A Vegan Obsession

Healthy Vegan Fast Food In San Francisco

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I was on a road trip recently with my new husband. Yes, for those of you that follow my blog..I got married in July to a wonderful American man!! We had a blissful wedding day in Ojai, California. Magical!

We were road tripping up to Orgeon to my first nerve wracking meeting with some of his siblings and their children, and for husband to enter a 13 mile hill race. (Swoon). We stopped off in my much loved city, San Francisco. Time pushed and road weary (7 hours driving…just to here) I was pulling him around the Mission excitedly showing him cafes where I had spent many hours writing..dragging him up Bernal Heights for a night view of the city and picking up morsels of vegan food along the way.

Project Juice has been raved about by me in the past. Situated midway up Valencia Street it is a filling and stop for healthy fast food and the antithesis of our unregulated in car crunchy snacking! We ordered the Macro Bowl, with ginger, sesame kale and roasted butternut squash, and the Spiced Lentil Wrap with a cashew-turmeric aioli which honestly was so incredible I could have eaten a bowl of the stuff with a spoon! Our food was incredible. Happy making. I like it when my intense love of food is shared! We washed it all down (so incredibly full now) with an Espresso smoothie, with super foods and fresh young coconut. It was good. Husband enjoyed it. But not being a coffee girl I must say my heart is still true to the Chocoholic smoothie! Project juice are in several Northern and SoCal locations. Recommended.

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790 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

 

 

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Though I’ve spent many months of my life in San Francisco in recent years..I felt like a tourist with my husband by my side! We had to take photo’s with murals..it just wouldn’t be right not to!

 

It was not easy to pick only two vegan restaurants to feast in San Francisco. We only had a few hours and I had to narrow it down. My second pick was Seed & Salt. A personal favourite. I had attended their opening in winter 2014. Their menu is original, organic, vegan and totally gluten free and even processed sugar free. A dream!

We deliberated a while then settled for the chopped cobb salad with chickpea frittata and the beet burger. ONE of the wonderful benefits to having a husband is that you do not have to decide on one item from the menu. You can order two and SHARE. I know. Such a bonus. So we also plumped for the beet burger, made with beets, walnuts and mushrooms. Both came with a cashew ranch dressing. Both were good and filling.

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2240 Chestnut Street

San Francisco, 94123

Despite our stomachs feeling fit to burst after our eating spree, and to sort of balance out all the healthy (though very delicious) food. We also devoured a bag of Wholesome Bakery spiced oat, cream filled whoopee pies. They are soft, chewy, cinnamony, creamy and jump and and down good. I once walked past their little catering kitchen in the Mission and stood at the closed door just inhaling. Yes, I did that.

Sorry. No pics!

I am hoping another trip up to San Francisco will not be too far away. I have many, many more restaurants for my new (and oh so lovely) husband to try with me.

Which is your favourite vegan place to eat in San Francisco?

 

Vegan Donuts Los Angeles

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Vegan donuts Los Angeles.

Donut Friend two words in the English language that are good, whether alone or together. Donuts are great. Friends are great. Put together? Well, after eating a pillow of doughy, adorned heaven at Donut Friend, for a moment the world drops away to reveal a glorious illumined alter of the baked bonne bouche. Really, you say..is it that good?! Ok so vegan baked donuts that taste like they are fried with GLUTEN FREE options that you can either dress up with one of their crazy good on-menu (sweet and savoury) flavours, or, OR make up from your own limitless crazy imaginations. Yes, DIY. They slice the donuts in half and that creates a lidded platform for you to fill, stuff and cram as you see fit. THEN, yes then you get to have it drizzled, dipped, sprinkled and literally drowned in more sensational toppings.

I went straight for the DIY option, with a gluten free donut. After much deliberation I opted for the raspberry habanero jam and coconut cream filling. Chocolate and vanilla glaze. Gloriously topped off with coconut bacon. My fingers were restless as I watched them create my masterpiece. I was eager to get my hands on it. Did my friends look at me strangely to see the over-the-top pure excitement I was displaying for a donut?! No matter. It was worth getting excited about! Picking it up it was dripping in glaze, I bit into it and waited for the flavours to tinkle my tastebuds like a piano player on the ivories! It was insanely good! The jam packed an intense sweet heat, the coconut bacon was crisp and smokey and the flavours played together like a symphony! The donut was baked but it tasted every bit fried. It was so delicious!!

