Gainesville, Fl

May 25, 2014

I'm currently embarking on a major (for me) trip approximately the United States. My operate has brought me here, but I'm finding some fourth dimension for fun in addition to nutrient along the way. My start halt was Gainesville, Florida. The hot, humid days, sub-tropical trees in addition to afternoon thunderstorms reminded me of Queensland, in addition to the sub-par restaurants close my hotel reminded me that I should truly larn a driver's license. My operate commitments happily sustained me through the week, in addition to thence I splashed out on a taxi into town on the weekend, checking out the splendid Museum of Natural History in addition to Harn Museum of Art, wandering through the academy campus, in addition to settling inwards for an early on dinner.

I cruel upon Bahn Thai Restaurant almost yesteryear accident, noticing their handwritten "Vegan in addition to Vegetarian!" sign inwards the window, in addition to deciding on a whim to give them a shot. I'm glad I did. Their carte du jour included 3 total pages of vegetarian in addition to vegan dishes, headed upwards amongst data most their ingredients in addition to utensil practices. Most of their mains come upwards amongst a selection of tofu, seitan or tempeh. My ginger seitan (US$12.95 AU$13.90) was lighter in addition to spongier than I commonly come across dorsum home, all the amend to soak upwards the thick sauce. I'd've easily got ii meals out of this order, if solely I'd had a refrigerator to cause got it habitation to.

Next door was Karma Cream, the icecream cafe that I was truly aiming for. Since I was total of Thai nutrient I skipped over their sandwich menu, which included a vegan grilled cheese amongst tempeh bacon in addition to Tofurkey Rueben. I had to facial expression yesteryear the total sundae in addition to cookie sandwich options, too, in addition to stick to their smallest serve of icecream (US$3.70 AU$3.97). They had 10 vegan flavours on offer, most of them coconut-based, in addition to all the toppings - including hot fudge, cookie dough, pasty bears, sprinkles (US$0.75 AU$0.80 each) - were vegan too. My bowl of ginger cookie caramel icecream amongst peanut butter vanquish (aka H2O ice magic) was creamy, coconutty in addition to very, rattling sweet. I'd facial expression no less of an American icecreamery. I picked upwards 3 Go Max Go chocolate bars for the cost of ii on my agency out.

Denver, Co

May 30-31, 2014

I had a pleasant few days hanging approximately collegetown Fort Collins CO for a conference, getting my first serve of tempeh inward weeks in addition to lunching daily at Whole Foods. On my agency out of the country I stopped inward Denver for a solar daytime in addition to ii nights; this was plenty fourth dimension to explore the impressive Denver Art Museum (see slideshow above), attain a yoke of local veg*n eateries in addition to stock upward 1 time again at my now-beloved Whole Foods.

On my outset eventide I walked across to WaterCourse Foods, which Michael had read most online merely a few days earlier. It's a charming contemporary vegan eating spot where a lone diner tin sack easily pick out handgrip of a spot at the bar without a reservation. The lone diner is probable to curse themselves, however, for solely having the capacity to lodge 1 meal: the all-day breakfast bill of fare lone holds a dozen fantabulous options, hence there's the vegan deviled egg appetizer, cauliflower 'wings', 8 sandwiches, 4 salads, nine mains in addition to xv sides.

I ultimately ordered the "chicken" & waffles (US$11 AU$11.80) amongst sugariness tea syrup. The waffles were soft in addition to savoury amongst corn in addition to chives, low-cal rather than doughy. The trace of piece of occupation solid tofu "chicken" was to a greater extent than substantial, amongst a sublime toasted-herb crumb. I ate perchance 60% of this, had the residuum boxed up, eating it for breakfast the next morning.

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City O' City was my top-priority eating spot when I researched Denver eating, in addition to it happens to move a sis eating spot to WaterCourse. It's every bit good merely a yoke blocks from the Art Museum. The spacious layout in addition to convenient counter selection mirror WaterCourse, though the atmosphere is a petty grungier. The menu's vegetarian rather hence vegan, but the wealth of enticing dishes is similarly paralysing.

In spite of their four waffle options, I tried out the breakfast hash (US$9 AU$9.60). This hefty bowl of charred potatoes in addition to onions, smoky tempeh bacon, sauteed kale, zucchini in addition to carrot ribbons was topped amongst gravy in addition to scrambled tofu - all the carbs in addition to poly peptide I needed for hours of fine art exploration in addition to some metropolis wandering. I loved their sunny sixties soundtrack merely every bit much every bit the food. If solely every weekend could include a halt yesteryear City O' City.

Baltimore, Md

June 7, 2014

For my quaternary calendar week inwards the U.S. I was based inwards Washington D.C., staying inwards the dwelling family of a generous friend as well as colleague. She takes an active involvement inwards the D.C. dining scene, every bit good every bit the wineries as well as restaurants of neighbouring states Maryland as well as Virginia. Baltimore doctor is lilliputian to a greater extent than than a half-hour get away, as well as my host helped conform for dinner as well as a gig with a twain of her friends at that topographic point during my stay.

