Veggie Hot Spots

Loving Hut ~ Several United States Locations

2011-04-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

Absolutely decadent and delicious, vegan faire. Loving Hut prides itself on being healthy neighborhood cuisine and they get two thumbs up for taste, variety, presentation, and the overall loving nature and customer service of the entire staff. Certainly not your ordinary strip mall experience, and yet an experience that no vegan will forget. This food is mouth watering good. There are great selections of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts Gourmet, asian influenced international cuisine. Nice, casual atmosphere. Click the link above for the list of several US locations. We actually ate at the Glendale, Arizona location and are eager to try Loving Hut in San Francisco.
Moderately Priced.
Vegan

Saturn Cafe

2011-03-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

Good ole' out of this world, American, Vegetarian dining.
Quantity, quality, and variety are yours for the enjoying at this Vegetarian Space Age/Diner style restaurant. Both vegetarian and vegan entree's are plentiful and delicious. This is a great place to take the family and some place that even your Omnivore loved ones will enjoy. My omnivore friend and I enjoyed the Vegan Sampler appetizer that included: taquitos, sweet potato fries, garlic fries and chips and salsa with vegan ranch dressing and spicy chipotle dipping sauce. We followed the appetizer with the 'Chicken' Avocado Club and the Guacamole Burger. Talk about yummy! Talk about filling!
Prices Range from $5.50 - $9.50
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Slice of Life ~ Sebastopol, CA

2010-09-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

Located in the heart of Sebastopol right next door to the Whole Foods Market. This little restaurant has big ideas for vegetarian faire. Specializing in wholesome American, Italian and Mexican cuisine where the food is both nutritious and delicious. The variety of pizzas feature five different cheese options (and three of those options are vegan!). Other plentiful entrees include salads, vegetable plates, nachos, tostadas, tofu rancheros, lasagna, and a fabulous selection of vegan desserts. Drinks range from smoothies, milkshakes, protein shakes, fresh squeezed juices, sparkling everything and they even a offer a selection of beer and organic wine. Located right on Hwy 116. A convenient stop on the way to Guerneville or Jenner. Very casual and moderately priced.
Drinks and Sides $3 - $7
Entrees $7 - $11
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Fellini's Restaurant and Coffee Bar ~ Berkeley, CA

2010-09-11T00:44:00.000-07:00

By far one of the most vegan/vegetarian friendly restaurants around. I first discovered their coffee bar by accident and was delighted to find vegan pastries to go with my organic grounds. But it doesn't stop there, Fellini's is also a full service family style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with equal options for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores too! For breakfast I had the Vegan Tofu Mushroom Scramble with shiitake and oyster mushrooms, served with house potatoes, vegan sour cream and toast. My kids had the Challah French Toast and the Vegetarian Benedict. Seasonal dinner items include a Saffron Risotto, Quinoa Rotolino and many more. This casual restaurant is moderately priced and conveniently located on University Avenue in Berkeley. If you want options, this is the place to go.
Breakfast items range from $6 - $10
Dinner $9 - $15
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Flacos ~ Berkeley, CA

2010-09-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

Finally a conveniently located quick fix Taqueria with style, sense and sustainability! Delicious home cooked, authentic, Mexican food that will satisfy your palate, keep you healthy, and keep you coming back for more. 100% Vegan and GMO Free. This tiny taqueria is located on Adeline in Berkeley, not too far from Berkeley Bowl. I love the Taquitos with rice, beans and avosalsa paired with a fresh fruit drink.You can dine in or take out. They even have parking, compostable utensils, and biodegradable take-out bags! Catering available. Modestly priced.
Open Tues. - Sat., Noon - 9pm
Vegan

