Tierra Madre Cafe & Juicery is exactly the kind of place you'd expect outside of a yoga studio run by a longtime Sandpoint chef and former owner of a health-oriented restaurant: good food and good vibes in equal measure.
On the menu are vegan and vegetarian smoothies, juices, wraps, salads, sandwiches, teas and a smattering of desserts, including raw and gluten-free, like the pumpkin pie ($5) with whipped cashew milk cream. The space itself is welcoming, with avocado-colored and yellow walls, terra cotta floors and an eclectic assortment of seating clustered here and there amid plants and local artwork.
Tierra Madre is situated at the entrance to Downtown Yoga, which relocated from First Avenue earlier this year. Both businesses are owned by Peter Mico, who had recently transitioned out of Spud's Rotisserie & Grill and continues to teach at Downtown Yoga.
The cooking area at Tierra Madre is limited, yet manager Tess Howell, along with chef Michelle Ridley — who was also part-owner of Spud's for a time — create plenty of healthy lunches, like a Curry "Burger" made of sun-dried tomato and nuts ($9), hummus wrap ($7) and gourmet grilled cheese ($9). Daily specials include vegetarian pho packed with sliced veggies: cucumber, red onion, mushroom, cabbage, kale, green onion, celery, red peppers and avocado ($6).
Smoothies and juices are all $7 and run the gamut. Try the zesty Warrior (spinach, kale, lemon, pear, parsley, ginger, apple juice), the hearty Hanuman (bananas, dates, almonds, yogurt, cocoa, protein powder, almond milk) or the uplifting HeartBeet with beets, banana, berries and apple juice. The Hero juice tempers turmeric with orange, pineapple and carrot, while the ThunderBolt zaps you with carrot, beet, tomato, celery, parsley, lime, cilantro, jalapeño and garlic. They also do seasonal specials like the warm spiced Mocha smoothie and Winter Elixir juice, featuring throat-soothing lemon and ginger.
And if you're wondering where all that veggie waste goes, Tierra Madre works with local groups to compost its leftovers, which is one more reason to feel good about supporting this new Sandpoint venture. ♦
Tierra Madre Cafe & Juicery • 301 Cedar St., Suite 105, Sandpoint • Open Mon-Sat, 9 am-5 pm; Sun, 9 am-1 pm • facebook.com/tierramadrecafe • 208-255-1508
