“I’m overwhelmed.” This was the first thing I thought when I stepped into Hu Kitchen, located in Union Square. With so many delicious-looking options in this casual, yet trendy eatery, it was hard not to feel this way! Catering to the health conscious, clean-eating community, Hu prides themselves on serving whole foods, without the use of dairy, grain or canola oil. Oh, and the best part… the menu is completely gluten free!…
Hu Kitchen is set up cafeteria style, with different stations serving completely different menus. To begin, there is a complete fresh-pressed juice and smoothie station. The “Mash Bar,” as it is called, allows you to create a parfait with your choice of anything from chia pudding, fruit and almond butter to cashew cream mixed with gluten-free, chocolate-chip cookies. The mash bar is a healthy breakfast for some, but for others (like myself), it is the perfect substitute for the self-serve frozen yogurt shop across the street. Hu’s next station lets customers create a bowl filled with any choice of base (ie. quinoa or vegetable mash) and topping (such as grass-fed beef or wild mushrooms). The hot prepared foods are switched up throughout the year but the “Grandmaster Veg,” a grain and dairy-free lasagna is comforting and satisfying; however, I would argue against it tasting anything like the original Italian version. My go-to at Hu is to hit up the cold prepared food section. My favorite dish is the curried sweet potato; I recommend everyone try this ASAP. Lastly, you can’t go to Hu and not order the signature Grain-free “Hu Bread.” Almost completely made from vegetables and seeds, this bread serves as a healthy snack, reminiscent of a non-fried falafel or veggie loaf.
If you’re in the area (which you probably will be… it’s Union Square!), Hu Kitchen is a great stop for any health-focused individual. With a variety of choices, as well as a complete focus on unprocessed, whole and nutritious foods, you are guaranteed to find multiple dishes to satisfy your cravings. And they offer plenty of “healthy” desserts, too!