I had to quell the oink within to hold back from trying all the flavours that were teasing mercilessly behind the glass! Friend J had the blueberry loaded ‘Husker Blu’, Friend C had the ‘Angry Samoan’, a chocolate and coconut adorned creation. C said he could not tell the difference between the gluten and the non-gluten donuts. They both admitted my DIY donut was totally delicious. I took another friend a day or so later and they said that they’d never know it was vegan and it was the best donut they’d had. It definitely was mine too!

Feast your peepers on the menu - I dare you not to salivate with creations like; caramelised apple, with vegan cheese, caramel and toasted peanuts, strawberry shortcake, pastry cream & chocolate, the S’Morrissey with a chocolate cake donut filled with toasted marshmallows and topped with chocolate glaze and graham cracker crumbs!!!!

As if you’d care with all that amazing ‘can you even believe it’ ‘have I died and gone to heaven’ ?going on but the prices are good, the donut shop is located in a fun, cozy part of town and the staff are squeezably nice too! It is not an all vegan place but it is mostly. Which you can tell by the fact they * the non-vegan items!

If all that is not enough, Donut Friend are also in Highland Park, a fun, hip and friendly area of town which I have fallen madly in love with. I will be going back again. And again, and again…and again. Nothing wrong with having donuts for lunch!

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Mine, all mine!

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Yes, well it is a confection laden donut, it was never going to be the glamor shot!

 

Donut Friend

5107 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Project Juice Bar San Francisco

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A new juice bar has opened on Valencia Street in San Francisco’s Mission District. Juice bars are not new, but I’d heard their set up was a little different so I thought I’d check it out.

Valencia is a very gentrified area of The Mission. Think lots of independent furniture design stores, clothing stores awash with hipster apparel and a myriad of smart restaurants and coffee houses. The walkways outside are embedded with glitter which pleases my magpie heart. Ooh, shiny. It is a street that holds much for the avid people watcher.

Project Juice Bar San Francisco has a clean, simple and minimalist interior. I felt healthy just standing inside and perusing their extensive and creative menu of smoothies and juices. The staff were super friendly and helped me to make my selection. Along with the smoothies they have raw wraps and tempting desserts.

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I spotted in the chiller a coconut-meat wrap stuffed with house-made vegan, cream cheese. I’m going back for that sucker. Today though I felt in the mood for smoky, so I ordered the Southwestern Burrito to go with my smoothie of choice. Though the juices are fresh pressed to maintain ALL their nutrients and enzymes so thrice super healthy, I only had eyes for a thick, decadent smoothie.

CALI CARROT $9.00 House-Made Almond Mylk, Cold-Pressed Carrot Juice, Raw Coconut Meat, Dates, Hunza Raisins, Lucuma, Cinnamon, Spices. It is said there is 5 lbs of produce in each bottle.

I’m not one for overly sweet so I asked them to omit the raisins. My order arrived within minutes and I took a stool at the window to begin feasting. The smoothie was thick, creamy, and the cinnamon was sweet harmony. I tucked into my burrito. A delight, let me say. I was not a particular fan of the little pot of salsa, but the wrap itself was smokey and crisp (from the lettuce) and bbq sweet. As if that was not enough to delight my senses it just so happened I turned up when they were experimenting with a new smoothie. My eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning when I was handed their seasonal no-egg nog to try. It is made from a base of their turmeric mylk with added nutmeg eggnog flavour notes. I was actually full by now but I took it on for my dessert stomach, which always seems to be very accommodating and nudges over and make room for sweet things. The flavour was insanely good, my head was in my hands and the wonder of it. Seriously. Project Juice have a full time chef on staff. Together they are making flavour whoopee!

I also sampled the Buff Beatnik, Berry Blaze and the Chocoholic. I think I consumed a gazillion calories but hey, it’s the holidays! And everything is made from healthy ingredients. Sourced locally (for the most part. Their fresh coconuts come from the Philippines. They use as much of the coconut as they can, even using the husk and shell to make vegan activated charcoal to go into their Black Magic hangover cure/detox juice). Greg & Rachel, the owners of the Project Juice bar take pride in personally knowing all their suppliers.

