photo from Mother Other

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: www.vrg.org/restaurant

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

Bodhi Viet Vegans, 2301 W. Parmer Ln., Austin, TX 78727

The folks at Bodhi Viet Vegans refer to themselves as “…a group of local Buddhist Nuns and volunteers…” who believe that “one meal at the time we can save our environment, our precious health, and can spread basic principles of peace and wisdom.” Many items are listed “organic.” Besides their Weekly Specials, here’s a peek at their extensive menu. A couple of Appetizers are soy protein based Vietnamese Dumplings with water chestnut, carrot, and cabbage as well as Fried Eggplant Baguette. They offer Banh Mi and Bao in many varieties like BBQ or Spicy Lemongrass with Seitan or Tofu, Steamed Taro Bao, Vegan Ball Baguette with soy, chickpea, tomatoes, and chef sauce as well as Shredded Jerky Seitan and more. Two Vermicelli Dishes are Vermicelli Fermented Mixed Vegetables and Vegan Smoked Beefless Rice noodle with smoked soy-protein, salad, pickled carrot, and chef sauce. Stir Fries include Chow Mein with their fermented peanut sauce, Pad Thai Noodle with tamarind sauce, as well as braised Ginger Seitan with chef sauce, steamed rice, and vegetables. Some Soups are “homemade” Kim Chi Soup with Rice noodle or Ramen, and tofu in spiced hot and sour broth or Vietnamese Tom-Yum Noodle combining tomato, pineapple, bamboo, and sour and sweet broth. They serve several Rice Plates. Orange Tofu/Seitan has steamed rice, green bell pepper, onion and “homemade” Orange Sauce. There’s Pineapple Curry with Rice potatoes, coconut milk, curry powder, and tofu. Steamed Rice dishes include Black Stuffed King Mushroom featuring soy protein, pineapple, and green bell pepper; Caramelized Tofu, Braised Bitter Melon with soy protein, and mushroom chef sauce; as well as Braised Fermented Dill–a soy protein wrap with seaweed and chef sauce. Desserts include two types of Tapioca Cake and sweet Crispy Sesame Ball Cake with mung bean.

Hazel and Jade, 3852 Fourth Ave., #100, San Diego, CA 92103

Hazel and Jade’s website happily states that they “…bake everything on-site, from scratch…” and even make their “own ‘butter’.” Pastries rotate seasonally and are subject to availability. The following are some possible menu items. Breakfast Bake might mean vegan Feta and Dill Biscuit, Coffee Cake, or a seasonal Muffin. Rotating Croissant varieties include Coconut Berry Croissant Bun made of crunchy, caramelized dough and mixed berries, topped with a berry glaze, Ham and Swiss Croissant with tofu based deli-slice, Daiya cheese, and stone ground mustard; Spanakopita Croissant filled with spinach, Violife feta, tofu, and herbs; as well as Chocolate, Breakfast, and plain Croissants. Love Loaves? You might find Banana Loaf; Double Chocolate Loaf topped with vegan chocolate chunks; Sausage Roll featuring Beyond meat, mushrooms, onions, and spices in puff pastry; and a Cinnamon Roll. Craving Cookies or Cake? How about Chocolate Chip or sweet and savory “Tahini + Toffee Cookie” topped with black sesame seeds, or (seasonally) The Chocolate Raspberry Cake showcasing chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream, and raspberry filling. Among other cake choices, there’s The Most Chocolate cake filled and finished with dark chocolate buttercream. Bars might include Peanut Butter Brownie topped with peanut butter, chocolate, and crisped rice; Chocolate Ganache Brownie; or tangy Lemon Bar with coconut cream based lemon curd on shortbread crust.

