VegLove has moved to Buffalo, NY, where I am pursuing my Ph.D. in psychology. Buffalo is probably best known for its wings, but they actually have a fantastic variety of ethnic and local foods, which I have already begun exploring.
My only disappointment thus far is that the Indian food I've tried (and I've tried three different restaurants) has not lived up to the offerings in Texas. I'd heard it would be better here, so that was a bit of a blow. But don't fear, dear readers, I will keep trying to find a suitable Indian restaurant.
I've otherwise been very impressed with most of the food I've had since moving. I've had great Thai, pizza, Italian, and diner food.
I hope to begin updating with more details, soon!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Corazon
Corazon is the new venture by the owners of the former Castle Hill Cafe and located in the same building. Based on Castle Hill's reputation, I had high expectations for this foray into Mexican cuisine. It would be an understatement to say my expectations were met. In my opinion, Corazon surpassed Castle Hill, which is extremely high praise.
To start, my family and I enjoyed their queso fundido, a mixture of melted Mexican white cheeses. Its smoking, creamy flavor humbled the standard "queso" served at most Tex-Mex restaurants.
Corazon only offers one vegetarian entree on their dinner menu, a potato-corn sope with wild mushrooms in verde sauce. In all sincerity, it was one of the best dishes I have ever tasted. A sope is a spongey patty made of corn and potatoes, similar to a gordita tortilla. Topping the sope were corn custard and a mixture of crimini and oyster mushrooms, which were the dish's signature note. Every bite was incredible, and after I cleaned my plate, I still wanted more.
For dessert, we shared the flan, bread pudding, and a coconut-banana cream torte. The bread pudding was the highlight. However, the flan was the only disappointment of the meal. It was tasty, but too rich in cream cheese, lacking the traditional flan flavor.
I envision Corazon becoming a new choice for my future special occasions.
Corazon
1101 W. 5th St.
Austin, TX 78703
To start, my family and I enjoyed their queso fundido, a mixture of melted Mexican white cheeses. Its smoking, creamy flavor humbled the standard "queso" served at most Tex-Mex restaurants.
Corazon only offers one vegetarian entree on their dinner menu, a potato-corn sope with wild mushrooms in verde sauce. In all sincerity, it was one of the best dishes I have ever tasted. A sope is a spongey patty made of corn and potatoes, similar to a gordita tortilla. Topping the sope were corn custard and a mixture of crimini and oyster mushrooms, which were the dish's signature note. Every bite was incredible, and after I cleaned my plate, I still wanted more.
For dessert, we shared the flan, bread pudding, and a coconut-banana cream torte. The bread pudding was the highlight. However, the flan was the only disappointment of the meal. It was tasty, but too rich in cream cheese, lacking the traditional flan flavor.
I envision Corazon becoming a new choice for my future special occasions.
Corazon
1101 W. 5th St.
Austin, TX 78703
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Flour Power Cafe
Ever since I first noticed Flour Power Cafe near my new neighborhood in San Antonio, I have thought it could either be very good or very disappointing. This weekend, my partner and I decided to take a gamble and try it. Although the sign is adorned with generic 60s-style "groovy" flowers, the decor inside is actually quite delightful. The walls are decorated with crisp, bright photos of various food items and the ceilings are festooned (yes, festooned) with brightly-colored hanging stars. Overall, the cafe has a casual, welcoming presence, despite the somewhat offensive flowers on the sign.
The ambiance is in keeping with the menu, which offers a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and baked goods with ample options for vegetarians. I had the batata - a vegetable sandwich on subtly sweet whole wheat bread - along with pasta salad, and my partner had the portobello mushroom sandwich on warm, soft ciabatta. Both were incredibly tasty and perfect for a light lunch, as I imagine most of the other menu items would be.
We did not order desserts, which our waiter told us were Flour Power Cafe's signature feature, although they looked very tempting. You may see a future post on the signature desserts, as I am certain I will be back often.
Overall, I left feeling delighted and excited about discovering such a lovely restaurant.
11703 Huebner, Suite 200
San Antonio, TX
The ambiance is in keeping with the menu, which offers a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and baked goods with ample options for vegetarians. I had the batata - a vegetable sandwich on subtly sweet whole wheat bread - along with pasta salad, and my partner had the portobello mushroom sandwich on warm, soft ciabatta. Both were incredibly tasty and perfect for a light lunch, as I imagine most of the other menu items would be.
