Inside The Bungalow

http://insidethebungalow.com

Yoga, Cafe, and Events
48 N. Robson Mesa, AZ  85201
(480) 844-2353
e-mail: Info@insidethebungalow.com

A charming, relaxed, eclectic atmosphere is always a plus in a coffee shop.  Add fair trade delicious coffees and teas, a variety of vegan and vegetarian friendly meals, amazing owners and barista, and to top it all off, a gorgeous yoga studio and area for massage.. sound impossible? You haven’t been to Inside the Bungalow!  I have to admit my bias here, they have just started carrying my Strawberry Hedgehog products there (another bonus!).  Honestly, even if they had hated my products, though, I would have been back again and again.

There is convenient parking right in front of this 1916 house in the heart of downtown Mesa.  Surrounded by trees there are even shady spots, a rare gem in the desert!  The atmosphere is incredibly welcoming with lovely greenery, beautiful colors, and the soothing sound of water from the fountain on their front patio.  With so much beauty it is clear why people choose this spot to have their eco-friendly weddings and receptions!  It feels more like stopping by a friend’s really cool house instead of heading to a coffee shop or yoga studio.

Inside the Bungalow is owned by a delightful mother-daughter duo, Betty Freeman and Carrie Hensley.  They were kind enough to show me around and let me take some pictures.  They have a really great dynamic with one another and are just great to be around.  At the risk of sounding like a crazy hippie, the whole place just has a really great “vibe” about it and I was happy to be there.

The food, tea, and coffee live up to the great atmosphere.  They are doing their best to be more “green” and offer the price of a small drink when you bring in your own cup and recycle if you don’t.  Also, when you request a cup for there they have washable cups to save some plastic and you can take your time enjoying the place.  Many of their teas are organic and fair trade, also great for the environment. Take a look at their tea display, any tea enthusiast would be thrilled to see the yummy possibilities. Among the great selection are some extra decadent ones that even have chocolate bits so vegans read the labels carefully and everyone else enjoy indulging!

James and I went for lunch and had the Vegan Pita Pizza and the Tofu Curry wrap with a side of fruit.  As much as I like the place and the owners, with so many other great things going on – yoga, massage, great tea and coffee, I wasn’t sure they would pull off the food. I was SO wrong.  First of all, usually when you order a side of fruit at many places it is a squishy side of melon – not here! Fresh, ripe raspberries, strawberries, and antioxidant packed blueberries were a really refreshing treat. The simplicity of the Vegan Pita Pizza was amazingly delicious.  It has a hummus base that was to die for topped with fresh spinach and tomato. Doesn’t sound like much but that is why it is so great.  The simple flavors let each ingredient shine, I couldn’t get over how great it was.

The Tofu Curry was equally great. Normally I don’t like raisins but mixed with a fantastic mild curry sauce, just enough crunch from toasted sliced almonds and tofu wrapped in a sun dried tomato tortilla and I was in heaven!  What is even better still is they use organic ingredients when ever possible.  I would highly recommend either of these dishes and the awesome barista, a vegan herself, was very flexible with making things vegan and offering up great suggestions on her favorite dishes.  She made us a fantastic smoothie for the road and we drove off full and happy.

I highly recommend Inside the Bungalow for anyone looking for a cute local place to go for coffee, tea, or great food (vegan, vegetarian, or otherwise). It is good to know that they are doing all they can to serve their customers and find better ways of conducting business in an eco-friendly manner.

While I am no yogi myself just seeing their yoga studio and meeting the owners who are also the instructors I feel motivated to give it a shot.  They have a variety of classes available from partner yoga to herbal healing that look great and I will certainly be giving a try and I hope you will, too.

Click here to view the Inside the Bungalow food menu

Click here to view the Inside the Bungalow drink menu

Click here to see what Inside the Bungalow is doing to be more “Green”

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