Hunt & Gather Cafe aims to serve tasty food in rustic atmosphere

True to its name, Hunt & Gather Cafe is bringing people back to the basics.

The cafe, 7240 W. Azure Drive, No. 145, inside the Tenaya Village retail center, offers a menu high in protein, low in carbs and with an international twist.

"It's a small, family-operated eatery based on eating the way you're intended to eat," said business owner Ignacia Embry. "These are all flavors I grew up with. Everything is full of high protein and healthy grains and greens."

The restaurant made its debut in June and offers flavors inspired by American, Dominican, Puerto Rican and Mexican influences.

Inside its dim cabin-inspired atmosphere, a stuffed moose head displayed on the wall greets customers.

Its menu's motto is to congregate, discern, nourish and unwind.

To start, appetizers include garlic-seasoned sweet potatoes ($6) with grilled garlic chunks and a sprinkling of sea salt; spinach humus ($8) with fresh spinach and creamed chickpeas topped with baked cheeses and served with pita chips and cucumber slices; and shrimp cocktail ($11), which comes with fresh marinated shrimp salsa and warm tostada chips.

Main courses include pizza — available in a gluten-free option — which includes the Cheese Lovers ($8 to $20), Build Your Own ($10 to $20) and The Huntsman ($18), a fully loaded, 18-inch pizza topped with pork, chicken, bacon, pepperoni, marinated beef and ham.

For a healthier meal or side, patrons can opt for a salad. The Healthy Chef ($8) comes with chopped romaine and field greens with turkey, bacon, eggs, assorted cheeses, tomatoes, onions and croutons; the Berries Zenful ($9) includes field greens and cabbage tossed with berries, almonds, golden beets and feta cheese with balsamic dressing; and the Thai Salad ($8) is made with Asian salad combining cabbage, cucumbers, ginger, mint, coriander and mixed with Asian spices and sesame dressing, topped with sesame seeds and crispy strips of wontons.

Other popular items include the Guinness Carnitas ($15), with grain-fed, slow-cooked pork mixed with herbs, spices, citrus and Guinness. It's served with slow-cooked white rice medley, mango salsa and corn tortillas. El Burrito ($10) features a colossal burrito filled with avocado, onions and tomatoes, topped with enchilada sauce and melted cheese. Customers can chose from chicken, marinated steak, shrimp, ground beef, ground turkey or make it vegetarian. The burrito also comes with a side of salsa and chips.

The Libre Cubano ($10) is a grilled ham, pastrami, tender pork and cheese sandwich with pickles and spicy brown mustard, served with fresh garlic fries.

The restaurant also features beer and wine, including homemade sangria, chilled sakes and inspired wine cocktails.

Happy hour is from 2 to 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to closing Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on Wednesdays.

Call 702-202-2812 or visit huntandgathercafe.com.