On our most recent visit to the reliable Saigon Café (menu here), we started with vegetable rolls – carrots, tree ears, bean vermicelli, cabbage, celery, onion wrapped in rice paper and fried. Delicious! Sometimes fried foods can be overwhelmingly fried, but these were really good, with a prominent veggie flavor. So good, we ordered a second helping. The dipping sauce is sweet but not overpowering, balanced out with a touch of spice. The rolls were served on a large bed of lettuce, which was a strangely aggressive presentation – I can’t imagine anyone eats it. We… Read More
Posts Tagged Good for Vegetarians
Saigon Cafe, a Vegan Review
Mar 19
Ever waited way too long to see the movie everyone is raving about, the one that critics cant stop touting, only to find yourself asking “What’s all the fuss about?” This is exactly how we felt finally eating at Peter Chang’s. Just don’t see what the hype is all about. We were underwhelmed.
What we did like: It is really easy (as with most ethnic food) to eat vegan. We got the Veggie Spring Rolls, Shredded Pumpkin with Chili Peppers, and Pan Noodles with mixed vegetables.
The spring rolls were pretty typical, nothing to… Read More
Aromas Café 
Jul 11
People have funny ways of communicating deliciousness. Our friend Rachael’s eyes bulge as she stares at you in silence, thoughtfully liquidating her food like a cow chewing its cud. My mom slaps her hand on the table so hard that the silverware clanks and jumps, and then she says, “Y’all gotta try this” in a way that suggests your very life depends on it. My wife Erin’s reaction, however, is the scariest, as I remembered during our last trip to the always delicious Aromas Café in Barracks. More about her reaction below.
Aromas participates in the tradition of “strip mall chic” that restaurants like Lime Leaf and Copacabana – not to mention every… Read More
Moo Thru
Jun 24
Being born in Vermont and now a Charlottesville townie, it only slightly pains me to say Absolutely Forget about Ben & Jerry’s and Arch’s. Just don’t even bother (with the gentle exception of gooey brownie). The best ice cream you have ever eaten in your life is only an hour or so away, straight up 29 at Moo Thru. For your own sake, and the sake of your wardrobe which does not appreciate being drenched in summer sweat, take a field trip somewhere up 29 and stop by Moo Thru. The silkiest deeply flavorful farm fresh milk turned into fresh cold treats will draw your eyes into the back of your head and make your eyes smile and… Read More
BBQ Exchange, a Vegan Review
Jun 21
After hearing rave reviews about BBQ Exchange in Gordonsville, we were excited to try it out and see if a couple of vegans could actually make a meal out of it. For the most part, we were beyond impressed. Not only is the drive out there lovely, the place itself and the staff are equally welcoming. We immediately informed the woman behind the counter that we were vegan and asked what we could have. Despite being extremely busy on a gorgeous Sunday, one of the owners came out and spent a couple of minutes with us to ensure we were able to eat according to our wishes.
Our meal for the day: bbq tofu, spicy coleslaw… Read More
It’s funny, when you tell people you don’t eat meat there are three things they always say: “What about steak?? You don’t eat bacon? Come on now, a burger? Surely you can’t survive without a burger!” Yes, it is true, while turning away from steak and bacon, one truly cannot survive without a burger of some sort. It makes you feel good, and lets you re-live family cookout days. Thank you, thank you, Boylan Heights, for saving us vegans.
I know it seems odd that a mix of carrots, mushrooms, brown rice, and onions could possibly compare to a juicy burger thrown on the grill, but the Boylan Heights vegan burger really does. I had to look a few times to make sure… Read More
I, along with the rest of Charlottesville, have been waiting for months for Peter Chang to come to Charlottesville (again). On a whim, my boyfriend and I decided to go to Peter Chang’s China Grill for lunch one Saturday afternoon. I had heard that you needed a reservation, but we popped in to see if they had any openings. Luckily, they had just started to take walk-ins and the hostess seated us moments later. Given that one of my areas of specialty here at Mas to Millers is cheap eats, we had hoped to be able to order some of the very affordable lunch specials, but unfortunately they were not available on the weekends. What… Read More
da Luca, a Vegan Review
Feb 23
Having grown a little bored with all of our usual choices in town, we recently made the trek out to Old Trail, near Crozet, to try da Luca. The restaurant’s website had us at “wine bar”, but seeing “Vegan Friendly” on their Urbanspoon page enticed us even further. For a wine bar, we felt like their wine list was a tad on the small side. However, they do make a good effort to feature several local and regional wines.
We were extremely impressed with the service. The staff was warm and friendly and quite accommodating when we asked about vegan options. Sadly… Read More
My recent Food Finds have not been a study in dietary restraint: biscuits and gravy, ice cream, chorizo burrito, cookies, you get the clogged artery picture. The only salad that’s earned Food Find status included fried food, cheese, and buttermilk. So I’m grateful that the Tea Bazaar has provided a find that’s good for overall health in addition to taste buds.
The Tea Bazaar’s signature salad is full of delicious and unexpected surprises. It starts with an overflowing plate of fresh produce with mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Golden raisins and candied walnuts add a touch of sweetness, and the entire thing is topped off with paper-thin pear slices and creamy feta cheese… Read More
Maharaja Treat
Oct 18
A tip for those, like me, who believe that Indian food is best enjoyed in large quantities: Maharaja has a brilliant menu option that will help you reach max stomach capacity in a budget-friendly way. I’ve always had a difficult time deciding between my favorite Indian dishes. That is, until we discovered the Maharaja Treat. This menu option allows you to select two “half” entrees for the price of one ($13.90 for Vegetarian, $14.90 for Chicken, $15.90 for Lamb) although we’ve always found the servings are much closer to a full size than a half. You can easily split one Maharaja Treat between two if you want a lighter experience, or… Read More
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