Taking NY by Storm: A Vegan's Tale

Check out that view! I also have in hand the BEST smoothie I've ever had: Squaw Valley!!

Last summer I was lucky enough to have volunteered for and attended an amazing four-day Yoga & Music festival in the middle of beautiful Tahoe. Wanderlust was such an enlightening experience and I hope to return again soon; being among such spiritual power and creativity was inspiring, advocating everything environmental protection to compassionate eating.

Among the many big names to play the music scene among the looming majestic mountains was old school DJ Moby. His DJ set was epic, totally killed it (in a good way!) and his afternoon acoustic set was harmonizing. But it is his speaking event that was of utmost interest for purposes of this blog: on vegan living.

Moby was promoting a new book he has out and spoke briefly on it, taking questions and engaging people on the real issues of vegan living. Imagine my delight when, after a few internet clicks, I find out he owns a vegetarian restaurant in NYC.

Delicious cakes, almost 100 different types of free leaf teas to choose from, and owned by a techno god? Yes, please!

Teany Cafe can only be described as cozy. At 10pm the lighting was dim, all but blinding bar the gently flicking tea candles. Sleek, modern, and white, it reminds me of vegan cafes of Brighton (UK). And what could go better with this English feel than plenty of properly prepared teas and homely sweets (think whoopie pies and coconut cake).

T & I actually discovered Teany after looking for a gift for my Brother for Christmas; we just got back from London and thought the tea-for-two deal at Teany was appropriate for him & his girlfriend. Him having raved about the club--and me being the sandwich fiend I am--my choice was probably already made before arrival (as tempting as the lasagna sounded).

I opted for the blt, even though I *always* get the blt as T reminds me. On the side a cup of honey roobios with steamed almond milk (again, England had entranced me with their London Fog). T & Adam both got the half chili/half "turkey" club.

The drink was fantastic, as it ought to be, creamy and with just a hint of sweetness. The salad greens crisp and dressed with a lovely thick balsamic. But it was the sandwich that stole my heart. Not the biggest around for its price, nothing too fancy, but simple and classic, and perfectly toasted (a must!).

The chili, sadly, was just a bit lacking. I think T & I may be biased from our constant chili making contests but I had made a better lentil chili days earlier (thicker, more robust). But still, tasty.

Our biggest mistake, which I beg none of you to make!, is to have left without dessert. I guess I felt the impulse to explore, being in NY and all (I have a list of about 30 possible vegan havens to check out). But for the rest of that weekend, I could get those luscious looking cakes and pastries out of mind and I'm still sure that I had made the wrong choice and that those desserts (as Adam also told us they would be) was what I was searching for.

In conclusion, if you're in NYC, please visit Teany, sip some tea, and don't let the city rush you out... get that slice of cake you're eyeing!

Oh yeah, and go to Wanderlust if you get the chance... besides amazing music, great people, fun vendors, beautiful artwork, breathtaking views, and tons of yoga... we get free pool & spa access at the site of the Olympic Village :) Do it (and let's meet up there!)

Chick'n Pitas & Faux-McRibs: Vegetarian Tasting at Harvard

Another sign, in my opinion, of our culture's ever-changing values, has been the sudden upswing of veganism. Conscious eating has found acceptance in everyone from Bill Clinton to even Orpah (taking the challenge once again, her and her staff of 378).

The first multiple episode vegan cooking show (Vegucating Robin) is now on TV, NYC is having their city's first Vegetarian Food Festival in April, and even the James' Bread Foundation has hosted and recognize vegan cuisine as of late (Chef Angel Ramos from Candle 79, NYC).

So it's little surprise that acceptance of vegetarianism, and less-meatarianism, has gained prominence through the college scene as well. Last semester in London I helped start the first vegetarian society at UCL and now, according to Jonathan Safron Foer, almost 18% of all college students identify as vegetarian.

So when I was invited by the Harvard Vegetarian Society to a vegan/vegetarian food tasting by the Harvard University Dining Service, an event to sample and get feedback on new vegetarian and vegan dishes, I knew this was a step forward. Showing all students, even omnivores, that vegan and/or vegetarian food can be delicious and filling is always a step forward. So sixteen students including myself got to sample a bunch of potential new dining hall meals and provide our feedback.

Check out some of the items tested below & their reception:

Vegetarian Ribwich (above)

This was apparently a hit for the students. Since this was a vegetarian option though, not vegan, I didn't have a try. Being the healthy bunch many of us are, we suggested making the sandwich buns whole wheat--a suggestion which Chef Martin & Chef Breslin agreed to.

Vegan Chick'n Pita Sandwich
My second favorite dish, this combined HUHDS's infamous Chick'n patties deliciously smeared with a fresh tahini sauce and filled with extra veggies. Some students thought the sauce was a bit bitter, but ultimately it was a bit hit!

Seitan Pepper Steak
Mimicked after a Philly cheese steak sandwich, this seitan sandwich had a delicious serving of sauteed onions and peppers but seemed to be missing a bit of something, perhaps a bit dry. Some students suggested extra sauce or offering a side of BBQ sauce. Chef Martin thought having too many ingredients separated from the dish may be a bit difficult to achieve, but one thing we all agreed upon was changing out the bun of a whole wheat version.

The best part of this sandwich? The HUHDS house made seitan! Store-bought seitan is often packed with additives and preservatives, but this seitan was made fresh and the difference was apparent. The texture was completely different, so much more tender, and it absorb its sauce amazingly.

Ethiopian Vegetable Stew

The best dish served up, and Chef Martin's favorite as well, this stew was a warming mix of winter for the soul. All of the flavors were bold but blended perfectly with the seasonal sweet potato and a hint of cinnamon to boot.

