Seasoned Vegan

It was balmy May day in the heart of New York City, when I decided to check out the infamous Seasoned Vegan for dinner in Harlem.  After fighting a bit of uptown traffic, I happily arrived at my  destination. The short, 5 minute wait for a table was a promising omen that this was going to be a superior dining experience. And a memorable experience it definitely was!!!

Atmosphere

Aesthetically, the interior of Seasoned Vegan leaves nothing to desired...every detail is well-crated & has the scientific precision of a determined seamstress.  Upon entering, I was immediately impressed with the immaculate, upscale, yet down-home feel. In my opinion, anytime you walk into a restaurant and hear the smooth sounds of Stevie Wonder's "Ribbon in the Sky" record playing over the sound system, you know that you are in for a treat.



Food
Similar the atmosphere, the robust menu consists of elegant, yet familiar options.

I began my experience by indulging the complementary spring mix salad bowl and a tasty appetizer, the Stuffed Avocado.  This exquisite dish was made from a pitted avocado stuffed with almond meat, vegan cheese & topped with home-style Pico de Gallo.  This was the first time in this establishment, I didn't know exactly what to expect but, my pallet was pleasantly surprised by the culinary choice. 

Next, I ventured into my main entree of 'Crawfish' and Basil Sauce.  In a word...Wow! Now I'm a coinsurer of burdock root in it's tea and tincture forms but never have I eaten burdock root as a main course. I had felt I had to constantly ask my server if "real" Crawfish because if so, I'm allergic and need to locate my Epee Pen ASAP...lol. He assured me that the establishment is strictly vegan and that most customers who've tasted the burdock root dish have very similar reactions. I was thoroughly impressed with this entrée and actually learned something new about how burdock root could be prepared for consumption as a meal instead of tea or tincture. 

After experiencing, what I thought would be my feel of food, I laid my eyes on the desert menu.  I scanned the menu haphazzardly, when I set my eyes on the Pecan Chocolate Chip cookie.  Since any desert that involves pecans is automatically one of my favorites, I had to sample this delightful treat.  The crunchy and sweet goodness was a perfect end to my culinary experience here at Seasoned Vegan. Satisfied was the only word that came to mind as I began to mentally prepare for walking to the train back to Mid-Town.
Price
Simply put...This place ROCKS!!! Not only was the food amazing, the price points were well within reasonable range. So much so that I decided to buy a desert for a stranger and gained a new friend.   I escaped this experience only paying about $37 plus tip, which is excellent for any location in the NYC area. #winning

Rating

Given the overall combination of food, prices and atmosphere, Seasoned Vegan scores 5 out of 5 vegetables on the V.W.C. scale. We recommend this restaurant to any and everyone traveling or living in NYC that wants to have the ultimate Vegan experience.  Venture uptown to Seasoned Vegan and tell us about your visit.












Happy Vegan Living!!!

Yard House-Chicago

Yard House Restaraunt--North Chicago Suburb

 
Located in Glenview, IL, 

Yard House

Glenview - Glen Town Center
1880 Tower Dr.
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 729-9273

Directions |

Atmosphere
Located in a strip-mall setting, the curb appeal of this restaurant seemed relatively generic, but not in a negative manner.  As we walked through the doors, I was immediately impressed with the clean & inviting feel of the place.  The seating arrangements reminded me of a cleaner, and more upscale White Castle restaurant, without the unmistakably obnoxious aroma of  reconstituted (formerly dehydrated) onions.  After being seated, our server promptly arrived with menus and some quick facts about the restaurant. She stated that everything on the menu was vegetarian, but could be made vegan by request.  With that arrow of knowledge in my quiver, a began to peruse the menu ferociously, seeking the most delicious-sounding, yet economical lunch item.

Food
In terms of the actual cuisine, I was pleasantly surprised at the extensive variety across the menu. Check it out:
http://www.tpsiclients.com/chowpatti/takeoutmenu.pdf
Since we were just stopping in to grab a quick lunch, we decided to sample from the  appetizer offerings. I ordered the Special Sev Batata Puri (Loaded Vegan Indian Wheat Nachos), which was a truly delightful culinary experience, albeit I was deeply disappointed by the portion size. I somehow kept thinking that the server had mistakenly brought me a 'kid's meal' serving, but after I'd confirmed with her several times, I reluctantly began to devour my order. Fortunately, every bite was packed with a load of fresh deliciousness. The 6 crispy wheat chips were topped with potato, onion, cilantro and three special chutneys (sauces).  And I still regret the velocity of which I ate that meal; it was over way too fast.  ;)

Price
The Chowpatti Vegetarian restaurant, is a tasty place to visit & try out some 'outside the box' vegan cuisine, but I must warn readers that I consider this establishment more on the pricey side. I believe that their pricing-strategy has a lot to do with their location & the amount of business they see in a given week. My opinion on the pricing strategy of such niche restaurants, is that they have to run a 'happy-medium' between aggressively pricing to cover costs, yet still be attractive enough to draw repeat business.  An appetizer-lunch for two, with drinks, cost me nearly $30...I don't know about your budgetary constraints, but this was definitely not in my food budget for the week. ;(

Rating

Given the overall combination of food, prices and atmosphere. Chowpatti Vegetarian Restaurant scores 3.5 out of 5 vegetables on the V.W.C. scale. We recommend this restaurant to any and everyone. Try it out and let us know your thoughts.

Happy Vegan Living!!!

New Product Review

As many of our readers know, behind vegan food, one of my other obsessions is trying new vegan drinks. Although I'm not a consumer of alcoholic libations, I do enjoy trying new and interesting natural drink products. None more interesting than Vertical Water's new product: Maple Water. At first blush, I thought this was some sort of joke & the price of the product (above $3.50 for 8 fl. oz container) created more disbelief in the seriousness of the parent company. So like any wise patron of Whole Foods Market Inc. at took it to the customer service desk and asked if I could sample the product. :)

The wonderful service representative quickly obliged my request and allowed me to take the product home for my enjoyment...Well folks, you will be happy to know that Maple Water is 100% vegan and 100% thirst quenching. It reminds me a lot of coconut water with its mild sweetness and water like consistency. My 7 & 9 year old sons agreed that Maple Water is definitely something that we will indulge in at sometime in the near future, but only when the price-point for the product has become more reasonable.

Rating

Given the overall combination of tast & price scores 2.5 out of 5 vegetables on the V.W.C. scale. We recommend this product to any and everyone. Try it out and let us know your thoughts.

Happy Vegan Living!!!

At the behest of my two sons, now 7 & 9 years of age as I write this, I had to make this entry as a result of our family's recent discovery of the Vegan Cheddar Flavor Squares produced by the Earth Balance Company.

 I few weeks ago, my sons and I were making our weekly pilgrimage through Whole Foods Market (no worries, we support local grocers as well), when my youngest son discovered a display sample of the Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Squares. As my son's instinctively picked up the box to read the ingredients as they began to devour the samples like the "competition" that they always make out of any mundane activity. I silently chuckled to myself as my oldest son yells "Daddy, they passed!!"...Indicating the the product has passed my self imposed sodium and sugar content standards.

I disbelievingly grabbed the box of squares that my son knowingly passes without breaking eye contact with his brother and the free samples. Surprising, I confirmed the content of the product and began to taste my first few squares for the first time and true enjoyed the experienced.

I would give an overall rating of this product a 2.5 carrots out of a possible 5. This mid-grade raiding is only so due to the medium/high level of sodium, which amounted to 250 mg per serving (approx. 35 crackers). It is definitely a stronger alternative to the Cheese-Its but we would prefer rewarding your children with the organic fruit or vegetable of their choice. Check them out and let me know what you think...:)

Peace, Love & Healthy Choices!!!

