Vegan Drinks TONIGHT February 2, 2010

Nashville’s very first Vegan Drinks is taking place tonight (Feb. 2 2010) at Bound’ry!  Vegan Drinks meetups take place all over the country, and tonight the lovely Traveling Vegetarian is hosting this amazing event here in our fair city.  Since this quote says it perfectly, here’s the description of the meetup from the national Vegan Drinks website:

“Vegan Drinks is a monthly social networking event for people interested in promoting veganism and advocating for animal rights. Vegan Drinks’ mission is to bring together a diverse group of people—from cupcake aficionados to animal lawyers to veg*ns of all stripes in between—to build new coalitions and promote the sharing of resources. Vegan Drinks is for newbies and oldies. All we expect is an interest in animal rights, veganism and the pursuit of after-work fun. Show up and introduce yourself, pass around business cards (if you’ve got ‘em) and embarrass yourself at least once an hour.”

Tonight’s Vegan Drinks will be at Bound’ry from 7:00 – 9:00, so be sure to DVR/TiVo the LOST premiere and head on out.  I would say that you will be seeing me there, but unfortunately I seem to have caught some kind of super-death-cold and I am practically bed-ridden.  Seriously, go to this.  Bound’ry is really vegan-friendly, and I actually chose it for my birthday dinner last year.  You will not regret it; it will be amazing.

Bound’ry – 911 20th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212

Vegan Drinks Nashville facebook page

2/2 Vegan Drinks facebook event – feel free to RSVP!

Pizza Perfect January 19, 2010

Yum

I love me some Pizza Perfect.  It’s good.  It’s packed with veggie goodness.  It’s vegan.  What more could you want?  For your convenience, Pizza Perfect has a vegan pizza smack in the middle of their menu.  I forget what precisely it’s called, but it’s something like “Heart Healthy” and it’s a pie free of cheese and topped with nearly all of their vegetable toppings (including broccoli which is always delicious on pizza).  Of course, you can always build your own pie exactly to your specifications, but be sure to steer clear of the pesto, which contains cheese.

Double Yum

Pizza Perfect is everything you want in a pizza place: lots of toppings, zesty sauce, delicious crust, and all the fixins.  They also have pizza by the slice (which I assume is available cheese-less, I didn’t order that), subs, salads, and pasta.  The vibe is very casual and I dig it.  Grab some friends and split a pie.  The ones shown above are Smalls and they were pretty big.   Add a pitcher of Yazoo for extra fun.

Pizza Perfect

1602 21st Avenue South

Nashville, TN 37212

615.329.2757

Website

Cafe Coco January 17, 2010

Hummus Plate and Chips & Salsa

What could be better than an independently owned neighborhood cafe that is open 24 hours a day with clearly marked vegan menu options and raw vegan chocolate cake in the cooler?  Nothing, that’s what.  Cafe Coco is one of my all-time favorite restaurants in Nashville and I’m really surprised that I haven’t featured it yet.  There is nothing not to love about this place, from the decor featuring local artists to the friendly vibe to the helpful staff to the fabulous food.  The patio is amazing when the weather is nice (which it wasn’t on this visit).  If you haven’t been there yet, go right now.  Don’t even finish reading this post, just go.  You can thank me later.

Pictured above are the appetizers of champions: hummus plate and chips & salsa.  Cafe Coco has my favorite salsa in the city, hands down.  It is so good.  If you’re thinking about getting a side of it with your meal, stop.  You need more salsa than that.  Get the appetizer so your salsa needs can be fully met.  The hummus is nothing to sneeze at though I could hardly say it’s the best in town.  Still, it’s really thick and the plates shown above can make a substantial meal by themselves–but why stop there?

Three Bean Vegan Chili and Raw Vegan Chocolate Cake

It seems that Cafe Coco’s “soup of the day” is always Three Bean Vegan Chili … but I’m not complaining!  This stuff is good.  It is just spicy enough to warm you up when it’s cold without being so spicy that you don’t want to eat it.  I recognize kidney beans and black beans, not really sure what the third bean is but I don’t really care because it’s delicious.  It is a little more watery than I like my chili, but for whatever reason it works.  I recommend crumbling up those multi-grain crackers and adding them directly to the chili for maximum chili enjoyment.

