Review: Red Ginger Cafe

There's a cozy little place in Manoa called Red Ginger Cafe, where I lunched today with two co-workers. I'd been meaning to try it sooner, but the place was always packed with lunch patrons. Guess it doesn't help that there's only about 5 tables in there! But with many places closing shop, I was always happy to see this one buzzing with business. Although there isn't a lot of variety to the menu, they have other good things going on. The food is organic and they sell local items, as well as bags made out of recycled juice boxes that support a co-op of women in the Philippines. Very cool.


(Sorry for the odd picture, I got a little uncomfortable taking pics and had to do it stealthily.)

So what was their food like? Well, it took us a while to decide on what to get. Having only a selection of sandwiches, wraps, and salads to choose from was hard! Ok, it was hard for me . . . because I'm always craving hot food (put a burger, pizza, or enchilada in front of me and I'm gone)! Anyway, AH chose a turkey avocado sandwich, MK a turkey cranberry & cream cheese sandwich, and I an "Earth Salad." My salad started with a layer of brown rice topped with mozzarella cheese, spring greens, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, chicken, and a papaya dressing on the side. I'm not the type to usually choose a salad as my main dish, but all in all, we were happy and satisfied.



I think the main attraction here, however, are the drinks -- although they'll never replace the aloe drinks that the previous occupant used to make. My fellow lunchers both chose the Cucumber Sloshie -- a concoction of cucumbers, lemon sherbert, and soymilk. May sound a little odd, but we were all sipping happily (I had a taste), and my eyes were popping (apparently a sign that I enjoy something). My drink was called the Red Ginger Pick Me Upper! Brace yourselves for this . . . it's coffee, chocolate, peanut butter, banana, and soymilk. Now you see why I chose the salad for lunch. The drink was, as you'd expect, thick, creamy, and just the right sweetness. I would recommend this place if you're looking for a low-key, relaxing atmosphere and food that is light and healthy. Just get there a little early to beat the lunch crowd, or plan to take out.