bethany88
Reviews written by bethany88
Inspiral's website and Inspiral itself are two very different things. Its website would make you believe that you were going to a restaurant where your meal would be precisely prepared with the freshest ingredients and plated elegantly for your enjoyment. In reality, the meals are premade and sitting under a heat lamp. The servers slap your main dish and sides on a plate and hand it over like school lunch ladies, albeit friendly hippie lunch ladies.
Unlike school lunches, however, this food is vegan and much of it is wheat or gluten free. My friends and I fell upon our meals as if we hadn't eaten in weeks. The flavors were good but the main faults fell in temperature. I ordered the lasagna with sides of roasted root vegetables, potato wedges, and sauteed green vegetables. My lasagna was steaming but my sides were lukewarm and that made the potato wedges less enjoyable as they were a bit soggy.
I ordered dessert and had chocolate cheesecake and butterscotch ice cream. The ice cream was the first I've had in London and it was mostly good but had a strange taste to it that I would guess to be from a sugar substitute or other scientific additive. The cheesecake was very rich and a great texture. My friend ordered the pina colada smoothie which was delicious.
Overall we really enjoyed our meal as the food was hearty and flavorful but I would say we overpaid. I paid 7.95 for premade lasagna and lukewarm sides. I would think the prices would be much lower. I would come back here again for their vegan desserts (thought not the ice cream) and the outdoor seating and fun atmosphere. I would probably not spend my dinner dollars here again.
I enjoyed my meal at Isarn. The restaurant was full yet very quiet considering it was 8 pm on a Saturday night. Our food came very promptly. The first thing that came to our table was a complimentary basket of chips which were unfortunately not vegan as they contained a prawn seasoning. We ordered the spring rolls and some of the vegetable dishes. The spring rolls were good though I didn't expect them to be fried rather than fresh. The vegetable dishes ranged from okay to delicious--my personal favorite was the tofu steak with basil and chili. It was sweet and spicy and very smooth. Portion sizes were a bit small and they charged for rice unfortunately. On the plus side they offered multiple varieties of rice including the brown jasmine rice we ordered.
The service was extremely friendly. They had our water glasses filled at all times and as we left every server and the chef stopped to say goodbye.
I was happy with the prices and satisfied with the selection at Luscious Organics. The vegetable boullion I bought was cheaper than at Sainsbury's and other items looked reasonably priced. I didn't see much in the way of vegan ice cream and there was only a limited selection of tofu. The falafel was a bit sweet but the sprouts and the bean salad my friends bought were both enjoyed.
Edadame has vegan friendly Japanese dishes with a delicate but lovely flavor. The food comes in tiny portions though and it becomes quite spendy to get full here. I started with their signature dish of edamame. I was slightly disappointed to find that it was literally a plate of cold edamame with a bowl to discard the shells in. I had been expecting some seasoning or perhaps stirfrying but I guess I should have read the menu more closely.
I ordered the tofu steak and rice (white rice only and a bowl costs 1.5 pounds) for my main meal. My tofu steak was extremely silky and had a lovely flavor although very little of the radish it advertised. My rice never came which was disappointing as I really was hungry.
In the end Edamame is a quiet little restaurant with lovely little flavors for not so small prices.
My friends and I ate here for lunch and the place was completely empty inside but the outside patio was full. We ordered a bunch of different plates--the Little Bites appetizer plate, the jacket potato with red peppers and hummus, the chili, and the soup of the day. The food was pretty good but not exceptionally flavorful. The soup was absolutely bland and we did not finish it. The chili was sweet rather than spicy but my friend really liked it. I enjoyed the potato wedges on the Little Bites the most, especially with the interesting pesto/oil dish they served it with.
The restaurant is very cozy inside but outside the tables are a bit rickety and I ended up spilling my friend's coffee all over the table. The service was fairly efficient and the prices were reasonable. I would like to find more unique flavors and zest but this is a solid place for a vegetarian or vegan visiting Bath.
Rancho Grande offers a vegetarian section of their menu featuring a vegetarian fajita of sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions. The only beans available in the restaurant are refried beans but the server swore they didn't use lard. Therefore the fajitas are easily vegan if the cheese and sour cream are withheld. Several other items on the menu (burritos, chalupas, enchiladas) are vegetarian but not vegan.
