Stumptown Vegans

Perierra Crêperie

July 2, 2009 · 2 Comments

Perierra Creperie Brief Review
Overall	Service	Food Quality	Atmosphere	Vegan Options
7.75	9	6.5	9	6.5
Location: The parking lot at SE 12th and Hawthorne
Hours: Tue-Sat. 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. Sun. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.			Times Visited: 3

When the Perierra Creperie cart opened, I had no doubt it would one day offer vegan crepes. It seemed like a natural evolution in that SE Portland parking lot filled with carts. Sure enough, the announcement came this spring on the Food Fight! blog and the cart quickly caught the attention of the Portland vegans.

You can see the French specialty prepared promptly for each order through the large glass windows of this contemporary member of the “could it be any more popular?” cart village at SE 12^th and Hawthorne. There are both sweet and savory crepes, with a couple of vegan menu specials posted in the window and the ‘Make Your Own’ option. Off the bat, these crepes are not the soft and thin crepes you’ve had before, or dreamt of after seeing Amelie too many times. All vegan crepes at Perierra are also gluten free, with a batter based of rice and chickpea flours. This combination of allergen awareness and the vegan hook-up is both convenient and touching, especially for the gluten free vegans in your life. Besides passing on the rice cake pizzas my aunt would subject my celiac cousin to when we were younger, I’m eager to try new things and include gluten free meals into my vegan life.

The winner of the savory vs. sweet vegan crepe decision is absolutely the savory. The slightly earthy and somewhat crispy crepe layers work best with the savory ingredients. I’ve tried two savory crepes ($8); one had tofutti cream cheese, fresh spinach, sautéed mushrooms, and roasted red peppers, and another brought decadent mole sauce to the mix, minus the peppers. Your initial bite of crepe may take you by surprise if you’re not one to stock up on chickpea flour, but once you hit the notable filling, the curiosity starts to shed. The mole sauce mixed with tofutti cream cheese is my favorite component because of how remarkable the flavor of the sauce is. I’d like to see even more savory fillings stand against the alternative crepe – think curry, spiced potatoes, and roasted garlic – they’d all hold their own like the mole does.

The ‘Make Your Own’ sweet crepe ($6) I had featured fragrantly inviting melted chocolate, fresh strawberries, and blueberries. While the filling was lovely, the actual crepe distracted me here. A friend of mine raves about a banana and rum crepe she ordered, and I’ve made a mental note to try it, but my recommendation remains with the savory. Perierra also has a shake menu that taunts me with the Coconut, Basil, and Avocado, in particular, but none are vegan. There is an invigorating and filling berry based fruit smoothie ($5); just block all thoughts of that amazing shake from your mind and remember that Sip exists.

The crepes themselves are quite large, and I’ve shared on all my visits. I would not order an entire one for myself. At $6-8 per crepe, splitting is also a way to preserve your cash flow, especially if this is a late night stop. The staff is sweet and happy to help personalize your crepe, and speedy with the actual crepe making. You can take your folded pancake to go, sit at the picnic tables populating the cart, or even on the ground; this former parking lot is a place for impromptu late night picnics. As a vegan, I’m giving Perrierra major credit for adding a homemade, vegan, and gluten free crepe to its menu. Their vegan crepes are a considerate addition to French fries, fried pies and Soyrizo burritos in that magical cart village. And I swear, every crepe I’ve tried has been better than the last.

Sweet Crepe:

Expect a better photo of a savory vegan crepe soon! If anyone has one, we’re happy to include it.

Check out the Village Creperey cart and Tour de Crepes for more vegan crepe options in town.

