Stumptown Vegans

Date: June 22, 2007
Times Visited: 1

Portland has some great Mediterranean restaurants, but few carts do it right. Alexander’s Great Falafel in Eugene spoiled my expectations for falafel from small carts. I can say Ugarit’s Falafel did not live up to Alexander’s Falafel.

I specified “no dairy” because sometimes yogurt finds its way into the tahini and Mohammad was nice enough to replace it with baba ganoush. Watching people make food is always interesting to me, not because I want to direct, but I just like to look at and learn from others’ techniques. Mohammad had me until I heard the microwave beep and out came my reheated falafel balls.

The Super Falafel was dry despite the hummus and baba ganoush; I was disappointed. What surprised me was the freshness of the lettuce and tomatoes.

With that said, it was just one visit and I will give it another shot. Other vegan items include: Dolmeh, Super Hummus Sandwich, Hummus Plate, Vegetable Rice, Mezza Plate along with baba ganoush and hummus. If Ugarit doesn’t work out for me there’s always Hush Hush to fill my quick lunch-time falafel needs.

As for the lack of photo, I am sorry. I took a couple and then they happened to fall out of my camera when I was ready to post this. I’ve been meaning to go back there all week to buy another for this post, but the thought of the dry falafel has been hard to bare. Soon! 

Rating: 3 out of 5
Address: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: Monday - Saturday 11-6:30pm

Date: June 6, 2007
Times Visited: 1

Like many vegans and vegetarians, I get really, even super, excited to eat at new restaurants when traveling. When inquiring on where to eat in Seattle, Teapot Vegetarian House seemed to be at the tip of everyone’s tongue. Yet, many people hadn’t eaten there themselves - it was simply ‘the’ place everyone else talks about. My partner and I dined at Bamboo Garden on our first visit to Seattle, and it was time to check out out Teapot on my recent work excursion. First off, we went to Teapot after taking the train from Portland, and walking from King Station to the restaurant itself. By the time we got there, we were famished - and I couldn’t have chosen a more satisfying experience for myself.

The atmosphere was calming and somewhat romantic, especially when the table of teenage girls left. We started with the eye-pleasing and stomach-teasing bobo platter. For one, having something like that served to me just made me feel special. Secondly, the fire is started once the platter comes to your table, and you get to roast the seitan skewers yourself. The platter also included sugar cane drumsticks, spring rolls, tofu rolls, wontons and three dipping sauces. We both realized the seitan skewers were by far the tastiest part, especially dipped in the buttery peanut sauce. Our collective least favorite were the tofu rolls, fried and containing nori. The drumsticks were extremely ‘chickeny’ and chewy, and required the sweet dipping sauce for consumption. I honestly liked the dipping sauces better than the entire platter, they were that good. I’m glad that I now know which appetizer to order individually next.

The entree options were certainly overwhelming, with over 45 main courses. Note that although there are photos of a few on the menu, some things may be different, such as the addition of vegetables. In the mood for noodles, I chose the Vietnamese Crispy Wide Noodles. When I read ‘crispy fried noodles’ I pictured just that, and that’s came - but not in a way I even realized could happen. The large noodles were seemingly lightly battered and fried, and were exactly what I didn’t know I was in the mood for! The sauce in the dish was right on: slightly sweet and garlickly. The vegetables were fresh and included lotus root,which I enjoyed for a first time. (JD)

I didn’t like what I ordered (Mandarin Crispy Tofu). However, I can easily see how it’s the house favorite. The appearance and the texture were both very good, but the taste seemed unbalanced. I needed something sweet in the sauce to counter the spice, which I even ordered “mild”.

I would definitely go back without a second thought. The service was fantastic, as well as the atmosphere. I believe I just ordered the wrong dish for me. (TS)

Unfortunately, Teapot was out of their signature, acclaimed tofu cheese cake, which I’ve heard happens frequently. We went with the Gula Malacca, wanting to try something new. Although the dish was missing the soy whipped creme as described on the menu, it was lovely. It was light yet decadent, and the perfect amount to share. There was just enough coconut sorbet to mingle with the other flavors of mocha, peanut and the tapioca pearls. I was sure throughout the meal to leave a bit of room for the cheesecake, and this subbed nicely.

Both of us haven’t been as satisfied with vegan asian food since our last meal at Grasshopper in Massachusetts. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely cherish Vege Thai and adore Bay Leaf, but they’re not on the same level. Basically, if I lived in Seattle, I’d be here once a month. (JD)

Bobo platter

Dipping sauces - Sweet, Peanut Sauce and Sesame.

Mandarin Crispy Tofu with brown rice

Vietnamese Crispy Wide Noodles

Gula Malacca

Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Location: 345 15th Ave. E. Seattle, WA 98112
Daily - 11AM - 10:30PM

June 12, 2007
Times Visited: Dozens

Vita was always explained to me as the Paradox of NE. However, over the years I think Vita has far surpassed Paradox in options. Even though they now serve meat, their vegan options are plentiful and always hit the spot. Vita is a great place to take the omni relatives so you know you’ll get a great vegan meal at a reasonable price.

