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Author Archive

The Veggie Option: The Flying Tiger

July 7, 2011
There are some really great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver, and as a vegetarian, I love them. My meat loving friends, not so much. 

As the veggie, a lot of times when eating out you have to suck it up and hope that there’s more than a lame iceberg salad on the menu. If you’re a meat eater, it may be annoying to worry about the vegetarian in the bunch. So, let myself and my carnivorous friends eat out for you!

With the veggie option, my hope is to give you a review of the meat free options available at restaurants around the city.  A meat lover will weigh in on their dishes as well. Then we can be happy and eat together in harmony, give peas a chance, blah blah nom nom.

Please note, I am a food enthusiast, not a trained chef. I also may have a drink or 4 while eating these meals. User discretion is advised.

Restaurant: The Flying Tiger, 2984 West 4th www.theflyingtiger.ca

Eaters: Shawna, who loves a good medium rare steak, but generally sticks to west coast fare of seafood and veggies

Lana, a vegetarian who actually owns bacon salt (which is vegan!)

When I ate street food in China and Thailand it was usually something questionable, deep fried and on a stick. The Flying Tiger’s take on Asian street food clearly proves that I was hanging out on the wrong streets.

The Flying Tiger covers a variety of tastes from across Asia on a tapas style menu, which makes it great for sharing. They use organically grown, sustainably harvested ingredients, are Oceanwise and source locally when
possible.

They do have vegan options, and many plates can be altered, just be sure to specify if you’re vegan or strict vegetarian as shrimp and fish pastes are used in some meatless dishes.

What we ate:

Shared: Papaya Salad – green papaya, Vietnamese mint, Thai basil & cilantro, peanuts, garlic, lime

Szechuan Green Beans – wok seared green beans, garlic, shallots, sweet soy, chili

Shawna: Har Gow (Steamed Dumplings) with …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: Lana Gay |
  • Category: Food and Drink, The Veggie Option


The Veggie Option: The Irish Heather

March 3, 2011
There are some really great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver, and as a vegetarian, I love them. My meat loving friends, not so much.

As the veggie, a lot of times when eating out you have to suck it up and hope that there’s more than a lame iceberg salad on the menu. If you’re a meat eater, it may be annoying to worry about the vegetarian in the bunch. So, let myself and my carnivorous friends eat out for you!

With the veggie option, my hope is to give you a review of the meat free options available at restaurants around the city.  A meat lover will weigh in on their dishes as well. Then we can be happy and eat together in harmony, give peas a chance, blah blah nom nom.

Please note, I am a food enthusiast, not a trained chef. I also may have a drink or 4 while eating these meals. User discretion is advised.

Restaurant: The Irish Heather 217 Carrall Street http://irishheather.com/

Eaters: Emily, a meat eater by day, bacon eater by night
Lana, a vegetarian who thinks avocados are nature’s mayonnaise

All work and no scotch can make for one angry February, so on this particular adventure, we head to The Irish Heather’s back room/ Whiskey House The Shebeen. It’s usually questionable when a veggie heads to an Irish pub and assumes they will find more than fries, but The Irish Heather has some good and tasty veggie options. Vegans, try their vegetable pot pie (shown below). You’ll have to skip the mashed potatoes however.

Though you may remember the ambiance of the old Heather, we have to let those times go. It’s like when your friends move into a condo, you can’t hold it against them that they have granite counter tops (well…you can). New place, new ambiance, same great whisky and beer list.

The service is great, and if you don’t mind making some new friends you might want to try their Long Table Series dinners where for $16 you sit at a 40 foot communal table for and enjoy a meal & artisan beer/beverage. Each week they have a vegetarian and vegan option, just try to give them 24hrs notice. 

What we ate:

Shared: Best Cheese Plate in the City

Emily: Steak & Guinness Pot Pie with Mashed Potatoes

Lana: Mushroom & Vegetable Pot Pie with …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: Lana Gay |
  • Category: Food and Drink, The Veggie Option


The Veggie Option: Joey Burrard

January 26, 2011
There are some really great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver, and as a vegetarian, I love them. My meat loving friends, not so much.