Korean Pickled Cucumber Salad
One of my favorite dishes, this salad was simple but balanced the acidity well (perfectly in my opinion). Some students thought it aired on the bitter side a bit too much, though as the Chefs pointed out, for a pickled salad that is often the case. The chefs thought a little less dressing could help this, particularly because the salad had quite a bit of extra liquid to it.

Sweet & Sour Veggies with Seitan and Cashews
Another dish with HUHDS's homemade Seitan and this was definitely the best. he seitan soaked up the exquisitely balanced sauce superbly. The cashews were a great crunchy addition, always a favorite of mine.

Mushroom Ragout with Whole Wheat Penne
Though I'm not usually a mushroom lover (I know, Vitamin D, I really should be), this pasta was great. With protein packed penne and tender, savory mushrooms though, this dish was a hit. Nothing fake here which is always nice. My only complaint, and many students agreed, was that the mushrooms are a bit on the salty side.

Three Days Eating as a Vegan

Thought I might give the short introduction to life as a vegan: delicious, healthy, and a great variety

Day One

Breakfast: Whole-wheat toast with peanut butter and banana slices on it, a few strawberries, and a cup of gunpowder green tea
Lunch: Bean burrito with sauteed bell peppers and onions, guacamole and chips + sparkling water
Snack: Three-bean salad
Dinner: Vegan french toast + spinach salad w/ sliced fresh strawberries, walnuts, and beets w/ balsamic vinegar
Late-night Snack: Darjeeling tea

Day Two

Breakfast: Smoothie (frozen strawberries, frozen blackberries, fresh banana, apple juice, flax seed), small vegan bran muffin
Lunch: Curried cous-cous with peas, crasians, sauteed red onions, and softened apples w/ brown sugar + sparkling water
Dinner: Fried tofu marinated in hoisin sauce + lentils & brown rice
Dessert: Vegan chocolate chip cookie :D
Late-night Snack: Fresh Strawberries

Day Three

Breakfast: Steel-cut oats with flax seed, maple syrup, kiwi slices, and cinnamon
Lunch: Collard Greens with fresh garlic and red onions braised in vegetable broth with tomatoes and red pepper flakes, stir-fried veggies (lima beans, edamame, onions, carrots, and button mushrooms) w/ rice noodles
Snack: Golden Delicious Apple
Snack: Soy double cappuccino from Equal Exchange Cafe
Dinner: Falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, whole wheat pita, and ciaro salad from Falafel Corner (own pita :) )
Late-night snack (still to come!): Whole wheat bagel with tofutti cream cheese, spinach, and sundried tomatoes

My Thursday Night Dinner Date: New Rafiki Bistro near Harvard Square

So I was just alerted as to the soft-opening next Tuesday of Rafiki Bistro, a health-oriented up-scale bistro with a focus on using all-natural, eco-friendly & organic products. If you know me, you know that the words health-oriented, all-natural, eco-friendly, & organic are music to my ears... the only thing that could improve such a phrase would be the word 'vegan'. Sure enough, they not only have numerous vegan options (from vegan scones to vegetarian chili to lentil burgers) but they offer tofutti cream cheese! I've just become a recent convert to tofutti cream cheese: I love real cream cheese & so I was amazed this stuff was such an amazing replica of the yummy taste with way less fat & calories (& suffering)!

Anyway, I digress. As soon as I saw my email I knew this was going to be our next date night dinner for next Thursday... though I am just as compelled to go there by myself for a cafe trip (they have free wifi!) for some fair-trade tea & delicious vegan baked goods.

I suggest everyone check out their menu & website. I, for one, am very excited about this opening & will post as soon as I get the chance to try it out for myself!









Rafiki Cambridge Bistro
1682 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
617.661.7810

Tex-Mex Dinner Party

So we threw a Tex-Mex Dinner Party with some friends this last weekend. It went great; so great in fact that the food was gone before I could take a picture of it all (I was busy cooking :x). I did snag a quick picture between it all of our dessert though:

Mexican Chocolate Cake Topped w/ Bananas Flambe

So I adapted the recipe from here. It's vegan & delicious (don't know about health). I made it for our anniversary a month ago and I thought I'd switch it up this time. The whole cake soaked up some of the rum flavor... yum!

Just another cafe?

Other Side Cafe is anything but just your average cafe. With loud grunge music, perhaps dangerously dim lighting, and almost 20 different selections of beer, this eccentric restaurant (and perhaps--I may--say Vegan haven), defies convention.

As a vegan, it's often hard to find a restaurant that serves up a large amount of veggie friendly food while still being a desierable spot for your omnivore friends. That, plus the fact that I had one (well, two) of the best restaurant cookies of my life (vegan and non-vegan) there, makes the Other Side Cafe a place that warrants a visit.

Be warned, while it's not the hippie sanctuary of most vegan-friendly restaurant, there is certainly a welcoming and anarchic vibe to this joint. The lack of pretension makes for the perfect late-night excursion, if not the best date spot.

If you've ever doubted the deliciousness of vegan food, just try the vegan BLT (my omnivore dining partner swears they used real mayonnaise and the fake bacon melded just like the real thing without all the fat!). Their deserts are all vegan as well: but don't let that dissuade you because, again, second best cookie I've ever had that was not homemade! Not to mention the chili is a must have (go for the half chili, half sandwich deal).

If you're not feeling the fake meat, try the tuna melt (perfectly crispy and warm on the outside but soft and juicy on the inside without all the grease common of this cheese-laden sandwich).

Whether you're looking for an excuse to go into Boston, or simply a cool and laid-back place to get a beer on tap (or some vegan wine), the Other Side Cafe is a must try.

Other Side Cafe $$
407 Newbury St.
Boston, MA
Monday - Wednesday 11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday & Friday 11:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM