So, I'm laying in my bed at the moment having just gotten home from a really delicious dinner with Forever Bestie and I got to thinking about humans... Now, before you start assuming I am having some sort of epiphany moment about human beings - stop!
I'm really just thinking about the reactions that people have when I tell them I am a vegan, or how I just finished eating at a really amazing vegan restaurant. 96% of the time people will turn up their noses to thee idea that a restaurant could forego serving meat (and apparently it is even worse to consider not having cheese on the menu - GASP!!!!) Let's get real though... As great as some of those people think they are... We need to back the fun bus up and get a little bit more liberal for a second (for lack of a better phrase I used that one.) There is a heck tone of wicked awesome places right here in Edmonton that are meat and animal by product free... I think it's about time some of us try them and stop being so hesitant!
Let's just chat about the great places for a second, shall we!?
Padmanadi: I believe this is the one that most people know about, in my opinion it is also one of the easiest to convert omnivores to try. Their menu is full of Asian style delights of all different kinds from classic Ginger Beef to Mutton Curry. I have to admit that I have tried plenty more than I should let on, but I keep going back to have more delicious dishes! Their "meat" dishes are incredibly similar to what they are imitating, the texture and flavour is dead on and as someone who has eaten meat in their life I feel as though this statement rings pretty true!
Cafe Mosaics: Can someone say home food? I crave a hearty plate of food some days just like any other human being, and when those days hit and I have the cash in my pocket you can bet you will find me at Cafe Mo! Since they finished renovating there is way more space to sit, the Cafe is bright cheery, friendly and always buzzing with people! And I mean seriously!? The burgers and tofu scramble... So good, I cherish the times I get to go. Also guys, they have a wicked beverage menu now... So many fancy coffees and juices - you have no idea! Go - just go.
Veggie Garden: Okay, this place is not for the faint hearted... Not because of the food but because of the location. It is nestled right into Chinatown next to Milla Pub and the Hope Mission? (Correct me if I'm wrong). So on the outside it doesn't look like to much, but the inside is full of the delicious aroma so classic Chinese takeout. I have only ever been served by the one lady and she is adorable! Eating there is like eating with your family... And it won't cost you an arm and a leg! One day they will deliver and that day I will never have to leave my house again!
Loma House: This place I learned all about through Instagram (the wonders of social media, amiright!?) and I've really enjoyed it since the first time I went to visit. Again, it is small and family owned so you are treated as such when you arrive. Even beyond the tasty meals you can purchase at the restaurant they have freezers full of products to purchase to give you the opportunity to go home and recreate or create new meals with the animal free by-products they have. Seriously, we need more places like this in Edmonton!
Blue Plate: Okay, this restaurant is not entirely veggie friendly but they definitely have an abundance of vegetarian/vegan meals you can enjoy when you go there and it is a staple for me when I am going for dinner with a group of people that don't conform to my same eating habits. I find the prices to be slightly steep but the food is always good!
Noorish: I have to admit that I don't go here often but when I do I am not at all disappointed. On top of being fully vegan, they also boast a number of raw items (dessert included) and take a really fantastic holistic approach to the way food is made. At Noorish it isn't just about filling your belly but also being conscious about what it is you are putting into your body and how it can benefit you. Plus, they have yoga classes... And the people that frequent there are wayyyy cooler than I am.
The Buckingham: Again, not solely vegan and also not alley a restaurant! This is a pub on Whyte that has a handful of pretty tasty vegan and veggie items. They are all pub style food and taste really good while you sip on some beer but things can get a little dicey sometimes! I ordered veggie meatballs once and they served me regular meat ones. After trying to explain it to the waitress she still insisted they had no animal product in them. Since you will likely be drinking while there, just be cautious and keep in mind that things can be deceiving sometimes! Trust your gut, guys! The corn dogs though... OH MAN!
Mercury Room: I have only been here a couple of times and although it is a restaurant and a venue, I've only gone to eat food. Each time it is phenomenal! They understand the idea of presentation and taste going hand in hand. Honestly I do not leave disappointed ever. The chefs there always seem to be coming up with new and really innovative ways to create vegan versions of some classic favorite dishes and they are never lacking in the tasty department. Can we also talk for a second about the server? He is a delight, very attentive and super helpful! If you have gone to one of their brunch or dinner services I am certain you know exactly who I'm talking about - he's wonderful!
Sailin' On Food Truck: Jay and I LOVE Sailin' On. I managed to convert him with just one visit. Jay's love for the coconut bacon is like no other, and that is the only way he is able to question where it is we will be going for dinner/lunch or whatever! Since it is the winter we haven't been able to make it to a lot of the pop up events that have been going on, but once summer hits believe me - we will be finding this truck a lot! It is the first (and only) vegan food truck in Edmonton, and the guys running it are great! You can tell they have a passion for what they are doing, and it makes it easy and exciting to go and visit them to see what sort of new concoctions they have come up with. The Rueben will be my all time favorite for basically forever... that and the BLT... and the tacos... and the corn dogs (yeah... the same corn dogs they have at The Buckingham!)
Remedy Cafe: This place has blown up in the last year or so, they have added a number of new locations around the city and they continue to be incredibly prosperous and I could not be happier for them! While they are not strictly vegan, they cater beautifully to those who choose not to eat animal based products. Everything has a home made feel to it, and their chai still remains unmatched in my opinion. It is the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, the scent fills the restaurant and warms your soul all at the same time. Along with the extensive menu, they also have an amazing array of desserts from cupcakes from Blue Rose and cookies from Bloom (I talk about both of these guys later), along with tons of other treats for vegans and gluten free individuals!
Arcadia: Fact, I have not been here yet. So although I wish I had more to say about this place I don't. I believe I will be hitting it up next week sometime to check out all their tasty sounding dishes (obviously I looked up their menu) as well as whatever entertainment they will be boasting that night! Reality is though, I have heard nothing but really amazing things about their food and the venue in general! Can't wait, see you guys soon!
Clever Rabbit: Another favorite of mine, when I lived downtown I used to frequent this place and I was never ever disappointed. The decor is adorable, and their walls are always covered with adorable art featuring all sorts of animals but mainly rabbits (obviously!) The food is simple, but delicious. The walnut chickpea burger is the most amazing... and I can't even begin to explain to you how good their homemade salsa is.
Farrow Sandwiches: These guys are relatively new as well, but when they do a vegan sandwich they are not joking around! Not even a little bit. Not only are their flavors on point, but the names they come up with are memorable! The sandwiches they make are always different and always extra interesting. For the most part they have one vegan sandwich at a time, but there is no need to worry not only is it likely really tasty but they will come up with a new one in no time!
Earths General Store: Okay, not a restaurant... I understand that! But still... it is a small little shop packed full of really amazing vegan treats, produce, groceries, beauty products and pet food. Also... they sell Sailin' On coconut bacon. Go there... just go!
Blush Market: Again, not a restaurant but since this place is located right on Whyte Avenue I tend to pop in once awhile. Especially if I am looking for a certain product. I have to admit, I do find their prices are a little higher then some other places but the quality matches the price for sure!
Planet Organic: I think that most people know that this place exist, and for good reason! It is the most easily accessible mecca of tasty vegan and organic stuff! It is the only place that I have been able to find some of the soy free vegan seafood that I crave once in awhile on those days that you just don't feel like getting fancy in the kitchen!
I am about to start talking about some of my favorite vegan humans here... they fill my belly with tasty treats and are LITERALLY the only reason I go to the Farmer's Market some weeks.
Blue Rose Vegan: The selling point for this girl here is her ability to make cheese buns. The first time I tried them I knew they were perfect and her ability to bake things - and on top of that to bake them without animal products is amazing. I'm pretty sure she is my soul mate. Also, she has started Snack Attack box with a couple other vegan homies and it is brilliant! I admit I have only purchased it once but I was not disappointed and I fully intend on doing it again and again!
Bloom: Cookies! Need I say more? I think Bloom was the first experience I had in quality Edmonton baked goods. I purchased them at the Farmers Market one summer and was totally floored that they were completely vegan. Since then they have branched out and sell at Remedy and Sailin' On. Probably other places too, basically because they are downright delicious.
Frickin' Delights: Mandy and her husband are adorable! They make me smile every time I see them and it totally warms my heart that they remember me by my Instagram handle. It secure my feelings about social media being able to bring together so many people! I have ordered her donuts to my office on more than once and the girls I work with flock hard to give them a taste.
Long Lost Foods: Another Farmers Market find and they continually produce the most tasty treats for me. Seriously... Who needs to cook when these guys are around!
So yeah... I feel like this is some major proof enough that there is no reason for people to doubt the delicious vegan options out there. I mean... With all of these to choose from who would actually miss cheese!?
Also, my rambling is not meant to be a critique or review of these places at all. I have done reviews on some of these guys but please, please, please try them all out and then share all your feels about them!
If I have forgotten any delicious treasures leave a comment below and let me know about them so I can try a new restaurant or tell you how much I love them!
Be well.
