Chamberlin's-Winter Park, Florida

While out with my mom one Friday, we stopped at a bookstore and ran into our pastor's wife. She asked us if we wanted to join her for lunch and recommended a health-food store like Whole Foods called Chamberlin's. I'd never been there before, but I once heard a patient rave about their yogurt. I was excited to give it a shot, but was saddened to learn that they no longer offered frozen yogurt.

The salad bar looked really good, but some reason (possibly the price) deterred me, and I went for a sandwich. My mom ordered the vegan chicken pot pie, and we split the pie and the sandwich. I think we both preferred the sandwich over the pot pie.

I was really impressed by the freshness of the tomatoes and cucumbers off of the salad bar that went into my sandwich. I also thought the way they sliced the top off of the pita bread was interesting. It was the first hummus I had had since being pregnant, and it was very good. The tabouleh seemed a bit strange because I had never seen a recipe with bell peppers in it. I don't think it was bad at all. In fact, with the veggies and hummus it was very good. I just didn't expect it.

Naturally the pot pie "wasn't like Mama makes." However, the big turn-off was the fact that it had been behind glass and had cooled off a bit. Also, the crust was a bit thick and chewy. However, the flavor was good, and I absolutely loved the baby corn in it. Perhaps I will try it again if I'm there and see it coming out of the oven right then.

I would happily visit Chamberlin's again if I'm in the area just for a good fresh salad with a nice variety of fruits and vegetables.

Would you like to know what we're eating next?