Bobby G's Pizzeria ~ Berkeley, CA

2010-08-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Located on University Avenue just off Shattuck and only blocks away from UC Berkeley, the popular pizzeria caters to locals, vegans, vegetarians, and is the happening spot to watch televised sports. There are several flat screens and a bar filled with selections of local beer and italian sodas. I simply love the Vegan Caesar Salad paired with a Pan Fried Pizza, organic house made soy cheese and toppings of my choice....talk about good! Vegan items are labeled with a "V" and also include a Penne with Marinara and a Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli and numerous other pizza combinations. Vegetarian items are plentiful too. The staff is friendly and the casual atmosphere is great for any occasion. Order at the counter and pick a table. Like most pizzerias, it can get loud, so bring the kids and their friends! Open daily, 11am - 11pm. Moderately Priced.
Appetizers and Salads, $6 - $8
Pizzas range from $13 - $26 (available in small and large)
Omnivore/Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine ~ San Rafael, CA

2010-07-23T23:47:00.000-07:00

Really good fun food in a festive atmosphere. Desayuno, Combinaciones, Especiales, Ensaladas, Platanos, Postre, Etc. You simply can't go wrong in a place that consistently "gets it right" for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike. Conveniently located just off the Hwy 101 on 3rd and Lincoln in San Rafael, you can't miss the big bright green building. When we walked in we were greeted by friendly staff that helped us select a family style table for our group of eight. Then we ordered at the counter and sat down to wait for our food. They use trans fat free rice bran oil for frying and their beans and rice are completely vegan. Different, good, conveniently located and responsibly priced. By far, one of the best vegetarian dining experiences I've had in the bay area. Menu items are labeled "vegan" or "vegetarian" for your convenience.

Moderately priced.

Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly

Souley Vegan ~ Oakland, CA

2010-07-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

Located on Broadway in the Jack London District of Oakland, this vegan restaurant gets it right with down home, hearty, soul food with a conscious! The fun, casual atmosphere even features live blues music on Friday nights. One of my favorite dishes is the Mac-n-cheese with Greens and Southern Fried Tofu, however you can't go wrong with the Red Beans-n-Rice or the BBQ Tofu and fried Okra. The food is well spiced so if you're dining with children, just ask them to hold the spice on the fries and other items. Desserts feature items such as Sweet Potato Pie, Cheese cake, and Peach Cobbler. This is truly a vegan soul food paradise. Very casual and modestly priced. Non-alcoholic juices and drinks. When you walk in, order your food at the counter, get a number and find a seat. Great for families and casual gatherings. Open Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 9pm.
Prices range from $3 - $13
Vegan

Encuentro Cafe and Wine Bar ~ Oakland, CA

2010-07-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Quaint, chic new vegetarian restaurant located near the train station in the bustling neighborhood of Jack London Square amidst posh condos and trendy lofts. Encuentro offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan cuisine from their Little Gem Salad, to their Quinoa with kale, pickled vegetables, cilantro, seasoned pepitas in an Amarillo chilli vinaigrette with smoked goat cheddar (vegetarian) or tempeh bacon bits (vegan). They even have several Bruschetta options including: White Bean/Cauliflower with sundried tomatoes and green olive tapenade; and Avocado, olive oil and cilantro with chile jam and black salt.
Small plates from $3 - $8, Larger plates from $6 - $14
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Gather ~ Berkeley, CA

2010-07-20T08:02:00.001-07:00

This food was so delicious and superbly prepared that I have to take a moment to "gather" my thoughts to review it. OUTSTANDING! Located on Oxford St. directly across from UC Berkeley's campus, this is a place that every vegetarian must try at least once. The food, the service and the ambiance were all inviting and impeccable. While not a vegetarian restaurant, they have several vegan/vegetarian options and even indicate which items can be prepared vegetarian, vegan or gluten free upon request. Serving seasonal faire with a "farm to table" philosophy this is the place for an organic, sustainable and simply delicious dining experience. I ordered the Red Russian kale salad and the Vegan "charcuterie" Artisanal Plate and my kids loved their pizzas and desserts. Other vegan options include the Grilled Crookneck Squash, Eggplant Pizza, and more. Reservations are highly recommended as this place fills up quickly. It's warm, inviting, comfortable, and there are options for indoor or outdoor dining. Several of the vegetarian sauces contain nuts so alert your server if you have a nut allergy in your party and they will make sure to prepare your food, nut-free. This is a great place for a date or for a special group celebration.
Small plates range from $9 - $13, larger plates are $13 - $19
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

What kind of restaurant is this anyway?

