Dining Out in New York City - V-Note

Zucchini Pappardelle - V-Note Organic Wine Bar & Vegan Bistro

I made a last minute reservation at V-Note for dinner to make use of a Groupon voucher I had bought a few weeks earlier. It's not a spot that was on the top of my must-visit list, but I'm always excited to try a new vegan restaurant. It is run by the owners of Blossom and Café Blossom, two other well known vegan restaurants in NYC. I dined at this Upper East Side establishment with my non-vegan boyfriend on a Friday night. It's fairly small so I recommend making a reservation. 

Cape Cod Cakes - V-Note

Our waiter provided us with menu recommendations and great service overall. My boyfriend picked an appetizer for us to share. We had the Cape Cod Cakes that were a blend of hiziki seaweed, tofu, and herbs served with a side of greens and tartar sauce. They are similar to a crab cake in terms of flavor and looks, served as a small lightly fried ball. I was skeptical about them at first because I think it's more of a challenge to successfully veganize seafood, but they were super delicious! I would go back just for these or order them as takeout, definitely the highlight of the meal. 

For an entree I ordered the raw Zucchini Pappardelle with thinly sliced raw zucchini, avocado, cherry tomatoes, olives, red peppers, marinated onions, oyster mushroom, almond butter, and cashew cream. My boyfriend opted for the most "safe" and traditional dish on the menu, the lasagna, served with sauteed eggplant, broccoli rabe, and a red sauce. After having a warm appetizer that was outstanding it was hard to go to a healthier raw dish, but I still enjoyed mine. As most raw food is, it was very filling and tested fresh. My boyfriend was starving and wolfed down his lasagna. I got a taste and it was okay, but nothing special. 

Raw Zucchini Pappardelle - V-Note

Lasagna - V-Note

Butterfinger Shake - V-Note

I had my eye on dessert and was making a tough decision between the beloved Chocolate Ganache Cake with a peanut butter center or a Butterfinger Shake. The weather was unseasonably warm so I opted for the shake. I've had the Butterfinger Shake at Terri and in comparison I preferred this one at V-Note. Terri's shake was a little too sweet. This did have a slightly chalky taste and texture, but it's not too surprising with non-dairy milks. 

I would go back to try more of the appetizers, particularly the Yelpers' favorite Black Eyed Pea Cake. The ambiance is intimate and romantic, a good date night spot.

V-Note Organic Wine Bar & Vegan Bistro

1522 First Avenue 

(between 79th & 80th Streets)

New York, NY 10075

V-Note Website

Dining Out in Portland - Los Gorditos

Soycurl Nachos - Los Gorditos

I was excited about this place for the filling, "cheesy," dirty-in-a-good-way Mexican food. It's rare to find classics like nachos, quesadillas, and burritos that still have all the heavier, creamy ingredients like sour cream and cheese served in a vegan-friendly way. My friend and I ended up here because we discovered Blossoming Lotus had moved and was no longer across the street in the Pearl District of Portland. I had this on my list of top vegan food spots, so I wasn't too upset to give it a try.

Soycurl Taco - Los Gorditos

They have a separate vegan menu with lots to choose from. We were excited about trying the live nachos from Blossoming Lotus so we ordered nachos here to satisfy that craving. Unfortunately they weren't the greatest. They were too dry in a sense that there wasn't any melted cheese or enough sour cream or refried beans on them to get that loaded nachos effect going, you know when the chips get stuck together and it's so messy you have to eat it with a fork? Those are good nachos. They came with soycurls, a popular vegan item in Portland, rice, lettuce, onion, jalapeños, avocado, tomato, cilantro and refried beans. I had to get my filling of "cheese"so I ordered a Cheese Quesadilla Solo alongside an order of Soycurl Taco. The quesadilla was definitely more in line with the melted, greasy, cheesy taste I was looking for - they use Follow Your Heart brand. The Soycurl Taco was served in a soft corn tortilla with grilled fajita vegetables, beans, onion and cilantro. One cool part of dining here is that there is a self-serve sauce station offering salsas and hot sauces from mild to very spicy. I tried a few and stuck with the medium to spicy variety.