Mother Other, 675 S. Broadway, Ste. 300, Denver, CO 80209

The stated goal at Mother Other is to serve “… all of your mothers’ favorite recipes, reimagined through a plant-based lens…” Gluten-free choices are available. Since their menu is seasonal and shaped by availability, the following are possible menu items. Shareables could include Spring Pea Leek Dumpling with charred peas, ginger porcini brodo, mushrooms, and pea shoots. Large Plate possibilities are Potato and Chive Pierogi with ruby kraut, coconut sour cream, braised apple, and caramelized onion, or Garden Grits showcasing market veggies, Calabrian chile butter, popped sorghum, “creamy” stone ground grits, or their signature sauced Rigatoni alla Vodka with basil oil, Aleppo crumb, and torn basil. Some examples of Vegetable Dishes are Carrot Ginger Bisque with coconut cream, sesame chili oil, and carrot chips or miso and black garlic whipped Japanese Sweet Potato with tempura-fried onion, truffled taro chip, sesame chili oil, scallion, and cilantro. A peek at their Drinks menu could reveal Return to Speranza showcasing canteloupe, miso, apertivo, soda, and prosecco, The Best Cellar marrying Mezcal, celery, cloosterbitter (a green, traditional Dutch herbal liqueur), lime, and beet ash, or It Must be That Simple with bourbon, peach, hot mustard simple, lemon, fee foam, and molasses. They have non-alcoholic versions of these too. Dessert might include Carrot Cake featuring cream cheese frosting, pistachio, and candied carrot chip, or Chocolate Budino–vanilla sponge cake, passionfruit curd, chocolate cashew pudding, and shortbread crumb, or Brioche Doughnut with vanilla custard, poached rhubarb, and basil.

Rastarante Experience, 10 Love Ln., Hartford, CT 06112

Their stated mission is, “Helping Families across the world discover a path to a healthier lifestyle.” The menu invites you to Break Your Fast with a vegan Wrap or Platter of vegan eggs, sausage, peppers, and Cheez, or a Chickpea Omlette with sausage, onions, peppers, and Cheez, or Ackee No Saltfish, Callaloo and Cabbage—“Jamaica’s National Dish (Ital Version)” with butterbeans, peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Other options are Orange Ginger Chic’N with vegan Chic’N, steamed veggies and rice, Jerk Chic’N Wrap with Romaine lettuce, Mayo, tomatoes, vegan cheez, and Sweet heat Sauce, or Rasta Pasta featuring their Signature Cold Pasta Salad made with onions, peppers, and their “Creamy” Chickpea Sauce. Some Sides include Sweet Fried Plantains and Fried Potatoes Hash. You might finish on a sweet note with Maple Glazed Vegan Cornbread.

Shokra Soups, 621 Beverly Rancocas Rd., Ste. 2C, Willingboro, NJ 08046

Motivated by personal health challenges, Shok-RASoups brings a particular passion to their cuisine, believing “…that food should not only be delicious but also nourishing…” and noting that it’s “…all made from scratch daily using fresh, non-GMO fruits and vegetables…” Just Breathe Vegan Tuna Wrap offers sea moss, bladderwrack, and burdock root, red onions, tomatoes, and spring mix. Vegan smoked provolone is optional. From the Earth Grilled Mushroom Cheesesteak Wrap combines oyster mushrooms, spring mix, sautéed bell peppers, and grilled onions in a spinach and herb or tomato basil wrap, vegan cheese, and sauce choice. Sea Breezy Vegan Crab Cakes has kelp, hearts of palm and artichokes and navy beans, seasoned to mimic the taste of crab meat and coated in a “crispy, gluten-free” panko crust and “zesty” garlic aioli sauce. Felling creative? Design your own Cheesesteak Wrap with a Spring Mix Base, sautéed peppers, onions, and vegan cheese; choose spinach and herb or tomato basil wrap and protein. Then select Avocado, Chipotle, Garlic Aoili, Mambo Honey Barbecue or Vegan Sour Cream Sauce. Depending on whether you’re designing your own “Destiny” Bowl or Wrap or Cheesesteak Wrap, protein options might include grilled mushrooms, sunflower seeds or Sunflower Seed Burger, Jackfruit, lentils or Lentil Burger, Navy Bean or Black Bean; veggies might be Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, or Purple cabbage. Some Soups are White Bean Shokra Chili, with optional jalapeno peppers, plant-based sour cream, tri-color tortilla chips, and plant-based cheddar; “The Wind Up” Jackfruit Soup–a savory, smoky, spicy blend with Caribbean-inspired Jerk spices; “Sunset Meditations” serving up Swiss Chard and Plant-Based Italian fennel sausage; and Cajun-inspired Every Moment Matters Gumbo celebrating Creole cuisine with vegan apple smoked sausages.

Slutty Vegan, 1065 S. Charles St., Ste. 171, Baltimore, MD 21230

Serves creative vegan burgers and hot sandwiches, along with sides and dessert.