October 15th, 2009 by Whitney Shae – Comments (35)
Tulsa is introducing a new concept into a land of burgers, french fries, steaks and milkshakes.
Going Raw. This concept has been sweeping the country for a few years now and has proven to be a healthier alternative to what most people know as “normal” eating.
Cooking not only destroys nutrition and enzymes, but when heat is applied, chemical changes occur creating many of the carcinogens, mutagens, free-radicals and other toxins that are associated with many of today’s diseases, from diabetes and arthritis to heart disease and cancer. Two common myths are that a diet consisting primarily of raw food is expensive and that it takes a lot of time to prepare. Now it does tend to take time to chop fresh fruits and vegetables, but when you add up all the cooking time spent on a normal meal, it turns out to take less time when eating raw. Expense also tends to be lower when eating raw due to not spending extra money on processed foods and eating out.
For years, Cynthia Beavers has not only been preparing and eating raw food, but shipping her beautiful raw vegan cuisine all over the country right here from Tulsa! Speaking with Cynthia the other day, I told her that it made me nervous to think about a Raw Food Restaurant because when I eat meat I want it to be cooked! She informed me that there is no meat in her restaurant. All of the food she serves is fresh and consists primarily of fruits, vegetables and nuts. How healthy and exciting!
“Having two raw cuisine restaurants opening this fall may be a sign that the state’s diet is headed in a healthier direction,” said Cynthia in an interview with Tulsa World this week.
Pure Raw Cafe will be opening up Friday, October 23rd. This cafe is located on 3711 S. Harvard Ave. in Tulsa.
For more information or to order food to be shipped to your home, visit http://www.purerawcafe.com/
Pictures from the Pure Cafe Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/PureCafe
Tags: Breakfast · Dinner · Food Delivery · Gourmet · Healthy · Organic · Vegetarian
35 responses so far ↓
Jan Oct 15, 2009 at 10:59 am
Wow! I have wanted to try 105 Degrees in OKC since it opened, I won’t even have to travel now! Mmmm…these pictures look so amazing!
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Brian Oct 15, 2009 at 11:25 am
Those tacos look amazing!!!!!!! Wow! I can’t wait…
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Joe Oct 15, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Although I eat my share of meat (www.JoesBurgerSearch.com) I do like options especially since my oldest daughter is vegan. I’m gonna have me some of those tacos.
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Jeff Oct 16, 2009 at 11:33 am
I appreciate the review, in this case the announcement, of the establishment. I do wish that the reviewer didn’t go into the whole justification of the style of food, with the underlying “guilting” of people who don’t eat this style. As “omnivores”, the human being thrives on the diversity of nourishment available. Anything that the species can digest and derive sustenance from should be appreciated without having to fault other choices. From my experience, this site has been all about the experience of all food in the Tulsa area without passing judgment on it. To quote a TV personality, “If if looks good, eat it.”
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NGP Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 11:43 am
We have been waiting for this restaurant to open! We have been vegan for seven years, just moved to Tulsa, and have found a dearth of options. We’ll be there every single week!
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NGP Reply:
October 18th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Jeff, did you know that Oklahoma has some of the nation’s highest death rates from heart disease and ranks sixth in the nation in obesity? Given that fact, and the fact that the author of this piece used actual scientific research rather than subjective opinions to promote the restaurant, you might want to reevaluate your opinion about this article as well as your approach to eating. Most of us learn as toddlers that we can’t put things in our mouths just because they “look good.” I myself am not a raw foodist, but I believe that if we all followed this TV personality’s axiom, there’s no telling what else we might eat in addition to the garbage we often put in our mouths now. Just because it looks good, doesn’t mean it’s good to eat:
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Reid Oct 19, 2009 at 8:58 am
$75 for a raw pizza. Yeah, that’s going to be HUGE in Tulsa!
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Christine Oct 19, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I took a Metabolic Wellness class that was held there. They had samples of Chef Cynthia’s creations most weeks & they were delicious! I can’t wait for them to open! People who need a big ol’ plate of food or a buffet experience will probably be unimpressed. The thing about a raw food lifestyle is: once you are into it, this much of a nutrient-dense food is all you need. If you have any interest in raw/vegan/veggie cuisine, you must give Pure Raw Cafe a try.
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Erica Oct 20, 2009 at 10:08 am
I am very excited about this opening. Raw foodists typically don’t eat meat in my experience. Try researching before interviewing….
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Shae Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Thank you for the comment Erica.
By the way, depending on the type of lifestyle and results desired, raw food diets may include a selection of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, meat, and non-pasteurized/non-homogenized dairy products. Raw foodists can be divided between those that advocate raw vegetarianism or raw veganism, those that advocate a raw omnivorous diet, and those that advocate a diet of only raw animal foods (carnivorous).