The cake is a new addition.  Cafe Coco has long had tempting-looking (dairy-laden) desserts in a cooler case near the register.  Imagine my surprise to peer into this case and view RAW VEGAN CAKE.  I wish I had written down the name of the woman who makes the desserts, but I didn’t, so if you go there check on that for me and let me know what it is so I can update this post.  I was speaking with my cashier about the addition of vegan cake and she told me the dessert woman recently took a raw foods cooking class and is now really into making raw desserts.  Kudos to her because this cake is A-MAZ-ING.  It was so rich I almost couldn’t eat it (note I said “almost.”)  It took a couple days to eat the whole slice.  The next time you’re there, grab a slice.  Don’t think about it, just do it.

If you haven’t been to Cafe Coco before you’re missing out.  In addition to the above foods, I also really like “The Skinny” which is a hummus and vegetable wrap–just omit the cheese and pesto.  Plus, it’s open 24 hours a day!  And there’s free delivery at lunch time!  WOW!

Cafe Coco

210 Louise Avenue

Nashville, TN 37203

615.321.2626

Website

Happy Holidays December 25, 2009

I just want to wish all of you amazing Nashvegans a very happy holiday. I’m about to fly home to Orlando to be with my family, so there likely won’t be any new posts until 2010(!!), but when I get back I will have all kinds of Orlando food to share with you. I hope the holiday season is bright for everyone, and I’ll see you in the next decade.

The Wild Cow December 15, 2009

Lasagna

If you asked me to describe The Wild Cow’s grand opening in one word, I would say this: intense.  The line was out the door, people were crammed into the cozy space, and lots of people had to eat standing up.  So all in all, I guess it was a huge success!

I arrived at The Wild Cow around 7:00, and the place was already packed with a line out the door into the cold, cold night.  There was a little buffet line, but I missed out on some dishes (like the Hail Seitan) because they ran out.  I managed to load my plate up with vegan lasagna, marinated and grilled tofu and tempeh, a “chicken” salad sandwich, some carrot sticks, asparagus soup, and hummus with chips.  I also got a glass of hard cider.  I really wanted to take more pictures of the spread, but the place was so packed I only managed the photo of the lasagna pan, above.  My party and I were extremely lucky to grab the very last available table in the joint, and we didn’t see anyone leave a table while we were there–there was a lot of standing and eating going on.

My Plate

On to the food: it was good.  Overall, I wouldn’t call it fantastic, I would call it good–but I think that had more to do with the way I acquired it than the food itself.  What I mean is, by the time I got through the line, found a seat, and was able to eat, it was cold.  First, I really didn’t like the soup.  I think I might have liked it if it was hot, but it was room temperature by the time I took a bite and I thought it was gross.  I had two dining companions, and one felt the same way as me and the other absolutely loved it and ate every bite, so go figure.  Next, the lasagna: awesome, even if it was kind of cold.  I could eat that stuff every day and be happy.  It doesn’t seem to be on their regular menu.  Third, I didn’t really like the tofu/tempeh either.  I’m not a big tempeh fan, so it’s not The Wild Cow’s fault that I wasn’t feeling it, but I thought the tofu was weird.  This is hard to explain, but it seemed way too … dense.  I don’t know how to explain it, but it was, well, dense.  Also, too salty.  Moving on to the hummus: average.  It tasted like hummus.  There were tortilla chips and carrot sticks.  I’ve had better.  Finally, the “chicken” salad sandwich: a total winner!  It was really good, and I didn’t even like chicken salad back when I used to eat meat.  To sum: I would definitely have the lasagna and the “chicken” salad sandwich again.  I would get the hummus again if I was sharing it with other people.  I would pass on the marinated tofu/tempeh and the asparagus soup.  Also, the hard cider was pretty good, and I don’t usually like fruity alcohol.  They were also serving red and white wine–one of my dining companions had the white and it was intense.

Still, the best thing about this experience wasn’t the food, it was the people.  It was really amazing to see so much community support for an all-vegetarian, almost all-vegan eatery.  We have come such a long way from our only options while dining out being wilted iceberg lettuce salads.  Also, I got to meet The Traveling Vegetarian in the flesh for the first time, and she gave me a big hug, which was awesome.  Her take on the opening is available here; she also talks about her trip to Orlando, which is my hometown.  If you ever find yourself in Orlando (where I’ll be soon for the holidays), take it from both of us: go to Ethos!

My adventure at The Wild Cow’s grand opening did exactly what the owners hoped it would: it made me want to go back.  I’m really anxious to head down there and order off the menu, when the place isn’t crammed to the gills with people.  I suggest you do the same ASAP.

