Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid

A restaurant that is the realization of Dr. Weil's lifelong dream - serving "great tasting food that happens to be good for you" - opened Monday, Oct. 27, in Phoenix, Arizona. True Food Kitchen features dishes that closely adhere to the principles of Dr. Weil's anti-inflammatory diet. It promises to be a new kind of restaurant: one in which delicious flavors, healthy nutrients, environmental awareness and an inviting atmosphere come together to create an unforgettable dining experience.

True Food Kitchen is a collaboration between Dr. Weil and his longtime friend Sam Fox, a renowned Arizona restaurateur who says that the two of them "have been exploring the idea of creating a restaurant for years."

"I could not be happier to be unveiling this collaboration with Sam," said Dr. Weil. "I really feel that one of the best ways to show people that healthy food and delicious food are not mutually exclusive is to present it in a venue like this one. I hope that the restaurant will help to move people onto a path of healthier eating - and, like any good restaurant, I hope it provides a convivial place for enjoyable evenings with friends and family."

Executive Chef Michael Stebner worked with Dr. Weil to create delicious entrees that would have broad appeal. The dishes feature whole grains, omega-3 rich fish, organic fruits and vegetables, whole soy products and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices such as ginger and turmeric. The result: food that is delicious, satisfying, healthy and environmentally responsible.

True to Dr. Weil's multicultural approach to healthy living, the cuisine at True Food Kitchen borrows the best from old and new world food cultures. Dishes inspired by traditions of the Mediterranean and Asia, as well as the American west coast and southwest, all feature fresh, organic, and when possible, locally obtained foods in which the flavor of the ingredients is highlighted rather than intricate preparation techniques.

Menu offerings include:

• Wild Smoked Salmon with Shaved Radishes, Lemon Cream & Wasabi Peas $11
• Sashimi Tuna Salad with Avocado, Cucumber, Tomato, Edamame & Ginger $14
• Fresh Tomato and Pasilla Chile Pizza with Corn & Manchego $11
• Wild Ahi Sliders with Wasabi, Radishes, Cucumber on Pumpernickel $13
• Free Range Turkey Burger with Green Chiles, Queso Fresco, Avocado on Flax Bun $12
• Chicken Yellow Curry with Rice Noodles, Cauliflower & Cashews $14

Beverages  include Honeydew Mint & Lime Juice Cocktail, Coconut Water with Muddled Mango & Soda, and Cashew-Maple Toffee Espresso.

The restaurant is also decidedly "green" with environmentally friendly accoutrement including:

• High efficiency kitchen equipment
• Low voltage LED lighting
• Waterless urinals (saving 40,000 gallons/year)
• Ultra low water faucets
• Low VOC paint
• White oak butcher block tables and counter tops
• Reclaimed wood floors
• Recycled quarry tiles
• Natura Water Purification Unit (True Food Kitchen will create both still and carbonated bottled water in-house. Bottles will be cleaned and sterilized and reused, eliminating plastic bottle waste).

The décor is warm and inviting, with a color palette based on "lemon twist yellow" and "apple green." More than 130 guests can sit comfortably inside, with outdoor seating for 90 more. For groups of ten or fewer, a private dining room is available.

True Food Kitchen is located in the Biltmore Fashion Park at 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 135, Phoenix, Arizona 85016. It will be open seven days a week: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Take-out is available for diners on the go. Reservations are not available. Telephone: 602-774-3488. For more information visit www.foxrc.com.