The food came in large portions (I only finished half) and was served very quickly and came steaming hot. The server was attentive and friendly, the atmosphere bright and cheerful, and the music lively but suitably quiet for lunch. I would rank this higher if the flavor had been more unique or if their were more vegan-friendly options.
That said, I would go to Rancho Grande again for their fajitas when visiting Buffalo for lack of other options in this not-so-progressive town.
I stopped at Cat-Man-Do today for lunch and had pakora, the eggplant curry, chickpea curry, and a black eyed pea/vegetable soup. I thought that the eggplant curry was one of the best executed I've had in Minneapolis/St. Paul. The eggplant was roasted to the melt-in-your-mouth stage and the flavor was great. The chickpea curry was similarly delicious and was my niece's favorite.
The pakora was basically flavorless so I would not order that again. I dipped it in the soup to make it palatable. The soup was full of bamboo shoots and other vegetables and is worth trying.
The restaurant is small but ambient with an outdoor patio. The patio was quiet yet I think there was only one server and we waited a long time for our drinks/refills. I ended up refilling my own glass with water from the bottle in my bag. Otherwise the service was friendly and the water wasn't that big of a deal.
I like the service and workers better at the Himalayan in Minneapolis but would definitely go to CatManDo again if I was in the neighborhood.
I went here last Saturday night with a friend. The service was great - we were seated immediately and the waiter was extremely attentive. When I asked about vegan items, he listed off many dishes that either come vegan or can be easily veganized. I had a hard time deciding! My friend and I split fries with black beans, pico de gallo, salsa, and guacamole - delicious. We ordered slightly more healthy but also wonderful sides of stir fried veggies and beans. It was enough food to be full and allowed for a more reasonable tab.
A note about the service - I asked for a lemon or lime in my water: it came to me with a lemon wedge, a lime wedge, an orange slice, two slices of watermelon, and a plastic mermaid. Can't beat that!
The biggest downfall is the prices, which are higher than my student budget can usually afford.
*update* I went here again on a Friday night to celebrate graduation with some friends and once again had a terrific experience. The server sat down next to me and highlighted all the vegan choices of the night--this time I ordered the same fries, a green coconut curry with tofu, eggplant, red peppers, and jasmine rice, and "weedeater" sushi. The curry was heavenly with tofu that dissolved immediately in my mouth. The sushi was also well executed. The pineapple/mango/papaya drink served in a pineapple is expensive, but well worth the slushy goodness. Once again it was expensive, but a great ambiance for a celebration.
Evergreen rises above the traditional Chinese restaurant by offering dishes rarely seen elsewhere, including the three cup tofu and the house style eggplant with basil. The tofu was the winner for me, cooked in a wine sauce with garlic, sesame seed oil, and basil standing out among other seasonings. The eggplants were extremely tender and very flavorful. I also tried the deep fried vegetarian rolls, but was not stunned.
Evergreen’s above par food does not translate into its décor, which is rather stark and cafeteria style. The service is efficient though, and comes with miniature cups of tea and vegan fortune cookies, which made it fun.
The menu states that Evergreen uses a separate cutting board and wok for their plentiful vegetarian and vegan options, which always makes me feel more comfortable eating there. I would definitely go back to work my way through the rest of the vegan selections....now if only they had brown rice!
*Updated Review*
I ordered the tempeh cutlets and enjoyed the cutlets as well as the beans and greens immensely. The server brought me a basket of tortilla chips and salsa since I couldn't eat the bread basket (gluten). The service was friendly and prompt and we sat outside and had a lovely time.
*Old Review*
I visited French Meadow for breakfast on a Tuesday morning. Though there were many vegan options, there weren't that many for a gluten-free vegan to enjoy beyond hashbrowns and tofu scrambles. I ordered the Cajun Hashbrowns without cheese and was surprised to find my dish lacking any flavor whatsoever. I haven't eaten much Cajun food, but was under the impression that it was supposed to be very much filled with flavor.
Nonetheless, I will return here to try other options on the menu. Surely it cannot all be as deadeningly bland since most reviewers have rated it much more favorably. I also will hope to find a gluten free vegan bakery option next time I visit.
I stopped in today with a friend who wanted ice cream and was surprised to find Giulia had many vegan options. Today they were pineapple, coconut, kiwi, and mango, although she said she typically carries 5 or 6 vegan varieties. She told me she was making some green apple for later tonight, and that she also frequently has pomegranate and other flavors that are vegan. She said she makes her fruit flavors dairy free because she has many lactose intolerant customers, making this a great place for both vegans and vegetarians! I sampled the coconut, mango, and kiwi and settled on a scoop each of coconut and kiwi. The coconut was sweet and delicate and the kiwi was a little tart and very refreshing. I will definitely be back to try out other flavors!