→ 2 CommentsCategories: SE · breakfast · cart · crepes · dessert · french · gluten free · jess · late night

Nhut Quang

June 11, 2009 · 29 Comments

UPDATED 6/11/2009

We have received the tragic word that Nhut Quang has closed in its current location. We had an update in the works for this review, as one Stumptown Vegan really found herself falling for this charmingly nondescript, delicious restaurant during the past year. I am sorry this update did not make it in time. In particular, this reviewer has this to say about #19, RIP, the BBQ Roasted Gluten:

The tender and chewy gluten featured in this Vietnamese dish is unlike any I’ve encountered elsewhere. Mingling with green onions, a unique BBQ sauce, and served with brown rice, it was instantly my new favorite dish in town. The owner is a passionate, friendly vegan Buddhist who is a treat to talk to, and support. The vegan eggrolls, Vietnamese crepe, Roasted Gluten bun and classic pho are all recommended as well.

The Stumptown Vegans will notifiy you if we hear about the owner opening a new restaurant.

Time Visited: 2

Often referred to as Van Hanh’s NE sibling, 1. because I am sure I’d slaughter the name if I said it out loud and, 2. because the menu is similar.

If Nhut Quang was being judged only on atmosphere they would be in trouble. This little restaurant is connected to a gas station on NE Fremont and NE 82nd, between Honey Suckles and Pussycats, if you know your East side gentlemen’s clubs. The first time we visited we missed it because it didn’t seem like a likely location. Even once we entered it still didn’t seem like a likely location. Being the only people it felt very lonely. The walls are each different shades of green and blue without any other decoration besides a lone clock – ticking. If there was any other noise than the kitchen, like some music, the clock wouldn’t be a problem. The tick-tok of each movement reminded us of our mortality. After the second visit we decided it’s too uncomfortable to go back, but we would order our food to-go.

We’ve ordered just a sampling of the vast menu – Bird’s Nest Noodles, Pho, summer rolls, steamed bun, potato rolls, tofu dishes, and a combo. The sign boasts all vegan so we went for it all. All the food reminded me of the SE 82nd Asian market, Fubonn, from the mass amount of fake meats to the noodles and the sauces. It didn’t seem fresh or unique, but straight from a plastic wrapped package or bottle.

The Pho had a gritty broth as if a vegetable bullion has just been dissolved in boiling water. Then a round package of noodles was placed in, followed by some vegetables, fake meat, served with some fresh herbs. A similar recipe followed the other dishes. This isn’t to say the dishes weren’t good, they just weren’t fresh like the dishes at Pho Green Papaya or Bay Leaf ’s quality.

The dishes were good in a cheap Vietnamese restaurant way, which is perfect because that’s what Nhut Quang is – Vietnamese and cheap. The steamed buns were good, as were the salad rolls. Unfortunately, there’s not much to say about them. It’s the kind of food I used to eat when I’d drop by a Vietnamese friend’s house unexpected and she’d cook up something quickly.

This isn’t to say that I wouldn’t go back, it’s just located father from my house than I’d prefer to go for Vietnamese food. I could list off other places I’d recommend, but if Nhut Quang was in my neighborhood, I’d visit more often. If Nhut Quang is in your neighborhood, or you’re a big fan of Fubbon or Van Hanh – check this place out and help me fill in the gaps as to why I don’t have much to say about the food.

Pho:

Bird’s Nest:

Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce:

Steamed Potato Bun:

Potato Rolls:

Fried Tofu:

Broccoli Combo:

Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Location: 3438 NE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR 97213
Hours: Mon-Tue and Thus-Sat 9am-9pm, Closed Wednesday, Sun 10am-9pm

→ 29 CommentsCategories: NE · all vegan · cheap · dinner · lunch · soup · updated · vietnamese · webly

SoupCycle

June 7, 2009 · 2 Comments

SoupCycle Brief Review
Overall	Service	Food Quality	Atmosphere	Vegan Options
8.6	9	8	n/a	9
Location: Close-in East side, Downtown area, and NE to killingsworth 503-320-9610
Hours: Close-in East side Tuesday between 9am-6pm Close-in West side Tuesday between 9am-6pm			Times Visited: 6

SoupCycle may not be a restaurant, but a food delivery service offering vegan options so it’s on our radar. SoupCycle is owned by two Portland entrepreneurs, Jed and Shauna, who started delivering soup, salad, and bread to close-in SE Portlanders last year and have since expanded their delivery area to include most of inner Portland, and their staff, to three. Check out their map to see if you within their boundary, also known as Souplandistan.

