Grounds and Greens - Fort Langley Plant Based Cafe

Actually, this will be the fourth time that we have posted about Grounds and Greens including the original White Rock location and location number 2 in Fort Langley. This time I was inspired to post because I noticed that for Veganuary they had a special item on the menu!

They didn't have their shingle up the first time we were here! 

We arrived on a busy Saturday afternoon but were fortunate to be able to get a table right away. In fact it took us longer to find a parking spot than to get a table as FL has long been one of those charming little towns where people like to go for a sunny day stroll but has limited parking.

We started with a couple of coffees which we don't often do (we're water drinking people). One of these was an Americano and the other was their new Almond Butter Date which was very tasty. I might even go as far as to call it yummy except that yummy is a word that children use and not food bloggers! Oops! I used it and now there is just no way to edit it out.

We started with their Green Toastie, one of the few main menu items we have not yet tried. This begins with a pea-edamame hummus on toast and continues with many tasty items including tomato jam and tofu feta. Very nice! They do a great Ceasar salad here as well and we have had it quite often. I would have no problem with just a big Caesar salad for lunch! 

The Veganuary special was Birria Tacos. Before going vegan, I went on a run trying every birria (the dead animal kind) taco that I could find in Metro Vancouver. We have only had vegan birria tacos once and that was at Top Rope Birria, a food truck usually parked at Strange Bedfellows Brewing on Clarke Drive in Vancouver. They are the birria experts. Unfortunately, I am usually thinking about quesabirria when I think of these namely, with a melted cheese layer on the outside. These were very good for what they were (namely not quesabirria). I think they were using soy curls for meat with melty cheese inside. The broth was tasty enough but my experience has been with a stronger flavoured broth.

We finished with a couple of baked items. Mharie loves a croissant and this one was excellent.

And this date bar was also amazing. So rich and full of dates (obviously) and very satisfying.

We rarely go to places multiple times because I have been interested in getting the word out about all the vegan joints that are around here. Grounds and Greens is one of the exceptions because they have such a varied menu (lots to try) and the kitchen is creative and does an excellent job. If you haven't been already make sure you give them a try. You will not regret it.

Food                                          5 out of 5

Vegan Options Available           5 out of 5

Comfort                                     4 out of 5

Service                                      5 out of 5

Value                                         5 out of 5

                                                     

Ba Bar South Lake Union, Seattle - Vegan Options

On Monday morning as we packed to return home, we changed our lunch plan from another burger/biscuit/fried vegan stuff place to vegan Asain fusion and we were not sorry. This turned out to be our best Seattle plant-based meal.

Again many thanks to Vegan Twosome (although research would have revealed this place) for their YouTube review. Since it was a Monday and not a US stat, it was quiet at Ba Bar when we arrived in the late morning.

Ba Bar is not a vegan restaurant but they do have a dedicated plant-based menu among their offerings. We started with their Chick Pea Miso Eggplant. This was perfectly baked eggplant slices and the glaze was wonderful. I'm not even sure how the chickpeas figured into the glaze but it worked and this was a skillfully prepared dish and one of the most creative that we have tried in a while.

Also punching well above its weight was the Baby Kale and Quinoa Salad. It was more than we expected as we were just trying to work some greens into our vacation diet but the vegan fish sauce dressing knocked it out of the park. This also included baked chick peas and fried shallots. Amazing!

The Farmers Tamarind Soup was also something we had never quite experienced and was rewarding. The slightly tart tamarind base was complimented by a nice jumble of greens, lemongrass tofu, rice noodles and roasted vegetables. One of the most warming and satisfying dishes we have experienced!

And we are always suckers for Laksa. Their Sweet Potato Laksa started with red curry, coconut milk and sweet potato. From there we enjoyed tofu 2 ways as puffs and cracking! With rice noodles, some greens, sprouts and fried shallots, we gave this version of laksa full marks just like everything else here.

So definitely our favourite Seattle meal and a place that we would love to have next door. The staff were very friendly by the way and shared our enthusiasm for the vegan menu. 

Sadly, we won't likely be back soon to try more of the menu items. Since more than half of Americans have voted for a president who has promised to try to hurt their friends to the north, we will choose to keep our weak dollars at home. The former game show host has chosen to be ultimate selfish in his politics and apparently the majority of Americans are with him on that. How long before those voters realize that his politics will only benefit the rich? It is a sad state of affairs and I cannot imagine Canadians treating their friends in the same way but we are going to need to circle the wagons. Hopefully, we'll see you in 4 years.

Food                                5 out of 5

Vegan Options                 4 out of 5

Comfort                           4 out of 5

Service                             5 out of 5

Value                               4 1/2 out of 5

Voodoo Doughnut, Seattle - Vegan Options

This was not our first visit to Voodoo Donuts but it was my first as a vegan! We had lined up on occasion, in the distant past, in Portland, eager to keep Portland weird but less eager (at the time) to exercise compassion towards all living beings.

My insanely early morning walks led me past a rare no-lineup Voodoo Donut which had opened a mere 3 weeks ago (which explained the huge line when we walked past last evening after dinner and Cinnaholic) at the corner of Pine Street and Minor Avenue. So I decided to bring some donuts home to my sleeping wife.