In particular, she wangled us an early on summertime night's tabular array at Woodberry Kitchen, i of the region's to a greater extent than upscale as well as well-known restaurants. The Washington Post article she circulated inwards advance gear upwards the scene - this eatery is contained inwards a repurposed one-time foundry as well as it takes its local, seasonal as well as sustainable ingredients very, really seriously. All their meat as well as make suppliers are proudly printed on the menu, as well as they rearrange their dishes every bit oft every bit seasons as well as supplies need it - often daily as well as sometimes fifty-fifty mid-service.

Though dietary requirements aren't explicitly mentioned on the menu, I daresay that most of them would last accommodated. This is a eatery that requires a reservation, as well as the wealth of fresh make as well as attending to every final factor should piece of occupation out coeliacs, vegans as well as others inwards prophylactic hands. The staff were relaxed, friendly, as well as knew the bill of fare back-to-front thus it'd last tardily to inquire them.

I liked Woodberry's attending to the drinks listing too, which included a dozen unique cocktails, many including fresh fruits as well as house-made syrups. I particularly appreciated their teetotallers corner, where I could lodge an Evening Breeze (US$5 AU$5.30) of sugariness cherry, light-green as well as rosehips teas muddled with verjus as well as maple syrup.

We sipped our drinks piece nosotros negotiated our nutrient options. 'Supper' runs to a dozen pricey mains (only i of them vegetarian), piece the snacks, flatbreads, salads as well as mutual frigidness plates, soups as well as warm plates are one-half the toll as well as to a greater extent than often works life based. We shared a make of these smaller dishes alongside the iii of us.

The Dandelion Green Flatbread (US$14 AU$14.90) was a stellar start, a woodfired dough spread with ricotta as well as a hint of honey, as well as thus strewn with tarragon as well as saltation onion. It was thus fresh as well as thus light-green - if Spring has a flavour, this would last it.

The Marinated Vegetables (US$5 AU$5.40) were non what nosotros expected but shone through every bit my companions' favourite - a shallow dish of tomato, ruby onion as well as fresh beans inwards a tangy verjus sauce, scattered with popcorn as well as parsley.

The Wood Roasted Spring Onions (US$8 AU$8.60) were dotted with a spicy peach sauce that reminded me of soy sauce as well as miso, as well as had a lilliputian extra savoury crunch from crushed peanuts.

At this time, nosotros were presented with a gratis plate of strawberries with lightly whipped ricotta as well as a basil garnish (priced at US$5 AU$5.40 on the menu). They made for a gorgeous palate cleanser towards the terminate of our meal.

The milky ball of Stretched To Order Mozzarella (US$11 AU$11.80) was offset with crunchy oiled toasts, lots of pea shoots as well as a few hot peppers as well as only about first-class condiments, a sugariness peach mostarda as well as bitier radish top-pecan pesto.

The salads also impressed. Beets (US$12 AU$12.90) were served pocket-size as well as tender on a swirl of herbed cream cheese, as well as thus layered upwards with radish slivers, pea shoots, crumbled bluish cheese, a dearest dark pepper dressing as well as granola.

The Young Chard (US$12 AU$12.90) looked a lilliputian to a greater extent than homely but shaved radishes as well as fennel kept it lively.

For dessert, nosotros divide a Strawberry Shortcake Pavlova ($US10 AU$10.70) - neat crunchy discs of meringue (but none of the chewiness I'm fond of), strawberries fresh as well as inwards jam, whipped cream as well as buttermilk. The tweaks didn't play out quite every bit I might've hoped - the buttermilk wasn't tangy as well as the basil came inwards shocking clumps rather than subtle bursts. Nevertheless this was a overnice rendition, as well as authentic plenty to delight me.

I was absolutely enamoured of Woodberry Kitchen - their ethos, their setting as well as their food. In other circumstances I mightiness essay to a greater extent than vegetarian protein, but these guys clearly delight inwards fresh make as well as it was infectious. It's taken me to a greater extent than than a calendar week to write a postal service that wasn't only "fresh fresh fresh vivid fresh color fresh!". But that's only most all y'all need to know - these folks love fresh food.

The Ram's Head was less fresh as well as summery it was the venue for a swell Lucinda Williams gig afterwards that night.

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Woodberry has won many admirers over the years, alongside them bloggers on Pleasures of the Table, Let's Talk Food as well as Etc., honeycomb, Runner meets foodie, La La Land, Grubarazzi, Food Nomad, Do You Speak Cilantro?, the arugula files, Life With Karma, News as well as Views past times Chris Barat, This is Gonna Be Good, Lunching inwards the DMV, The Bearded Jew's Burger Blog, BALTIMORE RESTAURANT REVIEWS BY BOB GANOOSH, The Baltimore Snacker, St Brigid's Farm, Gluten-free inwards Baltimore as well as Skillet Doux; exclusively folks on Minx eats as well as raspberry eggplant are less convinced.