Cheese Quesadilla Solo - Los Gorditos

Overall the dining experience was okay. The staff was super friendly and helpful and the prices were below average, but the food wasn't outstanding and in Portland there are higher standards to meet. I would definitely be willing to try other menu items to give this a second chance... next time I'm in Portland!

Los Gorditos

922 NW Davis Street

Portland, OR 97209

Los Gorditos Website

Dining Out in Portland - Departure Restaurant + Lounge

BBQ Tempeh Buns - Departure Restaurant + Lounge

I heard about Departure from a few other vegan bloggers and also from Chef Chloe Coscarelli, who responded via Facebook to my question of where to dine in Portland. This year it made the list of 100 hottest restaurants rated by OpenTable diners. When I arrived in Portland I knew I had to try it. I am so glad I did! What I didn't know about this place that makes it so special, is its gorgeous view of the city! It's located within the Nines Hotel on the 15th floor, with outdoor space that would fantastic in the summer months. The entrance is very chic and modern and you feel like you're walking into a club, but have no fear it's a relaxed atmosphere. This is a great spot to enjoy a few drinks and they do offer a happy hour, though I highly recommend staying for a meal. It's a little pricey, but now living in New York City the prices here don't even compare, and it's well worth it for the overall dining experience.

Kimchee Fried Rice - Departure Restaurant + Lounge

They have a separate vegan menu (also available online to view) so it's easy to see the options; choosing becomes its own challenge. I decided on the Edamame for a starter, Sweet Potato Tempura Roll, BBQ Tempeh Buns, and Kimchee Fried Rice. Others I had my eye on were the Salt and Pepper Tempeh and the Brussels Sprouts that were highly recommended by our waitress. Everything was delicious. I really enjoyed the Sweet Potato Tempura roll prepared with spinach, ginger, and sweet soy.  I only wish it was served with brown rice instead of white. The large helping of Kimchee Fried Rice was good, but a tad too spicy for my liking. The standout of the night were the BBQ Tempeh Buns. I had had nothing like it before. The Korean barbecue sauce was just right, but the steamed bun was my favorite part! There weren't particularly easy to eat, stuffed with spicy slaw and oozing barbecue sauce, but that didn't stop me.

Sweet Potato Tempura Roll 
Departure Restaurant + Lounge

I apologize for the low quality photos for this post. The restaurant was dimly light and I didn't come prepared with a camera, hence the iPhone shots. Take my word for it, this is a spot worth visiting!

Departure Restaurant + Lounge

525 SW Morrison St.
15th Floor

Portland, OR 97204

Departure Restaurant + Lounge Website

Dining Out in Portland - Petunia's Pies & Pastries

Hummingbird Babycake - Petunia's Pies & Pastries

A gluten-free and vegan bakery that serves alcoholic beverages... it's a rare breed, but Portland has one! I stopped in here after another wonderful vegan meal a few blocks away. I was already stuffed, but couldn't resist. It's an adorable bakery with feminine, pastel colors and pretty decor, very much in line with my taste. Apparently the storefront is a new addition this year, previously they were selling their goods at a Farmer's Market. VegNews recognized the bakery a few months ago in their list of "8 Hot New Vegan Restaurants Across the Country" (a list that also included one of my new Boston faves, Root).

Double Chocolate Babycake

with GLITTER Sprinkles
Petunia's Pies & Pastries

I kept apologizing to the staff for how long it was taking me to decide - sensory overload! They sell pies, cakes, cookies, whoopie pies, and cupcakes, as well as savory items like pizza. There were even cupcakes with glitter sprinkled on top - I need to find that for my own baking! They had these enormous, mouthwatering cakes available by the slice that I had to try. The price was a little steep for one slice at $8, but I had to remind myself that gluten-free and vegan means more expensive ingredients. In my opinion it's worth it for a much healthier dessert. I wanted to try everything, though I had my heart set on cake and ordered a slice of Black & White Cake. I also ordered a Hummingbird cupcake or "babycake", as they were so cutely named after reading positive reviews on Yelp. My friend ordered a slice of pie that must have been a special item because I didn't see it on the regular menu. My cake was decadent and rich with a silky chocolate flavor. The frosting was sweet with a hint of vanilla, just as it should be. There was a layer of chocolate ganache spread across the top, that looked beautiful on the full cake and was yummy when I had a bite with it in it. My Hummingbird babycake, which I enjoyed the next day, was similar to a carrot cake cupcake, with cream cheese frosting. It was a tad too sweet, but still had good flavor. 