2010-07-20T07:28:00.000-07:00

Many friendships and families are blended with both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
In order to make the most of your dining experience we tell you which restaurant is:

Vegan (no meat or dairy)
Vegetarian (no meat but does include some dairy, vegan friendly)
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly (serves meat but also has good options for vegans and vegetarians).

Native Foods Cafe ~ Los Angeles, CA

2010-07-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

Brontosaurus Burger. Mad Cowboy. Greek Gyro. Don't let these names fool you, they are all selections from the wholesome vegan food cafe, Native Foods in Southern California. One of my all time favorites was the Veggie Mita Vita Burger paired with Sweet Potato Fries. Talk about good! This place is known for serving some of Southern California's most famous and discriminating vegetarians. There are a variety of "Hand Holds" including Tijuana Tacos and A Portobello and Sausage Burger. Casual, hearty, fast food. Great for families and folks on a budget.
Small plates are $3 - $8 while larger plates are $7 - $10.
Vegan

Grand Tavern ~ Oakland, CA

2010-02-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

Just up the street from the historical Grand Lake Theater, the Grand Tavern is a great dining experience for vegetarians, vegans, and their omnivore friends. The avant-garde ambiance combines traditional and contemporary decor in a unique and very romantic environment. Open for dinner with a full bar, the service is outstanding and the food is equally delicious and bursting with flavor! With fresh and mostly organic ingredients, they have several vegetarian items and vegans can simply ask the server to have meals prepared dairy free. The sweet carrot mash is cooked with walnuts so if you have a nut-allergic person in your party, alert your server right away. Who knew roasted squash with chile and onion could taste like this?! This is truly one of the best vegetarian dining experiences in the Bay Area and a place you'll want to frequent. It's also a perfect place for a date, or for a group celebration. Don't forget to pair your meal with the perfect wine or bar drink.
Small bites range from $6 - $10 while grand bites go from $12 - $19.
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly (also a great place for omnivores)

SPROUTS ~ South Lake Tahoe

2010-02-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

This cute, country, natural food cafe serves wholesome and delicious food. Located right next to a lakeside park this cafe is great for dining in or carrying out to one of the park picnic tables for a grand view of Lake Tahoe. Enjoy soups, salads, smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, teas, latte's with your choice of milk (whole, low-fat, rice, or soy), hot cider, cocoa, natural sodas. Main course menu items include rice bowls (brown rice), burritos (black beans), tempeh burgers, lasagna, nachos, sandwiches. One of my favorite is the Cous Cous Hummus Burro (a large spinach tortilla stuffed with couscous, homemade hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, black olives and tahini) and my kid's favorites are the Quesadilla Jr. (whole wheat tortilla with brown rice, black beans and jack cheese) and the A.T.O.M Bagel (Avocado, Tomato, Onion, Melted Cheese). The soups are always vegan and always delicious. Sprouts is truly a family favorite for delicious and nutritious food. They even have a good selection of baked goods (some vegan). This cafe is not entirely vegetarian (some turkey and tuna), but definitely a great place for vegan and vegetarian friendly dining. Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner from 8am - 9pm daily. Cash Only.
3124 Harrison Avenue (the main drag) in South Lake Tahoe.
Main Courses range from $5 - $8. Sides, smoothies and cafe' drinks range from $3 - $5. Enjoy!
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly

Vegan Recipes from the Heart: Delicious eating for a meat-free, egg-free, dairy-free and nut-free family

2010-02-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

This book, by Edy Henderson, contains a collection of recipes adapted for a healthy nut-free vegan diet. These recipes were developed by and for our family over the years. We have vegans and we have nut allergies in the family. The recipes are healthy and delicious and have been tested on vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike who rave about the beautiful and delicious dishes.
To purchase your copy of this book go to: www.veganrecipesfromtheheart.com

Pizzaria Paradiso ~ Washington, D.C.

