LYFE Kitchen, located on the corner of 16th and Pearl, opened in October of last year and is dedicated to serving a flexible array of fare for the health conscious, those restricted by diet, and people who just want honest food. The restaurant offers three menus, a Gluten Free, a Vegan/Vegetarian, and an “Everything Else” menu, with the promise that all menu items have less than 600 calories each.
Just because the food is healthy, doesn’t mean half portions and bland salads overrun the menu. Instead, LYFE Kitchen uses innovative culinary techniques to bring dishes such as fried chicken and hamburgers back on the menu for the health inclined.
To kitchen manager Zach Gart, this is an essential aspect of the LYFE Kitchen philosophy.
“We want to break down the barriers of what people think is and is not healthy food. Why shouldn’t you be able to have a delicious burger or chicken cutlet just because you’re watching your diet?”
It seems unlikely that a low-calorie hamburger could be satisfying, but Gart explained how LYFE Kitchen cuts down the calories without taking out all of the flavor.
“We use a high temp broiler that burns off the bad fat you don’t want without sacrificing flavor,” explained Gart, who believes in making “clean burning” food that leaves you feeling happy and full.
Not just does LYFE provide quality food, but it also provides an extremely comfortable and laid back atmosphere that Gart described as a “coffee shop vibe.”
“I really want it to be an intellectual and creative space, one where you can study or work on a group project and not feel pressured to leave,” said Gart.
While Gart said that he would like to see more students visiting the restaurant in the future, it is clear that LYFE Kitchen has a long way to go to becoming the new CU lunch spot.
While Pearl Street might have the reputation of being the main restaurant district in Boulder, many students it would rather stick to the comfort and convenience of restaurants on the Hill.
CU student Eric Mulhern, who has never heard of LYFE Kitchen, shared a similar sentiment to that of many students.
“The Hill is so close and easy and Pearl seems like it’s kind of far to go just to grab a bite to eat.”
While this is a common opinion, not all students are so steadfast in their loyalty to the Hill. I talked to Junior Julian Donato, who said that while he mostly sticks to Hill staples like Five Guys and Salvaggio’s, he is interested in experimenting with new restaurants.
“I have been to The Kitchen on Pearl before which was really good, and I would definitely like to keep trying new places in the future.”
The average meal from LYFE Kitchen is going to put one back $10-16 dollars, so this isn’t going to be a bargain lunch spot. However, with dishes like the Roasted Mushroom and Goat Cheese Flatbread, there is definitely a strong value for the quality of food received.
If you’re a student who is interested in expanding your palate and are willing to part with a few extra bucks, the easygoing ambiance of LYFE Kitchen makes it a great place to catch up with a friend and hang out awhile, or to just grab a quick, healthy lunch.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Michael Kuhn at michaelkuhn94@gmail.com
