WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – I committed a journalistic sin – I buried the lede!
When I visited The Market by Rooted, which replaced Larkey Market in Walnut Creek, California, at the top of Larkey Park, believe I casually mentioned that much of the stuff on the menu was plant-based.
Turns out, at the time I didn’t realize the extent of it! Coming back, I learned that the Market is actually one of Walnut Creek’s top vegan and plant-based stores.
My curiosity about the plant-based menu started when I asked for a latte. They explained that they only offered milk alternatives, like almond milk and oat milk.
Intrigued, I asked for more info. The barista explained that not only were all the coffee drinks dairy-free, but the entire store – down to every last product on the shelf and in the display cases – was carefully curated to be entirely plant-based.
That surprised me, as the market offers not only espresso but also things like salami sandwiches and boxed mac & cheese.
The staff member explained that the salami is actually plant-based, as are all of the meat alternatives in their sandwiches and other food.
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Even though the market sells plenty of mainstream products, they’re all carefully chosen to be plant-based, too. There’s a vegan version of Annie’s mac & cheese, for example, as well as fully plant-based beers, wines, and other beverages.
One cool thing about the market is that they’re not picky about only showcasing artisan plant-based products. Plenty of vegan places include only hippie-dippie fare – fine for adults, but not necessarily great for the whole family.
The Market takes a different approach, selling things like mainstream gums and candies that aren’t explicitly vegan, but just so happen to be plant-based.
It’s a refreshing approach to plant-based eating – it feels less preachy and exclusive than many places.
That said, the Market apparently takes their plant-based philosophy extremely seriously. The barista explained that they weren’t even allowed to bring their own non-plant-based lunches or food into the store. Anything entering the door needs to follow Rooted’s philosophy – even the staff members’ own sandwiches!
I don’t personally follow a plant-based diet, but it’s cool to know that if you go to the market by Rooted, everything in there follows that particular philosophy.
Address: 2800 Larkey Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Best Chai Latte I’ve ever had was at Rooted. Their donuts are incredibly delicious – you wouldn’t even know they are vegan. This market / cafe is a neighborhood gem.