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Woodberry Kitchen
2010 Clipper Park Rd, Suite 126, Baltimore MD
(410) 464 8000
dinner menu, drinks, dessert
http://www.woodberrykitchen.com/

Accessibility: I wasn't paying plenty attention, until I noticed iii unisex disability access toilets on my agency out! Thus I reckon the residual is belike inwards adept shape.

Washington, Dc

June 6-11, 2014

Since I was staying amongst a friend in addition to colleague inward Washington, I had the privilege of experiencing the metropolis equally both a tourist in addition to a resident. I walked the Mall, stopped to photograph the Washington Monument in addition to other famous buildings (see slideshow above), but too hung out amongst some locals in addition to visited the sort of restaurants that they select to consume at.

My host in addition to I dined at Ambar on the level nosotros arrived inward Washington. It's located on a street lined amongst bars in addition to restaurants, in addition to this contemporary Balkan restaurant's sophisticated casual hold off fits correct in. Though the characteristic dishes are all meaty, at that spot are lots of vegetarian plates to part - nosotros enjoyed a freshly baked truffle-wafting apartment breadstuff (US$8 AU$8.50), crepes stuffed amongst roasted mushrooms in addition to bechamel (US$8 AU$8.50), grilled asparagus amongst quail eggs (US$7 AU$7.50), roasted zucchini topped amongst a pungent bluish cheese raisin sauce (US$6 AU$6.40), in addition to crispy panko-crumbed cauliflower florets amongst a spicy lemon aioli (US$6 AU$6.40). All upward it made for quite a rich, cheesy meal, suggesting that vegans mightiness scrap in addition to that nosotros in all likelihood should accept subbed inward a salad.

The Eastern Market reminded me of the Queen Victoria Market dorsum home, albeit on a smaller scale. There's fresh produce, preserves, crafts in addition to inexpensive imported knick knacks nether marquees in addition to a cardinal edifice amongst deli stalls, where I bought some lovey mushroom tortellini. I liked the following flea marketplace the well-nigh - it included a lot of locally made crafts, in addition to some cheerful guys making fresh fruit smoothies to order. (I made that my breakfast 2 days inward a row.)

I got a tip from my host that the best luncheon merely about the Mall was to live on flora within the National Museum of the American Indian. The Mitsitam Cafe has a typical grab-a-tray cafeteria layout but features an extraordinary diverseness of native foods from the Americas inward traditional in addition to novel preparations. I sampled a savoury Bolivian peanut soup (US$5.15 AU$5.50), a mild in addition to cooling hearts of palm salad amongst fresh mozzarella in addition to tomatoes inward a white vino vinaigrette (US$3.55 AU$3.80) in addition to a quinoa-based cordial. My eagle oculus too spotted dessert, in addition to I got a few envious looks for tracking downwardly the coarse, shortbready corn wafer topped amongst a sugariness panna cotta-like corn souffle in addition to marinated blackberries (US$5.75 AU$6.10).

My final DC dining sense was at 2 Amys, 1 of my host's favourite restaurants. It's a cosy menage unit of measurement pizzeria that makes lovely woodfired bases in addition to uses first-class mozzarella (the particular light-green love apple tree margherita inward a higher identify was US$14.45 AU$15.40). In add-on to pizze, they offering a seasonal rotation of minor plates to share, including breakfast radishes (US$6 AU$6.40), sheep ricotta amongst dear in addition to pino nuts (US$8 AU$8.50), in addition to a roasted rectangle of eggplant amongst light-green onion sauce in addition to smoked ricotta (US$6 AU$6.40). The suppli a telfono (better known to me equally arancini, US$5.95 AU$6.30) are a pop in addition to regular fixture.

While Washington is a much smaller metropolis than Melbourne, I got a sense of a strikingly similar nutrient scene amongst cracking nutrient at a gain of cost points, many dissimilar cultures represented (apparently I missed out on some fine Ethiopean food, a white-tablecloth Indian eatery in addition to some killer gelato), summation some neat markets. But I've got a suspicion that no-one does java in addition to a cafe brunch quite similar home.

New York, Ny | Solar Daytime 1

June 13, 2014

After a few weeks of travelling around separately, Cindy together with I rendezvoused inwards New York City to showtime a 3 calendar week where's the beef? tour of NYC, Portland together with Tokyo. We're gonna weblog it all eventually, but trying to tally about holidaying betwixt all our eating has meant that we're already falling behind.

