search and devour: hummus bar at cafe natasha's

we're sure most folks in the tower grove neighborhood have at least heard about cafe natasha's hummus bar, but we'd be remiss if we didn't spread the word to the rest of the city.  (sometime in the near future, we'll be returning for a sampling from the menu, at which point we'll give a full write-up.)

here's the first thing you need to know: everything on the hummus bar is vegan.  vegan, we say!  even the falafel is vegan.  the second thing you need to know: everything other than the pita is homemade.  homemade, we say!  from the succulent mushroom curry to the creamy hummus to the delectable falafel, cafe natasha's delivers a unique medley of flavors and textures.  the vegetables aren't overcooked or mistreated; in fact, one of the most delicious options was the basil tomatoes (just look at how vibrant and fresh!).  there are also two rices to choose from--saffron and traditional biryani--and each is worth your time if you're down with starches.  add in a complimentary cocktail, and you're talking about one of the best bargains on the st. louis happy hour scene.  most of all, though, we just loved how relaxed we felt in the cafe.  yes, the service was great (as was the interaction with cafe natasha's matriarch), but as we've mentioned before, it's difficult to overestimate how comforting it is to sit down to a vegan meal.  when we're lucky enough to find ourselves in front of such a meal, we're willing to forgive some of the shortcomings of the food; at cafe natasha's, though, there are no shortcomings to forgive.