Vegan Dinner at Om Lounge

Om Lounge will be having a vegan dinner this Tuesday, January 26th at 6pm. The cost of this four course menu is $40 and an additional $12 for an organic wine paring.

Check out there menu, for more information.

Burton's Grill

Normally when a friend makes a suggestion to dine at an American restaurant, I cringe at the thought of eating boiled vegetables and baked potatoes. However, when my friend suggested Burton's Grill, I knew from a prior visit that this was going to be a good evening.

Burton's Grill is an American restaurant that actually has a separate vegetarian menu, with 5 substantial vegetarian dishes, Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Vegetable Risotto, Assorted Vegetable plate, Grilled Vegetable Sandwich and Angel Hair Primivera.

There are actually more vegetarian offerings at Burton's than the average Italian restaurant.

The ambiance of Burton's Grill is very lively and elegant, a nice place to meet up with friends to grab a drink and/or a few good bites.

We started the evening with the Grilled stuffed Zucchini ($7.95), made with thin slices of zucchini, stuffed with herb cheese,topped with tomato sauce, all I can say is yum yum!

For the main entree, I knew I had to order the vegetable risotto ($14.95), I love veggie risotto and it is very difficult to find a restaurant that makes it without chicken broth. The risotto was excellent, very creamy and filled with flavor. Needless to say I did not have any left overs.

Burton's also has an eclectic drink menu, that keeps changing depending on the season. I ordered the Autumn Appletini,a martini, made with vodka, red and white cranberry juice,lemon and caramel. I am usually hesitant to order apple martinis as they tend to be tart for my liking, but I loved the taste of this drink and ended up having two of them.

There are four locations in the Massachusetts area, one in Boston, North Andover, Peabody and Hingham.

I really enjoyed my night at Burton's Grill and look forward to going back in the future.

Burton's
1363 Boylston St
Boston MA

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.

The Vegetarian's Guide to Dining in Boston is in the news

The Vegetarian's Guide to Dining in Boston was featured in the Wakefield Observer. Check out the link for more details.


The Wakefield Observer also featured a story on the Bollywood Dance classes I teach in the Boston area.

Veggie Cheap Eat: Vegetarian Friendly Happy Hour at Noir

Noir is located in the Charles Hotel in Harvard square and is a cozy but trendy bar that has an affordable happy hour with great vegetarian options. The happy hour is offered Monday through Thursday, from 5-9pm.

In the Boston area, it can be difficult to find happy hours that cater to vegetarians. Most places just serve the standard nachos or mozzarella sticks. Noir has a "5-4-3-2-1-0" happy hour menu, which means flatbreads for $5, $4 for sandwiches, $3 for snacks, $2 for salads, $1 for sweets, and $0 for nuts. Its a great deal, but you have to come during happy hour to get these savings.

The best option for vegetarians is the grilled flat bread with roasted tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, arugula and grilled eggplant. To compliment your flatbread try the frisee salad made with feta cheese, shaved fennel served in a blood orange vinaigrette.

Check out their menu, for more veggie cheap eats.

Vegetarian Pre Fixe Menus on Valentines Day

It can be difficult to find places that have good vegetarian options on Valentines day. Many restaurants have special Valentines Day menus but fail to offer any vegetarian dishes. Here is a list of restaurants in Boston with great vegetarian options on Valentines Day.


Sel De Terre: Sel De Terre is a French restaurant with three restaurants in the Boston area. Their Long Wharf restaurant located on 255 State Street in Boston is offering a six course Vegetarian menu for for $85. Entrees include dishes such as truffled artichoke soup, mushroom roulade with white asparagus, fried quail eggs tarragon and glacage.


Hamersley's Bistro: Located in the South End, Hamersley's Bistro is offering a four course menu for $110 and includes at least one vegetarian option in every course. The main course is a mushroom wellington with winter vegetables and a sherry mushroom essence.

Craigie on Main: Craigie on Main, formerly Craig Street Bistro, with a new location on 853 Main Street, will offer a five course pre fixed menu with vegetarian options for $150.

Top of the Hub: Top of the Hub in Boston will be offering a four course vegetarian pre fixed menu for $250. The price does seem a little steep, but with the best views in Boston, it is one of the most romantic places.

Tamarind Bay: If you looking for something ethnic for Valentines Day, Tamarind Bay is offering a four course menu with vegetarian options including wine for $75. Known for great Indian food, Tamarind Bay is located in Harvard Square.

Elephant Walk: A French Cambodian fusion restaurant, Elephant Walk is one of my favorite restaurants. Although Elephant Walk does not have special pre-fixed menu for Valentines Day, they have many different vegetarian options on their regular menu as well as a 4 course pre fixed menu that is offered all year long with vegetarian options for only $33.95. Def my pick for best value and food.

