by | November 20, 2010

Maggie Mudd

Maggie Mudd, Brief Review
Overall Service Food Quality Atmosphere Vegan Options
9.25 9 8 8 9
Location: San Francisco, CA
Recommended Dish: Banana Split
Hours: Mon-Thu: 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday 3:00pm-11:00pm
Sat: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Sun: 11:00am – 9:00pm
 Times Visited: 3

The Stumptown Vegans Travel!

Maggie Mudd is a nondescript ice cream shop in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.  In addition to dairy ice cream, they have been serving up unique homemade flavors of non-dairy ice cream for years.  Vegan ice cream options include soy and coconut-based treats.  Flavors range from Vanilla to Rocky Road.  Yes, vegan Rocky Road!  The options rotate but their set list of flavors is always around for custom orders.

While a plain coconut-based Mango ice cream in a sugar or waffle cone may be enough for some, they offer much more, such as sundaes, shakes, and ice cream cakes! The cakes are all custom order, and in a way, the sundaes and shakes are also custom order, but there is a short waiting period of about five minutes while they prepare your treat. Take your time to flip through the cake book to see what you didn’t order – but don’t let your eyes be bigger than your stomach – everything looks delicious!

Coconut-based ice creams typically leave a bitter flavor in my mouth, so I tend to avoid them, but Maggie Mudd’s coconut ice creams are an exception.  They seem to understand that not all flavors they use soy can be made into coconut-based ice cream.  The majority of the fruit flavors are made with coconut, while the soy is paired with richer chocolate and peanut butter flavors (a combination that is difficult to avoid in this shop).  Both bases are creamy, smooth, but a little on the too-soft side for ice cream cones.  This problem seems typical for non-commercial non-dairy ice cream.

Maggie Mudd offers great vegan sundae toppings from hot fudge, to sprinkles, to whipped cream.  I enjoyed the most extravagant Banana Split in a waffle boat. It had three different kinds of ice cream (Chocolate, Strawberry, and Coconut), hot fudge, peanuts, sprinkles, whipped cream, and of course, a cherry on the top!  This was all for only $7.50. This dessert is more like a meal for one, or a nice dessert for two to three.

The two shakes (Smores, and Chocolate Caramel) I have tried have been too sweet for my sweet tooth. Adding chocolate syrup to chocolate ice cream and marshmallow cream creates a mash of flavors where nothing stands out above the others or textures. The presentation of the caramel and marshmallow cream on the side of the plastic to-go cup was very pretty.  I’d like to try the other shake combinations that included chunks of cookies, nuts, or fruit instead of a smooth blend of good, but unidentifiable, sweetness.

The store front is small while the hand crafted dairy-free ice cream selection is big.  The seating arrangements is less than optimal with a few tall tables, but it seems most people take their order to-go. Maggie Mudd is a great addition to San Francisco’s vegan options, a specialty Portland is missing.  As a bonus, they are open later for your random cravings. This indulgence shouldn’t be skipped over on your next Bay area gastro-tour.

Banana Split:

Smores Shake:

3 Comments

Filed under webly, travel, dessert, all vegetarian, san francisco, date

by | November 16, 2010

Travel Feature: The Stand in Laguna Beach, CA


Name of Establishment: The Stand
How Vegan-Friendly is it? 100%
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
238 Thalia Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-8101
7am-7pm daily
What’s comparable in PDX? Papa G’s crossed with an organic taco cart with a few boxes of Boca burgers thrown in.
Times Visited: 3
Recommended Dishes: Tamales, guacamole, smoothies
Why it’s worth the journey: To quote the friend that recommended it, it’s “a lifesaver” in an area one would think is remarkably vegan friendlier, in regards to entrées.

Thoughts from the Stumptown Vegans:

The Stand is located mere minutes from the Pacific Ocean in this Orange County travel destination.  While the word vegetarian is thrown around their menu, the staff clarified something great: they’re all vegan! I don’t know why the label is missing, but vegetarian does fit more with the 1970s feel of the walk up window establishment. To put this into terms Portlanders understand, The Stand seems to be the closest thing in Laguna Beach to a food cart.

It’s a small attachment – a stand, if you will – to a red barn housing a bike shop, with a window for ordering and pick up. Spend a few (or 10) minutes perusing the extensive menu of plates, tamales, tacos, burgers, burritos, and juices that’s painted on the wall around the counter. Place your order, pay with cash or card, wait a few more minutes, and take your meal to one of their handful of shaded tables on the side patio, or down to the beach.

