2009 Boston Vegetarian Food Festival

Its that time of the year again, the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival is taking place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. I went last year, and had a great experience. Check out my previous post for more details!


The Boston Vegetarian Society proudly presents
The 14th Annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival
Now Expanded to Two Days!
Saturday, October 31, 2009, 10 AM - 6 PM
and
Sunday, November 1, 2009, 10 AM - 4 PM

Reggie Lewis Athletic Center
1350 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Subway stop across the street

Jam’N Java

It can be difficult to find a good vegetarian soup that is truly vegetarian. Soups at restaurants always seem to be made in a chicken or beef broth which can be truly frustrating for vegetarian soup lovers like me.

I was pleasantly surprised, that while walking through Arlington Center, I stumbled upon Jam’N Java. With a name like Jam’n Java one would think it was just a coffee shop but they have a good size menu with soups, sandwiches, salads and desserts. 

For about $7 I had their vegetable soup with a half hummus vegetable sandwich, both dishes were completely vegan. I really enjoyed their vegetable soup, it was a a nice light, thin, tomato based soup made with green beans, mushrooms and zucchini. The half hummus sandwich was  served on a wheat bread, with carrots, spinach, onions, and tomatoes. It was pretty standard but complimented the sandwich well. 

There is a free wireless access and plenty of indoor seating as well as a few tables outside.

Jam’N’ Java is a nice place for a light healthy lunch, although there was only one vegetable soup, it was good enough for me .

Myers & Chang

It was Saturday night and I was in the mood for something trendy and Asian. I had spent my Saturday lazing around, and was looking forward to dining somewhere fun and lively. I did some research and found some great reviews on Myers & Chang in the South End, it was just what I was in the mood for.

I loved the upbeat atmosphere of Myers & Chang. Its cozy and small,  but it has this retro diner feel to it. We were able to find a table near the window, and were seated without a wait. There was a separate vegetarian menu and the service was wonderful. Our waitress was patient with all of my standard vegetarian friendly questions and offered some great suggestions. 

The evening started with an Asian Mojito ($9) made with junmai ginjo sake, fresh mint syrup, and lime. It was a nice refreshing treat, one of the best Mojitos I have had in a long time.

For dinner, I ordered the red Kuri Squash soup (9), a thick creamy pureed soup.  I was a bit disappointed with dish, as it was very bland and it could have used a few spices. In addition to lacking flavor, for $9 I was surprised it was served in such a small bowl.

For my main entree, I had the rainbow tofu ($10) made with peppers dressed in a hot bean paste.  The vegetables tasted barbecued and the sauce had a tasty smokey flavor to it.

The dishes are smaller and pricier than most Asian restaurants and a point worth noting is the dishes are made to order so they come out as soon as they are ready. This took a bit of getting used to as my entree came out before my soup.

Overall I enjoyed my night out at Myers and Chang and definitely think it is worth another visit.

Gulu Gulu Cafe

 

With October just around the corner, Salem MA, is one of the most popular places to visit for some good Halloween fun. Gulu Gulu cafe is located on Essex St in Salem MA and is a cute cafe that has a lot of good vegetarian friendly options.  In addition to great food and drinks, the restaurant, depending on the night, features live music that makes for a fun night out. 

I found myself at Gulu Gulu Cafe and I had their Lyon Vegetarian panini ($8), also available as a wrap.  This is a delicious grilled Panini made with provolone cheese, roasted red peppers, tomatoes and artichokes.  The panini is also served with chips and a side salad.  It was perfect for the fall weather, the cheese melted in my mouth. In additon to the Lyon Vegetarian panini, I had a cup of the Hungry Mushroom soup, $(3), a lightly creamed soup filled with fresh mushrooms. I liked the fact the soup was not too heavy like most mushroom soups that are available.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and what I consider to be the perfect vegetarian comfort food ( hot soup, and a warm Panini) for the fall weather.  The staff is friendly and the ambiance is  reminiscent of a European style cafe with couches, paintings and wooden tables. Other vegetarian items include a variety of , crepes,wraps, salads and grape leaves.  The free wireless internet and the outdoor patio are nice touches.

Parking is on the street and the prices are same for lunch or dinner. I wish they had a half soup and sandwich option as the I could not finish my panini.  However if you find yourself in the Salem MA area, Gulu Gulu Cafe is nice place to relax and unwind with some good food.

Veggie Cheap Eat: Ten Tables

Restaurant week maybe over, but there are still plenty of places to get a delicious 3,4 and 5 course meal.  Ten Tables, located in Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, serves new age American food in a cozy romantic setting. There is also a new location in Harvard Square that has opened in the past month.

I was very excited that I finally made it to to Ten Tables. With a four  courses for only $28, Ten Tables offers the most affordable vegetarian tasting menu in the Boston area.

My first course was a creamy roasted garlic soup that was outstanding. The soup was rich and creamy and evoked flavors of roasted garlic. It was so delicious that I could have licked the bowl clean.

The second course was a Greek salad dressed in a lemon balsamic dressing. The feta in the salad was fresh and soft, contributing to the creamy texture of the salad. The lemon balsamic was light and was a nice change from the standard Greek dressing ( which sometimes contains anchovies).

The third course, the main dish was a cavatelli pasta dish with roasted pine nuts and vegetables. The pasta tasted fresh and homemade and different than the usual spaghetti or penne.

The fourth course, the dessert, consisted of puffed pastries stuffed with banana ice cream topped with chocolate sauce. The dessert was not too heavy but enough to satisfy a sweet tooth like mine.

Overall I enjoyed my experience at Ten Tables and I look forward to my next visit. The food was splendid and quite affordable. My dining companion ordered the regular tasting menu for $40 but in hindsight would have gone with the vegetarian tasting menu.

Since there is only 10 tables in the Jamaica Plain location, it can be tough to get a reservation. I enjoyed my time at Ten Tables and look forward to my next visit.