You just know that an Apple Fritter was on my list. This was a pretty good fritter but how could it not be? Just in case you didn't already know, Voodoo is not plant-based but has quite a number of vegan options. It makes me wonder why they don't go fully vegan...would that be much simpler?

We bought 3 other doughnuts and ended up taking them home to munch on over the course of the next couple of days. This one looks like a maple-flavoured donut which is why I pointed at it. A closer look reveals the crushed peanut topping and sure enough, it is not maple but peanut butter icing. It was a tiny bit dry as pb tends to be. In this photo, it's a little worse for wear thanks to transport. Still a tasty thing.

I think that this donut is actually called Dirt. Doesn't sound too appetizing but Voodoo has a few weirdly named donuts that are never the less delicious. Dirt is chocolate so don't avoid it in this case.

I guess this is supposed to be scary. Sort of a stake through the heart donut. It was just a tasty long John (at least we used to call them that). Everyone likes Voodoo Doughnuts but not everyone knows that they have vegan options.

Now you know.

Food                    4 1/2 out of 5

Vegan Options     4 out of 5

Comfort               Take out

Service                 4 1/2 out of 5

Value                    4 out of 5

Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls, Seattle - Vegan Treats

Cinnaholic is a little quiet about the fact that they are plant-based but of course, that is a well known fact within the vegan sphere. The rest of you folks would never know the difference, that I can guarantee. On our walk home from Plum Bistro, we decided to stop for some dessert, or at least to get some dessert for later.

They are located on East Pike, just below Broadway. but it turns out there is close to one hundred other locations! Oh my God, they got money on Shark Tank and I had never even heard of them. I should come out from under my rock more often!

Anyway, we ordered 2 cinnamon buns to go. We like to start with at least the basic (if you can call this basic) just to be able to comment on the concept! Our comment is....cinnamon bun great! Seriously, this was so rich and buttery with really nice cinnamon flavour and wonderful cream cheese style icing. You have the option of picking your own frosting and toppings, the choices of which are many.

Our second choice was one of their creations (which change regularly if I understand correctly), the Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Roll. This very nearly brought tears to my eyes which would have been quite embarrassing for my wife. My only problem with Cinnaholic is that they post the number of calories in their baked goods. I didn't want to know but just couldn't look away! I won't ruin it for you but will just say that if you run 6 miles after eating this, you should have burned it off. Totally worth it! 

Its not just about cinnamon rolls here. They have lots of great stuff including some cakes that will feed multiple sweet toothed people. 

This was an incredible treat. There is some window seating here and to me a coffee and one of these buns while watching the world walk by on Pike Street would be time well spent. BTW, the folks working here were welcoming and friendly and put up with my lame calorie jokes.

Food                             5 out of 5

Vegan Options             5 out of 5

Comfort                        4 out of 5

Value                            4 1/2 out of 5

Value                            5 out of 5                     

Plum Bistro, Seattle - Vegan Restaurant

I wanted so badly, for this to be our favourite vegan meal in Seattle. Makini Howell, at the head of this small empire, is featured in a New York Times article as one of 16 African American chefs  who are changing food in America. It's behind a paywall and I am too cheap to pay for news but I think she is the only one who is vegan. She grew up in a family that was vegan and was the personal chef to Stevie Wonder for a year (Wow). Her cookbook, Simple Goodness, is available for pre-order now! Everything aligned for us to be so impressed!

We made a reservation, even though there is some confusion about whether they even accept reservations... but we really didn't need one! Located on 12th Avenue near East Pike, we were early enough on a Sunday evening that things were quiet.

We started with their famous Mac & Yease. We assumed that the name is a play on the inclusion of nutritional yeast, the vegan secret weapon! In fact, the yeast was a wonderful accent to a very satisfying dish. Our friends at Vegan Twosome found the dish to be a little expensive but considering the substantial (and delicious) nature of it, we didn't mind the price. It was certainly not your typical Kraft Dinner so don't expect that. This was much more casserole-like (?) with evidence of baked breadcrumb topping.

Next up were the Chipotle Plant Beef and Refried Bean Tosatdas. At $26, this was the dish that might be overpriced but we enjoyed it anyway. Pretty much what would you expect from vegan tostadas? They were flavourful, fresh, and had some crunch and a beefy taste. 

We liked Baba's Tofustarami Reuben as well. It was a little on the greasy side when I picked it up but it was an excellent Reuben. Using thinly shaved tofu with pastrami spices is a creative and successful way to arrive at this sandwich meat. Vegan provolone cheese, Thousand Islands, grilled onion and pickled cabbage (instead of sauerkraut) made for a complete treat. The fries were meh.

