This afternoon my sister and I happened upon a new eatery called Sun in Bloom (SIB) on that wonderful stretch of Bergen Street, which includes Babeland, Bark, Lulu Lemon and Bergen Street Comics.
Once in the attractive light-filled restaurant I had the sensation that I was in Santa Monica. I can’t explain why. Maybe it was the way the sun illuminated the room, the attractive customers in work-out clothing and the simple eco decor.
When we sat down at one of the communal tables, I noticed that an actual Park Slope celebrity was there, too.
At the counter we ordered something called the Macro-Inspired Journey Bowl with steamed collard greens, mushroom, chick peas, sauerkraut and sesame ginger sauce. Other items on the menu include Make Your Own Miso (choice of five ingredients), the SIB Ruben with tempeh “corned beef” and SIB’s live burger with cabbage, fresh tomatoes, crunchy caramelized onions and famous live ranch dressing called the Bloom Burger.
Wow.
While we waited for our food, the owner, Ame Follett asked “Would you like to get on line,” to which I replied, “No, thanks, I’ve already ordered.”
“I meant do you want to use the Wifi?” she said cheerfully and gave me their WiFi password. Doh.
The Journey Bowl was beautifully served and absolutely delicious. I especially loved the combination of chick peas, sauerkraut and the savory sesame ginger sauce.
Follett, a longtime yoga teacher and holistic lifestyle coach, explained that the food served at Sun in Bloom is raw, living food. I wasn’t sure what that meant.
“Living foods are sprouted and soaked; there’s a life force energy infused in the food. For instance, you can eat raw almonds but I prefer an almond that has been soaked. There’s a lot that happens in food, enzymatic shifts,” she told me. “If you soak beans in combu they become a digestible food product.”
Follet want to bring freshness to the table as a way to nourish this community. “We take out anything that is not nourishing. I am passionate about nourishment. Nourishment comes on so many levels. Emotionally, physically, through our food and how we treat each other,” she tells me.
Follett’s philosophy informs the service as well. “I tell everyone who works here to create a personal connection with the customers. Getting to know each other translates into the food, how you’re going to sit with food, enjoy the food and nourish yourself.”
I told Follett about my California vision when I walked into her restaurant and she smiled.
“I had the inspiration for this place a few years ago in a restaurant in San Francisco called Cafe Gratitude. I wanted to create a loving compassionate space that invites people to experience living food in an accessible way.”
At the time she was thinking of moving to California. But Brooklyn is where Follett feels most at home. Born and raised in Rhinebeck, NY, she lived in Boulder, Colorado for ten years but always enjoyed visiting friends in Park Slope.
Follett has big plans for the restaurant, including holistic workshops and weekly community dinners. Starting soon on Sunday nights, she’ll take reservations for a special 6PM dinner seating. She’s already serving weekend brunch. And in the two months since she’s been open, there are more than a few regulars, who, she says, eat at Sun in Bloom 3-4 times a week.
Reflecting on her decision to open a living food restaurant, Follett says. “I feel like I’m living a whole new life running, owning and operating a restaurant. By myself. I haven’t slept in two and a half months but my spirit is fueled with energy.”
SIB is open 7 days a week starting at 9AM. 460 Bergen Street in Park Slope.