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Valencia is their forth location. The fifth to follow soon on Market Street. They also deliver detox and cleansing packs direct to your home. Their first store only opened 1.5 years ago, after a successful Kickstarter Campaign helped to get their vision off the ground. The couple had moved from the East coast where they’d been daily patrons of Organic Avenue. Rachel said that when they arrive 4 years ago there was nowhere in San Francisco where she could go to for uber healthy food and smoothies/juices. Being celiac and allergic to eggs and dairy, Rachel had turned her health around prior to coming to San Francisco by adopting a mainly vegan diet. Frustrated the couple decided to take the matter into their own hands and open a healthy juice bar in San Francisco themselves.

As I find so often in these stories, there is usually a nice path that leads (not always straight..sometimes a little squiggly) to career Nirvana. Rachel’s background had previously been working with autistic children. Through her work she was particularly interested in the nutritional effects on these children. Studies now prove that careful focus on nutrition has been found to help with symptoms. She’d attended many nutritional courses, so coupled with her studies, research and experience of finding health for herself it kind of dovetailed and gave her the impetus she needed to begin Project Juice. Greg had had a long career in investment banking in the food sector. See how that works?! In their whirlwind last 18 months the couple even managed to have a child. It must be the super foods keeping them going!

I had begun to think that the vegan food scene had stagnated in the City but things seem to be gaining fresh energy. That can only be good.

 

Seed + Salt New Vegan Cafe Opens in San Francisco

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A long anticipated, now it is here. Seed + Salt New Vegan Cafe Opens in San Francisco.

I was fortunate to be invited to the preview party on Friday. I honestly did not know what to expect but from my research on the owner, I believed it would be something special.

Located on Chestnut Street, Marina District, a rather sophisticated, trendy shopping street a mere stones throw from a magnificent view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Seed+Salt has a crisp, clean, beechwood and white interior. If it is possible to effuse an atmosphere of health then this place does. It was packed with friends and family, gathered to do a trial run before opening proper.

The owner, Mo came and greeted me warmly. I have to say everything about this woman is beautiful. No flapping, ‘rabbit in the headlights’ , opening day panic was evident as she talked me through the menu. I was fascinated by her zen like air. I discovered that Mo was born with entrepreneurial DNA. At 8 she was making greeting cards and selling them in her neighbourhood in Michigan. She had balance sheets and plotted every sale and every cent. She said it just was the most natural thing for her. She then grew up and founded a marketing company. Sold it years later with a substantial book of large corporate clients. Mo then sidestepped into making designer jewellery. She told me that opening a restaurant was never part of her vision but she got a sense a couple of years ago that she wanted to build a place that served the type of food she wanted to eat. Plant based (vegan), gluten free and processed sugar free. She hired a chef from Brooklyn and over 1.5 years they developed a menu that she is really proud of. This was all whilst bringing up a small child and running several of her other businesses. ‘How do you juggle it all and look so calm?’ I asked. Meditation, came the answer.

Mo wanted to create the cleanest food that could be delivered quickly. It’s a walk up to the counter place. The menu has soup, bowls, breakfast items, sandwiches - her eggplant bacon BLT was a hit with the customers (friends/family) I chatted with. Over 90% of the menu items are made in house from scratch, from cheeses to all the delicious spreads (she plans to sell on her product line one day) and her (one day sure to be famous) nut bread and baguettes (gluten free!!). Her ‘clean’ ethos extends to all the cutlery, takeout boxes, napkins etc. All green as can be and compostable.

So, what was it like you ask?

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Incredible Chef Ariel Nadelberg.

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Mo Clancy. Owner of Seed+Salt.

I began with cookies. They just called to me from the stand. Chocolate chip and ginger molasses. Soft, chewy, crumbly, perfectly sweetened and very morish. One of the best cookies I’ve ever had! And healthy to boot! Just how all food should and, as inventive vegans are discovering, can be.

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Next I sampled a selection of the spreads suggested by Mo. I tried the nut bread topped with wild mushroom and walnut spread, house made cheese, and a chimichurri sauce. The tri-combo of spreads were incredible. Their cream cheese is exceptional, and I can say that as I have tried many on the market. The whipped mushroom spread was flavoursome and light. The vibrant chimichurri was perfect and added an acidity that made for a reverential mix of flavours and a great acidity/creamy/umami balance.