2009-10-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

Located in the highly desirable neighborhood of Dupont Circle, Pizzaria Paradiso was voted one of the best pizzeria's in the city. It's great for carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians and vegans. Any pizza on the menu can be substituted with a whole wheat crust and/or soy mozzarella cheese. Pizza's come in small individual sizes or family sizes. They also have a great selection of salads, desserts, and drinks. Nice intimate decor with indoor or outdoor seating. Moderately priced, and centrally located.
$10 - $12 for a small pizza and $15 - $19 for a large.
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Sticky Rice ~ Washington, D.C.

2009-10-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Located on the H Street corridor of Capital Hill, this Japanese inspired restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. This is truly a hip, bohemian style place with delicious food and large screen tv monitors so you don't have to miss the big game. While not completely vegetarian, both vegan and vegetarian options are plentiful and indicated by a v (for vegetarian) or a ve (for vegan) on the menu. We ordered spicy garden rolls (highly recommended for anyone who loves spicy foods, these rolls actually melt in your mouth) the miso soup (vegan), sticky rice (perfectly prepared), vegetable tempura (yummy), shitake rolls, and a mushroom appetizer that were all superb. The food is moderately priced with a great variety of sake to go with your meals and complete with a full bar.
Modestly Priced

Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

Omai ~ NYC

2009-10-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

While this New York City Vietnamese restaurant is not exclusively vegetarian, it is vegan/vegetarian friendly. Located on 9th Avenue between 19th and 20th Streets near the Chelsea district. Beautiful decor, great ambiance and the food was tasty. I ordered vegetarian spring rolls for an appetizer and an eggplant dish for my main course. I loved them both and highly recommend this restaurant as a veggie friendly option for New York dining. Moderately priced.
Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly

NY Dosas ~ NYC

2009-10-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

This Indian Vegan food cart is located on Washington Square Park right across from New York University (NYU). It's great for vegan fast food. The samosas are delicious and they have a few other lunch options as well. They are known for their vegetarian crepes. If you're in the vicinity and looking for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat, this is the place. Grab a nearby park bench for a fine outdoor dining experience.
Very Inexpensive
Vegan

Advice for Pre-Dining Vegans, Vegetarians and Nut-Allergic Peoples

2009-10-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

If you have any type of special dietary needs or allergies this information is for you. Trust me, it will help set the tone for making your dining experience a more pleasant one.

If you're making a reservation at a restaurant, be sure to ask the server if they can accommodate your dietary needs. This is also a good time to alert the reservations staff of any allergies that you or those in your party may have. If you have nut allergies in your party, this is a good time to ask if any of the foods are prepared with nut oils.

If you don't have a reservation and are just walking in to be seated, make sure to tell the host about your dietary needs or restrictions. S/he may be able to give you some good advice and/or alert your server.

When you are seated and your waiter comes to greet you, let them know right away (before they start spouting off the specials) that you have vegetarians, vegans, nut-allergies, or other dietary restrictions in your party. It will alert them right away and they may be able to offer some suggestions or avoid giving you the long list of specials that you can't eat anyway.

If you don't see anything on the menu that you can order as is, ask the waiter if the chef can prepare something for you. I don't eat dairy so I often ask if my food can be prepared in olive oil instead of butter. I also have a nut allergic child so I make sure to let them know that we have a serious nut allergic person in our party and to please refrain from preparing any of our food with nuts or nut oils.

These simple requests can help set the tone for a great dining experience because everyone knows up front what the issues are. If you are dining at a vegetarian/vegan restaurant with nut allergic people, it's always a good idea to let the waiter/chef know because some restaurants do prepare foods with nuts and nut oils and don't mention that on the menu.

Now you are fully equipped to start your dining experience off just right.

