By Allie Johnson
The modern herbivore’s life is similar in many ways to our omnivorous counterparts’: we work long hours, enjoy active social lives, raise families, work some more, and somewhere in the scheme of things, we eat. Often, we dine at home, or grab a quick bite on our work commute. And sometimes we like to let others do the cooking for us. Depending on our mood, tastes and budget, it can be slow-cooked comfort food, fried-up fast food or even food that’s not cooked at all.
But one thing it’s definitely not is boring. The days of bland vegetarian food—when a typical meal consisted of brown rice, overcooked vegetables and maybe some wiggly tofu—are over.
“The beans and rice are still there—but they’ve come to life,” says chef Ken Bergeron, the author of Professional Vegetarian Cooking. Today’s rice-and-veggies meal would be, maybe, white bean cakes with a zippy roasted pepper sauce, accompanied by a salad topped with mahogany rice.
A growing demand for healthy foods and awareness of the health and ethical problems with dairy means vegetarian chefs are turning away from cheese and embracing vegan cuisine. They’re using organic ingredients and borrowing from other cultures’ cuisines to add flavor and richness.
While the spotlight often falls on the Millenniums and Candle 79s of veg dining—special-occasion restaurants with gourmet flair—seldom does one hear about the local joints that make it easy for herbivores to take a break from kitchen duty, sit down to an affordable, tasty menu and enjoy some down-to-earth cuisine. With the help of VegNews readers throughout North America, we’ve selected a few of our favorite spots for everyday dining:
Ah, good old American food. Burgers. Club sandwiches. Tuna Melts. Sometimes, going vegan means saying goodbye to this type of good, old-fashioned comfort food—in restaurants, at least. But not at Lovin’ Spoonfuls. At this low-key, comfy spot, you can relive the meals of your childhood. For brunch, choose from waffles, French toast or an array of tofu scrambles—from country to Mediterranean to fiesta. Or stop in for a lunch or dinner of a Coney dog or some breaded “shrimp” in spicy dipping sauce. You can even finish your meal off with a banana split.
lovinspoonfuls.com
A vegetarian and mostly organic restaurant near the beach, Dharma’s is cozy, laid back and family friendly. Dharma’s—which used to be McDharma’s until its two former yoga teacher owners were sued by a certain fast-food giant—draws all kinds of customers, from surfers to European tourists to pop stars. Breakfast—Tofu Ranchero, Short Stack with Blueberries and more—is served every day. For lunch and dinner, the menu offers a range of options—from the Brahma Burger to the Tall Tostada to Five Treasure Chow Mein.
dharmaland.com
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Get to the root of good, healthy food at Grass Root Organic Restaurant. Menu items at this funky restaurant—housed in a 1920s building that used to be a baking company—are clearly marked raw, vegan or vegetarian. For a light meal, try the Miso Sipp—a raw soup made of coconut water, miso, spices and shredded Thai coconut. Also sample the raw sushi, made from nori, carrots, avocado and grapefruit. More substantial offerings include the raw burrito stuffed with “rawfried beans” made from sprouted sunflower seeds, or curried potatoes simmered in coconut milk and roasted veggie lasagna. Prices won’t break your budget, starting at just $6 for an entrée.
thegrassrootlife.com
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If you love fake meat, you’ll love Vegetarian Paradise II. A restaurant that bills itself as a marriage of Asian and Soul cuisines, its pungent, steaming fare satisfies vegetarians’ desire for comfort food with an exotic touch. Start your meal with Avocado and Crab Tartare—lime- and wasabi-infused avocado, red peppers and faux crab served on crackers. Or try the Collard Green Rolls stuffed with veggie ham. Then gorge on Paradise Cornish Hen—half a fake chicken served with lemon sauce, or Citrus Chicken with Cashews. For something different, order the Stuffed Lotus Leaf packed with shiitakes and vegetarian duck or Taro Root Nests, stuffed with sweet and pungent pig-free pork.
vp2-nyc.com
The Chicago Diner is a veggie institution in the Windy City—and for good reason. Its simple décor (neon and barstools) meets down-home American food with a gourmet twist. In business since 1983, the diner mixes it up by adding fun, new dishes such as Grills Gone Wild (hunks of grilled seitan in sesame teriyaki marinade with napa cabbage, broccoli and snow peas). From brunch—mouthwatering tofu scrambles—to lunch that includes spicy Bayou Tofish and (faux) Chicken Parmigiana sandwiches—to dinner and dessert, you will always leave stuffed. Don’t skip their to-die-for desserts, such as Banana Poppyseed Cake or Espresso Torte, even if you have to get them to go.
veggiediner.com
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