We did not order desserts, which our waiter told us were Flour Power Cafe's signature feature, although they looked very tempting. You may see a future post on the signature desserts, as I am certain I will be back often.
Overall, I left feeling delighted and excited about discovering such a lovely restaurant.
11703 Huebner, Suite 200
San Antonio, TX
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
VegLove List Spectacular: Part 1, "The Usual"
Alright, I don't actually have the kind of personality that would allow me to confidently order "The Usual" anywhere, even if it's a place I frequent weekly. But there are certain dishes that, despite my best efforts to diversify, exert a nearly unstoppable pull over me. In general, the restaurants on this list offer a wide selection of tempting choices, but I can't seem to stay away from these particular dishes. Seriously, I get them almost every time.
In no particular order:
1. Spicy African Peanut Soup, Austin Java Company
From the beginning of VegLove, I have sung the praises of Austin Java's Spicy African Peanut soup, and I continue to do so in real life at least once a month. No matter what I order, it must be accompanied by the Peanut Soup or else I leave unsatisfied.
2. Kashmiri Kofta Korma, The Clay Pit
It should be illegal for a meal to be this good. At best, I am certain the Kashmiri Kofta Korma makes Clay Pit's other dishes incredibly jealous.
3. Vegetarian Burrito Bol, Chipotle
If you know me at all, you should know that my devotion to Chipotle is eternal. And I always get the same thing - either because I am comforted by the predictability or because they put addictive substances in the guacamole.
4. Black Bean and Cheese Tamale Plate, Guero's Taco Bar
Tamales are among the foods that I love but are extremely difficult to find in vegetarian form. Guero's is one of the few places that offers vegetarian tamales - and they are delicious! They deliver the traditional cheesy, greasy Tex-Mex experience, minus the lard.
5. Avocado Smoothie with Pearls, Coco's Cafe
Okay, this isn't really a dish in the traditional sense, but it definitely fits the other criteria. After an initial period of adjustment, I grew to adore bubble tea - drinks with gummy tapioca balls at the bottom. Avocado bubble tea is particularly unusual and tasty. It's creamy and subtly sweet, but probably not ideal if you have a full stomach, because it's pretty filling.
6. Pad Thai, every Thai restaurant
I love Thai food, seriously, but somehow I end up ordering the most common, cliche Thai dish. And yet, I really don't mind. I love pad thai.
7. Eggplant with Fettuccine, Hyde Park Bar and Grill
This is a somewhat lighter, more inventive version of the classic eggplant parmesan. It includes breaded and fried eggplant patties topped with chipotle marinara, basil pesto, and thick shredded parmesan. My only qualm with this dish is the accompanying bed of almost completely unseasoned fettuccine. Once you run out of the eggplant's sauce, you're left with a useless pile of starch. But trust me, the eggplant compensates.
8. Kerbey Queso, Kerbey Lane
If you haven't deduced that I like the richest, unhealthiest food available to vegetarians, here's a clue: I love queso (or chili con queso to those of you outside of Texas). Kerbey's queso is among the best, whether plain or with guacamole and black beans.
9. The Shroom, Dry Creek (Houston)
I have described The Shroom sandwich in a previous post, so I won't bore you with the details again. The short version: portabellos, goat cheese, and basil mayo. Enough said.
10. Steam Bun, Veggie Heaven
In the past year or so, I managed to break free of Protein 2000's grip over me and have started ordering other main dishes off of Veggie Heaven's menu. However, I still have to get the steam bun as an appetizer every time. The steam bun is a doughy bun stuffed with mushrooms, tofu, and other veggies. I love to douse it with soy sauce and go to town.
In no particular order:
1. Spicy African Peanut Soup, Austin Java Company
From the beginning of VegLove, I have sung the praises of Austin Java's Spicy African Peanut soup, and I continue to do so in real life at least once a month. No matter what I order, it must be accompanied by the Peanut Soup or else I leave unsatisfied.
2. Kashmiri Kofta Korma, The Clay Pit
It should be illegal for a meal to be this good. At best, I am certain the Kashmiri Kofta Korma makes Clay Pit's other dishes incredibly jealous.