Peacefood Cafe ~ NYC

2009-10-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

Peacefood Cafe is an organic vegan restaurant/cafe/bakery also located in the Upper West Side of New York City on Amsterdam Avenue at 82nd Street. It's a casual cafe style eatery where you order your food at the counter then find a table and the wait staff brings it to you according to your number. It's very clean and hip with chic decor and trendy music. They have a variety of raw, cooked and baked goods. I sampled the Tahini Sprouts Sandwich, the Vegetable Tempura and the Chocolate Brownies paired with a Soy Latte for dessert. Other dessert items include strawberry shortcake, cheesecake, coconut cream pie, tiramisu, key lime pie and many more. It was all super fresh and scrumptious. I highly recommend this place. They are open for lunch and dinner. Peacefood cafe also has a sign requesting that you tell your waitperson if you have a nut allergy so that they can make sure to prepare your meal nut-free. Easily accessible by subway.
Sides and Entree's $6 - $11.
Vegan

Blossom ~ New York City Veggie Hotspot

2009-10-25T22:26:00.001-07:00

Blossom Restaurant located on Colombus Avenue in the Upper West Side was a real treat. It's a vegan restaurant ready to stand up to the most discriminating omnivores. The food was tasty and the proportions plenty. Not to mention the posh ambiance, a perfect fit for Upper Westside dining. Everything that I tasted was delicious and impeccably prepared. The food was both pleasing to the eyes and to the palate. From the Black Eyed Pea Cake, to the hearty Lentil Soup, to the Tofu Tempura, the Autumn Sweet Potato Rolls or the Seitan Skewers. You can't go wrong at this restaurant. It's great for the whole family. I think your meat loving friends will thoroughly enjoy it too. And it's certainly a great place to treat your vegetarian/vegan beloved. It's also equipped with a bar and has nice selections of wines to pair with your meal.

We dined at the Upper Westside location. The neighborhood is known for it's boutique retail shops and the restaurant is only a couple blocks from Central Park. It's upscale and easily accessible by subway or taxi. There is also a Blossom restaurant located in the Chelsea district.

Vegan

Intro to Veggie Hot Spots

2009-10-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me tell you that Vegan, is not a bad word. Nor are vegans scary or bad or weird or crazy, at least not anymore so than the rest of the world's population. In fact, as the world persuades it's peoples to go green, I found out that one of the best green friendly lifestyles is the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. But enough about that because I want you to continue reading, even if you do eat meat. This post is not just essentially for vegetarians and vegans, it's also a great guide for those of you who happen to be in love with vegetarians or vegans and living with or traveling with them.

Fortunately vegetarians and vegans are starting to come out of the closet in droves and there are some really hip/cool celebrity types that are helping to normalize the veggie lifestyle in this country. Gone are the days of "oh honey, if you don't eat meat you won't grow", or "you'll waste away", or "but dear, how will you get enough protein?" Let me just say that I'm a very tall woman. Healthy. A former star athlete collegiately and professionally, and...I'm not wasting away.

Gone are the days when all I could order on any given menu was a salad or a baked potato. I'm a mother now and fortunately my children have a lot more options than I ever did. Bookstores are filled with vegetarian and vegan cookbooks which tells me that people are actually cooking that way and living that way. The raw foodies are even gaining popularity and receiving tremendous health benefits from that lifestyle.

But what about traveling and eating out at restaurants? I sill find that vegetarian options are few in most restaurants and vegan options rarely exist. I usually have to ask the hostess before being seated if the cook can make anything vegan. Sometimes they can, and sometimes they can't. Which would be fine if I was going out to eat all by myself and could just traipse up and down the avenues with my inquiries, but generally when I go out, it's with a group, or a friend, or my family and that's just not cool. Let me tell you, if all restaurants offered at least one vegetarian option and one vegan option, I would be half way to heaven. But...I'm not there yet.

However there are great options out there and it helps if someone else has reviewed them ahead of time, so you don't have to and you can take your beloved vegetarians or vegans out for a bite to eat without them squirming in their seats the whole time.

In this blog I'm reviewing vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants during my travels and in my local area. I hope this helps. Good luck!