A teahouse that can cure sick

The Clearing Café is named after “the calm, lucid center we find within ourselves when we are at peace.” So it’s no wonder that this café is not only relaxing, but entirely focused on bringing people to a healthy place.

To do this, owners Briana and Peter Borton, both healthcare practitioners, serve only fresh food that is made with local, organic ingredients.

“We wanted to create a space that served food we would feed our own family,” Briana Borton says. Part of The Clearing’s charm is that Mr. and Mrs. Borton are often in the cafe, eating at the small bar by the window and chatting with the employees.

The menu is eclectic, and made up of five sections: “Paninis,” “Soups,” “Salads,” “Essential Bowls” and “Coffee, Tea and More.” Over a few visits I sampled items from each section and all were delicious and presented beautifully.

A favorite of mine, and other customers, is the café’s signature menu item, “Essential Bowls.” A bowl at The Clearing is made up of brown rice, red beans, olives, tomato, cilantro and avocado, with your choice of sauce (garlic-lemon with nutritional yeast, Thai peanut coconut or chipotle-salsa). The menu states that the bowls are a complete protein source and contain all nine amino acids.

The juice bar provides a long list of organic juices (everything from apple to cucumber) with an option of adding a natural supplement, which is essentially a medicinal boost.

These are no ordinary boosts though, and can in fact only be sold by health practitioners. Since both owners are health practitioners, they are happy to supply these boosts for our enjoyment. The boost menu is extensive, and each one targets a specific ailment, so no matter what problem you may be facing, there is a boost for you.

Try the juice “Salad In A Glass.” I can almost guarantee it will lift your spirits.

Another staple of The Clearing’s menu is the smoothie list. Here, you can sip anything from a “Peanut Butter and Jelly” smoothie (sans bread, obviously) to a “Chimpanzee,” which is a sweet smoothie comprised of spinach, pear, banana, lemon and ginger.

Of course, what café would be complete without a fantastic coffee, pastry and tea menu? The coffee is ground and brewed fresh every day, and has turned many coffee haters to coffee enthusiasts, including Briana Borton. “I used to hate coffee when we opened. Now, I love it.”

Try anything from a Cardamom Latte to a “Miassis Dragon (Shot In The Dark).” Order a coffee with a slice of banana chocolate chip cake, and you will return for seconds. The teas, all loose-leaf, are from the Tao of Tea, and are listed on a separate, extensive menu. Other items include Kettleman’s Bagels, yogurt with your choice of toppings, muffins and cupcakes.

Stop in the Clearing Café anytime from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. You can chill out on their comfy couches, play a few board games and take full advantage of their free Wi-Fi. One person, with a full order and a drink, can expect to pay around $8-$10 dollars, making The Clearing well worth a streetcar ride to Northwest.

The Clearing Café 2772 N.W. Thurman St.Damage: $8-$10Try: The “Essential Bowl” and sauce, or the seasonal soup of the day. The “Chimpanzee” or “Cinnamango” (Mango, banana, cinnamon and apple juice) smoothies.