I got inwards quite belatedly on a Fri black together with met upwards alongside Cindy at our storey inwards Williamsburg (yes, I know, we're dreadful hipsters). We were both tired together with hungry together with I knew of the perfect solution - pizza yesteryear the piece at Vinnie's Pizzeria. It was only a few blocks from where nosotros were staying, was opened upwards belatedly together with promised an intriguing hit of vegan slices.

They bring most a dozen dissimilar vegan pizzas on their card (plus about other dozen vegetarian) together with appear to rotate the slices pretty regularly - nosotros saw a novel batch of flavours come upwards out only spell nosotros were eating our slices. There's too a few other vegan meals - chicken drumsticks, eggplant or chicken parmas together with a vegan baked ziti. At 9:30pm on a Fri it's busy but non crazy - I suspect yesteryear midnight the booths would endure much harder to claim. We ordered 3 slices (US$4 AU$4.20 each). First upwards the T.HANKS (bbq chicken, bacon, mozzarella, cheddar, bbq sauce) together with tiger means (teriyaki chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, cheddar together with sesame seeds).

And thence the parma initiatory (baked breaded eggplant, marinara sauce, cheddar, mozzarella).

These were all nifty - crispy bases, loads of toppings together with a proficient hit of junky flavours. We had real theater intentions to supply after inwards our stay, but somehow filled our dinners upwards alongside everything else the metropolis had to offer. I'm a chip deplorable non to endeavour to a greater extent than of their pizzas, but I'll e'er recall them fondly. Seriously, what else could brand a jetlagged, slightly hungover Michael await similar this:

Thanks Vinnie's, you lot actually got the trip off to a company start.

New York, Ny | Twenty-Four Hr Menses 2

June 14, 2014

We spent our outset total New York solar daytime exploring the Brooklyn neighbourhood that nosotros were staying in. Our breakfast venue, Champs Family Bakery, became ane of our favourite eateries inwards the city. They've got a sugariness diner set-up inwards a residential street as well as a carte du jour that runs to dozens as well as dozens of American-style vegan meals: burgers, sandwiches, wraps as well as burritos; all-day breakfasts of scrambled tofu, biscuits, domicile fries, pancakes as well as waffles; bowls as well as salads; sundaes, cakes as well as cookies.

Michael tucked into the Tofu Rancheros (US$12 AU$12.80), a large plate piled high amongst rice as well as beans, tortilla chips inwards a cheese sauce, tofu scramble, ranchero sauce, salsa fresca as well as sour cream, as well as ordered an utterly unnecessary side of tempeh bacon (US$2 AU$2.10). I dug their hefty biscuits smothered inwards soysages as well as province gravy (US$10 AU$10.70), grateful for the fresh greens to interruption upward the richness. Even as well as thus I couldn't smoothen off this dense breakfast. We stumbled out groaning, feeling equal parts pleasance as well as pain.

We walked deeper into Brooklyn for the monthly Vegan Shop-Up (thanks to Anne B for pointing this ane out) at Pine Box Rock Shop, a vegan bar. We spent a span of hours simply hanging out, amongst Michael watching the soccer as well as eventually working upward an appetite to endeavour something from the Cinnamon Snail nutrient truck (which came recommended both yesteryear Anne B as well as Justin M). He happily ploughed through a tortilla-lined box of spicy Korean barbeque seitan (US$9 AU$9.60), as well as I constitute room for an Alchemy Creamery gleegan icecream sandwich (it was nice, but meliorate vegan icecream was to follow).

Otherwise I checked out the stalls of clothing, preserves, baked goods as well as tea, as well as was delighted to disclose a Lagusta's Luscious stall - I've been a reader of Lagusta's blog for years as well as hadn't imagined that I'd live on able to access her chocolates inwards the city. I bought a corn on the cob bar as well as a four grain bourbon caramel chile bar, as well as nosotros rationed them out over later on days. They were both absolutely bright as well as based on ethically-sourced, smooth, dark, just-sweet-enough chocolate. The corn bar included bold corn heart as well as somebody chunks, hints of paprika as well as sage, addition a skillful dash of salt; the other had the darkest, almost adult caramel I've always chanced upon. I'd merchandise all the Caramello Koalas inwards the basis for another.

We spent the eve dorsum closer to our Williamsburg accommodation, where the Northside Festival was beingness held inwards the streets as well as local arts venues (see slideshow below). We ate dinner at Wild Ginger, a vegan pan-Asian restaurant. Service was reserved yesteryear American standards as well as the nutrient was variable: Michael's Thai iced java as well as my iced dark-green tea (US$3 AU$3.20) striking the correct notes as well as the miso-dressed salad was nice; I loved the freshness of the avocado, mount yam as well as mango tartar (US$8.50 AU$9.10) though it was overwhelmed yesteryear its wasabi-soy sauce; the common salt as well as pepper Rex oyster mushrooms (US$8.50 AU$9.10) were greasy as well as underseasoned; as well as our General Tso's soy poly peptide (US$15 AU$16) was a neat mock meat inwards a sauce also sugariness for Michael.

