EAT YOUR VEGETABLES

AT TRUE FOOD KITCHEN, YOU’LL WANT TO DINE HEALTHY

Judging solely off Kevin Martin’s culinary background, it’s surprising he gravitated toward True Food Kitchen’s healthy approach.

Martin, executive chef of the Preston Center location, started his career in a “couple savory restaurants with cream and butter.” His father was a French chef and thought kale was a garnish, not a vegetable.

“I still like to cook everything, but I stand behind this menu,” Martin says. “It’s been eyeopening to see what we can do with things that you typically didn’t grow up eating.”

True Food Kitchen is the brain child of business-savvy restaurateur Sam Fox and Dr. Andrew Weil, creator of an anti-inflammatory diet pyramid that he claims prevents chronic

Did You Know?

inflammation and disease.

In 2017, investment firm Centerbridge Partners bought the Arizona-based chain, of which Oprah is now an investor. Weil remains involved with the restaurant and menu, which highlights seasonal produce, whole grains and lean protein.

“He still goes to all the restaurants and kisses babies and shakes hands,” Martin says.

True Food Kitchen’s offerings rotate four to six times per year. The summer menu includes a Korean noodle salad ($14) with sweet potato glass noodles, bok choy, kale and mango. The $14 Mediterranean chicken pita is served with romaine, arugula, grape, house pickle, red onion, feta and harissa tahini.

By ELISSA CHUDWIN Photos by KATHY TRAN

The menu changes at the beginning of October. Nothing is finalized, but expect to see plenty of brussels sprouts, butternut squash and apples.

True Food Kitchen accommodates vegan, gluten-free and other restrictive diets. Martin doesn’t mind concocting off-menu items either. That’s part of the reason the Preston Hollow spot, which is the smallest in size, has so many regulars — some who come twice per day.

“There are at least 15 people that I know at lunch we’re going to make the same thing every day,” Martin says. “As soon as we see the order, we just know. They know we’re going to get it right. They know they can order it, and we’re not going to have any problems.”

Back to school got you running around like crazy? Let us help: whole food, plant-based meals, snacks, breakfast, and baked goods-grab and go daily + meal plans/orders.

Tell me about the mural:

The mural predates me. This was a public project. It was done in conjunction with Eyecon Studios and a few local artists. We like using it for book signings, events. One of the biggest engagements across the system is the homeless engagement initiative. They have Coffee & Conversation. This is where it started. They’d gather together, have coffee, bring in social service providers.

Why are so many homeless in the downtown library?

A few years ago, the staff decided to just welcome them. They’ve been getting people into permanent housing and jobs. The Bureau of Vital Statistics moved from City Hall to here, and it’s been great. It’s brought a lot of people to the library, and they get library cards. If the parents are stuck doing paperwork, the kids have story time and activities while their parents are getting birth and death certificates.

How did you get your job?