3. Vegetarian Burrito Bol, Chipotle
If you know me at all, you should know that my devotion to Chipotle is eternal. And I always get the same thing - either because I am comforted by the predictability or because they put addictive substances in the guacamole.
4. Black Bean and Cheese Tamale Plate, Guero's Taco Bar
Tamales are among the foods that I love but are extremely difficult to find in vegetarian form. Guero's is one of the few places that offers vegetarian tamales - and they are delicious! They deliver the traditional cheesy, greasy Tex-Mex experience, minus the lard.
5. Avocado Smoothie with Pearls, Coco's Cafe
Okay, this isn't really a dish in the traditional sense, but it definitely fits the other criteria. After an initial period of adjustment, I grew to adore bubble tea - drinks with gummy tapioca balls at the bottom. Avocado bubble tea is particularly unusual and tasty. It's creamy and subtly sweet, but probably not ideal if you have a full stomach, because it's pretty filling.
6. Pad Thai, every Thai restaurant
I love Thai food, seriously, but somehow I end up ordering the most common, cliche Thai dish. And yet, I really don't mind. I love pad thai.
7. Eggplant with Fettuccine, Hyde Park Bar and Grill
This is a somewhat lighter, more inventive version of the classic eggplant parmesan. It includes breaded and fried eggplant patties topped with chipotle marinara, basil pesto, and thick shredded parmesan. My only qualm with this dish is the accompanying bed of almost completely unseasoned fettuccine. Once you run out of the eggplant's sauce, you're left with a useless pile of starch. But trust me, the eggplant compensates.
8. Kerbey Queso, Kerbey Lane
If you haven't deduced that I like the richest, unhealthiest food available to vegetarians, here's a clue: I love queso (or chili con queso to those of you outside of Texas). Kerbey's queso is among the best, whether plain or with guacamole and black beans.
9. The Shroom, Dry Creek (Houston)
I have described The Shroom sandwich in a previous post, so I won't bore you with the details again. The short version: portabellos, goat cheese, and basil mayo. Enough said.
10. Steam Bun, Veggie Heaven
In the past year or so, I managed to break free of Protein 2000's grip over me and have started ordering other main dishes off of Veggie Heaven's menu. However, I still have to get the steam bun as an appetizer every time. The steam bun is a doughy bun stuffed with mushrooms, tofu, and other veggies. I love to douse it with soy sauce and go to town.
Friday, July 11, 2008
VegLove Special: Cooking with VegLove
With the prices of gas and food at record highs, going out to eat is becoming increasingly impractical. However, it's not the death knell for VegLove. Not only do I love eating other people's food, I love cooking my own, and this summer I have had the opportunity to experiment with a lot of different new foods. Here is a list of some of my favorites.
1. Quinoa
This grain is not only extremely versatile, it's a complete grain protein. Quinoa is similar to cous cous but has a firmer, chewier texture. Like cous cous, it can be used in savory dishes and tastes great with just a little olive oil and garlic salt. It can also be used in sweet dishes, like oatmeal, but I have yet to try it this way. Both the traditional white quinoa and the Inca red are delicious, and one package will last you a whole week.
2. Goya Sazon con Azafran
These tiny packages contain a saffron-based mixture of seasonings that make ordinary dishes remarkable. I especially like to add Sazon to black beans, which are a super cheap and satisfying staple of my diet. I recommend making black bean tacos flavored with Sazon and topped with queso fresco, avacados, and Hatch pepper salsa.
3. Nate's Crispy Taco with Artichokes and Cream Cheeses
You might be surprised to see frozen tacos on this list, and I was surprised to find a frozen product so tasty. The filling is immensely flavorful, and they make a yummy snack. They are microwavable, but if you actually want crispy tacos, use the oven. Nate's also makes really tasty vegetarian taquitos.
4. Falafel
Falafel in general is hardly new to me - it's one of my all-time favorites - but I have only recently dared to make it on my own. I have only used a package of falafel mix, so I won't claim to make it from scratch, but it has been a surprisingly successful experiment (although the first batch I fried up turned into mush). I can't get enough of the stuff, especially when paired with hummus, feta, and spinach.
