When it comes to the bacchanalia of Pride, Fuel+ (471 Church, at Maitland, 647-352-8807, fuelplus.ca, @FuelPlusInc, rating: NNNN) sticks out like a sore thumb. Instead of bucket-sized cocktails and industrial-strength pub grub, Gary Taylor and Chester Wong’s seven-month-old café is serving its usual lineup of restorative elixirs and health-conscious snacks. It’s not even licensed for booze!
What better way to start the morning after the night before than with a handful of 100-calorie chocolate chip ‘n’ peanut butter Fuel Balls ($1 each/$2.50 for three) and a vegan kiwi-and-kale detoxifying protein shake ($5.99)? They also have a very good ginger ale ($2.49) made with organic cane and coconut sugars. But don’t order the vegan chili ($4.99) unless you like it out of an Amy’s can.
Those avoiding wheat will appreciate the tasty gluten-free tuna ‘n’ brown rice pasta salads ($5.99) and the sweet potato and chicken enchiladas ($6.99) brought in from Mike’s Kitchen. And anyone headed to an après-Pride vegan orgy will want to pop in for a dairy-free wild blueberry cheesecake from Sweets from the Earth Bakery ($13.99) and several tubs of Ciao Bella’s passion fruit sorbet ($5.99/500ml) to go.
