The first kabbalistic restaurant in the world is in…Ft. Lauderdale? And run by a Chabad rabbi?

Cafe Emunah is, says The Forward, a new beachfront restaurant in this South Florida city is billing itself as the country’s first kabbalistic restaurant which has already distinguished itself with its holistic approach to kosher food — combining organic chic with a dash of Jewish mysticism.

The Miami Herald gave it 3-out-of-4 stars in a restaurant review but my skepticism remains as to it’s integrity. Can a restaurant be kabbalistic? Says Miami Herald’s Rochelle Koff,

There aren’t any obvious references to Kabbalah or to Reis’ plan to offer 15-minute ”life coaching” sessions for $20. The café’s spiritual marketing push (”be welcomed into an environment where only positivity is allowed”) has aroused snarky Internet bloggers, but nothing’s force-fed.

Founded by an unlikely pair — Chabad Rabbi Moshe Meir Lipszyc and psychologist Marla Reis — the cafe features Asian dishes like sushi, with organic ingredients, a kosher certification, and plenty of stylish couches. It even features guest lecturers and regular painting and meditation workshops. Read The Forward article here.