Restaurant review
Organic Oasis
2610 Spenard Road, Anchorage
By Shawna Murray
Spirit
Sitting at the juice bar of Organic Oasis, fragmented thoughts swept over me like poetry … free spirit… lively… soul refreshing… humming of happy conversation… smiling faces…soft, natural sunlight… jungle exotic…woodsy fresh… folksy music subtly playing in the background… the smell of just cut grass. For all of these reasons, the spirit of Organic Oasis is beautiful at first and throughout one’s visit there.
Norm
The service, cleanliness, food, and atmosphere all receive instant high marks from me, with food and atmosphere probably affecting me the most positively. The price and taste were subjects that took a little longer to digest. The prices for wraps and entrees averaged at about $10.65 per meal. A 16 oz smoothie cost $7.95, and a 32 oz. smoothie is $13.95. When I asked Steve Plante’, the owner, about the price of a smoothie, he noted that “some people are getting their daily vitamin intake in one smoothie. It is comparable to a meal.” For the quality of the food and the health benefits, the food is probably worth the price. But the taste was 50/50 for a person like me, whose palette is used to salt, sugar, and fats. I can say, however, that I felt wonderful after I finished my meal. I did not feel weighed down, as if I needed a nap or coffee in order to recover. I actually felt energetic after eating, and for that, the meal may be worth the price.
Community
About 5% of the food served at Organic Oasis is local, according to Steve. Carrots, beets, and potatoes come from the valley. A Sprout Farm is onsite. Right at the restaurant they grow red clover, fennegreek, broccoli, radish, and cabbage. They also grow wheat grass. Steve admits, “Local is the best” as far as freshness, taste, and quality goes, but he goes outside the Alaska Community for two reasons. (1) It costs less. “Demand for organic food is higher than local suppliers can actually supply, so they don’t need to promote a competitive wholesale program.” (2) Consistency and Supplies… “I can only get lettuce three months a year (in Alaska),” he mentioned.
Overall, I have to give Organic Oasis high “Suns” on the Community Review Standards, because even though the majority of food comes from a co-op based in Washington, Steve has me convinced that his main focus is to increase community health and energy through good food. I believe he cares very much about this mission. Other Community benefits are that Alaskan artists can showcase their artwork and play their music.
Justice
When I interviewed the busy servers (who prepared some of the food, along with all of the drinks) how they felt about working at Organic Oasis, there was a a slightly bitter flavor. They said that working environment was sometimes difficult. When I asked Steve about this, he said that he could be seen as being tough. “I’m very exact in how I want my food served and prepared. Even with the best food, Steve said, “people want good service more than good food. Sometimes a server can scare off a person for a month or two because they were having a bad day.” Steve also mentioned he would like people to be ‘present’ when they are at work and that he tells them, “Don’t work if you don’t feel good.” As far as how the people who grow the food he sells are treated, Steve does not know. He says he puts his trust in the Co-Op he’s known for over seventeen years. A single “Sun” must be removed for these reasons.
Steve Plante’s Message - Organic Oasis focuses on “providing health information, health products, and healthy food on a plate ready to eat. This takes away any excuses for people not to work on their health.”