Coconut Dulce de Leche Cake
Petunia's Pies & Pastries

Black & White Cake - Petunia's Pies & Pastries

 

It's quite a challenge to create delicious and aesthetically pleasing baked goods that are both gluten-free and vegan, but Petunia's is successfully doing just that. I didn't get to try any cocktails with my desserts, but next time I'm in Portland I will be back. If you can't make it to the storefront in downtown Portland they also sell their products at local retailers or you can go place custom orders online, but unfortunately for delivery you would have to be fairly close-by, since there is a fee based on mileage. 

How cute is this to-go bag?!

Petunia's Pies & Pastries

610 SW 12th Avenue

Portland, OR 97205

Petunia's Pies & Pastries Website

Dining Out in Portland - Sizzle Pie

Spiral Tap & New Maps Out of Hell Vegan Pizza - Sizzle Pie

Spiral Tap Vegan Pizza - Sizzle Pie

Although New York City is known for its pizza I haven't had a delicious slice of vegan pie...yet. I admit it is for a lack of trying, so I will be on the hunt and hope to find one soon. While I was in Portland, Sizzle Pie came up in my restaurant research for having fantastic pizza both non-vegan and vegan. The option for vegan pizza wasn't just a plain pie with some Daiya cheese thrown on top as a substitute. They offered a well thought-out, creative and generous menu of vegan pizzas with amusing names. If that isn't enough they also have a "Create Your Own" menu with a full list of vegan toppings, including vegan pepperoni, seitan italian sausage, and something called "buffalo jackfruit."

My co-workers and I stopped in after going to a Trail Blazers game (and after we had had our first dinner at Veggie Grill earlier that night). They stay open late, 3am on weekdays. Somehow I found my appetite again when I smelled the heavenly pizza aroma from the street. I was even more excited to see they had two vegan pizzas available for slices, so 1) I didn't need to wait for an entire pizza to cook 2) I could try more than one variety. Even better, they didn't just offer the option of one massive slice, you could get what they called a "cut" for only a $1.75, depending on the pizza. That's a smart idea. All of their pizzas seem to be thin crust, which I prefer.


 I ordered a full slice of Spiral Tap, the more traditional though still very unique choice of the two vegan pizzas. It resembled a craft project with swirled purple and red sauces. Made with creamy caramelized onion spread, marinara sauce, and a sprinkling of nutritional yeast, I really enjoyed this one, however it was a little too sweet to have for a full meal. I immediately wished I had ordered a full slice of the second choice, New Maps Out of Hell; it was perfection! This one had a creamy basil cashew spread (more like pesto in this case), seasoned soy curls (a popular item in these parts), and your choice of three veggies, as presented on the menu. That night the additions were roasted garlic, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts. I am not a fan of olives, but I hardly minded them with this combination of flavors. No cheese substitute necessary, I wouldn't change a thing. 

 

I thought about going back to Sizzle Pie many times while in Portland, but there just wasn't enough time or room in my stomach to allow for it. I give this place two thumbs up and hope to find comparable pizza near me.

926 W. Burnside Street

Portland, OR 97205

Sizzle Pie Website

Dining Out in Portland - Veggie Grill

B-Wing Salad - Veggie Grill

Childishly, I wanted to dislike this place because it's such a great idea that I kick myself for not going out there and making it happen. Someone else had to and these guys are doing it well. In all of my dining while staying in Portland I have to admit this was one of the places I wish I had gone back to. I could have eaten here everyday! The service is quick, the menu is huge, and the one meal I had there was perfect. They are expanding rapidly with at least four more locations coming soon along the West Coast. 

My co-workers and I stopped into the downtown Portland location for a quick dinner before heading to a Trail Blazers basketball game. I had read about the B-Wing Salad in another blog post so I decided quickly that was what I'd try. The staff was very friendly and there is a higher level of service here than at your typical fast food joint. They bring your order to your table, check on you while you're eating, and clear your table when you're done. 