If all else fails, plan a special romantic vegetarian dinner,it may mean more and you can kiss the chef:-)

Vegan Valentine's Day

Looking for a Vegetarian Valentine's Day and don't want to break the bank? Chef Didi Emmons is preparing a special Vegan Valentine's dinner at the Haley House Bakery for only $30. Check out the menu from the BVS website.

BVS Love-Infused Globe-Roaming Invigorating Vegan Valentine's Dinner

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED to info@BostonVeg.org


6:45 PM - Arrive, check in/pay, socialize
7:00 PM - Dinner

No animal ingredients

* Thai Salad of Pomegranate Love Nuts, Peanuts, Crispy Tofu with Minty Dressing Swaddled by Buttercup Lettuce

* Free-Form Pasta Layered with Roasted Butternut Squash, Chard, Ground Seitan Tomato Sauce, and Olive-You Tapanade

* with Onion Foccacia

* Good 'Ole Banana Cream Pie with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce

* Iced Love Potent #9, a Ruby Red Multi-Berry Iced Tea

$30 includes service!! Organic Beer or Wine Extra.


Never hesitate to arrive on your own to a BVS event, even a Valentine's Dinner!

PAYMENT: Pay on site as you arrive. $30 each in cash (exact change please) or check (made out to Haley House). NO CREDIT CARDS.


LOCATION:

Haley House Bakery Cafe
2139 Washington St.
Dudley Square, Boston

The Cafe is set back in a parking lot, opposite the Hamill Gallery. It is 1.5 blocks from the intersection of Washington St. and Melnea Cass Blvd.

Free parking lot on site. Silver Line stops 1.5 blocks away at Melnea Cass Blvd.

Veggie Cheap Eat: Spring Rolls at Porter Square Book Store

Where can you go to get delicious, yet affordable Vietnamese spring rolls in the Boston area? A Chinese restaurant? A Vietnamese restaurant? The answer is in the Porter Square book store located in Cambridge MA on 25 White street. Inside the book store, lies a small cafe called Cafe Zing that serves these yummy soft spring rolls. Catered from a place called Indochine, these soft spring rolls are made with lettuce, tofu, mint, carrots and vermicelli noodles and are served with a sweet and tangy peanut sauce. For around $5 you can have three of these delicious rolls which makes for a perfect light lunch or a nice veggie snack. Call ahead or get to the cafe before the evening, these rolls are very popular and tend to sell out early in the day.

In addition to these addictive spring rolls, Cafe Zing also sells coffee, tea, and gluten free desserts. Their gluten free toffee almond cookie is quite tasty. Seating is limited and service is friendly. Definitely a nice place to come for quick veggie bite.

Veggie Cheap Eat: Shanghai Cafe in NYC

It can be difficult to find good vegetarian options in Chinatown. After a long day of shopping in Soho, Chinatown was the closest place to grab a bite. My carnivore friend insisted that we venture into Chinatown for dinner. I was a bit hesitant because I’ll admit I am a bit skeptical of the true vegetarianess of Chinese food in Chinatown. Except for Penang in Boston, my limited experiences with Chinese food in Chinatown have not always been the best. Since we were hungry, we did not want to travel too far to have dinner so we went to a restaurant called Shanghai Café.
Shanghai café located on 100 Mott St between Canal and Hester St serves Shanghainese food in a casual relaxed setting.

The ambiance, with its fluorescent lighting and eighties décor, differs from the standard Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. The meal started out with a complimentary green tea. I ordered the Black Mushroom Noodles with soup for $3.50 and the Vegetable pan fried Noodles for $6.25. For only $3.50, the Black Mushroom Noodles is quite large and is a meal on its own. The soup was tasty; I loved the thick dark mushrooms in the flavorful vegetable broth. The noodles however were plentiful but a bit too thick for my liking. The waitress ensured me that the broth was vegetarian, but as always double check. The pan fried noodles with vegetables were made with a thick sweet flavorful soy sauce. I am generally not a fan of crunchy noodles but I really did enjoy the taste of this dish.

Overall I enjoyed myself at Shanghai café. The service here is a bit slow and some of the servers are friendlier than others. My experience at Shanghai café was positive and I will now keep an open mind about trying restaurants in Chinatown. The food was good, and for the price you really can’t complain. I know there is a vegan restaurant in Chinatown Boston, called My Thai Vegan Café but I have not had a chance to try it yet. Do you know any other Chinese restaurants in Boston that have good vegetarian options?

