New Smoothie, Salad Spot In Boston: Carrot Flower Open In JP

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — After months behind the brown paper in the window, Carrot Flower opened quietly Tuesday in JP in the space where Cobwebs antiques store closed last year on Centre Street. The new space has no cobwebs, but it does have old school blenders for light fixtures, plenty of green - from the sunflowers in the window to the plants hanging along the interior window wall to the lemongrass over the counter - and some pretty tasty healthy, quick options.

Just after 9 a.m. Tuesday the mostly vegan smoothie, salad and healthy bite shop had already served a number of customers smoothies ($8) with paper straws, Acai bowls ($9.50) and Avocado Toast ($8). By 10: 30 a.m. the four tables were packed and two seats at the counter in the window were taken.

Carrot Flower is brought to Jamaica Plain in part by long time JP resident Audrey White who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was little and gravitated toward plant-based, low-carb and quick, wondered why there was no smoothie, or salad restaurant in JP.

White worked in graphic design for the past 20 years but was ready for a career change. The restaurant idea seemed fitting. The hitch? She didn't have much experience in the restaurant industry. She had worked out of VeeVee's basement making Watermelon juice to see if she might try popping up somewhere. But decided pop ups might not be her jam. The solution? She got her pal Cheri Clarkin ( who managed Myers + Chang, 75 Chestnut and KO Pies, among others) on board and the two set out to create the dining spot they both wanted to see in JP as co-owners.

Carrot Flower sits across from CVS on Centre Street at the bus stop there, and comes with a menu of juices and smoothies with health shots or boots (from Ashwaganda to Matcha to Reishi Mushroom powder), vegan soups, toasts, salads, coffee, tea, chia pudding and overnight oats.

The granola is locally made, the acai bowl just sweet enough without added honey and the breads for the toasts (both savory and sweet options) from Fornax breads.

The plan has been in the works for the past two years, said White, who designed the logo and came up with the name, a nod to her love of indie music.

"It's from a song by my favorite Band Neutral Milk Hotel. They sing 'King of Carrot Flowers.' When I was thinking about names, I wanted some kind of music connection. I thought Carrot Flower worked even if you didn't know the song," she told Patch.

She and Clarkin painted the logo on the brick wall next to the entry and it's probably her favorite part of the space, she told Patch on opening day.

The old school bicycle over the counter? That's just decoration she says, but she does have a lot of biker friends and it does happen to remind her of the type of bike she used to ride growing up. "I'm really dating myself, here," she smiles.

What about Juicygreens which just opened down the street past the monument? White confesses she was a bit shocked when she found out someone else with a similar idea was opening up in town. But, she points out, the more healthy food options the better. "JP can handle two juice bars," she said.

"I just want to have a really welcoming friendly community space. I want people to feel welcome and enjoy being here," she said.

Carrot Flower is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., though the hours could eventually extend to 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily.

A glance at the menu:

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Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff