Happy Birthday, Camros!

If you don’t have lunch plans for tomorrow, you may want to pencil this in. April 19 marks Camros Organic Eatery's first anniversary at 25 Hayden Street, one block south-east of Yonge and Bloor. Although tucked away on a side street in what used to be a travel agency, Camros has managed to attract hoards of loyal followers. They come for the positive vibes, the commitment to the environment and of course the organic, healthy, vegetarian food.

Persian-inspired vegetarian dishes such as basmati rice balls, lentil dishes, and vegetable stews sit alongside addictive kale and quinoa salads. All the dishes are 100% organic, and contain no preservatives or additives. Health-promoting herbs and spices such as saffron, turmeric, garlic and cayenne are used liberally, and create an intense aroma. Drinks on the menu include organic herbal teas and fair-trade coffee. Owner Saeed Rouhani also plans to add even more decadent gluten-free desserts and improve their water’s pH balance, which is already filtered by reverse-osmosis.

But it's not just the food. It's the biodegradable packaging, the list of suppliers on the wall, the notice board covered with testimonials. In an industry where sourcing the cheapest food and cutting corners is par for the course, Rouhani remains committed to his vision. “We were told we wouldn’t succeed, due to the higher cost of the containers and cutlery, but we wanted to be pioneers.” The main secret to their success, according to him, is, “Integrity and being upfront earn people’s respect, and the word spreads.” Rouhani’s long-term goals for Camros include switching to a sustainable energy source and focusing on nutritional education, through newsletters and their web site.

So stop in for lunch tomorrow from 12-3:00 p.m. and enjoy live dulcimer music courtesy of David Rankine, a respected local artist who was instrumental in creating the Camros logo. As always, there will be great food and a warm inviting atmosphere, plus a few other surprises (think free treats). With Earth Day coming up this weekend, this is a great way to get the party started by showing your support to a restaurant which is committed to your good health, and the health of our planet.