also pick up a smoothie as a mid-day snack. If you’re in the mood for a quieter, cozier, home-owned healthy meal, Raw Power is definitely the place for you.
