I Visited This Plant-Centric Restaurant In Florida & Had The Meal Of My Life
By Megan Todaro|Published April 03, 2024
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Megan Todaro
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Megan Todaro was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and still calls The Sunshine State home today. While saving lives and putting out fires during the day, Megan is also passionate about writing and travel, especially when it comes to sharing her knowledge of her home state. A few of Megan's favorites include: favorite Florida vacation destination - New Smyrna Beach. Favorite Florida restaurant - Eastside Pizza in Miami. Favorite Florida hidden gem - Shibuya Sushi Art. Favorite Florida OnlyInYourState article: Take A Terrifying Florida Road Trip That Will Surely Haunt Your Dreams.
Anyone who knows me knows that one of my favorite things on this planet is food. Not just in the way of “yay, food gives me sustenance to live,” but really more so because the food is darn delicious. I have made a hobby of trying new restaurants and cuisines wherever I travel. Enter Mood Restaurant in the tiny coastal town of Tequesta, Florida. After a recent trip up the coast to Hobe Sound, this plant-centric restaurant was on the agenda, and I can easily say this meal was one for the books.
Mood Restaurant is tucked away in a shopping plaza in Tequesta, just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean. To be honest, if I didn’t Google “vegan restaurants near me” I might’ve missed this one altogether, which would’ve been pure tragedy.
First and foremost, the ambiance. Look at how BRIGHT it is in here. That giant window at the front of the restaurant slides open, which creates a beautiful breeze inside. It’s no wonder all of the plants dangling from the walls and ceilings were so full and flush.
I opted for the bar to sit at, which is my usual go-to in a new place. I love chatting with the bartender about the food, as well as the town and local vibe. I was lucky enough to have Juliette guide me through my Mood food journey, as well as share stories of the area.
The craft cocktail menu here is something that cannot be duplicated, primarily because there are in-house elements being made daily, like the house syrups and extracts. Off the happy hour menu, I tried the Blood Orange Margarita and a grapefruit gin cocktail that did not disappoint.
I started with the calamari appetizer because who knew vegan calamari was a thing? Real calamari is always hit or miss with me, whether it’s a slimy texture issue, or way too chewy. But this vegan calamari was a hit. Featuring hearts of palm, which were thick but not chewy, lightly coated and fried, then served with a tangy tomato sauce. It was *chef’s kiss*.
I decided to try something risky - a new food I’ve never eaten before: sunchokes. Sunchokes are a root vegetable that have a unique, nutty flavor, very similar to potatoes.
These crispy sunchokes were paired with tangy capers and a velvety aioli - it was a first-time experience I’ll never forget.
The menu at Mood is massive to say the least. There are sandwiches nicknamed “MOODwiches”, Full Mood offerings which include ramen, rigatoni, and burritos, plus the Be Green salad menu, chock full of scrumptious healthy eats.
I opted for The Rabbi Reuben, which features “korn” beef, sauerkraut, cheeze, and thousand island dressing on a toasted artisanal sourdough bun. I never missed the meat once and this sandwich hit all the right spots.
All in all, I would give this restaurant a 10/10 and I’m not just saying that. From the ambiance to the service, paired with delicious cocktails and plant-based fare - it really was an elevated dining experience from start to finish.
If you’re interested in trying out Mood Restaurant on a Meatless Monday adventure, let us know about your experience in the comments section! They have happy hour every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., so you get to try a ton of food and drinks at a discounted price.
Plus, the area where this restaurant is in is absolutely adorable. I recommend spending a weekend here to see it all. You can grab a VRBO rental right on the water to really level up the experience!
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