As the veggie, a lot of times when eating out you have to suck it up and hope that there’s more than a lame iceberg salad on the menu. If you’re a meat eater, it may be annoying to worry about the vegetarian in the bunch. So, let myself and my carnivorous friends eat out for you!

With the veggie option, my hope is to give you a review of the meat free options available at restaurants around the city.  A meat lover will weigh in on their dishes as well. Then we can be happy and eat together in harmony, give peas a chance, blah blah nom nom.

Please note, I am a food enthusiast, not a trained chef. I also may have a drink or 4 while eating these meals. User discretion is advised.

Restaurant: Joey Burrard, 820 Burrard Street. http://www.joeyrestaurants.com/location/burrard

Eaters: Erin, who believes her O blood type makes her a carnivore.
Tami, who raised cattle. If she can kill it, she will put it on her plate, with the exception of pigs.
Beth, a culinary adventurer, food is her hobby.
Lana, a vegetarian who enjoys a good fake meat in life.

Joey’s is not just another restaurant staffed with Robert Palmer girls, their veggie options set them apart by far and are ‘simply irresistible’ (ahem). The have soy protein, aka fake chicken, that can be added to alter many menu items from Butter Chicken to souvlaki, to make them veggie or vegan. They also have gluten free menu options.

Fans of Iron Chef can note Executive Chef Chris Mills was featured on Iron Chef Japan! The modern style makes this restaurant good to dress up or be casual.

What we ate:

Erin: Chinatown Lettuce Wraps with Shrimp

Lobster Grilled Cheese – Atlantic Lobster, Brie & Cheddar grilled cheese with cocktail sauce and a side salad

Beth: Better Beef Dip – thinly shaved beef, served with …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: Lana Gay |
  • Category: Food and Drink, The Veggie Option


The Veggie Option: Lucy’s Eastside Diner

December 30, 2010
There are some really great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver, and as a vegetarian, I love them. My meat loving friends, not so much.

As the veggie, a lot of times when eating out you have to suck it up and hope that there’s more than a lame iceberg salad on the menu. If you’re a meat eater, it may be annoying to worry about the vegetarian in the bunch. So, let myself and my carnivorous friends eat out for you!

With the veggie option, my hope is to give you a review of the meat free options available at restaurants around the city.  A meat lover will weigh in on their dishes as well. Then we can be happy and eat together in harmony, give peas a chance, blah blah nom nom.

Please note, I am a food enthusiast, not a trained chef. I also may have a drink or 4 while eating these meals. User discretion is advised.

Restaurant: Lucy’s Eastside Diner 2708 Main Street www.lucyseastsidediner.com

Eaters: Bob, a lover of BBQ who is on a first name basis with his neighbourhood butcher
Lana, a vegetarian who may love Italian food more than people
Lizzy, a vegetarian born to a bacon loving Jew and roast adoring Canadian. She kisses boys who devour Alberta beef.

Since opening in October, Main Streeters can get their diner fare 24 hours a day at Lucy’s.  With a 10 dollar burger, fries and a milkshake deal, it’s a great place for a reasonably priced diner meal at any hour of the day. On their site they boast, “Vegetarians do not fear! We have many options for you here!” and it is true. Whether it be veggie bennies, sandwiches, chili or a portabello burger, they have diner food for veggies, and quite a selection. Though few vegan options are on the menu, some additional items can be altered.  The staff is very friendly, so don’t be afraid to ask.

If you don’t try a milkshake, you are a fool.

What we ate:

Shared: Veggie Poutine

Lizzy: Veggie Benny with Spinach, Avocado & Tomato

Lana: Macaroni & Cheese

Bob: Burger, fries & …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: Lana Gay |
  • Category: Food and Drink, The Veggie Option


The Veggie Option: Don Guacamole’s Mexican Cuisine & Taqueria

December 8, 2010
There are some really great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver, and as a vegetarian, I love them. My meat loving friends, not so much.