B-Wing Salad - Veggie Grill

My meal was fantastic. It was a huge serving so I couldn't finish it all, but I came pretty close! I haven't had a salad like this since before I was vegan. It is served with Gardein buffalo wings, chopped romaine lettuce, avocado, celery, roasted corn salsa and creamy ranch dressing. The colors even match their logo! The buffalo "chicken" wings were extremely close to the real thing (also noted by my non-vegan co-worker) and the creamy dressing was amazing. I'm not a fan of celery so I would ask for less next time, but it's to be expected with buffalo chicken; I can't knock them for it. My co-worker tried the Cauli-Mashed Potatoes and Gravy side dish. Another dish that is rarely served vegan, but still tasted good and fairly close to the real thing. It was prepared with cauliflower blended with mashed potatoes, porcini mushroom gravy, and fresh rosemary. It wouldn't have been my first pick, but that's because I also had my heart set on trying the Mac-n-Cheese. 

Cauli-Mashed Potatoes & Gravy - Veggie Grill

This is what I would consider vegan junk food based on the soy-heavy products, but they do offer soy-free and gluten-free options on their menu. I didn't have a chance to try any of their desserts, but just reading the description on the menu for the Grilled Cookie left me with a strong craving. 

I can't wait to go west again and try more of the menu!

Veggie Grill

508 SW Taylor Street

Portland, OR 97204

Check out their website for a full list of locations and others coming soon!

Dining Out in Portland - Voodoo Doughnuts

Vegan Toasted Coconut Cake Doughnut - Voodoo Doughnuts

Voodoo Doughnuts was recently named one of the "20 Most Iconic Food Destinations Across America" by Smithsonian Magazine. Pretty cool!

My first trip here was quite an adventure. It was late at night (yes, it's open 24/7!) after a full day of flying and driving into town for a business trip. I was lost trying to find the downtown Portland location and the friendly police politely notified me that while on my quest for doughnuts I had broken multiple traffic laws. As soon as they knew I was a tourist they took pity on me and pointed me in the right direction. We arrived to no line and an overwhelmingly large number of doughnuts to choose from, both vegan and non. You can see the list on their website, try not to drool on your keyboard. With playful and even naughty names, the flavors get very creative and nostalgic, like Captain My Captain, a yeast doughnut with vanilla frosting and Captain Crunch cereal. For vegan options they have a lot to choose from, both cake and yeast doughnuts like Oreo, maple, coconut, sprinkles, peanut, or triple chocolate penetration. 

 

Rotating Carousel of Delicious, Heavenly and Colorful Doughnuts!

We ordered a Voodoo dozen to bring to our coworkers and I ordered myself the appropriately named Cock-N-Balls doughnut, chocolate glazed, complete with cream filling in the balls. There are endless jokes to make with this one... The taste was exactly like a traditional yeast doughnut, though it had been many years since I tasted one, I bet that a non-vegan could not tell the difference. It's a large portion so I didn't eat it all at once and it was still just as good the next day.

Vegan Cock-N-Balls Doughnut - Voodoo Doughnuts

Vegan Apple Fritter - Voodoo Doughnuts

Of course, you can't visit only once when staying in Portland, so the morning we were flying back home we stopped by again. I changed it up a bit and went with the Apple Fritter doughnut - it was AMAZING, capitalization of text is required on this one. It was huge, but I felt the need to finish this over the course of a few hours while traveling. It's what you might expect - fried dough with chunks of apple and cinnamon with a sweet sugary glaze. I also tried a toasted coconut cake doughnut. The doughnut itself was perfectly spiced and the frosting plus coconut topping was sweet and decadent without being too heavy. 


I'm going to be dreaming about these doughnuts for a while. Luckily I have my Cinnamon Snail Crème Brûlée donut to turn to in NYC, but you can't beat the prices of Voodoo. I love that despite their fame, they are still so affordable! Tip: Cash Only.

Voodoo Doughnuts

22 SW 3rd Avenue

Portland, OR 97205

Voodoo Doughnuts Website

Other Locations:

1501 NE Davis Street

Portland, OR 97232

20 East Broadway

Eugene, OR 97401

Voodoo is also expanding to Denver, CO!