UYE Lunch and Brunch -Blue Tree Cafe

I always wanted to try this place out, but I never had a chance. This UYE was the perfect opportunity to finally get down there and check it out! Thanks to Eric Robert T. and Sheetal R. for hosting this one!
The people who came to this UYE was so diverse and it was great! I was so surprised that so many people turned up for «healthy» UYE! Everyone was so friendly (as per a normal Unilocal gathering haha), and the conversations that got started continued so naturally. I didn’t really put a time limit on how long I thought the event would take, and good thing too! After meeting up with all these great people, it was really hard to say, «Hey…I have to go.» The atmosphere of Blue Tree and of our group was excellent… and it helps that there was wi-​fi too: D
I was happily surprised, on top of all that, that the food and drinks were so good! Shout out to Josie C. for feeding me all her cast-​offs hahaha. I even ended up buying a scone to take home with me!
Thanks for the UYE guys! I’ll definitely be going back to Blue Tree… the fond memories help ^_^

First off I agree with everything that was said about this momentous occasion.
With so many Unilocaler’s showing up for a fantastic and healthy lunch Blue Tree had to be pleasantly surprised.
Everyone seemed to order something different on the menu.
We stuck to our faves which is the Living Lasagna, Kale Salad and Coffee with Almond Milk.
Service was very helpful and answered many questions about ingredients and drink choices.

HIPPIES & ANGELINA JOLIE WOULD LOVE THIS PLACE!
Is it pronounced «Vee-​gan» or «Vay-​gan»?
What’s the difference between a Vegan and Vegetarian? What’s the difference between a rabbit and hare?
With the right Yeep friends and a healthy dose of organic vegan foods all these questions can be answered right here at Blue Tree Café!
A greasy burger alternative! Sweet!
I have a vegan friend, Shauna «ShaSha» S. that checks-​in here regularly. I’m surprised she’s not the Duchess, especially with her massive smoothie check-​ins, but no she’s not even in the top three! What’s up with that?! Peeps must love this place!
Yup, with all the burgers, fries, and fatty milkshakes I’ve been overindulging on recently… It’s only fitting that I craved, and oh so needed, something healthier!
Backup a week… Sheetal R. (no nickname) another vegan friend, writes one heck of a review on Blue Tree Café. BAM! So, we decide to do a UYE here! Why? Let’s share our healthy options with Yeepers who are looking beyond «Best Burger in Honolulu.»
NOT JUST FOR HARE KRISHNA:
Blue Tree Café offers more than lettuce and funky colored smoothies. Frankly, I was famished when I walked in, having just a «fruit only» breakfast. I pretty much wanted the heartiest thing on the menu which is the Balsamic Chicken Sandwich w/​Sun Dried Tomato Spread. Remember this is a gluten-​free, vegan friendly, hamburger zilch zone.
First, I need to greet my co-​host, Sheetal R. who looks snappy all dressed up. We decide to get a drink before everyone else arrives. The menu sign was somewhat overwhelming with all the different smoothies, teas, juices, blends, and frappé stuffs. So, I ask the clerk on her recommendation. Do I like chai? Yes, oh most definitely… so one Dirty Chai Latte blended coming up! Sheetal ordered something purple, whatever it was… she said it was delish and destroyed it before we held the patio tables, lol. No worries we got more drinks with our meal.
Awesome Yeeps arrive one by one. Some parking in the «tight» parking garage, others parking at Ward and strolling over, I believe someone even bladed over. That’s dedication! Most I already knew and a few I met for the very first time, which is a good thing about these casual events. We all shared one common goal: Wanting something healthy for a change!
Thanks to all for sharing part of your Tuesday! Amazing group!
UYE BLUE TREE CAFE MVP ROSTER: Pualena P. Josie C., Derek C. (Mr. Josie), Paige L., Bee, but prob Bea, Christian G., Russel M., Maka K., Quintana B., Erika A., Vivian H., Rose aka Tiki T., Mike Y., Shauna S., and of course AMAZING co-​pilot Sheetal R.
MY LUNCH: Balsamic Chicken Sandwich w/​Sun Dried Tomato Spread and Mozzarella Cheese, Dirty Chai Latte, Organic Lemonade. All thumbs up and will be reviewed in my Blue Tree Café review.
AMBIANCE: Really relaxed and options for indoor (AC) or outdoor seating (tropical breeze). Awesome vintage look to place… Brick wall, old artsy bicycles as décor, hand made signs, and just a warm-​inviting feel to Blue Tree Café.
SERVICE: Very friendly no-​nonsense staff. If not sure on what to order… Just ask and they’ll be more than happy to suggest something. Bonus: Staff offered us vegan mac & cheese samples.
VALUE: Depends if you look at the healthy glass half-​full or half-​empty. First, you get quality organic foods that you can actually taste. Not the addictive salt, sugar, and fats «to da max» like most places. You may think it might be a tad expensive for lunch or breakfast. I ended up spending about $ 18 for a sandwich, a blended chai, and homemade organic lemonade. Was it worth it? Yes! So prices vary for meals and it really depends on what you get… expect between $ 10 — $ 15 for a meal and drink.
THE QUESTIONS:
VEGAN VS. VEGETARIAN?
The VEGAN eliminates all animal products from his or her diet, including dairy. Generally Vegans’ tremendous humanity for animals is an overriding conviction in their lives. VEGETARIANS do not eat meat, fish or poultry, but might eat dairy products such as cheese, eggs, yogurt or milk. Vegetarians are not as predictable in their beliefs, as there are many reasons to become vegetarian that don’t necessarily include selflessness as a primary motive. Lacto-​vegetarians and Lacto-​ovo vegetarians are some examples of the diversity of vegetarians.
RABBIT VS. HARE?
The difference mainly pertains to their physique, lifestyle and food habits. WOW! Just like our diverse Unilocal population! Amazing!
«A-​MA-​ZING» the word Sheetal loves! LAWL!
NOTE: Yes, I still need that occasional greasy burger to keep my manly balance, but it’s awesome to know that there are other options in our healthy happy lives:)
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!
FINAL NOTE: You know the UYE was a complete success when the expected 1-​hour lunch turned into over 2-​hours of eating, drinking, sampling, chatting, and LOL’ing! That’s what it’s all about!
Unilocal REVIEW #119

