Fun and flavorful are on the menu at Green Line Apothecary. Check out the new wellness menu
For Green Line Apothecary, a new level of back to the future begins on June 1.
When they opened in Wakefield in 2016, Christina Procaccianti, a doctor of pharmacy, had a mission to bring a holistic approach to a fully functioning pharmacy. The business plan, with husband and co-founder Ken Procaccianti, included redefining the pharmacy experience with a return to its roots, not just with prescription services but with a soda fountain.
They moved in a 1940s-era soda fountain that was formerly used in a department store in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Pick up a prescription, enjoy an egg cream, a float, lime rickey, phosphate or a hand-blended cabinet. Have an ice cream, all made from scratch. If the nostalgia and deliciousness didn't get you, the convenience did.
Now, there's more to come with the new "wellness diner menu" launching Saturday at both Green Line locations at 245 Main St., Wakefield, and 905 North Main St., Providence, said Ken Procaccianti, president and CEO.
What will be on the wellness diner menu?
Think healing soups, super salads, comforting grilled cheese sandwiches and soothing seltzers.
"We will be serving feel-good fountain classics, reimagined with healthfulness," he said. "We make everything from scratch using all clean ingredients." Whenever possible, they will also use local ingredients, he said.
The menu was prepared with chef Rachael LaPorte, director of food and beverage. She also directs the food operations at sister business Town Made which has commercial kitchens in Wakefield and helps launch new culinary businesses.
Comfort classics, like grilled cheese and tomato soup, or waffles and chicken soup, might feel familiar but at Green Line's counter they are prepared from the perspective of wellness, Procaccianti said.
There's a focus on healthful ingredients. You can see that when you read the menu descriptions. The Super Kale Salad has organic kale, pickled vegetables, red quinoa in a gut-friendly raw apple cider, local maple syrup and herb vinaigrette.
"It's feel good food that’s been well thought out," he said. The food is done in a way that is nostalgic but also good for you. It's just what the doctor ordered."
The menu for "The Fizz Wellness Diner" includes Sweet Potato and Chicken Bites, Egg + Cheese Fountain Press and The Pressed Cheese sandwich made with cheddar on Pullman bread.
The soup selection includes Lentil & Vegetable, made with organic green lentils, local vegetables and a blended mix of fenugreek, coriander and cumin in a vegan bowl. The chicken soup is made with roasted local chicken with kale and vegetables and apple cider vinegar for a collagen-rich broth. The tomato soup is made with local cream and roasted local vegetables.
There are granola dishes with local yogurt or oatmeal. There are waffles for breakfast that are made with local cornmeal and fresh fountain seltzer. They are also offered with gluten-free flour. You can also have waffles for dessert with ice cream.
Homeopathic seltzers: Trendy, but they have a history
Procaccianti made special note of homeopathic seltzers because as a trend, seltzers are having a moment. But they also have a history. The carbonation technology started at pharmacy counters, he said.
The experience harkens to the days people went to their old-fashioned apothecary and said they had a belly ache and asked for help. They'd offer up soda and put ginger into it.
"We want to invoke that era again," he said.
At Green Line, you can think about getting an immune boost by adding elderberry to a seltzer for an elixir. You can also try an inflammation-fighting blend of turmeric and pineapple for a tonic. Want a soothing drink? There's Lemon and Lavender Spritz. Strawberry and Basil is a refresher for stress relief. The Green Fizz has a cleansing mix of organic spinach, wheatgrass, spirulina and roasted local apples.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Green Line Apothecary adds wellness menu in Providence, Wakefield