The soupy duo has built a simple business model of supplying soup to soup-loving Portlanders, also known as Soupatarians. On their website you can sign up for a Soupscription and select the soup you want delivered the following week – vegan, vegetarian, or meat for $4.50, for 16 oz. and $9 for 1 quart. You can add a salad ($4) or bread ($1) to the delivery for an additional charge. An oder of a 16 oz. vegan soup and an order of bread is enough for an enjoyable meal for one. If you prefer large portions, order the quart, or the soup, salad, and bread.

Delivered for $7, my weekly order is a 16 ounce vegan soup and two pieces of bead. Deliveries are made Tuesday and Wednesday, depending on your location. In full disclosure, I was pretty unhappy with my first order due to the delivery time being “sometime during the day”, no specific time, even after a phone call, but I have since found great love for SoupCycle and have moved past this. If you’re smarter than me then on your first delivery you will not expect the soup to be delivered at lunch or dinnertime specifically, or even hot because you will have read their full FAQ on their website. The cold soup will be delivered in a plastic container sometime on the assigned day for you to reheat later. Their cute website will explain all this in detail including the perfect reheat temperature. If you will not be home during the delivery, some soupatarians leave a cooler for their soup to remain fresh on their porch.

The soups usually have cute names and contain mostly local, organic ingredients. I have sampled the following: Coconut Curry Carrot, Won’t You Bean My Neighbor, Coconut Yum, Potato Kale, The Cumin Chihuahua, and French Lentil. All soups come with a label listing the ingredients and an “enjoy by” date. Freezing and thawing soups has not been a problem for the taste or texture of the soups. If I was a low-sodium food coinnesseur I would appreciate the mild salt within each soup, but being a spice-wimp I do like the mild heat. If they could deliver a vial of fancy sea salt and hot sauce to match the soup then all would be pleased, but I understand that’s not possible to please all. Throw in your own flavored salt and heat and let these two additions bring out the flavors of all the spices.

The Curry Carrot and French Lentil soups have been my favorite so far because of their combination of strong spices. The Curry Carrot is a sweet and spicey soup, hastfully blended with coconut milk so it’s not entirely drinkable but perfectly slurpable. The French Lentil is thick with firm lentils in a tomato, red wine vinegar broth. This soup surprised me because the pleasant mustard flavor that was not overwhelming, instead it was warming and very much complimented the earthy lentil taste.

The bread is amazing in a chewy, rustic way. This was my first experience with Little T American Baker, and I cannot wait to visit this Clinton neighborhood bakery. The slices have been inconsistent in size, so savor evey bite. I suggest toasting it before enjoying. The salad has been less than stellar more than once so I’ve since skipped ordering this addition. The mixed greens, shredded carrots, sunflower seeds, and tomatoes have always been freash and crisp, but the bean sprouts on top have come soggy and slimy. Other weeks salads have had dried cranberries in lew of slimy bean sprouts. The salad is worth ordering for the dressing alone. It is an addictive nutritional yeast and tahini sauce, somewhat reminiscent of Yumm sauce or The Whole Bowl sauce in its ability to encourage plate licking entertaining both the sweet and tangy taste buds.

There is a $3 delivery charge for orders under $18. If you live with many people, or can get enough co-workers together to order soup, then it will be free. You can pay for your Soupscription in person when it’s delivered (assuming you’re available all day) or on a reoccurring payment plan with a credit card. Soups do need to be ordered the Friday before the delivery, so plan ahead.

SoupCycle’s stance for building a sustainable business is admirable and I can’t wait for their switch to soup delivered in returnable mason jars over plastic containers, which is planned. SoupCycle will add to your love of Portland with their local and organic food, bike delivery, and entrepreneural spirit. Other soup options or downtown delivery options include: No Fish Go Fish, Savor Soup House Cart, Portland Soup Company, just to name a few. Or if you’re intregued by thhe rise of local companies delivering products by bike, check out this Bike Portland resource.

