photo from Nacha Foccacia

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

Julie Goes Green, 11140 Palms Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034

What’s the philosophy at Julie Goes Green? “We prioritize sustainability by using locally sourced, organic ingredients and eco-friendly practices.” Valuing “community,” they feel their “…space fosters connection, warmth, and the joy of eating in harmony with nature.” Some Small Plates are tempura battered, Fried Coconut Calamari featuring seasoned, fresh coconut meat, cilantro, red onions, and sweet and sour sauce; Michael’s Mac and Cheese, Fried Mushrooms or Zucchini; as well as Buffalo Cauliflower or (soy) Buffalo Drum Sticks—both battered and fried, with hot sauce, “house” vegan ranch, along with carrots and celery sticks. Of their many Pastas, a few are Eggplant Parmigiana breaded and baked with vegan cheese and “house” marinara; as well as Shrimp Scampi with vegan shrimp sautéed in vegan butter, garlic, lemon and white wine sauce; vegan Chicken Piccata in fresh lemon and white wine sauce, topped with capers—all with spaghetti; or Chicken Marsala Pasta, Pink Sauce with Mushroom Penne and Fettuccine Alfredo with “House” cashew sauce, mushroom, and sun dried tomato. A couple of the several Salad selections are Italian Salad–organic romaine lettuce, vegan mozzarella, garbanzo, kidney beans, tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, and Italian dressing and Roasted Veggies and Avocado Salad–organic greens, avocado, tomato, roasted bell peppers, sweet potato, seasonal squash, and “house” balsamic vinaigrette. Some examples of their various 10” or 14″ Pizzas are Fresh Botanic Garden Pizza featuring tomato sauce, vegan mozzarella, “California grown” tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, onion, and olives; Hawaiian Delight Pizza offering tomato sauce, vegan mozzarella, vegan bacon, and pineapple; and Julie’s Favorite Pizza with “House” pesto sauce, spinach, sun dried tomato, sautéed tempeh, and vegan mozzarella. Subs include Meatball, and Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan. How about an Organic Cookie for Dessert?

Nacha Foccacia, 800 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238

As the name would suggest, at Nacha Foccacia, it’s all about Bread, which is viewed here as “…a vessel for endless potential…” Of course there’s the OG–classic focaccia. Piment Rouge rocks tomato creole flavor and coconut chutney dip. Choco Bliss is double chocolate chunk focaccia. You might greet the day with Morning Munch Sandwich of vegan bacon, vegan egg patty, harissa, and seeded oil crunch mayo. Wild Orchard presents peppered vegan turkey, “homemade” lemon ricotta, pickled red onion, mustard, pear, and arugula salad. Shiko’s Katsu is a crispy fried cutlet, tonkatsu sauce, cabbage slaw, and cucumber. How about a Chocolate Sandwich? Chocolate & Co combines homemade strawberry jam and sunflower or peanut butter served on double chocolate chunk focaccia. Besides “Classic” Coffee Drinks, they offer Specialty Lattes like Strawberry Matcha, Black Sesame, Chai, and Jamaican Cocoa Tea. For a dash of color, you could top your latte with some brilliant purple Ube, sky blue Spirulina, or Cherry Blossom Cold Foam. Hopefully you too will experience Nacha as a “…love letter to the simple beauty of bread.”

Peace Natural Vegan Food, 1593 Solano Ave., Berkeley, CA 94707

Peace Natural Vegan Food welcomes you to “Enjoy a tasty, healthy, vegan and all organic meal!” In the interest of freshness and seasonality, the menu changes daily. They offer “Modest and Generous portions” of each day’s dishes. Full meals include soup, grains, legumes, greens, mixed vegetables, and salad. If you’re not quite as hungry, there’s the Trio meal of soup and your choice of three of the daily dishes. A sample of what you might find on the daily menu include French Lentil and Mixed Vegetables Soup, Long Grain Brown and Wild Rice, Garbanzo Beans, and Green Lentils with Ginger and Onion; Stir Fried Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, and Green Beans with Ginger and Onion; Collard Greens and Kale with Brown Mushroom and Leek Sauce; and Mixed Greens with Balsamic Vinegar, Olive Oil, Red Beet, and Agave Dressing. They also offer “healthy” Snacks/Appetizers like Fresh Rolls and Momos (dumplings), as well as house‑made organic Desserts” like Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal-Apricot, Blueberry, and Strawberry Jam Cookies, and Chocolate, Key Lime, Mango, and Strawberry Pies.

