I discovered this raw, organic food sanctuary, when I picked up an odd flyer at a rec centre a couple of years ago. It was only the other week that I made the long, picturesque drive out to the hills to actually see what this mystery place was all about.
Hushed away in a woody pocket of the Mundaring hills; Soul Tree is one part café, and one part organic food store - although the store aspect feels a little like it’s been put on the back burner, for now anyway. The kitchen is really where the magic happens. Magic, being the operative word here. I am always delighted, and often mystified by the tasty and tempting creations that raw food chefs craft without the use of any stove, oven or modern processed ingredient. Case in point: The “chocolate tart” I tried at The Soul Tree Café recently. It was formed in three distinct layers made of raw cocoa, nuts and a myriad of other South American “super foods”, the names of which names I cannot recall. This tart was some kind of Hocus-Pocus. A delicious mix of nuttiness, cocoa, creaminess and brittle; yet without the inclusion of sugar, cream, butter, milk or eggs. Just puuuure, natural goodness!
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| Raw Cacao, nut tart |
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| Tempeh burger with dehydrated, gluten-free bun, raw carrot, beetroot, greens and pesto $13 |
I also swished down one of their date, raw cacao, maca, almond milk and banana smoothies ($9.80). Again; a dairy and sugar free creation, but you wouldn’t miss the refined sweeteners.
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| "Heaven" smoothie - Almond Milk, Cacao, Maca, Dates, Banana $9.8 |
A burger + smoothie + dessert left me sufficiently stuffed. Those with cave man appetites however, might find the burger a little modest without the sourdough bread.
The changing counter foods are really what keeps this café interesting; comprising whatever seems to take the chef’s fancy that morning, there’s a mix of savoury and sweet ready-made dishes. I saw mixed salads, tofu and mushroom stuffed cabbage leaves, brown rice sushi, veggie patties as well as a pretty arrangement of The Soul Tree’s organic house-made, heart-shaped chocolates.
The inside setting is nothing swish but it has a heart-n-home vibe conducive with their food philosophy. The outdoor seating is actually set in a car park but the surrounding trees and tranquil remoteness makes it a really relaxing place to lunch.
The owner and chef is completely chipper and endearing too, especially with her mega-watt smile and cute doo-rag and apron get-up.
All in all The Soul Tree is a worthwhile trip to the hills. If you love The Raw Kitchen in Fremantle; this place is definitely for you. I’m only regretful I took two years for me to make it there.
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Ambience: 4/5
This burger looking so nice and interesting to know that it is gluten free.
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