If you want to research it, it’s pretty interesting.
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Erica Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 10:28 am
You might want to cite that since it is quoted word for word.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_foodism
A sentence before:
“Raw foodism or a raw diet is usually equated with raw veganism in which only raw plant foods are eaten.”
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Shae Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 10:35 am
“Raw foodism or a raw diet is usually equated with raw veganism in which only raw plant foods are eaten, but other raw foodists emphasize raw meat and other raw animal products.”
Raw Paleolithic Diets- http://www.rawpaleodiet.org/
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AJS in Tulsa Reply:
October 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Erica,
If you talk to the Chef/Owner Cynthia Beavers, She will tell you that she herself loves a good steak, and does enjoy other meat as well. She was a vegetarian for 20 years but has since re-introduced meat into her diet. I think it is silly to assume that everyone who appreciates the art and science of raw food is a vegetarian. That is a very good way to steer omnivores away from giving this wonderful cuisine not only a chance, but then a regular place in their diet.
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carrisa Oct 24, 2009 at 11:07 am
Who knew such a topic as raw food would get so many people in an uproar. I agree with Reid, who is going to pay $75 for a raw pizza? Or $68 for a pie? Hello recession food!
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jen Oct 26, 2009 at 1:02 am
If you read their menu…it sounds DELICIOUS.
What I can’t handle is the prices.
So only the rich will be eating there.
Hope there’s enough of them to keep the doors open.
Honestly…$11 pasta?
$7 glass of juice? I don’t care how fresh it is…that’s too much.
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Mark Oct 30, 2009 at 10:28 am
What can I say? An absolutely incredible experience, certainly the most friendly experience ever in a Tulsa restaurant, and up there in terms of food I’ve enjoyed in our fair city. I’ve certainly never had a better evening in a restaurant, the ambience and staff are so welcoming and friendly! Chef Cynthia Beavers not only chatted with us several times over the course of the evening, explaining the philosophy of the whole ‘raw’ experience, but created some stunning dishes. Believe me, you get what you pay for, and this was worth every dime. (and I say that as someone really tightening my belt!!) And best of all, no skimpy portions. Believe me, you will struggle to do three courses here. I was stuffed after my app (baja burritos), so, so flavorful, and the yum yum coconut noodles as my main. Order extra almond chili sauce as a side. You’ll want it!!!
My g/f (a chef) was in delirium over her white truffle ravioli, which was utterly sinful and decadent. Who knew eating raw could be so mind expanding, fun, and utterly, utterly food coma inducing???!!!! I better stop writing or I will go on and on and on…
What a GREAT addition to Tulsa!!!!
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Reid Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Some people have very different concepts of “tightening their belts.” For instance, I don’t know a single person who could claim with a straight face that a $7 glass of orange juice was “worth every dime.” I could buy GALLONS of orange juice for 70 dimes.
If I may ask, what was your total tab for the evening? By my calculations, you spent in excess of $50 for two before gratuity just for the items you listed, assuming you didn’t order any 1000% inflated drinks. There are several restaurants in this town where you could spend the same amount of money for a meal, and many of them are struggling despite having a much broader appeal, a much larger audience, and no “philosophy” attached. I’ll be very generous and give this place a year to survive.
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Mark Reply:
November 4th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
It’s quite simple. You ‘pay your money and takes your choice’. No-one is holding a gun to anyones head to force them to eat there. If it doesn’t appeal to you, that’s fine. We all have different conceptions of value. You might balk at paying $25 for a bottle of wine that I wouldn’t. Or $25 for a piece of steak. I don’t like buying wine in Tulsa as it’s so highly marked up in so many places. Others choose too. Their decision.
I don’t even see why it’s a point of debate. Put it this way I’ve had food at Raw between $12-$20 that blows away comparable food in lots and lots of places in this town. It’s great value as it’s so good.
Pure is having great success via word of mouth and using the web creatively. It’s a hard sell to many people and that’s what I intend to help change. To shout from the rooftops so as many people try this fabulous cuisine as often as possible.
Cheers!
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Tulsa Web Nov 5, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Ya they really need to invest in a real website…I can’t find anything about a menu on there!!!
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Mark Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
??
http://www.purerawcafe.com/tulsa.htm
Linked from the home page……
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Tulsa Web Nov 6, 2009 at 11:22 am
Thanks! They really should have a button that says Menu
I was clicking all over on the ORDER NOW and MEAL service and never saw this!
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Mark Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I agree, it’s not exactly clear….