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Warm from the oven, the flourless nut bread is packed with nuts and seeds but it somehow manages to be light. Mo suggested I tried the chia seed jam coupled with the raw lemon curd. The cool sweet but slightly tart curd on top of the warm bread and the thick chia seed jam were so very, very good. The curd is like a smooth citrus butter cream and it is spoonable, sweet loveliness.

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This is the eggplant bacon sandwich. Most of the people in the party I spoke with were carnivores. Each and everyone declared the eggplant bacon had a great flavour and closely matched the flavour of bacon and was worthy of much respect.

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Everyone I spoke to declared the food to be full of flavour and satisfying. The cookies and nut bread and spreads were very filling. I had no room for anything else. I will be returning for sure. I have to try that eggplant bacon, and the soup, and the blackbean tempeh.

Seed + Salt is a great concept, set to flourish in San Francisco and no doubt, from what I know of the beautiful Mo Clancy, in every city another Seed+Salt appears. The staff are super friendly and passionate about their fayre. The food will speak for itself. Seed+Salt is a sure fire hit.

Seed + Salt New Vegan Cafe Opens in San Francisco. December 2nd 2014. 2240 Chestnut Street, San Francisco.

Hours 7am - 8pm.

A Week Of Giveaways Celebrating National Vegetarian Week - Tibits At Home Cook Book

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Day 2 of our celebration of UK National Vegetarian Week.  Thanks for joining us!   Did you enter yesterdays competition for Rebel Kitchen Mylks?  Great.  

So today we have a cookbook to giveaway.  Everyone loves a cookbook and this book is true food porn.  Tibits is a modern vegetarian restaurant just off Regent Street in London.  I had the pleasure to review a dining experience there last year.   As with most good food hubs, beloved signature dishes develop and public demand for recipes grow.  So Tibits published a cookbook on their 10th anniversary called tibits At Home.  The hard backed book is seasonally compartmentalised, and full of beautiful photographs with simple recipes to try.  One of the staff told me that all the photos in the book were taken in the homes of regular diners in Switzerland.  Today, thanks to the generosity of tibits we have a copy to give away to one lucky winner!  It could be you.  Just enter below.

Good luck!!  Remember to sign up for our newsletter.  We are giving away prizes EVERYDAY this week!

Open to UK residents only.

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M.O.B In Brooklyn. Avant-garde Pizza. A Tale Of Two Cities.

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I flew to New York last year.  It was a long held dream of mine to visit the Big Apple.  The iconic city definitely did not disappoint.  I wrote about all my food adventures in NYC, but I left out this one.  I wanted to visit Paris and see the other MOB and bring you both of them.

M.O.B. was born in the mind of Cyril Aouizerate, over a 20 year period, while he was studying the works of Maimonides, a Spanish born Jewish philosopher, on the health benefits of various combinations of vegetables, fruits and spices. At that time he tells himself that someday he will try to make this philosophical text an ambitious project in bringing men together, regardless of their beliefs. And for their desire to, and belief of eating together.  After finding the appropriate place for him to build his restaurant, Cyril founded M.O.B (Maimonides of Brooklyn).  
It is set away from the hipster areas of Williamsburg and up and coming Bushwick. It gave me a good excuse to further explore Brooklyn. The neighbourhood circles a huge greenspace.  Prospect Park may not have the fame of Central Park in Manhattan, but I actually preferred it as a place to get away from the craziness of the city.

I visited in the afternoon.  Hungry from sightseeing and map reading.  A cute Irish guy offered me a warm welcome, sat me down and brought me a tray of oven baked kale chips whilst I read the menu.  Whilst it was a bit quiet inside, the lunch rush not yet taken hold, I thought the atmosphere was easy.  I chose an MOB. Well, I couldn’t visit and not imbibe their namesake.  The Iron Man. A generous topping of kale, shiitake mushrooms and a gorgeous horseradish aioli.  All vegan.  All gluten free.  The base is made mostly of chickpea flour.



The MOB is baked in ovenware formed to the shape of the Brooklyn Bridge (nice touch).  It was delicious.  Generously topped and the base, though not like pizza, it had an almost cakey texture but it was good and it soaked up the aioli and the juices from the sauté perfectly.  Filling too!  I would definitely recommend eating at MOB when you visit Brooklyn.  If you come to NYC, Brooklyn is a must.   It has a totally different feel.  Less frenetic than its island neighbour.  I felt I could breathe here.


