'Soulful' Casual Dining at The Nile Cafe

The Nile Cafe seems to be the happening spot not just for eating, but sharing knowledge of food and beyond.

It was a nice, hot day to come out to Germantown section of Philadelphia today. In celebration of Support Black Business Weekend, I headed to The Nile Cafe Vegetarian Restaurant and Juice Bar thanks to high marks on Google and mostly positive reviews on menupages. Plus I believe it's one of few black owned vegan eateries around town. I hope to find more.
Inside the restaurant, is plenty of wide opened space with small, clean wooden tables and rounded wood chairs. The location also hosts wellness workshops and special events. Unfortunately, I missed out on a talk about Non-GMO's and soy. Other signs showed that their soy products were Non-GMO and that food preparations were made with purified water. I screamed inside, dying to take pictures.
However, I did not give in to that particular brand of spectator-ship. After all, I came to eat. 
Behind-the counter ladies were cordial and patient as I drooled over the menu.
"Turkey cheese" sandwiches, "fish" platters, chik'n "drumstick" specials, and more....
So yes, it was hard.

I ordered the lemon chik'n, collard greens, and brown rice platter.

Amazing brown rice cooked firm and pliant lapped up savory, well-seasoned collard greens and chewy lemon chik'n with great delight. Note of lemon wasn't overpowering, the chik'n's sauce was light and flavorful, but I wasn't in love with the peppers. Still, the collard greens were a definite highlight. I will no longer remember my aunt's meat laden tough stemmed version from childhood. The Nile Cafe has crafted a delicious veganized creation that has that Southern twang without salty, fattening, animalistic horror. Soft, texture similar to tasty cabbage, these greens are worth putting in a to-go box. I enjoyed them.  

The ice cream machines were down. I had been looking forward to some ice cold dessert. (They have a pistachio flavor!) Yet the refrigerated cakes and breads did not look disappointing. I was beyond happy to see some never tried Rekhati Bakes (Best Sweet Potato Pie in Philadelphia) fruit cobblers. I took apple and blueberry cobblers on the go along with Core Perfect pH water. The blueberry is divine. The crust on top is exceptional, very edible as far as crust goes, and blueberries in between..... you get that they are blueberries. They're not overly dressed in sugar or syrup. Blueberry goodness underneath a fabulous crust. Perfect end to a great meal. I'll be back to The Nile Cafe for more collard greens and ice cream soon.Not on the same plate though.....