Jed and his transport:

soup_cycle

Salad:
SC_Salad

Coconut Yum:
SC_CoconutYum

The Cumin Chihuahua (corn tortilla not delivered by SoupCycle):
SC_Cumin

Lentil:

SC_Lentil

Potato Kale:
SC_Potato_Kale

→ 2 CommentsCategories: NE · NW · SE · SW · business lunch · delivery · downtown · soup · webly

Bombay Chaat House

June 2, 2009 · 6 Comments

Bombay Chaat House Brief Review
Overall	Service	Food Quality	Atmosphere	Vegan Options
9.6	10	9	10	9.5
Location: SW 12th and SW Yamhill parking lot Portland, OR 97205
Hours: 11am-6pm M-F, 11am-4pm Sat			Times Visited: 3

Whatever side of the original India Chaat House break up you were on, or couldn’t care less about, the new Bombay Chaat House is where the more reliably delicious lunch special is being served. Three lunch visits have brought about this confirmation that was more like a revelation, for a former India Chaat House (ICH) groupie, no less. Check out the comments on this Portland Food Carts post for more talk on the split.

Hungry and coming up to the corner of SW 12th and Yamhill, you’re faced with two options. The original ICH, a dear cart that was our first review ever, and the bold red and green newcomer to its left. The old co-owner, Avtar, of the original cart and her family opened this new cart next to the ICH, which is under new management. The two Big Big Big Lunch Specials I’ve experienced at the original, since the split, have been alright, but I have to admit that overall the food was blander and and lacked spice, the naan was tougher, and the rice just wasn’t the same. I don’t know if they were simply using a cheaper variety of rice or Abtar took the magic spices with her, but it wasn’t something my fork wanted to return to.

My first lunch special ($5.00) from the Bombay Chaat House (BCC) was served quickly by a friendly young man I’ve seen before at the original ICH, and it almost blew my mind how much better it was than my last two meals on that block. It had the same components as its neighbors, naturally: it was served in a plastic container, it was gigantic, there was naan, three dishes and rice. Yet never before had I thought, “I could eat a bowl of this thick Dal Tarka”, but here the thought crossed my mind. The rice was fluffy, the portion of deep spinach Saag was generous, and the Aloo Channa was wonderfully saucy and the best version of the dish I could remember in years. And the naan – it was better than any I’d had before in my life! It was tender, warm, and on top of that, it was huge. I ripped off a piece, dipped it in the complimentary, obligatory hot sauce, moved onto the Aloo Channa and my day improved. Both of my subsequent visits featured similar lunch specials of fantastic quality. On one visit, there was a non-vegan Palak Paneer component, but it was subbed with additional flavorsome Vegetable Masala, consisting of peas, carrots, cauliflower, and more. I’ve heard from other cart-goers that they’ve seen more all-vegan specials and the cart has made vegan versions on the spot of other dishes.

Besides the obvious, thrilling jump-in quality, let’s face facts – BCC is blatantly cutting its competitor’s set lunch price by 50 cents and was the first to offer complimentary small cups of soy chai with each order, which the original cart is now doing. Not to mention there are extra outdoor tables here, offering you the choice of sitting under the small roof or outside at a cute table for one or two.

Again, despite the controversy, it makes sense that you’ll see customers, such as myself, deciding on the all vegetarian Indian cart with a cheaper, higher quality lunch special. You can see where my vote lies, but I’m not ruling out the original entirely. Check them both out, try some meals from the rest of the menu, and see if one has something you like more than the other and switch things up! If you think one cart has tastier pakoras or chaat items, don’t be shy about it. The Stumptown Vegans think the ICH made amazing garlic naan that we’ve raved repeatedly, but we’ve yet to see how BCC compares. If there’s enough support, why not see both of these carts thrive?

$5 Lunch Special:
Bombay Chaat House