Plant Based Mafia, 1115 NE 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Think of all the Italian favorite dishes made from plants twist. Enjoy Buffalo Cauliflower, Housemade Creamy Tomato Soup, Garlic Bread, Danny’s Famous Lasagna, Goodfella Burger, Wiseguy BBQ Chicken Pizza, The Godmother Sandwich, plus more. Check out their desserts as well!

Variable Café, 13350 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066

Some of Variable Café’s goals are “joy, health, and community.” In that spirit, they spotlight a local Artist of the Month, displaying their work throughout their plant-based restaurant. Two Appetizers on their abundant, varied menu include “organic,” Kurt Brussel sprout, vegan parmesan cheese, “organic” green apple, and maple lemon dressing, as well as West Coast (vegan) Shrimp showcasing “house” batter, “organic” coconut, and “house” plum sauce. Damn Good Chili combines kidney beans, onion, black beans, corn, celery, carrots, jalapeño, chickpeas, minced vegan turkey, vegan mozzarella, and vegan cheddar. Some creative Salads are Wavecrest Ct with “organic” mixed greens, fennel, blood orange, navel orange twist, radish, red onion, cranberry, “organic” raw sunflower seeds, and citrus dressing and other salads with many add-ons like quinoa, “organic” tofu, Portobello mushrooms, and more. Mains, “which are all sourced daily and locally,” include Indian Tikka Masala with “homemade” Indian curry, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, potatoes, cabbage, chickpeas, greens, wild Jasmin rice blend, and Indian Flat Bread and My Son’s Pho featuring “house” marinated soy chicken, steamed rice noodles, “organic” Shiitake, daikon, baby bok choy, bean sprouts, “organic” edamame, and basil in “house-made” broth. N Seoul Bowl offers “spicy,” plant-based pork, “house” marinated Kimchi, “organic” edamame, “organic” spinach, carrots, broccoli, “organic shiitake,” “organic” quinoa, and sesame seeds. Little Venice Bowl features “organic” tofu kabob with red bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, pineapple, Greek lemon brown rice, grilled veggies, “organic” Greek salad, and vegan feta. Some Desserts “made in house” by their pastry chef are Vegan Java Chip Cookie, “house-made,” warm “Organic” Hemp Seeds Brownie, “homemade,” layered, spiced, walnut Carrot Cake with lemon zest cream frosting, and more.

Wish Me Vegan, 2435 Telegraph Rd., Oakland, CA 94612

At Wish Me Vegan, they say, “Our secret ingredient is passion…” and feel “…each bite is a celebration of flavor and sustainability.” There are many vegan Breakfast Burrito variations, all based on vegan scrambled eggs, many with some combination of soyrizo, beans, potatoes, avocado, vegan cheese, vegan sour cream, salsa, peppers, onions, vegan ground beef, and more. Burritos, Tacos, Enchiladas, Salads, Fajitas, Torta, Flautas, Alambres, and other dishes include choice of fillings such as Jackfruit BBQ, Vegan Al-Pastor, Vegan Sausage, Tofu, Shredded Beef or Chicken, Vegan Carne Asada, Vegan Parsley Chick’n, Soyrizo, or Beans. They have various Nacho and Fry plates as well. The Vegan Dessert Hub offers Belgian Chocolate Cheesecake, Key lime Cheesecake and Raspberry Lime Cake to note a few.