As the veggie, a lot of times when eating out you have to suck it up and hope that there’s more than a lame iceberg salad on the menu. If you’re a meat eater, it may be annoying to worry about the vegetarian in the bunch. So, let myself and my carnivorous friends eat out for you!

With the veggie option, my hope is to give you a review of the meat free options available at restaurants around the city.  A meat lover will weigh in on their dishes as well. Then we can be happy and eat together in harmony, give peas a chance, blah blah nom nom.

Please note, I am a food enthusiast, not a trained chef. I also may have a drink or 4 while eating these meals. User discretion is advised.

Restaurant: Don Guacamole’s Mexican Cuisine & Taqueria  http://www.donguacamoles.net/

Eaters: Stephanie, a fiery El Salvadorian pescatarian.
Jeff, a celiac raised on ethnic Portuguese food.
Aimee, meat eater and cat lover. Not to be confused with Alf.
Lana, a vegetarian who believes beer, nachos & friendship are the best gifts this holiday season.

If you want authentic Mexican food, give Don Guacamole’s a visit.  Though the latina in our group was skeptical by the ‘honky’ name, it’s not tex mex or fusion, it’s the real deal. They also boast quite the tequila selection.  Since the translation is ‘Mr. Guacamole’, perhaps give the guac a try, which is good for vegans alike.

The menu is very clear on the vegetarian options. Since they take a more traditional approach to most dishes, everything isn’t drowned in cheese or sour cream, so if you were to remove them to make an option vegan, you won’t be losing most of the entrée. For a lot of the menu items you customize your sauce (red, green, mole) and meat (pork, chicken, grilled steak, Mexican Chorizo, arrachera).

What we ate:

The complimentary chips and salsas are lovely while you wait.

Aimee – Burrito with grilled steak and green sauce

Lana – Nachos Nortenos (minus the Mexican chorizo) Tortilla chips with …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: Lana Gay |
  • Category: Food and Drink, The Veggie Option


The Veggie Option: The Templeton

November 17, 2010
There are some really great vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver, and as a vegetarian, I love them. My meat loving friends, not so much.

As the veggie, a lot of times when eating out you have to suck it up and hope that there’s more than a lame iceberg salad on the menu. If you’re a meat eater, it may be annoying to worry about the vegetarian in the bunch. So, let myself and my carnivorous friends eat out for you!

With the veggie option, my hope is to give you a review of the meat free options available at restaurants around the city.  A meat lover will weigh in on their dishes as well. Then we can be happy and eat together in harmony, give peas a chance, blah blah nom nom.

Please note, I am a food enthusiast, not a trained chef. I also may have a drink or 4 while eating these meals. User discretion is advised.

Restaurant: The Templeton 1087 Granville Street http://thetempleton.ca/

Eaters: Josh, an emphatic meat lover and vegetarian experimenter. He is going vegan for a month.
Lana, a vegetarian who would like to write a menu of food & music mash-ups (ex. Chicken CacciaToriAmos)
Amanda, the type of person who eats to live, but still appreciates a good tasting dish..
Lizzy, a vegetarian born to a bacon loving Jew and roast adoring Canadian. She kisses boys who devour Alberta beef.

If you enjoy a good diner, then you must go to The Templeton. Their authentic décor is still kitschy retro, though their menu has kept up with the times.  They have a great list of vegetarian and vegan options.  If you’re a veg who misses gravy or bacon with a wild passion, they use mushroom gravy and have veggie bacon, so go to town!  Meat eaters should be pleased to know they feature organic and free range meats.

The Templeton is a small diner, so expect a little wait during dinner hours and especially on weekends.  They serve breakfast daily until 3pm, and are fully licensed (in case you crave a spiked milkshake at 2pm).

What we ate:

Amanda:  Poutine, house chipped fries, aged white cheddar topped with vegan mushroom gravy

Josh: Vegan Lentil Loaf, lentils, veggies and nuts with a hint of curry, with fries a side of mushroom gravy

Lizzy: Asian Noodle Salad …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: Lana Gay |
  • Category: Food and Drink, The Veggie Option


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