Vita is often referred to as “comfort food.” While it’s true their Vegan Mac and Cheese, tempeh Chicken Fried Steak and seitan Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches are comfort foods, Vita’s menu extends to more complex dishes like the Sun-Dried Tomato Polenta dish with a ginger-carrot sauce and Super Grain Salad including currants and pumpkin seeds. I admire their “seasonal menu” options because it’s always nice to see a restaurant buy and cook local.

Some of our favorites include: Vegan Nachos, Vegan French Toast, Chicken Fried Steak, Tofurky Florentine, BLT, Caesar Salad, Mac and Cheese, Fish and Chips and Biscuits and Gravy.

The Vegan Nachos consists of crunchy corn chips that are topped with short-grain brown rice, chili with kidney beans and tvp, spicy cheesy sauce, guacamole, tofu sour cream, salsa and black olives. Simple yet filling. Watch out if you’re a fellow cilantro hater, it seems to be a new addition to their nachos.

The Vegan French Toast is a couple of thick sourdough bread slices dipped in Vita’s own vegan batter. The dish is served with vegan margarine and your choice of coconut syrup or maple syrup. If you’re a fan of sweet breakfasts go with the maple syrup as the coconut syrup is not too sweet.

The Chicken Fried Steak, perhaps the most talked about, is a slab of tempeh, battered and fried. The result is a wonderfully crispy steak with a side of mashed potatoes, that’s all covered in a slightly sweet almond gravy.

The Torfurky Floretine is perfection. Well, that’s what my frequent dinning companion would say. Vegan biscuits topped with marinaded tofu, tofurky slices, steamed spinach all topped with a tangy hollandaise sauce. Ask for it with a side of home fires and you have a meal made for the hungriest of people.

The Sun-Dried Polenta features a beautiful presentation, if only the flavors tasted as beautiful in my mouth. The deep colors of orange carrots, yellow polenta and red beets made we feel warm just looking at the dish. The sun dried tomato infused polenta itself had a great firm texture and tasted great but I wanted a deeper flavor to go with the dish instead of a tart carrot-ginger sauce. I wouldn’t order this dish again.

The Mac and Cheese is a dish that seems to vary with the cook. Some days it is a flavorful dish and some days it has just barely enough cheesy sauce to cover the pasta. I recommend adding either the fried tempeh or the broccoli and some extra salt and pepper.

The Fish and Chips is always my fall back option. I love a fried dish when my stomach can handle it. Thick cut french fries and tofu wedges dipped in a flavorful batter and fried served with a dill tarter sauce and malt vinegar.

For dessert Vita provides cakes, pies and other sweets from Piece of Cake and sometimes Sweetpea Baking Company. I always recommend Sweetpea Baking products. If you’re not happy with it, call me and I’ll finish your dessert! It’s always a good idea, but odd, to ask how old the cake is to avoid paying $4 for a piece of stale, flavorless cake. Take a look and see how many slices are left if you don’t want to ask.

With Vita’s added menu items involving meat and eggs, some haven’t been happy with the change, but it seems it’s been great for business. I’ve watched Vita change from a primarily veg*an punk restaurant to a diverse, family-friendly, neighborhood cafe. The decor now resembles an average Northwest cafe or diner with bright colored walls and interesting art pieces, including the shelf made of bike frames.

The high-back booths are great for large parties and provide a lot of privacy, which is nice because the restaurant can get loud some evenings. The new outside seating has been a great addition to Vita. Bocce ball, wi-fi, the unique fence and art, your pup and unbrella covered picnic tables make it a wonderful place on warm days.

If you haven’t been to Vita in awhile, go experience it again. They recently remodeled after a fire and have probably added items to their menu. If you’re vegan and have never been there, check it out, specifically something fried!

Daily Soup:

Vita Tofu Scramble with Potatoes and Toast:

Chicken Fried Steak

Vegan Nachos

Vegan Mac and Cheese with breaded tempeh

Fish and Chips

Daily Special - Ribs

Sundried Tomato Polenta:

Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Location: 3024 NE Alberta Portland, OR
Hours: Sun-Thu 8am-10pm Fri-Sat 8am-11pm

June 10, 2007
Times Visited: 4

Half and Half is situated in the middle of “Indie Block,” next to Rocco’s, Reading Frenzy and Billy Galaxy. There are cool trinkets to buy, some candy (including chic-o-sticks!) and of course coffee drinks and sandwiches, some vegan, some not.

Half and Half is cute and fairly quick. My tempeh/lettuce/tomato sandwich itself was certainly decent, and I appreciated the well toasted bread and inclusion of avocado, but it was lacking something. Maybe it was the fact that for $6, this sandwich only came with a few small pickle slices. At Red & Black Cafe, I can get a similar sandwich with more zing and a big side of chips. We both agreed that specifically, the tempeh was lacking the ‘bacon’ flavor, or any smoky, noticeable flavor, for that matter.

Overall, I’ll stop by again, since it’s downtown and adorable, cheaper than Great Harvest, but it’s not our top list. Plus, it’s pretty painful to look at a chocolate creme pie and then realize the vegan options are scones.

TLTA

Rating: 3 out of 5.
Location: 923 SW Oak St Portland, OR 97205
Hours:Mon-Fri 7:30am-7:30pm, Sat 9am-7:30pm, Sun 9am-6pm