Breakfast and lunch focused eatery Lifestyle Café celebrates its grand opening today, Saturday, January 18. Located at 891 Oak St. in Olde Towne East, the restaurant is bringing vegan fare back to the former home of The Angry Baker.
Chef Shanna Dean is at the helm of the restaurant created by a group of Near-East side friends and entrepreneurs, including Dawn Dickson, CEO of Columbus-based tech company PopCom, Mo Wright, CEO of RAMA Consulting Group, Derrick Clay, CEO of New Visions Group and Daniel Kennedy, CEO of APEX Garage Door.
The group saw a void in the neighborhood for a true plant-based eatery.
“With the growing popularity of vegan and vegetarian eating, we wanted to meet the need of people who are plant-based and do not want their food prepared alongside meat or dairy,” Dickson says. “Many restaurants in Columbus offer vegetarian options, but we are amongst a handful that do not have any dairy, meat or animal products on the premises.”
The customers and community will help guide the weekly specials that will be a part of Lifestyle Café’s menu. Current menu items include chik’n and gluten-free waffles, a variety of sliders, eggless souffle, kale salad and sweet potatoes.
“We wanted to give Columbus a dining experience that utilizes the advancements in plant-based options and delivers satiating meals beyond the traditional salads and toasts,” says Dean. “We want people who are curious to understand plant-based lifestyle does not require a compromise on taste.”
For those that miss the building’s former occupant, Lifestyle Café plans to offer goods from Happy Little Treats (formerly The Angry Baker). They’ll also partner with other local businesses like Willobeez SoulVeg and Upper Cup Coffee.
“We are seeking more local, organic, plant-based vendors to sell products in our retail section, and we will feature chefs to do restaurant take overs and pop-ups after hours,” Dickson says.
Lifestyle Café will be open Tuesday – Friday from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
For more information, visit thelifestyle.cafe.