The designer of The Stand’s menu is clearly a fan of variety. Nearly everything is available as a full plate, or with various sides, or a la cart, etc. I ordered the highly recommended tamale on my first visit. I considered one of the creative burger ensembles all over their menu and display board, but I was forewarned by the young woman working that the burgers were so huge, they were difficult to bite into – and that they weren’t even housemade patties. Not seeing the point in ordering what was revealed as Boca burgers (outside of a hypothetical, middle-of-nowhere trip to Denny’s), I quickly became a convert to their large tamales and creamy guacamole.

The firm corn layer of the tamale is thicker than I’ve had before, and encases a mild, but fresh filling of saucy, simmered beans and vegetables. This wholesome, filling tamale, a side of chips, and the outstandingly fresh guacamole made for one heck of a dinner – which was technically the Tamale with Beans and Guacamole ($6.95) with a side of chips. I’m not using ‘outstanding’ lightly here, I’d even call it dreamy. It was lightly spiced, flavored with lime, salt, and made from avocados clearly so fresh, they deserve these words. The side of beans was again, light on the spice, but generous in portion and filling. I was tipped off that I should order the hot salsa vs. the mild original, and if you like heat, take the tip. It has much more going on. than the mild.

My second visit included more guacamole, another tamale, and something appalling: plastic wrap. A warning about how dishes are served: while casually dining at the patio you receive a possibly biodegradable plate, cup, and utensils; if you take it to go, the whole thing is wrapped in plastic wrap. I almost couldn’t decide if the sight of locally made Have’ A Chips in a small paper tray, then wrapped in plastic, is more frightening or funny. I know I live in the Portland bubble of eco-friendliness, but whenever a vegan/vegetarian establishment does something like this, it hurts my head. I would have gladly walked away with an unwrapped plate had I known (and they had not been closing shortly). The actual order was similar to my last: Tamale Plate ($7.50) with a side of chips and guac, which came with a side of cabbage slaw with an Asian sweet and sour dressing.

My final visit was a quick one – a smoothie to go. The Stand has a versatile selection of vegan fruit shakes and smoothies made with nut milk. This includes suggestions, of which you’re allowed to add whatever you like, including dates, for extra sweetness.  My smoothie had cashew milk, mango, papaya and fig, as per the staff’s recommendation, and was thick, creamy, and substantial – and served in a biodegradable, recycled cup, to boot. If you’re looking for something fruitier, opt for a fruit shake.

There are other vegan options in Laguna Beach, such as Taco Loco and Peony Chinese, but The Stand has the largest menu, by far. Long, guacamole-obsessed story short: if you’re vegan and in Laguna Beach, you’re going to be eating here, and you should make sure to get guacamole.

Tamale with Beans and Guacamole:


1 Comment

Filed under jess, travel, all vegan, all vegetarian, to go, Laguna Beach, California

by | November 9, 2010

Gin Northern Thai

Gin Thai, Brief Review
Overall Service Food Quality Atmosphere Vegan Options
9.25 9 10 9 9
Location: SW 3rd between Washington and Stark
Recommended Dish: Khao Soi
Hours: 11am – 4:30pm
 Times Visited: 7

Occasionally, reviews are difficult to construct because there is little to enjoy, or perhaps, too much.  Gin Northern Thai falls into a new category for this reviewer – I can’t stop ordering the same thing!  See, the Stumptown Vegans prefer to give you a well-rounded review by sampling multiple dishes on multiple visits.  Gin seems to have cast a spell on me, where I look at the short menu, (all of which can be made vegan and with tofu) and my eyes stop while reading Khao Soi, and I start to salivate.  After wiping the corners of my mouth, I order.  Then, reality strikes, and I realize I’ve ordered the same item four times in a row! Bad reviewer! Bad!

The menu at Gin is different that what you will find at other Thai restaurants or carts – this is Northern Thai, so no Pad See Ew, or Pad Thai.  Instead, you’ll see more mild curries and sticky rice over fish sauce and coconut.

This whole review is to write about Khao Soi – my new favorite downtown cart option at any time.  This flavorful meal is as tasty as it is aromatic.  Angel hair rice noodles are covered in a sweet curry sauce and tofu.  Then, a small side of pickled mustard greens is added, then it’s all topped with finely chopped red onion, a lime wedge, fried shallots, chili oil, and cilantro, (if that’s your thing).  For $5.50, this dish is presented in a smaller , half-size compostable clam shell container lined with foil, but don’t let it fool you – this is a full meal.  Mix the toppings into the curry noodle combo and savor the way the sweet curry sauce mixes with the hot chili and tangy, pickled mustard greens.  Take pleasure in the way the smooth and creamy curry soaked noodles enter your mouth, the give of the pickled ginger, and the crunch of the fresh red onion; the perfect combination of textures.  For being a simple curry noodle dish, the Khao Soi goes far beyond the expectations of a cart meal.