This experience would all have been great but we had one problem with Plum Bistro. They pay their staff a living wage (Good God! That is not what we object to!) just like Folke in Vancouver, BC. When you go to Folke, you know in advance that tipping is not expected and that the restaurant prices cover the living wage. Here at Plum Bistro they pay a living wage but it is covered by a 20% service charge (so says the small print) on top of the restaurant prices. The explanation of the living wage does not really suggest tipping is not necessary but explains that if you leave a tip it goes directly to your server. Our server was a good guy and I felt obliged to tip him in addition to the 20%. Later, I felt a little bad about being generous (kind of a stupid way to feel) because I felt a little, like I was suckered a bit. My problem was that I did not think it out in advance. 

Good food. Shitty tipping policy explanation.

Food                                 4 out of 5

Vegan Options                  5 out of 5

Comfort                            4 out of 5

Service                             4 out of 5

Value                                3 1/2 out of 5

Georgetown Liquor Company - Vegan Menu

I wouldn't have found out about the Georgetown Liquor Company if it weren't for the Vegan Twosome. Check out their YouTube review of this place. For us, it was a rainy Sunday morning when we showed up here just north of the King County International Airport at S Lucile and Airport Way.

This is a dark and noisy bar with punk rock that Shazam could not identify. It was not so loud as to negate the possibility of conversation but the music set the vibe and we kind of loved it! And of all things, a completely plant-based menu!

So I have this weakness for biscuits and gravy which is a very American and not very Canadian thing. In other words, if it is on the menu, we are ordering it. On the side we ordered tofu scramble and Oh My God, it may have been the best we have ever had. It was quite delicate just like scrambled eggs are meant to be (as I learned from Julia Child). The Biscuits and Sausage Gravy (this is a half order btw), were spectacular also! You should know that photography in this place was quite challenging!

Mharie helped me with this photo by providing some iPhone light. Not the best solution but at least you can see this Vegan Beef Dip. The beef is of the seitan variety and the stock was quite rich and maybe just a little too salty! The sandwich was finished with a smoky cheese sauce, roasted garlic aioli and roasted bell peppers. Very good. We got very good potato salad as a side.

We also tried the Street Tacos. We choose the Carne Asado Tacos, one of three housemade "meats" and they serve them with housemade sour cream. They  came with a side of tortilla chips and salsa as well. I was able to corner the chef (or maybe one of the chefs) and she was very enthusiastic. I think most vegan cooks or chefs have had experience with omnivore cooking and really enjoy the added level of creativity that is required to cook vegan meals! 

This was a pretty great place overall. The dark and noisy punk vibe complete with a vegan menu is something quite unique and we really enjoyed ourselves.

We're not drinkers as you may have noticed but we still loved Georgetown Liquor Company.

Food                              4 1/2 out of 5

Vegan Options               5 out of 5

Comfort                         4 1/2 out of 5

Service                           4 1/2 out of 5

Value        `                    4 1/2 out of 5

 

Plantiful Superfoods, Seattle - Vegan Cafe

As soon as I saw the word "Superfoods" in the name of this place, I was skeptical. Some foods are better for you and maybe some are not good for you, but there is no such thing as a superfood. It is a marketing word aimed at us, the masses. At least it's not as bad as the words "natural"' or "free range" or "low-calorie". And while we're on the subject of marketing, I have stopped watching any YouTube videos that have any kind of even mildly shocking or catastrophic terms in their titles. If you're that desperate for clicks, then I'm just not that interested...but I digress.

Before rejecting this little cafe, located at West Lake near Harrison in SLU, I at least checked the menu. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they have a fairly diverse and interesting menu! Of course, they have Acai Bowls and smoothies and adaptogenic lattes (WTF?) but they also have burgers, pizzas, bahn-mis and tots! Are tots a superfood now? Maybe I am wrong about this whole thing! We ordered some eats to go.

We ordered a couple of burgers (one as a combination with those superfood tots!) and you could choose your patty! One we ordered with the chik'n patty which I neglected to ask the origin of (other than I'm sure it was not from a chicken). The other we ordered with the Impossible Patty but you could also ask for Beyond or Field. Pretty impressive! This was the Habanero Burger and yes, it had a bit of a kick. It came with plant provolone. The briche buns were decent and we thought these were both impressive burgers for $15 each.

Next was the Napa Burger. This is the one with the Impossible patty but also sauteed mushrooms, their Umami Sauce, provolone, and even truffle oil! I really didn't notice the truffle which was probably good because people tend to get carried away with it. Another impressive burger for only $15!

This one looks like a bit of a mess, I know but that's what made it great! This is the Bahn Mi Dog. It was just a lot of tasty stuff thrown together on a bun for only $10.

So finally, we also scored a smoothie. My wife chose the Blueberry Bliss but I don't think she noticed that there were flax seeds in it (to which she is allergic). It's a good thing that I ate most of it! Pretty tasty and only $10.

So this was a flavourful and not too expensive meal. If I worked in the area (for Google or Amazon, no doubt) this might be my go-to lunch spot. You can indulge your wellness inclinations or go for a burger, all at decent prices. There was only one person working, but she was on top of things (not so busy on weekends, I am assuming). This place was a pleasant surprise!

Food                      4 out of 5

Vegan Options       5 out of 5

Comfort                 3 out of 5

Service                  4 out of 5

Value                     4 1/2 out of 5