Candle 79

It was balmy spring day in the heart of New York City, when a co-worker & I decided to check out the infamous Candle 79 for dinner.  After fighting a bit of cross-town traffic, we happily arrived at our destination. The 35 minute wait-time did little to quell our anticipation and hunger to experience this culinary gem.

Atmosphere

Aesthetically, the interior of Candle 79 leaves nothing to desired...every detail is well-crated & scientifically positioned via the ancient science of Feng shui.  Upon entering, I was immediately impressed with the immaculate, upscale, yet inviting feel.  Unlike most Vegan eateries, Candle 79 boasts a full-service bar, much to the delight of some other 'first-timers' whom we met while waiting to be seated.



Food
Much like the atmosphere, the menu consists of elegant, yet tasteful options.

I indulged in a tasty appetizer, the Butternut Squash Ravioli.  This exquisite dish was made from whole wheat pasta, spinach, cashew cream, and crispy capers.  This was the first time I had crispy capers, to my surprise this added a delightful taste to my pallet. 

Next, I ventured into my main entree of Live Zucchini Enchiladas.  I had felt I had to constantly ask my server if "real" cheese was apart of this dish, due to the extaordinarily smooth consistency of the cheese alternative used in the Enchilada. 

After experiencing, what I thought would be my feel of food, I laid my eyes on the desert menu.  I scanned the menu haphazzardly, when I set my eyes on the Live Pumpkin Pie.  Since any desert that involves pumpkin is automatically one of my favorites, I had to sample this delightful treat.  The huckleberry ice cream and the candied pumpkin seeds provided the right amout of sweetness to make this wonderful desert the pièce de résistance! 

Price
Although the food was beyond outstanding, there was a bit of sticker-shock when I received my check, but I would expect nothing less from any upscale restaurant located in Upper-East Side Manhattan.  Luckily, I only had to worry about the cost of the feast that I'd eaten (which was about $42)

Rating

Given the overall combination of food, prices and atmosphere, Candle 79 scores 4.5 out of 5 vegetables on the V.W.C. scale. We recommend this restaurant to any and everyone traveling or living in NYC that wants to have the ultimate Vegan experience.  Venture to Candle 79 and tell us about your visit.

Happy Vegan Living!!!

Chowpatti Vegetarian Restaraunt--North Chicago Suburb

 
It was beautiful mid-July Saturday as my wife & I were making our weekly rounds for groceries & other essentials, preparing for the up-coming work week, when I was pleasantly surprised to find a completely vegetarian restaurant.  Although the Chicago-land suburbs are full of $1M+ homes, gourmet groceries & eateries, it is also known to be an absolute food desert for vegans such as myself.  Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Chowpatti Vegetarian Restaurant was a welcomed oasis while navigating this suburban vegan-food desert (vfd).

Atmosphere
Located in a strip-mall setting, the curb appeal of this restaurant seemed relatively generic, but not in a negative manner.  As we walked through the doors, I was immediately impressed with the clean & inviting feel of the place.  The seating arrangements reminded me of a cleaner, and more upscale White Castle restaurant, without the unmistakably obnoxious aroma of  reconstituted (formerly dehydrated) onions.  After being seated, our server promptly arrived with menus and some quick facts about the restaurant. She stated that everything on the menu was vegetarian, but could be made vegan by request.  With that arrow of knowledge in my quiver, a began to peruse the menu ferociously, seeking the most delicious-sounding, yet economical lunch item.

Food
In terms of the actual cuisine, I was pleasantly surprised at the extensive variety across the menu. Check it out:
http://www.tpsiclients.com/chowpatti/takeoutmenu.pdf
Since we were just stopping in to grab a quick lunch, we decided to sample from the  appetizer offerings. I ordered the Special Sev Batata Puri (Loaded Vegan Indian Wheat Nachos), which was a truly delightful culinary experience, albeit I was deeply disappointed by the portion size. I somehow kept thinking that the server had mistakenly brought me a 'kid's meal' serving, but after I'd confirmed with her several times, I reluctantly began to devour my order. Fortunately, every bite was packed with a load of fresh deliciousness. The 6 crispy wheat chips were topped with potato, onion, cilantro and three special chutneys (sauces).  And I still regret the velocity of which I ate that meal; it was over way too fast.  ;)

