Discreetly located on a Bridgeport backwater
is the almost legendary vegetarian restaurant Bloodroot,
which I visited for a solo lunch on March 25th, six days after its 37th anniversary.
Spring arrived late in 2014, after a winter that seemed interminable even to those who managed to get away for a week or two. With a chill still in the air, Bloodroot’s patio wasn’t especially inviting.
But although the forsythia wouldn’t show up for another month, the crocuses were starting to emerge
and the feline members of the Bloodroot family were enjoying a whiff of spring to come.
No matter if it was still indoor weather—even inside tables may enjoy a view of the water.
I was met by a friendly woman at the front desk,
who explained to me that one studies the applicable menus
and places one’s order at the friendly counter.
Bloodroot guests also take what they need for their tables and bus their tables afterward. It turned out to be no trouble at all.
While I was waiting for my food to be prepared, I asked the staff if they minded if I toured the restaurant. Bloodroot is certainly more interesting than most. In my wanderings, I ran into these felines, whom I’d already met outside.
I explored Bloodroot’s feminist library,
corridors lined with posters and artwork
like this,
and even looked over the dinner menu (which I noticed was more extensive than the lunch menu),
latest for-sale calendar
and announcement of a Thursday tasting event.
Before long, my order was ready.
Here’s what my lunch looked like.
For drink, I had a China Cola made with Chinese herbs (whose flavor reminded me of the alcoholic Chinese “medicine” that my hot little roommate Gu Xing taught me to make in the late 1980s).
For food,
I had the Bloodroot burger, a housemade veggie burger
served with a small salad,
chips
and a pickle.
Everything was not only delicious, but lunch left my tummy feeling good instead of regretful. Given the self-service nature of the dining experience, tips were not aggressively sought, but I was so pleased with the food and friendly staff that I made sure to leave one.
The best tip I can leave readers with is this: It’s easy to forget a restaurant that’s been around since the early days of disco and is tucked away on a small inlet in Bridgeport, but Bloodroot is still a very rewarding place to visit.
Bloodroot, 85 Ferris Street, Bridgeport, 203-576-9168, www.bloodroot.com