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Hello, stranger!
By jen | February 21, 2010
Damn, it’s been a long time since I’ve updated this blog! As I type this, I’ve got some cinnamon bun dough resting and waiting to be put in the oven (and eventually into my mouth!). In the meantime, here’s a recap of some food adventures I’ve had these past few months.
When I was in L.A., my parents, brother, Jesse and I decided to try Real Food Daily in Santa Monica. Between the five of us, we tried the Salisbury Seitan, Supreme Burrito, enchiladas, and the tamale special. The general consensus was that the food was just okay. I really wanted to like this place because I’d heard so many great things about it, but I found my dish (the tamales) to be bland and flavorless.
Seitan Tamales
The seitan in my Jesse’s Salisbury seitan consisted of three dull-looking, triangle slabs of wheat gluten topped with a thin gravy and he could barely bring himself to finish his meal.
Salisbury Seitan
We decided to try the desserts, which were a little better, but not great.
The chocolate cheesecake was pretty tasty, but tasted more like a chocolate mousse pie than a cheesecake.
Chocolate Cheesecake
The Boston Cream Pie was a little dry in my opinion.
Boston Cream Pie
Every time I go to Southern California, I stop by Veggie Grill. I wasn’t a fan of the “chicken” salad (I would have liked to get some real greens instead of iceberg lettuce) but all of the sandwiches (and I’ve tried them all!) are delicious! With the exception of their tempeh and portabello sandwiches, all of their sandwiches and burgers use Gardein brand “chicken breasts” or “beef” strips. The food kind of reminds me of the guilty pleasure of eating fast food during my teenage, meat-eating years, minus the guilt! My only complaint is that they are on the pricey side for what you get — the default side for sandwiches and burger is a small coleslaw and all other sides cost you extra — but they are my favorite place to go for vegan fast food. My carnivore parents and brother like the place and every time I go, the place is packed, so they’re doing something right!
Santa Fe Spicy Chicken Burger with Kale
Chipotle BBQ Burger with Sweet Potato Fries
Next food adventure: Las Vegas! It had been a few years since I’d been to Vegas and that was before I became vegan. Shortly after arriving, I realized that Vegas is not a fun place for people who don’t smoke, eat prime rib, gamble, seek the services of escorts or enjoy large crowds. I will probably not go back for at least another decade, but there are some gems worth seeking out if you do go.
Red Velvet Cafe isn’t vegan, or even vegetarian, but has lots of great vegan items on the menu. Seriously, thank goodness for this place so that Jesse and I could have something substantial to eat! I would have liked to have seen more veggies on the menu, but we definitely enjoyed ourselves anyway. The highlights for us were the “chicken” spinach mushroom panini and the “chicken” soft taco plate with black beans and rice.
Chicken Spinach Mushroom Panini
Chicken Soft Tacos
I thought the quesadilla with soy cheese and avocado and “pepperoni” pizza with soy cheese were also tasty. Jesse, who hates cheese of any kind, thought they tasted too much like real cheese for his taste.
Avocado Quesadilla
Pepperoni Pizza
The only disappointment was the buffalo “chicken” wrap, which looked and tasted as though it were made with Trader Joe’s brand soy chicken nuggets, some limp, shredded iceberg lettuce and flavored with Tabasco-like sauce.
Using Trader Joe's soy nuggets = cheating!
On our last day, we stopped by the famous Ronald’s Donuts that we’d heard about for so long in various vegan circles. Our omni friends Katie and Eric, Jesse and I each had a donut in the shop and Jesse and I decided we weren’t going to get on the plane back to California without bringing a box back with us. I much prefer yeast raised donuts to cake donuts and these babies did not disappoint. These are the best donuts I’ve ever had, vegan or otherwise!
Box of fried doughy goodness!
Fast forward to 2010! I’m going to miss Alameda Pie, a local pie delivery business that has recently gone on hiatus. It’s not an exclusively vegan/vegetarian business but Chris, the owner, always offered some vegan options. I got to try some of his vegan creations on a couple occasions including his strawberry rhubarb pie and veggie coconut pot pie.
The strawberry rhubarb was just like I like it, slightly tart.
Strawberry + rhubarb = yum
The pot pie was simply amazing, with a flaky, buttery crust, and a yellow curry filling with a hint of spice.
Amaaaazing!
Recently, Jesse’s friend Keith invited us over for some wine and dessert. He made us a vegan version of bananas foster topped with toasted coconut and pomegranate molasses that was absolutely wonderful. I don’t think I’ll be attempting it anytime soon because knowing me, I’d probably set the kitchen on fire, but I’m sure impressed with Keith’s culinary skills!
If this were me, it'd be a photo of Jesse standing over my burnt body with a fire extinguisher.
Yummy bananas foster
The unbaked cinnamon buns are now calling to me to put them into the oven. Who says you can’t eat cinnamon buns for (now a late) dinner? Maybe that’s why I’m down to two pairs of pants that fit me!
Topics: Baked Goods, Desserts, Restaurants, travel |