Thrive Eatery

Thrive Organic Kitchen and Café exudes a lush, pulsing vitality. The walls are fluorescent green, succulent lemons decorate the counter, and a potted plant sprouts to the ceiling. In the kitchen, David Perez twirls his lithe frame from one dish to another as he sings animatedly (if slightly off key) to blaring salsa music. His business partner, Pat Zisis, nods at the customers, noting their stories as well as their orders. Each owner brings their expertise to the table: 34-year-old David is the visionary who masterminds the menu while sage 49-year-old Pat supplies the business acumen.

With a holistic approach to healthy eating, Thrive’s menu is packed with superfoods high in vitamins and minerals, and features items like “Longevity” (a salad), “Alive” (a sandwich) and “Serenity” (rice). Thrive also offers free nutrition workshops, cooking lessons and a runners boot camp. “We are not just a healthy place to eat but also a place of learning and growth,” says David.