I love the Hard Time's menu which has many vegan options. I have ordered their vegan pancake twice, with two very different results. Once was at dinner time and the pancake was good, but very oily. The second time was for breakfast today and it was completely different - perfectly thick and fluffy without a hint of greasiness. I ordered cranberries in it, and they were tart, plump and juicy and it was the best pancake I have ever eaten (and I love pancakes!)
I have also ordered their East African peanut stew/soup and it had great flavor but could have been hotter in temperature.
Overall Hard Times offers a multitude of options for vegans and vegetarians at college student prices. Just be aware that you might order the same food and get completely different results every time.
*update* today I ordered the Shaman's Special with tempeh and got a wonderfully seasoned heaping dish of veggies, brown rice, tempeh, sesame seeds, and ginger. It was delicious.
I love this restaurant and usually list it as one of my favorite places to eat at. I asked them right away about vegan options and they were very understanding and helpful. I have since brought many of my friends and family to the restaurant and even the most picky eaters have enjoyed it. One of the servers remembers me by name every time I go back, which is great. Once, when a spice intolerant friend felt her curry was too hot, they brought her a new dish immediately at no charge.
I have so far enjoyed both of their soups, the pakora, and many of their curries--all except the palak paneer and the asparagus. My favorites are the eggplant and the jackfruit, my least favorite is the okra. I ask for my food hot and think it is still not as spicy as it could be.
I tried four different items my first evening at Jasmine 26. Both appetizers—the Salt and Pepper Tofu and spring rolls—were fantastic. It was interesting to eat the spring rolls as they slice them sushi style, which makes for large bites, but it also makes it easier to eat without spilling the fillings. The tofu was very well executed, which is critical since its seasonings are simple.
The Jasmine Crepe was an entirely new experience for me—the coconut flavor with bean sprouts, mung beans, onions, and tofu is comparable to nothing I’ve eaten before, but thoroughly enjoyed. On that night I also ordered the Red Peanut Curry, which can be ordered with either mock duck or tofu, but I latered found out it wasn't actually vegan.
My second trip I ordered the Coconut Hot Pot made with vegan broth and an eggplant stirfry with tofu. The tofu was lacking in flavor and I would have preferred more eggplant instead of protein, but otherwise both were delicious. The server recommended ordering more rice with the hotpot but we didn't finish the amount that came with our meals.
The service at Jasmine 26 is attentive, to the point that my water glass rarelys dips below 2/3 full. The waiters and owners are very friendly and willing to ensure that everything could be made vegan. The ambiance doesn't hurt either-the restaurant is dim but attractive and great for special nights out.
I would definitely recommend eating here. Jasmine 26 labels itself “Vegetarian Friendly” and indicates on its menu that most menu items can be made without meat. I didn’t get a chance to ask how many can be made vegan, but the items I tried were good enough to bring me back regardless.
I went to the Jewel of India last night with a group of friends and was dissatisfied overall. After we sat down it took a very long time to have our order taken, and many who arrived after us were served before we were. Once our order was taken our food arrived in a decent amount of time, but the wrong dish was delivered to one of my friends and another's dish arrived late. We had ordered 3 baskets of naan, but the second didn't arrive until halfway through the meal and the third didn't arrive until we had all finished eating. The food tasted good, but the slow and faulty service was a serious drawback.
I went here a few weeks ago for the first time with my dad. I asked the hostess if they had any vegan items on their menu, specifying that I wanted no fish sauce--she initially had a hard time telling me what was vegan, but it seemed that there were many things that either were vegan by nature or could be made as such. I ordered the black bean garlic sauce stir fry with tofu and it was quite satisfying. I haven't eaten a lot of Chinese food so I can't compare it to any other restaurants in the Cities, but I liked it. The tofu was done well, andI got a large amount of stir fry and unlimited rice-- I left with enough for lunch the next day.
We also ordered vegan spring rolls. I liked the sauce they came with, but wished they had less rice and more of the other fillings in the roll.
Overall the service was very efficient and they seemed willing to accomodate any vegan requests/substitutions. The server gave my dad a fortune cookie but told me that the ingredient list on the box contained egg, which encouraged me to believe they were taking my veganism seriously.