Okay I’ve determined from the previous UYE’s that I love going to UYE’s!
Today’s UYE was no different. Thanks to the AWESOME host dual of Eric Robert T and Sheetal R for putting this together on a perfect day, at a perfect time, at a perfect place.
We first started off sitting on the patio chairs which was located on what seemed to be more like their «sidewalk». Although it was next to the busy road of Kapiolani, I didn’t recall the sound of the traffic and cars passing by to be of a nuisance.
Then, all 10 of us went into the café to join the 5 that was already in there. The décor of the café had a very unique and calming feel. The noise level was at a minimum, (well until all 15 of us gathered). Ha!
Their menu was so interesting I wanted to try everything. I spent a whopping $ 30 for hubby and I. Haha. My eyes were certainly bigger than my stomach since I gave most of my food away. (More on the food in my separate review for the café)
The best part about Unilocal is talking and laughing with new and old friends (not «old» as in age, «old» as in you’ve already met them. Just thought I’d clarify that). Ha!
Thanks again Eric Robert T & Sheetal R for putting this together. Everything was perfect!

Review #100 !!!
Yay for free time in the middle of the day!
Seriously… what do you all doooo?
J/​K! I shouldn’t talk… I work from home so I gets it.
Had a great time with everyone including categorizing different shakas, Pua getting so excited she flipped a (coffee) table and self promotion of my own UYE tonight.
Hint hint…
i purchased the Super Juice which was pretty good despite that it looks like algae pool water. And they gave out samples of the Vegan Mac N Cheese which was very tasty.
It was nice meeting people on a super casual basis. Thanks Eric and Sheetal for hosting!