The Wild Cow

1896 Eastland Avenue

Nashville, TN 37206

615.262.2717

Website

The Wild Cow GRAND OPENING December 12, 2009

Tonight (December 12, 2009) is the grand opening of Nashville’s newest all-vegetarian restaurant: The Wild Cow.  I feel like I have been waiting for this day forever and I can’t believe it’s finally here!!  The Wild Cow is located in East Nashville, across from Rosepepper Cantina.  Tonight’s grand opening will feature all-you-can-eat samples of a lot of their menu items and a glass of wine or hard cider, for those of the legal age to imbibe.  A $10 cover charge gets you in for the festivities, with 75% of the proceeds going to support East C.A.N., an East Nashville non-profit that benefits humans and non-human animals.

The party starts at 6:30 and goes until 9:00.  I know I’ll be there–will you?

The Wild Cow

1896 Eastland Avenue

Nashville, TN 37206

(615) 262-2717

Website

Super-Belated Thanksgiving Post December 10, 2009

Thanksgiving Dinner

Long time no see, my precious Nashvegans.  Even though Thanksgiving was a while ago, I still want to talk about it.  This was my first-ever Thanksgiving without my family, but I got to spend time with my friends and we prepared the delicious vegan Thanksgiving feast you see above.  Clockwise from left: Pillsbury crescent roll; stuffing; acorn squash stuffed with kale, carrots, and onions and topped with breadcrumbs and walnuts; mashed potatoes with gravy; sauteed kale with tomatoes; rice and lentils; baked butternut squash and apples; roasted balsamic vegetables (pictured: portabello cap, red onion, garlic clove); Tofurkey slices; and baked macaroni and cheese (made with Daiya).  There was also pumpkin pie later (not pictured, obviously).

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, spent with family and/or friends.  I know that I was thankful for the time I got to spend with my friends eating amazing food.  Also, I want to commend all of you who had meat-free Thanksgivings.  The animals that you didn’t eat are thankful for you, and they are thankful for the work you do every day on their behalf.  Finally, I’m thankful for all of you who read this, and who support the Nashville vegan community.  Together, we really can make a difference (cheesy, but whatever).

The Dog of Nashville November 17, 2009

Custom Dog with Tater Tots

I adore The Dog of Nashville.  They’re (surprisingly) super vegan-friendly and endlessly customizable.  You can dine al fresco and happy hour is every day from 5:00 PM – close.  Order the veggie dog on the sausage roll and top away to your heart’s content.  The dog above is topped with ketchup, spicy brown mustard, raw onions, relish, and sauteed mushrooms.  Now, the mushrooms (and other sauteed veggies) are not usually vegan–they’re prepared with butter.  If you’re there early in the day, around when the place first opens, if you ask nicely they will cook them in oil for you, but this is not always possible as they prep all vegetables in the first few hours the place is open.  I was lucky this time, but I have not managed to get butter-free mushrooms on any other visit.

Custom Dog with Fries

If I can’t get sauteed veggies, I like to get sauerkraut.  It doesn’t make for as nice a photo, since you can’t see anything underneath all that cabbage, but it makes for an excellent hot dog.  You may have noticed my arsenal of condiments at the top of the picture: they have a variety of freshly-made condiments every day.  Be sure to put some Dog Sauce on yours, it’s amazing and available in a pump near the soft drink dispenser.  They also have a beer mustard that they make, but it’s insanely hot and I don’t like it all that much.  Also, on this particular visit, they had a habanero-pineapple mustard.  Talk about amazing!!  I haven’t seen it since, but I’m sure it will be back again sometime.  Their fries are truly excellent, and tie with Beyond the Edge for my favorite fries in town.

I’ve never had a hot dog here I didn’t like.  I didn’t ask what brand they use, but they taste like LightLife Smart Dogs.  They’re pretty small so get a side of fries or tater tots for maximum full-ness.  And get creative with your toppings–in addition to what you see here, they have salsa, guacamole, pickle spears, jalapenos, refried beans (I don’t know their vegan status), diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sport peppers, and cucumbers.  The Dog is perfect for right before or right after your movie at the Belcourt, or on those days you feel like window shopping in Hillsboro Village.  Also, it’s a perfect place to take your omnivorous friends and relatives who are frightened of vegetables.  Go there–you won’t regret it.

The Dog of Nashville

2127 Belcourt Avenue

Nashville, TN 37212

615.292.2204

Website (it’s kind of hard to navigate)

Khan’s Mongolian BBQ November 10, 2009

Choose your choice!