We were to a greater extent than inwards sync amongst our evening's entertainment, a alive present led yesteryear Courtney Barnett (from Melbourne's northside to Brooklyn's) as well as Benjamin Booker at the Williamsburg Music Hall.

New York, Ny | 24-Hour Interval 3

June 15, 2014

We decided to spill out things local on our 3rd twenty-four hr stream inward New York, staying inward Brooklyn to eat, store in addition to explore. We started off at Bliss Cafe, a Bedford Avenue spot that was both vegan friendly in addition to opened upward early on for breakfast (a lot of the USA seems to intend that 'brunch' starts at midday or something ridiculous).

The card at Bliss is all vegetarian amongst nigh one-half the dishes either vegan or vegan adaptable. I've decided to instruct crazy for the tofu scramble on this trip, hence I ordered a serve of Bliss' version (with abode fries, toast in addition to jam, $US7.95 $AU8.45) in addition to a side of tempeh bacon ($US3 $AU3.20). The scramble was quite good, amongst enough of greens, onions in addition to mushrooms mixed in, although the tofu mix itself wasn't bursting amongst flavor (thankfully every cafe inward the USA seems to offering hot sauce every bit a default tabular array setting). The tempeh bacon was a scrap improve than the version at Champs, but basically convinced me that I shouldn't spill out ordering it - we arrive every bit good well at home to live paying $3 for inadequate imitations. Cindy had the vegan bagel please ($US6.50 $AU6.90), which involved the same tempeh bacon in addition to tofu scramble served on a bagel amongst a piece of tomato. It had basically the same strengths in addition to weaknesses every bit my dish. Don't instruct me wrong, Bliss is a handy in addition to decent pick for a vegan breakfast inward Williamsburg, but the nutrient isn't that exciting in addition to the breakfast card is pretty express (after 10 the sum brunch card opens up, offering chilli, seitan steak sandwiches in addition to the like). Basically, it's no Champs in addition to amongst hence many to a greater extent than things to endeavor on their menu, nosotros speedily decided that whatever futurity Brooklyn brekkies would live at that spot rather than at Bliss.

One of the reasons nosotros were staying inward Brooklyn was to banking concern gibe out the Brooklyn Flea (which K in addition to Toby had raved about). It's a overnice mix of food, craft, vintage clothes in addition to random odds in addition to ends (plenty of piece of furniture too).

Melbourne readers: banking concern gibe out that weather! NYC was sweltering inward the mid-thirties most days, in addition to the Brooklyn Soda Works provided me amongst a refreshing rhubarb in addition to ginger soda to assistance me move the markets.

We took a piffling intermission at abode in addition to and hence headed out to explore Park Slope, some other Brooklyn neighbourhood. On our agency to the subway scheme nosotros stopped off at i of the many Momofuku Milkbars that are dotted around New York. We grabbed a dyad of milkshakes - espresso flavoured for me in addition to cereal for Cindy ($US7 $AU7.40 in addition to $US6 $AU6.40, respectively).

They were tasty, but non quite the life changing sense I was hoping for. Maybe that's every bit good much to inquire from a milkshake. This weird piffling crochet alien on a nearby combat made upward for whatever milkshake-related disappointment.

We eventually made it to Park Slope in addition to wandered fifth Avenue looking through op-shops in addition to fancier stores, earlier stumbling onto The V Spot, a Latin vegan bar in addition to eating seat that had the perfect card for the modest luncheon nosotros needed (it's difficult going eating fifty-fifty 3 meals a twenty-four hr stream inward the USA due to the bonkers part sizes).

We separate a serve of the Jamaican jerk empanadas (tortillas filled amongst dark-brown rice, dove peas, carrots, collard greens in addition to spicy jerk seitan, $US8 $AU8.50) in addition to an arepa con todo (grilled corn patty topped amongst melted Daiya mozzarella, household made salsa, guacamole in addition to dark beans, $US7 $AU7.40). Both were excellent, amongst the spicy empanada filling in addition to the household made salsa peculiarly impressive (they sell the salsa inward bottles in addition to I'd guide keep been taking a dyad abode if I didn't imagine them smeared all through our luggage and/or confiscated past times customs). The staff were lovely, they've got an outdoor courtyard in addition to a relaxed vibe. V-Spot is i of the many places I was deplorable non to brand a minute trip to - perhaps schedule it inward for dinner hence yous tin actually instruct stuck into the menu.

One of the places nosotros did brand a minute trip to (and a 3rd in addition to 4th!) was Champs. It was perfectly located betwixt the subway scheme in addition to our evening's amusement (free Lord's Day nighttime comedy at the Knitting Factory, good worth a view if you're inward the neighbourhood) in addition to it had a whole lunch/dinner card nosotros hadn't explored yet.