I would recommend Pablo's to vegans looking for somewhere to eat in Shakopee. Although I haven't explored the area in depth, I was nervous about the options available by the Canterbury Park. While Pablo's offerings were quite standard, the server was knowledgable about the veganness of various menu offerings and delivered a substantial and decent quality meal. The beans and veggies in my fajitas could have used a little more kick but the spicy salsa helped (the mild wasn't so good, so ask for the spicier version!)
There is a lot better Mexican food out there, but Pablo's was a welcome alternative to the Perkins, Culvers, and MacDonalds we drove past on our way to dinner tonight. Plus the service was friendly and the atmosphere festive. For that I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
I used to go to the Pizza Luce in Downtown Minneapolis until I discovered I was gluten intolerant. I thought that was the end of my pizzeria days, but not so anymore. The St. Paul location has started a Gluten Free mneu and has already expanded it from just on Tuesdays to Tuesdays and Wednesdays. My gluten free brother and I couldn't resist stopping by to check it out.
The crusts, which are also vegan, come from the Cooqi bakery just down on Marshall and Cretin. They only come in the 10" size, so we each ordered our own pizza. I selected the "build your own" and chose roasted eggplant and mushroom pizza, half with rinotta and half with soy cheese. I also got vegan GF barbecue sauce drizzled over it. The combination was fantastic. I enjoyed the soy cheese more than the rinotta--I don't know if there was a vast flavor difference, but it seemed more cheesy and pizza like.
I could hardly stop at half the pizza, though I convinced myself to save the other half for lunch tomorrow. The downside of Pizza Luce is they still have limited vegan dessert options--I think a rice krispy bar is still the only option. We left to get dessert elsewhere.
The service was attentive, we had a very friendly waitress, and it was wonderful to know that they were trained and knowledgable about both veganism and gluten intolerance.
I went to Senor Wong's for a weekday lunch. The restaurant was largely empty and quiet. We started off with the sweet potato fries which are served with a chili mayonnaise sauce. The server brought out two extra sauces--a sweet apricot sauce and a peanut soy sauce--after I requested something different. Both sauces were sweet without much tang or heat. I added chili sauce to both. The fries themselves were crispy, salty, not as sweet as expected, and delicious.
For an entree I ordered the Four Mushroom Stirfry with tofu which the server said could be made vegan. I was surprised to see such a small amount of food. Both my sister and I noted that there were very few mushrooms in the dish--it seemed that the Four Mushroom Stirfry literally contained four mushrooms and a lot of tofu. This time my food was spicy, as requested, but still lacked a certain depth. I liked it but kept feeling that there was something missing.
That said, I did enjoy my lunch here. Both my omnivorous sister and I were able to find dishes that sounded appealing without extravagant prices. The service was adequate and our meals came steaming hot. My stirfry also came with a simple green salad, which I liked. The restaurant was very clean, spacious, and nicely designed. The basic components of my dishes were solid, I just wish the sauces packed more of a flavor punch. I would go back again if in downtown St. Paul but probably won't drive there from Minneapolis.
The Seward Cafe is my main breakfast spot. I usually order their Righteous Pancake with blackberries and it's a wonderful combination of large juicy berries and fluffy pancake. The last time I was there I had the Red Earth with beans and found the hash browns hot and crispy. The entire plate was delicious. Before going gluten free I usually ordered their traditional vegan pancake (also delicious) and muffins. Their muffins, even day old, are the best I have ever eaten. I tried the vegan french toast once, but felt it was too much dry bread and not enough flavor or moistness.
I had my first breakfast at the Triple Rock and came away very full and quite pleased. I ordered the Biker's special and got a tofu-veggie scramble over home fries with a side of Spanish rice. Since I'm gluten intolerant, they subbed the rice in for toast at no extra cost, which I appreciated. The scramble and potatoes would have been enough as it was, but the rice was a perk.
My plate was supposed to include vegan nacho cheese sauce, which I think it did, but I would have gotten much more if I had ordered it on the side like my breakfast companions did. I would recommend doing this, as the sauce was good and I would have liked more of it.
The food was well prepared, but for me the most exciting thing was that it was all American vegan comfort food. The service was prompt and friendly, and the cost was reasonable in comparison to the large portions. I would love to come here for dinner to explore that menu.
I visited Tum Rum Thai late on a Tuesday night and received good service and good food for reasonably cheap prices. As noted by other reviewers, it is not the most exceptional of Asian restaurants in Minneapolis, but it was satisfying for the college student budget.
