BLOODROOT

A New York Times article called Bloodroot “A Salon for Activists.” 

 

Yes, lively political conversation is usually as close as the next table, posters for animal and women’s rights are in clear view, but mostly people come from all around to eat our good food and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere.

 

There’s no cash register and no waitressing. Place your order with a woman seated behind a desk after making your choice from the blackboard menu. Enjoy your food either in our comfortable dining room or on our patio in good weather, and bus your own table when you are through. Things are a little different here. It’s evident from the moment you step inside the door. This is a feminist vegetarian restaurant.

 

In the mid-1970s, a number of women felt the influence of feminism strongly enough to put their beliefs into effect, by starting feminist businesses. We were among them. We wanted to create a feminist community for men and women that was self-sustaining. A lot of feminist bookstores were cropping up all over the country, but, Selma had always been interested in cooking and the way that food seemed to bring people together. So, opening a restaurant seemed the logical choice.

 

Our vision included offering ethnic foods, we wanted to serve food that represented a diverse group of people from all over the world. We also didn’t want to use meat, as we don’t believe in exploiting, dominating or eating animals. From our first cookbook, The Political Palate, “Feminism is not a part-time attitude for us; it is how we live all day, everyday. Our choices in furniture, pictures, the music we play, the books we sell, and the food we cook all reflect and express our feminism.”

 

Two of the original collective members still provide the foundation for Bloodroot today. We are Selma Miriam and Noel Furie. We look forward to meeting you.

​