At Khan’s, you decide EXACTLY what your dish will include.  That makes it paradise for vegans.  Khan’s Mongolian BBQ is on 4th Avenue, right next to the entrance to the Arcade.  When you walk in, it kind of looks like a buffet.  You can a choose a large or small bowl and then fill it up with whatever you want.  They have tofu and TONS of fresh vegetables: sprouts, green peppers, carrots, white and purple cabbage, water chestnuts, snow peas, broccoli, onions, zucchini, mushrooms, scallions, baby corn, and more.  Plus you get $1 off for getting a vegetarian bowl.  You should see the art of architecture that takes place here–people build elaborate towers of food, cramming as much food as possible into the bowls.  I have yet to master the art of making a bowl without anything falling out of it onto the counter or floor, but that’s okay because there’s always someone walking around refreshing the bins and cleaning up the messes made by people like me.

Even more choices!

Towards the end of the line are a wide variety of sauces and seasonings to make your creation complete.  There are recommended recipes taped to the sneeze guard, but I usually just add a little bit of everything.  A little goes a long way with all the sauces–if you add too much, your food will come out too liquid-y.  It has taken me several visits to find the appropriate sauce-to-bowl ratio.  Also, let me tell you, it is awkward to take photos of the food line in Khan’s.  People must have thought I was insane.  Once your bowl is complete, you approach the cash register and hand it over so they can cook it up for you.  You get your choice of rice or noodles, but get the rice because the noodles are made with egg.  The key feature of a Mongolian BBQ restaurant is the large metal cooking area; I read that it’s supposed to be reminiscent of Mongols cooking food on their big metal shields.  If you ask nicely, the proprietors will cook your food in a pan in the back instead of on the big cooking circle thing, to avoid having your food cooked where meat was just prepared mere moments before.  That’s what I always do.

Look, it's all steamy.

You get a little paper number and wait for your food to come out, and when it does, you are in for a serious treat.  Rice, veggies, tofu, sauce, all made exactly to your specifications.  And it doesn’t end there.  Khan’s has an arsenal of delicious condiments you can use to top your dish.  There’s soy sauce, duck sauce, sriracha, tabasco, hot sauce, and something delicious and brown next to the register in little cups.  You can choose chopsticks or traditional utensils.  I have to tell you, I’ve never had anything at Khan’s that wasn’t delicious, but the plate you see here was the best I’ve ever had while eating there.  I think I finally got the sauce-to-bowl ratio right.  Just writing this entry is making my mouth water.

Khan’s is a seriously popular downtown lunch spot.  If you show up just after 12:00, you’ll have to wait a while and there probably won’t be any tables left.  If you can, try to head there a bit before 12:00 or a bit after 12:30.  I’m glad to see that so many people love this place.  I am absolutely certain that I will be back, just as I have been there many times before.  The best thing about Khan’s?  Every meal is different.

Khan’s Mongolian BBQ

237 4th Avenue N.

Nashville, TN 37219

615.726.2340

Khan’s doesn’t have a website, but here is a blurb from the Nashville Scene.

Frist Center Cafe November 5, 2009

Portobello Sandwich

Who doesn’t love the Frist Center?  I certainly love checking out the art, especially when my student ID will get me free admittance (every Thursday and Friday from 5:00 – 9:00 PM).  What I did not know until relatively recently is that the Frist Cafe is a happening lunch spot.  The dining area is really inviting–loving the fresh flowers on the tables–and there’s a great patio if you’re in the mood for al fresco.  Also, their menu, while not a smorgasboard of vegan delights, is surprisingly veg-friendly.

The Portobello Mushroom Sandwich is supposed to be served with basil pesto and fontina cheese.  Omit these two ingredients and you have yourself a vegan sandwich, consisting of a portobello mushroom cap, sliced tomato, and red onion, served on focaccia.  I specifically had the cashier check on the vegan status of the bread and the mushroom cap.  I asked for balsamic vinaigrette on the side so the sandwich wouldn’t be too dry, and was kind of disappointed when it came in a pouch, but at least I could read the ingredients list for myself.  I really loved this sandwich, even though putting salad dressing on it made a huge mess everywhere.  The mushroom cap was really tasty and filling.  If I was having it again, I would probably add some lettuce.

I had a fruit cup as my side, and it really hit the spot.  It complemented the sandwich quite nicely.  One of my dining companions had the potato chips, for which the Frist is apparently famous, which are made fresh on-site.  I had a couple and they were quite delicious, but I’m still glad I got the fruit.

I liked the Frist Cafe.  I’ll probably be back.  They have some salads that could probably be veganized and they occasionally have vegan soups.  Plus, I love the Frist.

Frist Center Cafe

919 Broadway

Nashville, TN 37203

615.244.3340

Website