There are hence many options that nosotros sat at that spot paralysed for a piece - should nosotros gear upward our ain burger (choosing i of iii dissimilar patty options), select grip of a banh mi or a Philly cheesesteak or instruct for a healthier salad option? Eventually Cindy decided on the Buffalo ranch salad ($US11 $AU11.70, crumbed chicken pieces amongst spicy Buffalo dressing, greens, celery, cucumber, tomato, grated 'cheddar' in addition to a tub of ranch dressing), piece I chose the Baja fish burrito ($US9 $AU9.60, crispy fish cutlets amongst majestic cabbage, greens, sour cream, guacamole, salsa fresca in addition to chipotle dressing inward a wholewheat tortilla).

These were both first-class - the fish burrito inward detail was to croak for, crispy in addition to saucy in addition to loaded amongst fresh avocado, it actually takes the vegan burrito to novel heights. The salad was no allow downward either, combining a rare run a jeopardy to materials some fresh greens into our faces amongst nonetheless to a greater extent than delicious mock meat. Champs speedily became our go-to pick inward Williamsburg - it's a sum winner.

New York, Ny | Twenty-Four Hr Menses 4

June 16, 2014

We started our 4th solar daytime inward New York with a Wholefoods breakfast inward Union Square in addition to laid off to walk the High Line (see slideshow above). This light-green strip sits a twosome of storeys higher upward Manhattan's roads in addition to sidewalks, on a quondam West Side freight track work that's been converted in addition to maintained yesteryear the community. It was pretty, with abundant flowers at this fourth dimension of year, in addition to also real hot.

By the fourth dimension nosotros were done I was craving about shade in addition to a drink, I was lucky to secure both of these at the pop Taim falafel house. These guys are vegetarian yesteryear virtue of skipping the kebabs in addition to concentrating on falafel inward 3 flavours: traditional balls of bright light-green with parsley, coriander in addition to mint; spicier harissa fritters; in addition to sweetness roasted cherry pepper morsels. We sampled them all inward a mixed platter (US$12 AU$12.70) on a bed of hummus, with thick za'atar-sprinkled pita, tabouli in addition to and Israeli tomato-cucumber salad on the side, trialling unlike combinations of their spicy S'rug sauce, Amba mango chutney in addition to tahini yoghurt. The sandwiches in addition to salads nosotros saw others ordering looked but every bit good, in addition to nosotros noticed clearly-marked vegan in addition to gluten-free options.

In my dehydrated state, I was smitten yesteryear their pineapple in addition to kokosnoot smoothie (US$5.50 AU$5.80). I daydreamed virtually its creamy-icy tropical flavor on several later on hot days inward the city.

We took it slow inward the afternoon in addition to visited vegan establishment Blossom for dinner. Here nosotros shared:

• crab-like Cape Cod cakes (US$11 AU$11.70) with an first-class tartar sauce,
• sophisticated seitan scallopini (US$22 AU$23.40) on a bed of mashed potatoes in addition to sauteed kale inward a white wine, lemon in addition to caper sauce,
• pistachio-crumbed tofu (US$21 AU$22.30) perched betwixt a sweetness potato-stuffed crepe bundle in addition to a tangle of frisee lettuce, and
• a real sweetness coconut-based loving cup of tiramisu (US$11 AU$11.70).

We actually liked their agency with sauces, in addition to I mused that I'd similar to prepare a amend intuition for them inward my ain cooking. Otherwise the nutrient in addition to environs was comfortable but a touching on dated - nosotros imagined how exciting in addition to innovative it mightiness accept been 10 or xv years ago.

With dinner done, nosotros laid off for an unforgettable theater sense - Sleep No More. Punchdrunk theater companionship accept claimed 4 floors of a quondam hotel every bit their stage, decking them out with cobwebbed crucifixes, bedrooms, store fronts in addition to real picayune lighting. Actors stem the rooms, performing an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, in addition to the audience are masked voyeurs who wander the hotel at their whim, complimentary to rifle through papers, touching on trinkets in addition to chase the action. There's blood in addition to dance, sex, nudity in addition to death. It's utterly immersive, in addition to something nosotros talked virtually for hours afterwards.

As nosotros approached our apartment, nosotros finished with a midnight snack from Van Leeuwen's icecream truck. Their vegan flavours are a clever splice of kokosnoot in addition to cashew milks, their chocolate in addition to pistachio flavours (totalling US$5.75 AU$6.10) rating alongside my best always vegan icecream experiences.

New York, Ny | Solar Daytime 5

June 17, 2014

Tuesday saw us returning i time over again to our novel favourite identify inward the globe - Champs. Their breakfast carte du jour is ludicrously long together with varied together with in that place was cipher else inward our neighbourhood that actually got us excited, together with therefore nosotros decided to movement to larn regulars.