Veggie Cheap Eat: Creations Cafe

Creations cafe, located on 400 Main St in Wakefield, is a small cafe that serves healthy and affordable lunch options in a casual relaxed setting. With wraps, smoothies, salads, soups there are plenty of great eats for vegetarians. I went to Creations Cafe for lunch yesterday and ordered their Main Street salad ($4.95) made with romaine lettuce, bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and feta cheese. Instead of the usual Greek dressing, (generally made with anchovies), the salad was served with a garlic balsamic vinaigrette. To my surprise the portion size of the salad was quite large and the large wooden bowl the salad was served in was a nice touch.

Other vegetarian options include a garlic hummus wrap, miso noodle soup bowl and an eggplant balsamic panini. Customers at Creations cafe can also enjoy free wireless Internet. Service is very friendly and the owner always greets you with a smile. The place is quite cozy with just 5 or 6 tables, but you will generally not have a problem finding a seat. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a healthy affordable lunch in the Wakefield area.

Veggie Deal at Vee Vee's

Vee Vee's in Jamaica Plain is offering a great vegetarian deal. On Sundays and Tuesdays they are offering an appetizer and an entree for $19. Their menu features vegetarian entrees such as buttersquash enchiladas served with salsa verde, black beans, jack cheese, and ricotta dumplings with herbed spaghetti squash, tomato sauce and shaved fennel.

Here is the information from their website:

Sunday & Tuesday Night Prix Fixe:

$19 vegetarian or $24 non-vegetarian

Select any appetizer from our regular menu*, then choose your entree. The price is determined by your entree selection.

Special prix fixe for dining in only.

*lobster sausage appetizer an additional $4

Upstairs on the Square

It is great to see so many upscale restaurants in Boston offering vegetarian options. Gone are the days where dining at high end establishments meant steamed vegetables and lettuce for vegetarians. Restaurants all over Boston are offering vegetarian tasting menus that cater to the vegetarian palate.

I was delighted when Upstairs on the Square invited me to try their Vegetarian Tasting menu. The tasting menu consisted of five and seven courses at first I thought the meal would be heavy and overwhelming, but instead it was light and delicious. The vegetarian tasting menu is served in the Soiree room and consists of a 5 ($55) or 7($70) course meal with additional wine parings for $32, $45.

The ambiance of Upstairs on the Square is a delightful experience all on its own. As a guest at Upstairs on the Square your eyes will feast on the pink colored walls,the mirrored glass ceilings, and the beautiful bay windows that overlook Harvard Square. As many patrons will say, you really do feel like you are dining in Alice in Wonderland.

The evening started with a glass of 2007 Kung Fu Girl Riesling, a cool crisp white wine that evoked mild sweet flavors of apple, pear and lime. This was one of the best Rieslings I have ever had. The first course was the Roasted Baby Beets served with a strong, but delicious, horseradish panna cotta and drizzled in passion fruit sauce. The passion fruit sauce was simple but added a nice sweet citrus flavor to the dish.

The Potage of Jerusalem Artichokes, a smooth creamy soup topped with crunchy sorrel and chive oil. This was my favorite course and I was amazed that this dish was thickened without cream but with the base of a sunflower. Embedded in the soup were tiny fried black trumpet mushrooms which added to its texture. The Ravioli of Pierre Robert Cheese was draped in lovage butter and finely chopped green apples. It was tasty but a bit too pungent and salty for my liking.

Following the Warm Artichokes and Haricots Verts, was the Harvest Vegetables and Tiny Ricotta Gnocchi. Instead of the usual cream sauce, the Gnocchi was served in a flavorful cardamom wine broth with shitake mushrooms and mint.

The meal ended with a decadent dessert which had adorable presentation and was a miniature tasting all on its own. The dessert consisted of a small cup of almond hot chocolate, topped with marshmallow fluff, a tiny chocolate almond cake and two pieces of dark almond chocolate.

The service at Upstairs on the Square was exemplary and our waitress went over every dish in detail. Overall Upstairs on the Square was a luxurious experience and the vegetable tasting menu was perfect, not too heavy but enough to make you want to come back for more.

Mushroom Mutter

This North Indian dish is one of my favorite dishes to make, especially in the cold months, the spices and flavors just warm you up. It is easy to make, healthy and it tastes great. I use non-fat yogurt as a thickening agent but you can also use cream. This dish can also be made vegan with the omission of yogurt or the cream. Here is my mother's recipe, enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 8 oz package of chopped white mushrooms
¾ 14.5 oz can of stewed tomatoes
2 cups frozen peas
2 tsp of coriander powder
1 tsp of turmeric powder
1 tsp of chili powder
1 tsp of Garam Masala
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tsp of shredded ginger
1 tsp of sugar
3 tbsp of yogurt
3 tbsp of olive oil
¾ cup of water

Heat the olive oil in the pan. Then add the onions & garlic and sauté them until the onions are golden brown. Add the tomatoes and 3/4 cup of water and stir all the ingredients.

