The Vegetarian Resource Group Blog

Vegan Restaurants Added to The Vegetarian Resource Group’s Guide to Veggie Restaurants in the USA and Canada

Posted on March 18, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

Photo from Astera

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Astera, 1407 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214

Chef-owned Astera offers a tasting menu which rotates, reflecting seasonal offerings. They post the most recent version on their website on Thursdays. Their vegan cuisine is creatively inspired, celebrating local food, with a theme of fermentation techniques. You might find a delight of blue petals sprinkled over a diverse array of colors, textures, and shapes on your plate—a work of art in itself, crafted by local potters. Some examples from the most recent menu posted on their website include Cabbage with Star Anise, Onion, Malted Koji broth, Bread and Smoked “Honey Butter,” King Trumpet Mushroom with Spruce-Elderberry Demiglace & Parsnip Puree, Chewy Beets with Soy yogurt and Wild blueberry and Sheepshead sorrel, to name a few.  Their Temperance Beverages (which may contain small amounts of alcohol) are Housemade Fermented Drinks such as Pear & Parsnip Komboucha , Blueberry, Rosehip & Sumac Tibicos, Spruce Soda and more. Ready for Dessert? How about Celeriac Ice Cream, (yes, you read that correctly!) Sunchoke Caramel, Roast Apple Puree and Hazelnut.

Beet Box Truck, 1738 NW 16th St., Ste. B, Oklahoma City, OK 73106

The Beet Box is an all-vegan establishment serving fast-food style sandwiches and fries. Chickenless and filet-o-fish’less sandwiches are served on brioche bun with a variety of toppings and sauces. Nugget-

sized pieces of unBEETable chickenless bites are also available. Specials include cauliflower wings, fried artichokes, fried pickles, and tacos stuffed with heart of palm shrimp.

CC’s 2 Seriously Good, 211 Village Square, Hazelwood, MO 63042

Looking for a vegan restaurant to cater your next event? You must try CC’s 2 Seriously Good! CC’s 2 Seriously Good passion is cooking and serving others vegan and healthy meals with tons of flavor. Their featured menu items include a spicy patty burger, a saucy vegan rib sandwich, vegan crispy fish bites, and so much more. Try CC’s 2 Seriously Good today!

Mad Rabbit Café, 805 Williamson St., Madison, WI 53703

Mad Rabbit Café takes your favorite comfort foods and transforms them into a delicious plant-based meal. From loaded fries with gooey vegan cheese and chipotle sauce, to the juicy “Mad Rabbit Burger,” and healthy salads, there’s vegan food options for everyone. Mad Rabbit Cafe’s menu also includes sides to share with friends, including a vegan cheese board and deep fried sushi rice with homemade lemon herb sauce.

Primavega, 921 W. Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75208

Primavega offers vegan brunch all day long. Some of their brunch options include Belgian waffles, twin biscuit sandwiches, or a JUST Egg omelet. They have a wide variety of sandwiches, one of which includes aged cheddar smashed between two Beyond patties, topped with caramelized onion and house mayonnaise on grilled house bread. Primavega also has a build your own vegan pasta choice, and there are also gluten-free options. Lastly, for anyone with a sweet tooth, they offer caramel cakes, banana pudding, and an old fashioned apple crisp for dessert.

The Alkaline Electric Goddess, 49 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

The Alkaline Electric Goddess is the first plant-based food option to break its way into the food court at Indianapolis’ Circle Centre Mall. Offering a mix of Southern soul food and delicious, healthy smoothies, its menu options will nourish your body and soul. In true Southern fashion, the Southern Paradise Sandwich is served with a fork, so you can get every last bit of the Southern kale greens, vegan mac n’ cheez, and BBQ jackfruit served on a toasted brioche bun. The Alkaline Bowl is made with kale greens, quinoa, and seasoned chickpeas, topped with guacamole, tomatoes, and a special sauce. The smoothies all include sea moss with flavors including strawberry-mango and blueberry-banana.

Vegan T’ease, 14600 S. La Grange Rd., Orland Park, IL 60462

Vegan T’ease has great vegan options including gyros, fajitas, stuffed burgers, and even homemade vegan tomato soup. You can order cauliflower wings in hot wing sauce, their prize-winning vegan baileys faye bbq sauce, Miami tropical sauce, lemon pepper sauce, or just plain. They also serve gluten-free options as well.

Vegan House Shack, 3906 Augusta Rd., Greenville, SC 29605

Serves vegan dishes like the “Cauliflower Tacos,” which has a Corn tortilla, battered and fried cauliflower, guacamole, sweet purple cabbage, and is topped with a jalapeno pepper and drizzled with their special house and ranch sauce. They also sell “Chick-Un Strips,” which are 3 house-made, seasoned, battered, and fried vegan chicken strips with real potato seasoned fries.

Creating a Vegan World: Nadely Requena

Posted on March 18, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

Nadely Requena is a Latina student journalist at the University of Texas at Austin. She was a virtual intern for the Eleanor Miltimore Wolff internship organized by The Vegetarian Resource Group.

