I officially just had the best gluten free pancakes ever! Yes, the statement is bold, but I am making it anyway! Kitchen Mouse, located in Highland Park, is an adorable café and catering company-featuring cuisine that is vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free, and healthy. The café caters to the health-conscious customer, and makes healthy food both delicious and satisfying. The ambiance is homey and absolutely adorable, and after one trip to the cafe it’s safe to say I am going to become a regular…
What I like most about Kitchen Mouse is how although the food is predominately vegan, traditional sauces and condiments are used. Unlike most vegan restaurants that get a little TOO eccentric with their sauces and flavors, Kitchen Mouse takes traditional American favorites and infuses them in their dishes. For instance, the roast cauliflower tacos, the daily special, were topped with good ‘ol hot sauce, and my pancakes were drizzled in a yummy maple syrup. Ah, back to the pancakes. The pancakes are made out of oat, buckwheat, and corn flours and topped with berries… my mind is still blown. Although the restaurant is ‘vegan,’ eggs are available and can be added to most dishes. This is awesome, as I firmly believe that egg makes everything better. To round out my huge meal, I ordered the Avocado TLT with a sunny side egg on top. For the avocado toast lovers out there, this dish is for you. Millet toast is available at the restaurant, and I loved it! Lastly, the dill quinoa salad is a crowd favorite that I’d like to highlight; containing toasted almonds, dill pesto, arugula, olive oil, and red cabbage & beet tahini slaw, this salad is beautiful and seen on many tables in the café.
Round out your meal with one of their extraordinary, delicious gluten free and vegan cookies. I had the chocolate chip and coconut-chocolate chip cookies, and they were both amazing. This is another bold statement as I’ve also eaten a lot of gluten free and vegan cookies in my day! Kitchen Mouse is absolutely delicious, incredibly homey, the staff is awesome, and the vibe is perfect for a catch up with friends, lunch with your family, or an afternoon of solo work. I highly recommend this café, and for everyone living on the West Side, it’s time to venture East!