Wait, did I just go to raw food heaven ???? It sure feels like it, since we discovered Raw Vitality's boutique, in the heart of Villeray, where exists every raw foodist's dream : a raw, vegan ice cream parlour, boutique, take out place!
I have known about the company (Raw Vitality- Cru Vitalité), have met Dimitri at many raw food events and heard about the inspiring story of how his wife, Georgia (a raw food enthusiast as well) was able to improve their children's health by adopting a high raw diet. But it was only later in the summer when I stumbled upon a blog post that described their store and their products: raw, vegan ice cream! Oh my!

It was time to pay a personal visit and so with my daughter in tow (the toughest food critic one can find) we made our way to 151 Guonod to have our taste of a summer treat, ice cream! The store is located just a few blocks from Jarry Park and Jean-Talon market, which is quite ideal for those times when we want to take a break from our grocery shopping or just too hot from playing in the park. Once in the store we were greeted by Athanasios, Dimitri's son who was as knowledgeable and adorable as can be. And to our greatest pleasure, he filled up our cups abundantly with the most delicious raw, vegan ice cream that we ever had. The texture: just like a real, home made ice cream and the flavors, truly amazing! For my daughter the biggest pleasure was of course the very fact, that no matter which flavor she wanted, she could have it all (well, except the moka, which is made with coffee), not like in the regular stores where we are usually confined to choose from the "sorbets" or "soy frozen yogurts" (which we would let her indulge in from time to time).

The decor of the store is simple yet elegant and has a real fresh feeling. There are some tables outside to enjoy your ice cream and some high chairs inside the store as well. There is a small display for the juices and wraps which they sell in addition to the ice creams as well as shelves for their popular dehydrated treats, kale chips and cheese sprinkles or parma veg in many different flavors.

All products in the store are organic, raw, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan and sugar free. In addition they are certified by Ecocert Canada and all their products carry the certification: "Garantie Bio". Really impressive!

 

We wish great success to this wonderful, young company and really hope to be able to enjoy their wonderful ice creams many summers coming! Oh, and by the way, you can take home your favorite ice cream, which they sell in a liter or half liter format as well. Your family will never be able to tell the difference, these frozen treats taste so authentic, just put them to the test!

Here is how you can get in touch with Raw Vitality:

Québec

Cru Vitalité Inc.
Produits Cru Bio-Végétaliens
151 Gounod
Montreal, QCH2R 1A8
Tel: 514 270 1113
Fax: 514 227 5476

 

Ontario

Raw Vitality Inc.
Raw Bio-Vegan Products
1 Stafford Rd. east, Suite 246
Nepean, Ontario
K2H 1B9
Tel: 613 366 2121
Fax: 613 383 0122