MOB Brooklyn
525 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States

Paris!!  I was lucky enough to be in Paris a few weeks ago. I found MOB located in a great little spot right beside the Seine, in a building dedicated to design.  However, not all things are created equal and when I asked for a gluten free MOB I was told, ‘this is Paris’, we do not do the same as Brooklyn. Disappointing.  
However I was made to feel a little better by their eye catching ‘plastic animals in nightshade’. Yes, I am at times, easily pleased. 
I had to go elsewhere to find vegan AND gluten free food.

MOB Cite De La Mode
34 Quai d’Austerlitz

Paris, France

Eating OUT & Eating IN. Gluten Free & Vegan in Paris [Part 2]

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Following on from Paris Part 1, I bring you supermarkets, cafes and a few other vegan cafes I sat and watched the world go by in whilst enjoying a little snack or two.  You’ll also find a really useful list of articles on gluten free and vegan eating in Paris, I picked up from the internet.  Though of course this is all you need! Do make sure you check if the restaurants and cafes are open every day and check their opening hours.  Also, find out if they take cash and/or cards for payment. (You can benefit from my mistakes).

Restaurants


Also known as Sol Semilia.  I had a slice of ginger cake here. Made with buckwheat. They serve lunch and dinner on certain nights. I did not try but it looked and smelled great as they served it to the diners beside me. They also sell super foods.


Currently the only vegan patisserie in Paris.  Vegan Folies. Freshly baked cookies, cupcakes, cheesecakes and brownies.  Their toffee cheesecake was gluten free so I grabbed a take out slice to devour whilst sitting in the park with a friend.  I’d love to see more gluten free Parisian pastries on offer here.



Nestled in a covered market between two butcher (eek!) is My Kitch’n  The Swedish founder serves one or two gluten free, vegan dishes.




Supermarkets

A totally dedicated vegan supermarket in Paris Un Mond Vegan.  They have an extensive range of products.  A great little shop, near the Place Du Republic.








The lovely girl at Un Monde Vegan had a list of all the great vegan restaurants and cafes in Paris.



I loved these polenta bakes from Tossolia. They are vegan and gluten free.  I enjoyed them with Lima courgette soup and slices of Morsserisella.



Naturalia stock a good selection of vegan, raw, and organic products.




Health food/ organic stores are scattered all over Paris. Naturalia, Bio Moi, Bio C Bon to name but a few.


I found a shop entirely dedicated to gluten free items of an Italian bent.


Carrefour  a chain who are dotted all over the city. They have many items suitable for vegans, and a gluten free and organic section. 


Most of the supermarkets, even the little express stores had a gluten free section. I found these tarts.  They were a bit sweet and artificial for me but you may love them.


I lived off these patties from Sojasun. A tasty respite from expensive dining out! Only 3 Euro from most supermarkets. Gluten free and vegan but not for the soy adverse.



I was happy to discover what I consider to the best, hands down, almond milk I’ve had to date (beside my own fresh). La Mandorle actually taste like almonds.  Delicious.  Not like some of the ones I’ve tried in the US (Silk) which are a bit unnatural tasting.


I discovered this French made Karma Kombucha. It has just the right acidity & fizz. They also sell a kefir which was refreshing and delicious.



cafes in Paris


Chic and bright, Cafe Pinson located at the north end of La Marais in the 10th arrondissement.  They have vegan desserts that are gluten free.  Though on the day I visited just a syllabub was on offer. Typical cost of a cup of tea, 4 euro.  Paris is anything but cheap.



Another hip coffee bar. Intimate and friendly just off the Canal St Martin. 10 Belles is much loved by the discerning coffee connoisseur.


One of my favourite places to write.  Great background music and a calming atmosphere.  Many cups of green tea were supped here by 
me.      
                                 La Chambre Aux Oiseaux
Canal  St Martin


I had to include this restaurant not because I ate there but because I am immature and I thought the name was funny.


Dose Dealer De Cafe is a nice little coffee shop in the Latin Quarter.  My second favourite area of Paris.