5. Sabra Hummus
A package of hummus is always great to keep in the fridge as a quick snack with carrots or crackers. I was pretty satisfied with the different types of hummus I've found in the past - it's hard to go wrong here. However, I have recently found the holy grail of store-bought hummus: Sabra. I am particularly fond of their Greek Olive style hummus. Not only is Sabra hummus super creamy, all of the different flavors are topped with a generous helping of their featured ingredients (e.g., olives, pine nuts, jalapenos).
6. Woodchuck Cider
I hate beer. But there a lot of situations in which my beloved wine is simply not an option. Although I love Lindemans Framboise as a beer-alternative, it's usually quite a bit pricier. However, I recently discovered Woodchuck Cider, which looks like a beer, is sold at beer-selling establishments, but is actually something I enjoy drinking. It's perfect for summer - refreshing and light, and is my new fake beer of choice.
That's it for now. If you've been looking for ways to still have exciting, interesting food at home I recommend trying all of these products. You can still approximate a restaurant-quality meal without wasting gas.
1. Quinoa
This grain is not only extremely versatile, it's a complete grain protein. Quinoa is similar to cous cous but has a firmer, chewier texture. Like cous cous, it can be used in savory dishes and tastes great with just a little olive oil and garlic salt. It can also be used in sweet dishes, like oatmeal, but I have yet to try it this way. Both the traditional white quinoa and the Inca red are delicious, and one package will last you a whole week.
2. Goya Sazon con Azafran
These tiny packages contain a saffron-based mixture of seasonings that make ordinary dishes remarkable. I especially like to add Sazon to black beans, which are a super cheap and satisfying staple of my diet. I recommend making black bean tacos flavored with Sazon and topped with queso fresco, avacados, and Hatch pepper salsa.
3. Nate's Crispy Taco with Artichokes and Cream Cheeses
You might be surprised to see frozen tacos on this list, and I was surprised to find a frozen product so tasty. The filling is immensely flavorful, and they make a yummy snack. They are microwavable, but if you actually want crispy tacos, use the oven. Nate's also makes really tasty vegetarian taquitos.
4. Falafel
Falafel in general is hardly new to me - it's one of my all-time favorites - but I have only recently dared to make it on my own. I have only used a package of falafel mix, so I won't claim to make it from scratch, but it has been a surprisingly successful experiment (although the first batch I fried up turned into mush). I can't get enough of the stuff, especially when paired with hummus, feta, and spinach.
5. Sabra Hummus
A package of hummus is always great to keep in the fridge as a quick snack with carrots or crackers. I was pretty satisfied with the different types of hummus I've found in the past - it's hard to go wrong here. However, I have recently found the holy grail of store-bought hummus: Sabra. I am particularly fond of their Greek Olive style hummus. Not only is Sabra hummus super creamy, all of the different flavors are topped with a generous helping of their featured ingredients (e.g., olives, pine nuts, jalapenos).
6. Woodchuck Cider
I hate beer. But there a lot of situations in which my beloved wine is simply not an option. Although I love Lindemans Framboise as a beer-alternative, it's usually quite a bit pricier. However, I recently discovered Woodchuck Cider, which looks like a beer, is sold at beer-selling establishments, but is actually something I enjoy drinking. It's perfect for summer - refreshing and light, and is my new fake beer of choice.
That's it for now. If you've been looking for ways to still have exciting, interesting food at home I recommend trying all of these products. You can still approximate a restaurant-quality meal without wasting gas.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Torchy's Tacos
Because of the oppressive heat that lasts roughly from April to November and the widely dispersed clusters of shopping and food districts, Austin does not support the kind of pedestrian activity found in most large cities. Yet in spite of this relative lack of foot traffic, street food dispensed from portable trailers has seamlessly become a celebrated part of Austin's culture in recent years. Torchy's Tacos is emblematic of what Austin's street food scene has to offer. Despite the humble appearance of Torchy's 2 trailers and one permanent restaurant, Torchy's offers complex, interesting food that expands the definition of the word taco. On its regular menu, Torchy's offers build-your-own breakfast tacos and two vegetarian creations - fried avocado tacos and the dirty sanchez.
As its name suggests, the main attraction of the fried avocado taco is sliced avocado fried in a light batter, which renders it both buttery and airy. This taco also includes more traditional taco fixings such as vegetarian refried beans, pico de gallo, and cheese. Finally, the taco's contents are topped in a delicious poblano ranch sauce. The interplay of textures and tastes makes the taco a refreshing experience perfect for summertime.
