Ottawa Magazine

March 2006

As soon as you descend the stairs of Perfection-Satisfaction-Promise, you sense that perhaps you're not of this world anymore. Even though the space is cramped and the lineup is long, no one appears to be chomping at the bit. One by one, everyone takes their turn ordering from the good-natured cashier. By the way, menus can be found near the entrance and at the counter.

Tables can be difficult to find in this 25-seater ...but the food is absolutely delicious, even if it is healthy. A mild red lentil soup is perfectly seasoned with a hint of lemon juice and good with the nine-grain bread. While you can order pizza or a vegan veggie burger, the menu offers mainly a choice of brown rice or potatoes (baked, mashed, or sweet) with different toppings such as chili, vegetable curry, or guacamole. One variation is a baked potato with broccoli and cheese sauce. Brown rice with tofu is surprisingly good, as well, the rice nutty and the tamari-marinated tofu tender and meaty-tasting. Great with a homemade juice or organic lemonade.

Mississippi Mud Cake with vanilla ice cream cannot possibly be good for your body but does work wonders for your soul. It's warm, dense, and practically pure chocolate. Chai is quite the elixir with its bracing clove and cinnamon flavours. No Liquor licence. Takeout available. Open until 8 p.m. evenings; closed Sundays. Stairs down to restaurant.