We ordered a spring rolls, a hot pot and cashew chili stirfry, all of which were said to be vegan or veganizable. We ordered one of our dishes hot (4/5) but it was definitely mild--but still good. The biggest complaint was that the mock duck was lacking in flavor and had a disconcertingly rubbery texture--personally I would stick with tofu or straight up veggies. The decor and ambiance were fun and I would take people here again.
The food here is the best Indian food I've had in Minneapolis. I've enjoyed the eggplant masala a few times, and tonight had the aloo gobi. It was creamy with a sweet note that I really enjoyed. We also ordered the onion chili uthappam, which was delicious, although the coconut chutney is not to my liking (plus it tasted like yogurt which scared me off.) I also like the vegetable pakora, but found the idli and vada combo a little too bland/heavy. The masala dosa was satisfactory.
The service here is fairly prompt and very friendly. As mentioned in another review, it is very quiet. I greatly enjoyed that the entire restaurant is vegetarian/vegan and that at least half of the options are vegan. Knowing that there isn't any meat cooked on any of the frying pans makes me feel at home!
Added bonus: the restaurant is draped in bright orange fabric. I'd take it home with me to make curtains if I could.
I stopped at Zest and asked what was the best gluten free vegan option. The server told me they could make the jacket potato with mediterranean vegetables and feta vegan by substituting a tomato sauce for the feta. The portion size was very big and I enjoyed the meal quite a bit. The tea was only 84p as I ordered the special of the day. Their bakery case included gluten free vegan shortbread but I didn't try it as it looked a bit small for the price.
I wish Zest did have vegan cheese as they claimed to have but they were in the process of finding a new supplier. Apparently people did not like sheese, the old brand offered. I recommended Daiya but apparently it hasn't made it to Scotland yet.
Zest was extremely full at 1 pm and I ended up sharing my table with a very nice St. Andrews student. The service was very prompt though the girl I sat with had her drink delivered to someone else on accident.
I would go back to Zest again for a quick lunch in St. Andrews as my meal cost less than five pounds, including tea, and was hot and tasty.
Cafe Chocolate is hardly vegan friendly but was the best option amongst a town full of meaty pubs. The best I could find on the menu, beyond a plain baked potato (there is a beans and cheese option) was the vegetable soup. The server promised me that it was made with vegetable broth, hence vegan. The soup was tasty and they subbed oatcakes for the bread. I also ordered a pot of tea. All together it was a nice, hot meal on a cold, rainy day in the Highlands. I would like to see more vegan options beyond a bowl of soup but I was glad to find anything in this small town.
The service was slow but the server said they were short staffed. It certainly appeared to be true. Also, the cafe only accepts cash so be prepared. The ambience is quiet and soothing with small tables and comfortable lounge chairs if you get there early enough.
I went to the Forest Cafe on my first day in Edinburgh. I was tired from travelling, cold, and wet. I ordered tea and while I drank it they let me use their outlet to charge my camera batteries. I had to wait until noon to order my meal (before that simpler options are available but I wanted a hot, hearty meal!) but once it arrived it was great. I ordered the soup and salad combo and they offered tortilla chips in place of bread as I'm gluten intolerant. The soup was thick and steaming hot and my plate had two salads--a green salad with a simple vinagrette dressing and a bean-cashew-sesame seed salad. The soup and salads were all rather simple, none bursting in unique flavour, but they were cheap, hot, and filling. At the time, that was all I cared about.
I really admire as well that this cafe is completely volunteer run. The service was efficient and fairly friendly and I wish I could have attended one of their music or movie nights.
Also: they have both soy and dairy milk on their counter for tea/coffee. Make sure you choose the right one!
Oct 2
This buffet was fairly cheap considering the amount of food. We were starving when we came and got a solid, hearty meal for less than four pounds. The flavors of the different curries all had the same generic Indian flavor but the different rices all had distinct tastes. The coleslaw was flavorful and crunchy and I did enjoy that a lot.
Unless I am incredibly hungry with nothing to eat I probably will nto come here again. If I am in that situation, this place is a great cheap vegan-friendly option.
The restaurant itself is amusing for all of the vegetarian/vegan information/propaganda on the walls. It may be preaching to the choir but we liked it.
Notes: ask for water if you want it or you might not get it. Also, use the same plate for every trip to the buffet.