ROYAL OAK –October is Vegetarian Awareness Month, the perfect time to take part in a month-long celebration at Royal Oak's renowned Inn Season Cafe. Marking 35 years, metro Detroit's longest-running vegetarian and vegan restaurant will offer a month of specials, giveaways and events for customers.
"Focusing on fresh, organic, local and natural ingredients has always set Inn Season apart," said Nick Raftis, Inn Season Cafe's owner since 2002. "We look at this 35th anniversary as a celebration of this type of food and the people who grow it, prepare it, and especially our customers, who support it."
The Inn Season Cafe opened its doors in 1981 and has since supported the local farming community through direct contact with farmers and through farmer's markets. Dishes are inspired by a seasonal array of organic ingredients, grown without the use of pesticides and other chemicals.
According to the website, the Inn Season Cafe is dedicated to supporting organic farming and acknowledges the "interconnectedness of environmental, spiritual and physical well-being."
As a part of their commitment to sustainability, the Inn Season Cafe has also transitioned its carryout materials to completely compostable and recycled products. All packing materials, from bottles, cans and plastics, are recycled and most of their vegetable trimmings are composted.
Kicking off the 35th birthday celebration on Oct. 1 is a gift card giveaway. Patrons visiting the restaurant that day can enter a drawing to win a $50 Inn Season Cafe gift card. Five winners will be selected.
During the first week, running from October 4-8, $50 gift cards will be available for purchase at the special rate of $35 each. Limit 20 gift cards per day, in-house purchase only, one per person.
From Oct. 11-15, 35 free dinners will be given away on Facebook to those posting a special memory or photo of the restaurant. Watch for details on http://www.facebook.com/Inn-Season-Cafe.
During the week of Oct. 18-22, guests can enjoy a creative, seasonally inspired three-course dinner for two, including salad, entree and dessert, for just $35 per couple. Limited quantities per evening.
And the birthday celebration culminates with a happy-hour fundraiser to benefit Earthworks Urban Farm from 5-8 pm on Monday, Oct. 24. Sponsored by Elie Wine Company, the party will include a tasting of biodynamic wines plus food and entertainment. Follow updates and purchase tickets on Facebook/Inn-Season-Cafe.
For those with allergies, contact the server when ordering to ensure that no nuts or soy products are used in the meal. These ingredients are often used by the Inn Season Cafe and all meals can be made to order.
Inn Season Cafe is located at 500 E. Fourth St., three blocks east of Main St., in Royal Oak. Offering fresh organic cuisine with vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free and soy-free options, Inn Season is also Royal Oak's only kosher-certified restaurant.
For more information and to see restaurant hours visit http://theinnseasoncafe.com/.