This fourth dimension some I went for the all vegan slam, a massive plate amongst scrambled tofu, facon, habitation fries, weird (and delicious) footling sausage patties, toast together with salad (US$12 AU$12.70). I'm nonetheless to last won over past times habitation fries for breakfast to last honest, peculiarly when business office of such a ludicrously large plate of food. These at to the lowest degree had some prissy seasoning to cutting through the starch a bit, but I nonetheless struggled to brand my agency through the whole batch. Everything else was non bad - the 'veggie bacon' a lot to a greater extent than impressive than the tempeh bacon I'd tried before inward the trip together with the scramble living upward to Champs' by together with large high standards.

Cindy moved into the sweetness component division of the menu, ordering 3 ruby velvet pancakes amongst choc chips together with whipped cream (US$9 + US$2 for added strawberries AU$11.70). This is some other ginormous dish - difficult to believe anyone orders the serve of half-dozen together with lives to country the tale. They were impressively fluffy for vegan pancakes together with were stuffed amongst the extra strawberries, which added a chip of freshness to an otherwise pretty sugary dish. Friendly staff, decent bottomless coffee, non bad music together with the entertaining paraphernalia on the walls kept us hanging out happily spell nosotros munched our agency through all of the food.

Our adjacent halt was the Lower East Side for a bout of op-shopping, shoe-shopping together with some to a greater extent than eating. We started off at MooShoes, a vegan shoe store amongst a make of faux-leather fancy shoes, sneakers together with sandals. Cindy couldn't quite honor a pair that she wanted, but I walked out amongst some fashionable MacBeth sneakers. Not pictured: a really cute together with friendly store cat.

Just some the corner was the vegan together with gluten costless bakery In The Mood for Noodles. We ordered an apple tree churro together with Samoa doughnut (US$3.95 AU$4.20 each). Both were splendid - I'd last surprised if anyone could country they were vegan or gluten costless past times taste. My iced java striking the spot too. 

We spent the remainder of the afternoon hitting upward the op-shops some the East Village - I began my bespeak to cowboy-ify my wardrobe together with nosotros tramped far likewise many miles inward the hot Sun before heading habitation for a pre-dinner rest. 

Dinner was at Dirt Candy, a identify we'd booked months inward advance, having heard loads of non bad things virtually it. The eating home is tiny - they'd last lucky to spot 20 people at a fourth dimension together with the kitchen is inward amount view. Staff are really friendly together with efficient but yous create larn a slight feel that they've got i oculus on the clock to brand certain you're clear before the adjacent booking turns up. The carte du jour is all virtually vegetables - no mock meat on offering here. It's vegetarian rather than vegan, but at to the lowest degree one-half of the dishes are vegan or veganisable together with the showtime enquiry the staff enquire is whether or non you're vegan or bring whatever other dietary requirements. We ordered iii courses each (appetiser, principal together with dessert) together with shared the lot (see the slideshow below for photos). This included:

• Mushroom (US$13 AU$13.80): a portobello mushroom mousse, a bigger pile of lightly cooked mushrooms, a pear together with fennel compote, some toast together with a truffle petroleum based smear. 
• Potato (US$12 AU$12.80): warm tater salad, crispy Japanese yams, grilled sweetness potato, olives, bitter greens together with apple.
• Beets (US$20 AU$21.20): a diverseness of salt-roasted beets, Thai greenish curry, tiny footling beet gnocchi together with whipped kokosnoot galangal cream.
• Broccoli (US$21 AU$21.30): the famous broccoli dogs (which were basically merely nicely cooked stems of broccoli) inward slightly sweetness housemade buns, broccoli kraut, identify made mustard, crispy dried out common salt together with vinegar broccli rabe chips together with a large pile of greens.
• Popcorn pudding (US$11 AU$11.70): a jounce of creamy sweetness corn pudding topped amongst a peanutty caramel sauce together with served amongst a side of salted caramel corn.
• Celery cheesecake scroll (US$10 AU$10.70): celeriac H2O ice cream served amongst a scroll of cake together with cream-cheesy layers, a twain of candied grapes together with a few spots of rich peanut sauce.

There was a lot to similar virtually the Dirt Candy experience: the vegetables are given centre stage, providing much of the flavour of the meal; The dishes are creative without beingness overloaded amongst foams together with gels; together with the bustling vibe of the identify is pretty fun. The nutrient didn't quite scale the heights that nosotros were expecting - the broccoli domestic dog for illustration wasn't that exciting (rabe chips aside) together with the desserts sounded a chip to a greater extent than interesting than they turned out beingness (the veggie flavours didn't actually smooth through). It's definitely worth a visit, but I don't intend Dirt Candy is outstripping the veggie meals at local favourites similar Cutler & Co together with Attica (although, to last fair, it is quite a chip cheaper).