Whilst wandering the streets away from the tourist areas I stumbled across this covered market. Built on the site of a 16th century orphanage on the Rue De Bretagne. It had lots of food stalls but I did not find anything vegan.  It is a good place for coffee/tea and a spot of Parisian watching.



After a little bit of research and planning, I strategically placed myself in the area with the most vegan/vegetarian cafes and restaurants.  I was steps from Bob’s Juice Bar, Holybelly, Tuck Shop, Le Bar Des Artisans, and easy walking distance to others.



Useful guides for vegan eating in Paris

There is much written about the vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Paris.  I wrote about it in [Paris Part 1]. Top 5 Vegan & Gluten Free Dishes In Paris

These are just a few I found useful when I first arrived in Paris.

The Wilted State Of Vegetarian Dining In Paris. By Parisbymouth
My Top Ten Eats In Paris by Type Craft Writer
Paris Rental wrote about Vegan & Gluten Free Dining
Gluten Free Paris
Happy Cow
Vegan Paris

I found this really useful, too.  It is a mobile app for vegans in Paris, by a Parisian.  

Gorgeous Cafes in Paris

I gathered some information on the most happening cafes in Paris, too.  Personally, I do not like coffee. The aroma..oh yes but the taste..not so much!  However, I like hanging out in a good coffee shop.

Have you been to Paris?   Leave a comment and let us know which were your favourites.
Did you spot any food trucks? I do not think this idea has hit the streets of Paris yet.

Paris - My Top 5 Vegan & Gluten Free Eats In Paris (Part 1)

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I once heard ‘Paris is tough for vegans’.   Pah!  Parisians are embracing not only veganism but health.  Ok, so I’m not saying that every inhabitant of the French capital is denouncing meat and jogging to the Patisserie, but if the legion of Bio and health food stores spread over the city are a marker then I’d say that Parisians are mindful of their diet and the origins of their food.  Artisan vegan cheese makers are rising in number and developing delicious flavours.  The near future is bound to bring Dairy Free Fromageries to our shopping experience. I found, like so many I’ve visited recently, is very vegan and gluten free friendly.

I was grateful to Happy Cow, et al (whom I will document in Paris Part 2)who list all the vegan eateries in the city. I grabbed my Euros (and I needed many.  Paris is SUPER expensive!…Seriously Paris, 4 Euro for a cup of green tea!? Hanging out and people watching is certainly not a cheap pastime). I was impressed with what was on offer.  After ten days of feasting and vacillation, these are definitely best five vegan meals, or at least dishes, I enjoyed on this trip.  I’ll share the others in the next post.  The top five are in no particular order.  All the dishes are gluten free.

No.1

In my hunt to bring you the best vegan ‘junk’ food joint in Paris I discovered Hank Burgers Bio.  I use junk loosely rather than a reality of the food.  A fill up at Hanks manages to deliver HUGE flavours.  The best gluten free burger buns I’ve tasted..soft and actually like a burger bun.  Toppings and sauces that marry perfectly with their meatless bun.  And crispy fries that left me contentedly stuffed.  

Who’s Hank?  Well, I asked that of Pierre (the guy on the right) the proud owner of this newly opened burger house (or should I say maison?!)  ‘I don’t know’ he replied with a warm smile.  Hank is a figment of his imagination and part of the whole branding of his establishment.  The small, clean and bright restaurant is situated in the uber hip neighbourhood (arrondissement) of La Marias.  Pierre is an earnest new chef,  not long wrenched from the world of tech.  He is a vegan newbie too. Only having notched up just over a year of meat AND dairy free living.  He told me a light bulb went off and not long afterwards Hank Burgers was born. LOVE.

Hank Burgers
55, rue des Archives 
                                                                                                                                

No.2
Next up  Le Potager Du Marais.  This berry crumble nearly made me humbly weep with joy.  The perfect balance of tart and sweet with a generous layer of golden crumble.  It needed no creamy embellishments.  I took an inordinate amount of time to thoroughly devour this dish. I scraped the dish clean and then I mourned it’s demise!

Yes, I list the dessert first.  The courgette soup, with the lavish side of soft gluten free bread, was watery green vegetable alchemy… transformed into silky, flavoursome soup. But even this palled in comparison to the dessert.

If they injected as much love into the decor as they do their food it would take the dining experience up that final notch.