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Kendall Mar 16, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Really, $18 for nachos that consisted of maybe (10) “chips” a small portion of beans, a small portion of tomatoes and onions and a small portion of I don’t know what. My bad for not walking out of there when I saw the price. Adding insult to injury was the fact that I couldn’t even finish the food. Nice concept, not so nice food. Should be illegal for it to cost so much, flower decoration or no. Seriously, illegal!!!
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Jenny B. Reply:
March 19th, 2010 at 12:25 am
Illegal?!? Wow. That’s like the McDonald’s coffee lady suing because she didn’t know the coffee was going to be hot before she spilled it all over herself. Hmm. Girl walks into upscale raw vegan take-out place. Girl sees menu (including prices). Girl orders food (again, at upscale raw vegan place, knowing full well what the price was). Girl bitches about cost of food and small portion AND AT THE SAME TIME her inability to finish the food? Illegal? No. Stupid? Ding ding ding!
#1. If you don’t want to pay $18 for nachos, then don’t! Go to your neighborhood pub, and order #3 of greasy cheese on deep-fried chips that will probably even be served to you on an inverted trashcan lid.
#2. If you knew ANYTHING about the concept of raw foods, you’d know their dishes are very filling, and in this case usually meant to serve more than one portion per container (not that this was necessary, one iota of common sense would have told you this when the “10 chips etc..” that you whined about were too much to finish) so in essence, you paid $9 per serving for 2 servings of healthy, raw vegan (not to mention largely organic) food that is way better for you than greasy processed crap. The “I don’t know what” was probably the vegan “cheese” since that is usually a pretty important component of nachos. The food prepared in restaurants like this is #1, expensive in ingredient, and #2, very time consuming and labor intensive due to the restrictions of preparing it within certain temperature guidelines, which allows them to preserve the nutrition in the food. The fact that it costs more is not at all surprising.
#3. Again, I am still laughing at your “illegal” comment. Is it illegal for Saks and Miss Jackson’s to charge what they do for a coat when a coat of much more warmth can be purchased at Wal-Mart for far less? In this country, you can pay $1,000 for a pound of mushrooms (and $2,700 for a pound of white truffles), $2,800 for a Ribeye steak, $5,000 for a burger, and many other equally pricey foods including saffron, caviar etc etc. Does it make them illegal? Nope. Just a commodity people are willing to pay for due to a value they see in them. If someone would rather pay a premium for their food for whatever reason (be it novelty, rarity, or in the case of the above nachos, a healthier way to enjoy a guilty pleasure) then why on Earth is that wrong? Just because YOU don’t see the value in it doesn’t mean it isn’t there for someone else.
Now, hurry on back to El Chico and enjoy your $3 trough.
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Kendall Reply:
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Wow, you sure told me. Well said, you should be proud!
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Amanda Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:49 pm
I had the nachos. I thought they were good, and 4 of them were enough for lunch for me, so 2 of us split them. Basically the same as their enchiladas, but the “tortillas” were cut into squares. Their enchis are one of my fav entrees. Especially if you add extra cilantro.
Jan Mar 19, 2010 at 9:07 am
Wahoo to Raw food!
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Alisa May 27, 2010 at 9:35 am
Wonder what Bourdain has to say about this trend?
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Kate M. May 27, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I am so happy to see more things like this opening in Tulsa! Even if it’s not your cup of tea- you should appreciate the diversity!
I love trying new things- like Anthony Bourdain!!
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Staff Reply:
May 27th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Kate M.!!!
Congratulations!!!! You where just selected as the winner of 2 tickets to see Anthony Bourdain live!
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Sandra Geiger Nov 4, 2010 at 9:21 am
Are you still in business? I am going to be in Tulsa next week and would love to eat at your restaurant.
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Cynthia Reply:
November 8th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Check out our website to order or call 918-845-8414
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will Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Must be difficult to keep up with all your haters.Seems you have several people that are to say the least upset with you.Take some advice.You should make amends.By what all i have read not all can be false.Good luck to you in the future if you even have one left in the rawfood business!
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scott Nov 9, 2010 at 11:48 am
Nothing healthy about what was served there, unless you’re a hummingbird thriving on sugar (“hidden” as agave nectar). I ate at Pure once, and was turned off not only on the way the place was run but also found the food too sweet and not tasteful. I’m a foodie who’s nearly a vegetarian, and I’ve eaten healthy food all over the world. I hear Pure (or some form of it) is reopening again, and like I avoid donuts and other junk food, I’ll stay away from there for those same reasons.
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asdaddwwe Oct 30, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Are they closed now? Really wish I could have tried it before they did but like everyone else has said, this is Oklahoma and NO ONE is paying those kinds of prices in this economy for food that requires and acquired taste for it not matter healthy it is.
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