Read about her internship here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue1/2024_issue1_vegan_world.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA at https://www.vrg.org/member/

Review of Broma’s Dark Chocolate Lentil & Almond Butters

Posted on March 15, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

In the latest issue of Vegan Journal, we review Broma’s Dark Chocolate Lentil & Almond Butters. They are sold in jars or small travel pouches. If you enjoy baking, their website offers up suggestions for brownies, cookies, and granola bars using the butters, too.

Read the product review in Vegan Journal here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue1/2024_issue1_veggie_bits.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA at https://www.vrg.org/member/

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th with Vegan Cuisine!

Posted on March 15, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day we are sharing these recipes by Enette Larson, PhD that you can prepare for tomorrow’s festivities.

Colcannon
(Serves 4)

1 pound potatoes, sliced
2 medium parsnips, peeled and sliced
2 medium leeks
1 cup soymilk
1 pound kale or cabbage
½ teaspoon mace (optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons margarine
Parsley

Cook the potatoes and parsnips in water until tender. While those are cooking, chop the leeks (greens as well as white parts) and then simmer them in the soymilk until soft. Next, chop the kale or cabbage and cook until tender.
Drain the potatoes, and season with the mace, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked leeks with soymilk. Finally, blend in the cooked kale or cabbage and margarine. The texture should be that of smooth potato with well distributed pieces of leek and kale or cabbage. Garnish with parsley.

Scannels’ Soda Bread
(Makes 1 loaf; 8 slices)

1-1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup oat bran
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons caraway seeds
¼ cup currants or raisins
1 cup soymilk plus 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Mix the dry ingredients well. Blend in the caraway seeds and currants or raisins. Add soymilk stirring to make a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead for 1 minute. Shape into a round loaf and put into an 8-inch oiled round pan. With a floured knife, cut an X into the top. Bake loaf at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into slices when cool.

Where to Purchase Vegan Chocolate and Candy for Easter

Posted on March 14, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

photo from Amanda’s Own Confections

Easter falls on March 31st in 2024; however, you might want to shop for vegan Easter treats now!

Here’s some online shops offering vegan Easter Chocolate and Candy:

Amanda’s Own Confections: https://amandasown.com/products/holidays/easter/

Divine Chocolate: https://shop.divinechocolateusa.com/Vegan-Easter-Gift-Set/p/DIV-EASTERVEGAN&c=DivineChocolate@Easter

Easter lollipop Collection from No Whey Chocolate

No Whey Chocolate: https://nowheychocolate.com/easter-chocolate/

Natural Candy Store: https://www.naturalcandystore.com/category/vegan-candy

Lake Champlain Chocolates: https://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/seasonal-chocolates/vegan-easter-chocolate/

Quick and Easy Ideas for Preparing Seitan Dishes

Posted on March 14, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

In the most recent Vegan Journal, Chef Nancy Berkoff shares suggestions on how to prepare quick and easy seitan dishes.

Quick Seitan Serving Suggestions

  • Chop or grind seitan, sauté with onions and garlic, and add to tomato sauce for spaghetti sauce; or add to cooked beans with barbecue sauce for chili beans; or add to vegetable or tomato soup for extra flavor and texture; use as a pizza topping or a calzone filling; or add to a creamy mushroom sauce to create a stroganoff.
  • Cut seitan into small cubes and sauté with black or white pepper, a small amount of vegetable oil or spray, and chopped bell peppers or chilies of your choice. Add to a package of homemade curry sauce to create a green, yellow, or red curry; add to heated leftover mashed potatoes with sautéed onions and green cabbage to create an Irish-inspired colcannon or a shepherd’s pie; or use as a focaccia topping.

Read the entire Vegan Cooking Tips column here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue1/2024_issue1_cooking_tips.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA at https://www.vrg.org/member/

Review of Hiker’s Hummus

Posted on March 13, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

Whether you’re traveling by air, bicycle, car, or foot, Hiker’s Hummus is a terrific way to fuel your journey with no need for refrigeration. Available in several flavors.

Read the product review in Vegan Journal here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue1/2024_issue1_veggie_bits.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA at https://www.vrg.org/member/

Vegan Restaurants Added to The Vegetarian Resource Group’s Guide to Veggie Restaurants in the USA and Canada

Posted on March 13, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

photo from Whole Harvest Kitchen

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Community Vegan, 1124 E. 11th St., Austin, TX 78702

At Community Vegan, plant-based food can be comfort food! They aim to provide a convenient destination for great-tasting vegan food. From fries smothered in vegan chili cheese sauce to a variety of vegan sandwiches, including a fish filet sandwich, crispy fried vegan chicken, and a fried oyster sandwich, there’s a plethora of plant-based options for your taste buds to enjoy.

Fix and Repeat, 555 NW Arizona Ave., Ste. 50, Bend OR 97703

Looking for the perfect plant-based menu to fuel your healthy lifestyle? Then Fix and Repeat is the vegan restaurant for you! From fruit and veggie smoothies, including a “Super Berry” smoothie and nutrient-dense “macro bowls,” such as a sweet breakfast oat bowl and savory “fiesta bowl,” Fix and Repeat has food you can feel good about. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can enjoy their meals outside on a warm, sunny day or in the comfort of their modern-style restaurant. Fix and Repeat is also committed to fueling the community with healthy food beyond its plant-based menu through local outreach, non-profit donations, and partnerships.