After starting our trip off amongst iii nights out inward a row (music, comedy, theatre), nosotros express ourselves to a quick post-dinner wander together with an early on nighttime to remainder upward for some other large twenty-four hours of eating on Wednesday.

New York, Ny | Hateful Solar Daytime 6

June 18, 2014

On Wed morning time nosotros followed the previously intercepted inwards Brooklyn) to Manhattan for breakfast. We had access to the entire vegan carte du jour - burgers as well as sandwiches stuffed with all agency of tofu, seitan, tempeh as well as veges, pastries, a twosome of raw dishes, pancakes as well as breakfast platters - as well as nosotros were both drawn to the breakfast burritos. My classic burrito (pictured pinnacle right) had a dense filling of refried beans, scrambled tofu, a piddling pico de gallo as well as roughly thick slices of avocado (US$9 AU$9.60). Michael's chipotle seitan burrito (pictured bottom left) was bigger as well as spicier, teaming its seitan with scrambled tofu, jalapenos, kale as well as chipotle mayonnaise (also US$9 AU$9.60). We ate them on the border of Central Park, licking our viscid fingers every bit nosotros forgot to pick out grip of napkins.

I spent the side past times side few hours at MOMA piece Michael watched the World Cup. I holler upwardly beingness deeply impressed when I visited virtually 10 years agone as well as it was freshly renovated. MOMA hosts a make of really famous works inwards its collection from artists similar Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Cezanne, Gaugain, Warhol as well as Rothko, as well as it's abode to Van Gogh's The Starry Night. This fourth dimension I didn't connect every bit enthusiastically with the works; they felt to a greater extent than similar a textbook tick-list as well as I caught myself wishing for roughly to a greater extent than culturally various voices alongside as well as then many manful someone European as well as American artists. (There was a dainty piddling Kahlo corner, at least.)

Our burritos fuelled us for many hours, all the agency dorsum through a mid-afternoon walk inwards Brooklyn. We were tracking the Dr-Cow Tree Nut Cheese shop, which Marieke had mentioned to us a calendar month or 2 earlier. Their small-scale cabinet contains a surprising diversity of raw vegan cheeses as well as a few hand-made sweetness treats, as well as they offered a few to sense of savour every bit nosotros made our selection.

Once dorsum at our apartment, nosotros dug into a triple-layered wedge of cashew-based saffron/reishi-hemp-sesame/pumpkin-shilajit cheese ( US$10 AU$10.60) as well as a circular of aged macadamia cheese. These were lovely, gentle savoury spreads - I was peculiarly taken past times the saffron layer of the wedge - but friends, they were zip similar dairy cheese. The raw cheesecake (US$5.45 AU$5.80) was much to a greater extent than convincing inwards its creaminess as well as its lemony tang.

Some fourth dimension afterward nosotros ventured out to dinner at Kajitsu, on our friend Jess H's recommendation. The spartan decor of this vegetarian Japanese eating theatre belies the depth of idea as well as craftsmanship inwards their cooking. They offering 3 ready carte du jour alternatives: the kaze (four courses, US$55 AU$58.20), the Hana (eight courses, US$95 AU$100.50) as well as the chef's omakase (an unspecified release of courses, US$195 AU$206.20) with optional sake pairings. We stuck with the iv course of written report kaze.

The June vegetable pallet opener was a colourful spread of fruits as well as vegetables, flowers as well as leaves inwards a lite vinegar jelly - piece I'm non unremarkably corking on savoury jellies, I constitute this one's texture pleasing. Michael ordered a side of fermented tofu (US$8 AU$8.50), which makes a hitting vegan alternative to blueish cheese. While its colouring textile is markedly different, this soy curd was dense, creamy as well as perfectly pungent.

Our minute course of written report was sure enough i of the best dishes of our trip. H5N1 written report inwards corn as well as mushrooms, they were crumbed into 2 kinds of croquet, sauteed as well as charred, served with a fried zucchini flower, fried noodle 'cornsilk', natto as well as nighttime chocolate, with a refreshing side of shaved pineapple. This may read similar a mess or a masterpiece as well as it was definitely the latter, a gorgeously presented mix of earthiness, lightness, sweetness as well as crispness.

This was followed past times a fried yuba parcel, fragile wheat gluten slices, eggplant as well as boundary onions inwards a clear broth - simpler but no less satisfying. The in conclusion dish ensured that no diner could exit the eating theatre hungry - a large bowl of lotus source rice porridge with crisp nori as well as a choice of pickles to elevator the flavour.

These Kajitsu dishes showed a combination of imagination as well as execution that nosotros hadn't quite experienced at Blossom or Dirt Candy - it's definitely our recommendation for a fancy-schmancy repast inwards NYC.