Le Potager du Marais

24 rue Rambuteau 
Paris, France 75003

                                                                                                                                                                   

No.3

Pousse Pousse(pronounced puss puss..doesn’t sound quite so good in it’s translation Sprout Sprout).  Ah, the French language mellifluous in nature could make a tax return sound like poetry.  I loved merely just being in the City, surrounded by these sensual, exotic accents.  My efforts to emulate it where poor, but I did try my best.  Though even my novice attempts were appreciated, as more than one Parisian told me (in English).

This restaurant, just south of Montmartre, situated in an area being slowly gentrified (where isn’t these days?!) has both raw and cooked dishes.  My tartelette sans gluten dish had both raw and cooked elements.  A host of wonderful flavours and textures on the plate that made eating quite a mindful experience. 

The raw dessert was fudge-y, chocolate heaven. Cacao nibs offering a wonderful bitter crunch and the added hazelnut butter battled for attention with the raw cacao.  I was transported back to childhood when Nutella was consumed in heaped spoonfuls after a long school day.  A little raw fig cracker commanded attention and served as a good reminder to try to eat with delicacy!  

All dishes are vegan with lots of gluten free options. I suggest booking ahead as Pousse Pousse’s tables are few in number. 
Pousse Pousse
7, rue Notre Dame de Lorett, 
Paris, 75009

                                                                                                                                                                  

No.4

Cafe Ginger a charming little vegan cafe tucked in a side street, a stones throw from La Bastille.  The staff were super friendly and it had a nice relaxed atmosphere.  I actually wasn’t going to try this place but I’d walked to MOB and found that they were not like their Brooklyn counterparts and had no gluten free options. I hope this changes.  Anyway, so I had a quick chat with The Gentle Gourmet who are close by and they recommended Cafe Ginger.  It turned out to be a good call.  


They had just a couple of gluten free options.  I was actually glad the menu was limited because choosing can get exhausting!  I chose the vegetable crumble bake.  The polenta topping was delicately flavoured and complemented the soft stewed vegetables sitting below perfectly.  The plate was dotted with other elements.  Sauces, salads, stews, curry’s and grains.  Like a restrained buffet plate! Great flavours and textures. 

The ONLY thing I would say is to make sure your serve knows you are gluten free and it may be worth mentioning with each course just to make sure they remember.  The cafe is busy and my server had to be reminded that  I was gluten free when running through the choice of desserts with me.  I had their raw carrot cake and it was good.

9 Rue Jacques Coeur (metro Bastille) 

Paris, France 75004

                                                                                                            

No.5


Joint winners take the fifth spot.  Each had their own individual merits. I could not choose.

Caroline, owner of The Gentle Gourmet and her staff were so utterly sweet, I could not help but love them for that.  I only tried dessert here.
I did forget that ‘pastry’ means a sweet treat to the French so when I ordered the vegan white Bavarian chocolate pastry I imagined a towering stack of ‘buttery’ flaky pastry amid clouds of thickly pipped chocolate fondant.  I actually got a cheese cake.  A delightfully smooth and creamy cheesecake with a gorgeously tart coulis that made this dessert sing.

The Gentle Gourmet
24 Boulevard de La Bastille (at Place de La Bastille), 
Paris, 75012

And in joint place for 5th best vegan restaurant is 42 Degres.   A raw food (nothing cooked about 42 degrees to maintain maximum nutrients) restaurant in the 9th arrondissement.  I had to place them in the top 5 as their flavours were good.  The mushroom burger entree was a mushroom based patty in between two marinated portabello mushrooms that served as the ‘bun’.  It was lovely but with a single kale chip and two green leaves it was not for the hungry.  The raw passionfruit torte was stunning but the meanness portion I’ve ever encountered.  I looked around and mine got the medal for the smallest portion given out in the room!  (I couldn’t help but feel irked as being short changed!).  I would award few points to 42 Degres for value for money but  they make up for it with presentation and flavour.  If I lived in Paris I’d have this place on my list of favourites but I’d only visit it on occasion.  

109, rue du Faubourg Poissonniere, 
Paris, 75009

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


Be sure to check out my next post…Paris Part 2.  I’ll list all the other restaurants I visited and give you options for ‘eating in’ which can be found in most supermarkets.   Also, I will share the great blogs that helped to make my Parisian experience a good one.

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