Indian Vegan Café, 901 W. Royal Ln., #120, Irving, TX 75039

Serves vegan dishes like the “Veg Keema Paratha,” which has shredded paratha (a flatbread) mixed with veggies and spicy gravy. Also the “Vegan Feast Box,” which is a lunch combo meal with basmati rice, your choice of curry, and plain naan.

Rock N Roll Donut Bar, 685 Cannery Row, Ste. 101, Monterey, CA 93940 and 1335 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

If you think all donuts are created equal—round, hole in the middle, maybe some sprinkles—you have clearly not been to Rock N Roll Donut Bar. Here is where you can find square donuts; donuts with frosting mustaches to celebrate Father’s Day; and a Cookie Monster donut, complete with googly-type eyes and an Oreo in its mouth. You can even order donuts in the shape of letters to send someone a special birthday message. With flavors that include Snicker Doodle Crumble, Strawberry Shortcake, and Coco Banana Cream Pie, I challenge you to find a more fun way to satisfy your vegan sweet tooth.

Thai Vegan Restaurant, 107 Middleton Way, Greer, SC 29650

Serves vegan dishes like the “Pineapple Fried Rice,” that has brown stir-fried rice in curry powder with pineapple, bell pepper, onion, carrot, and cashews. Also has the vegan “Glass Noodle Salad,” with mung bean noodles, tomato, onion and chili paste topped with a spicy lime dressing and served on a bed of salad, plus so much more.

Vegan Deli and Butcher, 5003 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116

The head chef and owner has put focus on creating a spin-off to East coast deli type foods, vegan-style. One of the items on the menu is a toasted bagel with cream cheese, lox, red onion, capers, and dill. The bagels are sourced from New York City, and they make homemade vegan lox by brining carrots with kelp powder for 48 hours! They also offer a variety of deli sandwiches including Italian Cold Cut and Philly Cheesesteak.

Whole Harvest Kitchen, Town Center Plaza, 4853 W. 117th St., Leawood, KS 66211

Adding no sugar, cooking with minimal salt and without oil whenever possible, Whole Harvest Kitchen invites you to enjoy food made from scratch with fresh ingredients and nothing artificial. Join them in culinary adventures inspired by health, sustainability and passionate creativity. For Starters there’s Panang Carrots with Sweet Pepper, Popped Amaranth, Lentil, Thai Basil, Cilantro, Sprouts, and Cashew and Smokey Dashi Tofu–charcoal grilled with garlic dashi, ginger, daikon, wakame and Kimchi to name a couple of choices. There are a few Salads too such as Immunity with Daily Greens, Mandarin, Apple, Fennel, Beet, Heirloom Beans, Super Seed, and Tamarind Dressing. You may add Smoked or Blackened Tofu to any salad. One of two Pizza choices is BBQ Mushroom with Myco Planet Mushroom, Red onion, Tangy BBQ, Pine nuts, and Cilantro. There’s also a 48-hour Local Grain Sourdough crust option and dips. Main events include: Thai Curry with Yam Noodle, Blackened Tofu, Turnip, Walnut, Greens, Chili, and Lemongrass-Coconut Broth, Cast Iron Cauliflower Steak with Lemon Hummus, Greens, Mint, and Pine Nut Gremolata, and Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Tacos with Black Beans, Avocado, Kale, Cabbage Slaw, and Radish, to name a few choices. Kids Bento Trays, available in Kids Hummus and House Pita or Kids Pasta with Marinara, along with Edamame, Veggie Sticks, Fruit & Ranch Dip. Dreaming of Dessert? Consider Dark Chocolate Truffle Bites crafted from Medjool Date, Dark Cocoa, and Sea Salt, or Maple Silken Yogurt with Apple, Orange, Smoked Maple, and Coconut Crunch.

Vegan Shelf-Stable Entrée Pouches: How Do They Compare?

Posted on March 12, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

The latest issue of Vegan Journal evaluates Shelf-Stable Vegan Entrée Pouches. Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, evaluates nutritional considerations including sodium content, high fiber products, and high calorie choices for hungry hikers.

Read this article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2024issue1/2024_issue1_vegan-shelf-stable.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA at https://www.vrg.org/member/

Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month scheduled for March 1-31, 2024

Posted on March 12, 2024 by The VRG Blog Editor

Sample all the delicious vegan food available in Maryland during Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month scheduled throughout March 2024. Here’s a partial list of some of the restaurants participating: Koshary Corner (Egyptian Street Food at RHouse in Remington, Baltimore), Land of Kush (Soul Food in Baltimore), Golden West Café (in Hampden, Baltimore), Harmony Bakery (gluten-free bakery in Hampden, Baltimore), Sweet27 (gluten-free restaurant in Remington, Baltimore), Applecore’s Bake Shoppe in Columbia, Planta in Columbia, Soul-Tarian in Suitland, etc.

More information can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/mdveganeats

https://www.mdveganeats.com/

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