Price
The Chowpatti Vegetarian restaurant, is a tasty place to visit & try out some 'outside the box' vegan cuisine, but I must warn readers that I consider this establishment more on the pricey side. I believe that their pricing-strategy has a lot to do with their location & the amount of business they see in a given week. My opinion on the pricing strategy of such niche restaurants, is that they have to run a 'happy-medium' between aggressively pricing to cover costs, yet still be attractive enough to draw repeat business.  An appetizer-lunch for two, with drinks, cost me nearly $30...I don't know about your budgetary constraints, but this was definitely not in my food budget for the week. ;(

Rating

Given the overall combination of food, prices and atmosphere. Chowpatti Vegetarian Restaurant scores 3.5 out of 5 vegetables on the V.W.C. scale. We recommend this restaurant to any and everyone. Try it out and let us know your thoughts.

Happy Vegan Living!!!

Loving Hut Vegan Restaurant--Chicago

Its rare in the world of vegan food consumption, that one discovers an eatery which vows to maintain a higher vibratory environmental energy, in addition to delivering cuisine that matches the same noble assertion.  The Loving Hut was created with the vision that all beings can live in peace, love and harmony with each other. Like most vegans, the Loving Hut believes that a plant-based diet is healthier, more compassionate, and the only truly sustainable diet for the whole planet. With over 200 locations worldwide, the Loving Hut franchise has truth to the claim that they are the largest & best international vegan food franchise.  My recent trip to Chicago afforded me the great opportunity to re-visit the Loving Hut-Chicago location on N. Broadway in the Lincoln Park section of the city.

Atmosphere
Honestly, the curb appeal of this enterprise leaves much to be desired, but that sentiment is quickly quelled once patrons cross the threshold into the "Hallowed Halls" of the Loving Hut Chicago. A brief conversation with the owner rapidly confirms my instinctive hunch that the employees probably meditate prior to every shift. The proprietor, an older gentleman, explains to me that a sound emotional environment, where all parties are at peace, makes an ideal place for food preparation & consumption. He further explains that compassion & love are the key components in plant-based diets as well as spiritual ascension and development.  I quickly agreed with this elder's irrefutable claims and began to observe the amount of detail that has gone into the aesthetics of the interior of this facility. The cool, neutral wall color allows the subtle messages of peace, compassion and love, painted on the walls, to stand out even more. The various bamboo plants and other greenery set an aire of tranquility that is expanded by the small water fountains strategically placed around the dinning area, which completes the elegant ambiance.


Food 
In terms of the actual cuisine, I was pleasantly surprised at the extensive variety and the affordability across the menu.  Check it out:




I was happy to indulge in the both aesthetic & palate pleasing cuisine from this trail-blazing vegan institution.   There is something intoxicating about freshly prepared vegan food, be it baked, steamed or dehydrated, it is definitely an unmistakable and truly tantalizing experience for the taste buds. On this visit, I was lucky enough to partake in the steamed dumplings, for appetizers, the Almond Joy entree with brown rice, a slice of zucchini bread & a steaming cup of peppermint tea.  All of these items were deliciously fresh and a great way to begin my brief expedition in the Windy City.

Price
The Loving Hut-Chicago location, is definitely reasonable in terms of the individual pricing strategy.  If future patrons are anything remotely close to me (in terms of my 'lack of self-control', with regards to over-indulgence of quality vegan cuisine), then they can rest assured that this place will happily oblige while not breaking the proverbial 'bank'.  I escaped from my visit with a bill of less than $25. Definitely a victory in my book and a place to revisit in the near future.

Rating

Given the overall combination of food, prices and a serene atmosphere. Vegan Hut-Chicago scores 4.5 out of 5 vegetables on the V.W.C. scale. We wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to any and everyone. Try it out and let us know your thoughts.

Happy Vegan Living!!!