Add the coriander, turmeric, chili, and garam masala to the dish and mix all the ingredients well. Add the peas, mushrooms, shredded ginger, and sugar to the dish.

Whisk yogurt in a bowl until it is of a smooth consistency, and then add it to the dish. Cover the pan and reduce heat, and simmer until the peas are soft and tender. Garnish with parsley or coriander. Serve with roti, “Indian bread” rice or bread.

Servers 2-4 people

This recipe is featured on The Leather District Gourmet , written by Jacqueline Church. Jacqueline was a panelist at a recent Povo Blogger's event that I had attended and she invited me to submit a recipe on her blog. Check out her website and every Tuesday she has a meat free post.

Veggie Cheap Eat:Bamboo

2008 BAMBOO, INC.


In and around Boston, it can be difficult at times to find upscale Chinese restaurants that cater to vegetarians. Located next to Flatbread in Bedford Ma, Bamboo serves Chinese food and sushi in a sleek modern setting and offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. With bamboo shoots, dimmed lighting and quilted wall hangings, the ambiance of Bamboo is quite elegant.

My two favorite dishes at Bamboo are the Eggplant in garlic sauce ($9.50) and the Singapore Rice noodles ($8.95).The Singapore rice noodles is a delicious curried noodle dish made with onions and green and red peppers. The eggplant in garlic sauce is good, but pretty standard. Since Bamboo also serves Sushi, you can order an avocado roll or a miso soup as an appetizer. The portions are plentiful, and the prices for vegetarian entrees are under $10, making it a great veggie cheap eat. They offer an eclectic drink menu and their lychee martini is a must. Service is friendly and they were patient with all of my vegetarian questions.

Bamboo has three other locations; Westford, Dedham and the Mandarin in Reading. They also have a daily lunch buffet and a dinner buffet on Sunday nights. Definitely a good place for a veggie cheap eat if you are in the area.

A Vegetarian Happy Hour at Tantric in Boston

Tantric in Boston has a Happy Hour menu at their bar that offers several vegetarian and vegan appetizers for only $2.99 with a $2.50 minimum beverage purchase. This is great because most happy hour menus do not cater to vegetarians. Non vegetarian appetizers are also available. Below is the menu from their website.

2.99...

Aloo Kulcha - Potato Filled Fresh Baked Bread

Chili Cheese Naan - Pepper Jack Cheese Stuffed Bread

Gobi Manchurian Indo - Chinese style cauliflower florets sauteed with onions & green pepper, in a sweet and sour chili paste

Bhel Poori - A Mumbai favorite of Rice crisps, crunchy gram-flour vermicelli, onions, tomatoes & cilantro, drizzled with sweet and sour tamarind sauce and coriander mint chutney.

Pakoras - Vegetable fritters served with tamarind and mint chutneys

Available in the Bar Only Sunday – Friday 3:30-6:00PM and Monday – Thursday 8:30PM –9:45PM, Friday & Saturday 10 – midnight 2.50 Beverage Minimum Per Person Required

On Tuesday Nights, Tantric is offering free Henna Tattoos from 7-9:30 with any $10 purchase.

Boston Vegetarian Food Festival

On Saturday I went to the 2008 Boston Vegetarian Food Festival at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. There were over 100 exhibitors featuring, natural foods, restaurants, and other non-food products that support a healthy way of life.


Thousands of people attended the festival. Despite the crowds, I thoroughly enjoyed sampling different food products and learning about vegetarian offerings in the Boston area.

Here are some of my favorite vendors:

Super Seedz:





What an interesting concept? Super Seedz are shelled, flavored pumpkin seeds and are available in four different flavors, somewhat spicy, sea salt, original curry and sugar & cinnamon. The food producer, Kathy Rosenschein said that pumpkin seeds contain an essential vitamin B12 that is found mostly in meat. It's a great option for a low carb snack.

Buddha Hut:

Bhudda Hut is a vegan Asian restaurant located in Worcester Ma on Chandler st. They were selling Asian food from their restaurant at the fair. I ordered the noodles and the vegetarian fried rice, both were surprisingly really good. I will definitely have to stop by Buddha Hut for more yummy food and the best part is that I do not have to worry about fish sauce. The owner mentioned an opening of another restaurant in the Boston in the near future.

Good Neighbor Hommus




I sampled quite a few different brands of hummus at the fair, but Good Neighbor’s hommus brand was the best. It is made with organic ingredients and comes in unique flavors, my favorite being, Sweet Red Pepper Hommus. Their black bean dip was equally delicious.

The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival was a fun event and is worth checking out next year, admission and parking is free so there is not much to lose.