Although ordering the dirty sanchez taco is somewhat embarrassing for the more inhibited among us, the taste is well worth any temporary embarrassment. This taco includes scrambled eggs, sliced carrots, cheese, guacamole, and fried poblano peppers, which resemble the taste and texture of the fried avocado (no complaints there).
I imagine any vegetarian would be amply satisfied with Torchy's regular menu offerings, but I was especially lucky that the special on my last visit was a mushroom taco. This taco may have actually surpassed the usual vegetarian fare - it included juicy sauteed portabellos, cilantro, queso fresco, sour cream, and a creamy chipotle sauce. If you visit Torchy's, demand that they add this taco to their regular menu; it is simply too good to be seasonal.
Torchy's Tacos
Trailers:
1207 South 1st Street
and
520 W. 6th Street
Restaurant:
2809 South 1st Street
Austin, TX
As its name suggests, the main attraction of the fried avocado taco is sliced avocado fried in a light batter, which renders it both buttery and airy. This taco also includes more traditional taco fixings such as vegetarian refried beans, pico de gallo, and cheese. Finally, the taco's contents are topped in a delicious poblano ranch sauce. The interplay of textures and tastes makes the taco a refreshing experience perfect for summertime.
Although ordering the dirty sanchez taco is somewhat embarrassing for the more inhibited among us, the taste is well worth any temporary embarrassment. This taco includes scrambled eggs, sliced carrots, cheese, guacamole, and fried poblano peppers, which resemble the taste and texture of the fried avocado (no complaints there).
I imagine any vegetarian would be amply satisfied with Torchy's regular menu offerings, but I was especially lucky that the special on my last visit was a mushroom taco. This taco may have actually surpassed the usual vegetarian fare - it included juicy sauteed portabellos, cilantro, queso fresco, sour cream, and a creamy chipotle sauce. If you visit Torchy's, demand that they add this taco to their regular menu; it is simply too good to be seasonal.
Torchy's Tacos
Trailers:
1207 South 1st Street
and
520 W. 6th Street
Restaurant:
2809 South 1st Street
Austin, TX
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Demo's Greek Food
Two of the things I generally love most about Greek restaurants are their variety and their low prices. Typically, one can pick and choose from a large number of classic Greek delicacies - hummus, baba ganouj, spanakopita, dolmas, etc. - to build a custom plate of delicious and varied food for little money.
Unfortunately, Demo's disappointed on both counts. Although they offer two vegetarian sandwiches - a falafel sandwich and a salad sandwich - I chose the meze plate, which was as close as I could get to the type of plates I have grown accustomed to at other Greek restaurants. The meze plate included spanakopita, tiropita (filo stuffed with feta), dolmas, and kalamata olives. In terms of composition, the plate included too much grease and crunch that was not offset by anything creamy (like hummus or tzatziki sauce, which cost $2.00 extra), so eating it was something of a greasy chore. Moreover, I watched the server get the spanakopita and tiropita out of the freezer after I placed my order. I could reheat frozen spanakopita from the grocery store for less money and an equivalent experience. The food was lackluster and unappealing, and I did not finish my plate (a very rare occurrence for me).
For $8.25 I expect more variety and better flavors than Demo's offered, and it's unlikely that I will return.
Demo's Greek Food
2501 N. St. Mary's St
San Antonio, Texas
Unfortunately, Demo's disappointed on both counts. Although they offer two vegetarian sandwiches - a falafel sandwich and a salad sandwich - I chose the meze plate, which was as close as I could get to the type of plates I have grown accustomed to at other Greek restaurants. The meze plate included spanakopita, tiropita (filo stuffed with feta), dolmas, and kalamata olives. In terms of composition, the plate included too much grease and crunch that was not offset by anything creamy (like hummus or tzatziki sauce, which cost $2.00 extra), so eating it was something of a greasy chore. Moreover, I watched the server get the spanakopita and tiropita out of the freezer after I placed my order. I could reheat frozen spanakopita from the grocery store for less money and an equivalent experience. The food was lackluster and unappealing, and I did not finish my plate (a very rare occurrence for me).
For $8.25 I expect more variety and better flavors than Demo's offered, and it's unlikely that I will return.
Demo's Greek Food
2501 N. St. Mary's St
San Antonio, Texas
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