The Pra Ram is decent in it’s smooth peanut flavor and the Garlic Fried Rice and Lettuce Wraps are good, too, but none of the other dishes have the complex layers of flavors and textures that the Khao Soi has, which is disappointing.  I would except the dishes from Gin to be of a greater category after tasting the Khao Soi, so it is disappointing to note that the other dishes are just basic.

There’s no reason not to try this cart, especially now that they have built a small covered deck to greet the rainy season.  Order the Khao Soi.  Then, on your next visit attempt to order something else – see if it casts the same spell over you.  Even if you ask the friendly wait staff what to order, they’ll provide the same recommendation: KHAO SOI!  If the spell isn’t cast over you and you want to spend your $5.50 on something else, make sure to ask for it vegan.

Khao Soi:

North Thai Style Noodle:

Spicy Garlic Fried Rice:

Lettuce Wraps:

Pra Ram:

The Cart:

Porch:

7 Comments

Filed under cart, cheap, downtown, favorites, gluten free, lunch, quick, SW, thai, to go, webly

by | November 5, 2010

Morning Glory Cafe

Morning Glory Cafe, Brief Review
Overall Service Food Quality Atmosphere Vegan Options
9.25 7 9 9 8
Location: 450 Willamette St, Eugene, OR 97401-2643 (541) 687-0709
Recommended Dish: The Owl & the Pussycat or The Fusion
Hours: 7:30am-3pm
 Times Visited: 17

Updated:
While the service at Morning Glory Cafe can be friendly and quick, it can also be curt and lagging.  However, this is not to say that you should avoid this Eugene vegetarian staple.  They are still serving the same great food with a rotating special menu.  Unless you’re trying to make a meat-hungry omni happy you’re dining companions are likely to find something to enjoy among their menu from gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, nut-free.  No matter your avoidance – let them know your allergy and they are likely to find something suiting your needs and desires.

I found the gluten-free vegan pancakes served with fruit and maple syrup to be amazingly fluffy, smooth, and tasteful for being made with spelt flour.  Topped with fruit, Earth Balance, and maple syrup, it was one of the best gluten-free breakfasts I’ve had.

Fall 2007:

Visiting Eugene is always a pleasant experience because it reminds me of more simple times, of a slower life that I’ve never lived. A town full of college kids finding their independence and creating art out of anything and everything. Morning Glory adds perfectly to that life-style. A small and cute vegetarian café next to the train station filled with art and hippies. If you just got off the train and this is your first experience with Eugene, it’s right on. The café is casual with customers of all life stages enjoying the local art and music. The food is local and organic with vegan options abound.

Morning Glory serves great breakfast comfort food with many vegan options. My top picks are generally off the sweet menu with the French Toast or Waffles with real maple syrup. However, I do fancy The Fusion for a more savory meal.

The French Toast and waffles aren’t anything too special, if vegan options are available. They are presented beautifully with your choice of fruit compote or maple syrup with soy butter. A kiss of powdered sugar and I could eat these for every meal.

The Fusion is a unique creation, similar to an omelet. A pan fried shredded potato cake, like a hash brown, is filled with sauted onions, mushrooms, firm marinated tofu cubes and spices. The potatoes are folded over to make a shell and is then topped with a dollop of homemade tofu sour cream. The meal makes you feel wholesome – a bit like a hippie.

The biscuits and gravy are large and filling. A full order comes with 4 biscuits and mushroom gravy. The gravy is thick with mushroom bits in it to add to the texture. If 4 biscuits is too big, try the half size to get your fill of great biscuits and gravy.

I suggest bringing a pre-breakfast snack if you have a hard time waiting for food on an empty stomach. The Morning Glory staff are very relaxed and seem like they are willing to do as little as possible, beyond making your wonderful food. Orders are taken at the counter, all water, utensils and condiments are self serve. If you wait around long enough your order will be served to your table. You will eat it and it will all be worth the wait.

Freshed Squeezed Grapefruit Juice:

Biscuits and Gravy and Glory Potatoes:

Biscuits and Gravy:
Morning Glory - Biscuits and Gravy

Spelt Waffles:

French Toast:
Morning Glory French Toast

The Fusion:
Morning Glory - Fusion

The Cafe:

9 Comments

Filed under all vegetarian, breakfast, coffee shop, Eugene, gluten free, local, lunch, organic, potatoes, seasonal, travel, updated, webly