If you are prowling for a spot that balances health and flavor, True Food Kitchen in Palo Alto might just lure you in. With a menu that changes with the seasons, this eatery serves up vibrant dishes that aim to please both your taste buds and and your conscience. 

Starters

Roasted brussel Sprouts: $13.50 (Seasonal)

These seasonal sports came out crispy and caramelized, tossed in a tangy glaze that packed a punch. While flavorful, the portion felt small for the price and it was a little too sweet.  

3.5/5 claws up

Edamame dumplings: $14.95 (Regular) 

No notes. Absolute perfection. These dumplings were silky, savory, and bathed in a rich truffle broth. It certainly strays from a typical dumpling, but this contemporary take on a timeless dish was a pleasant surprise.  5/5 claws up 

Entrees

Seasonal Market Salad, VEG GF: $16.95

This salad is packed with delectable morsels, making a standout menu item. The sweet honey roasted carrots, medjool dates, and creamy tahini apple cider vinaigrette complement the bitter greens nicely. Unfortunately, the cauliflower was lacking in flavor, but luckily the dressing provided a good cover up. 4.5/5 claws up

Jambalaya Pasta: $21.95 (Seasonal) 

Despite the bold seasoning of chicken, shrimp, and sausage, and tasty, creamy tomato sauce, the texture of the pasta killed the dish. It was overcooked and gummy, making it difficult to enjoy. The delicious additives, however, might make me want to chomp again. 3/5 → claws up 

Desserts

Spiced Carrot Cake, VEG GF: $10.50 (Seasonal)

This was an unexpected hit. The cake was moist and flavorful, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. There were pieces of candied oranges and walnuts, which certainly spruced up the texture but the orange pieces were a little too hard and had a strange aftertaste.  The vanilla mascarpone mouse wasn’t too sweet, but added an extra layer of both flavor and texture. 4/5 claws up 

Seasonal Fall Pie, Slice, V GF: $9.95(seasonal) 

I wanted to enjoy this sweet treat as I am a big proponent of pumpkin pie, but unfortunately it fell short on every front. For starters, the filling is butternut squash, which made for a weak flavor and gritty texture, leaving me feeling like I was eating baby food instead of an indulgent slice of pie. To top it off, literally and figuratively, they included a dollop of coconut cream on top. Honestly, this was gross. The flavors did not complement each other and I was left feeling disappointed.  1.5/5 claws up 

Overall, True Food Kitchen offers a variety of hits (and a few misses), so for Gators hunting for a healthy, flavorful fare, it’s worth a bite. Their starters and entrees are quite delicious, but you may be better off picking up a dessert somewhere else.