Dining Out in Chicago - Native Foods Café

Twister Wrap with Sweet Potato Fries - Native Foods Café

I was so excited to try Native Foods Café because the menu immediately reminded me of Veggie Grill, a vegan chain I fell in love with in Portland, OR. They describe themselves as "the premier chef-crafted vegan restaurant." The large menu spanning from salads, to wraps, to burgers, and desserts should satisfy any craving. The interior and setup also reminded me of Veggie Grill in that it's casual quick service dining for eating in or taking out. I tried it both ways. 

Glossary of Mock (Native) Meats - Native Foods Café

Side of Vegan Ranch Dressing!

I arrived in Chicago for my first of two business trips this month and grabbed a co-worker to join me for lunch at the Native Foods Café on S Clark Street. I went with the popular choices for my first try - Twister Wrap with Crispy Native Chicken and Sweet Potato Fries with Ranch Dressing on the side - I ignored the diet for this meal! The wrap has fresh greens, avocado, cucumber salsa, creamy chipotle sauce and crispy Native Chicken wrapped in a whole wheat wrap. The beloved Sweet Potato Fries were unique in that they had more seasoning and were less fried and crispy than you might find at other chain restaurants, but nonetheless yummy. The wrap was delicious, not too spicy, lots of flavor and a bonus that I opted for crispy Native Chicken (I didn't hold back this time!). The mock meat was very close to the real thing, especially in texture. 


During my second trip to Chicago, I checked into my hotel and went straight out to pick up lunch at Native. I opted for a healthier, gluten-free meal this time and ordered the Rockin' Moroccan Earth Bowl with marinated tofu, grilled vegetables, steamed quinoa, raisins, and almonds served with a red Moroccan sauce. I couldn't stop there, so I decided to reward myself for my healthy entreé choice with a Peanut Butter Parfait. Sadly I was underwhelmed by the Rockin' Moroccan dish. It could have been because I ate it luke warm, a takeout order that got too cold, but it just tasted like steamed veggies, plain quinoa, plain tofu, and a sauce that somewhat saved it. I hardly noticed the raisins and almonds until the end, they were too sparse. It was a huge portion and certainly filling.

Rockin' Moroccan Earth Bowl - Native Foods Café

Peanut Butter Parfait - Native Foods Café

The Peanut Butter Parfait was a winner. It's a cup of whipped peanut butter filling layered between banana bread crumbs and mini chocolate chips. I'm a huge fan of these flavor combos. Anything with peanut butter and chocolate and/or banana - Yes yes yes! The filling was smooth and creamy and not too sweet. I wish there was more of the banana bread. As a cake lover over ice cream I needed more of a dessert that I could "chew" on. I would still recommend it though, especially if you're going gluten-free!

You can only find a Native Foods Café in California, Oregon, Colorado, DC, and Illinois, but I'm sure they will expand just as Veggie Grill is!

A Delicious, Vegan Meal in Chicago!

Native Foods Café

218 S Clark Street

Chicago, IL
Native Foods Cafe Website

Dining Out in New York City - H&H Midtown Bagels East

Whole Wheat Everything Bagel with Tofutti Scallion Cream Cheese
H&H Midtown Bagels East

The Array of Bagels - All Vegan (Except for Egg)
H&H Midtown Bagels East

I have a love-hate relationship with bagels. They have become the all too common and too readily available breakfast food in the office. People usually get excited for bagel mornings, but I'm always conflicted. To me they are a useless food - high in calories, carbohydrates, sodium, sometimes sugar, and relatively low in fiber and other nutrients. They rarely fill me up to the point that it's a satisfying meal, but they are tasty, especially smothered in a creamy spread or peanut butter.

As abundant and delicious as they are in New York City, it's a danger zone. I knew I had to try a few to see what all the fuss was about. Based on reviews online I gave H&H a shot and it lives up to the hype. I've since brought my boyfriend, friends and family there, who have all enjoyed them with the traditional dairy cream cheese and lox toppings. It's common to see a long line here, always a good sign, but no less annoying. Thankfully it moves fast. They have multiple cashiers and men working to fix you your bagel one after another. You can even order online for catering and ship them nationwide. In addition to bagels the store sells some prepared side dishes and baked goods, none of which are vegan unfortunately. 

For vegan options, all bagels are vegan-friendly except for egg. I've even tried the mini bagel for fewer calories, but they didn't have any wheat options sadly, so I had the mini Sesame - still great! The cream cheese alternatives are Tofutti Plain, Scallion, and Vegetable, and peanut butter. As bagels can be bland (especially plain with plain cream cheese!), a more flavorful and savory combo that I like to order is a toasted Whole Wheat Everything Bagel with Scallion Tofutti cream cheese. Yum yum yum... until the guilt sets in :) Every once in a while it's worth it, and H&H is the place to get your bagel fix.

H&H Midtown Bagels*

1551 2nd Avenue
(between 80th & 81st St)

New York, NY 10028

H&H Midtown Bagels Website

*Not in Midtown! Location is in Upper East Side

Dining In - Pumpkin Pecan Brownie Pie

Pumpkin Pecan Brownie Pie

When I was searching for vegan Thanksgiving desserts last year I knew it had to include pumpkin (one of my favorite holiday flavors), but I also knew there would already be pumpkin pie served, so I found a yummy alternative. This combines the best fall flavors with chocolate. I made two of these to share with my family and it was a hit. The brownie portion was more cake-like, while still being moist. The buttery pecan topping was my favorite part and it went very well with the pumpkin. Made in a pie pan, this is best served in slices with dairy-free vanilla ice cream! Sadly I was too distracted and eager to dive in, that I neglected to get a shot of the finished product!

I found this recipe from a Buzzfeed list, an usual place to find vegan recipes. It comes from the blog Oh She Glows. There is also a variation for Pumpkin Pie Brownie Cupcakes. Here is the link to recipe. Enjoy!



Pumpkin Brownie
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup & 3 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup coconut oil, softened
3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda



Pumpkin Pie
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons almond milk
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Pecan Topping
1/4 cup Earth Balance
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a pie pan.

To Prepare Pumpkin Brownie:
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer blend together the coconut oil, pumpkin, vanilla,
and sugar until blended well. Add in the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking, soda, and sea salt and stir until incorporated. Pour batter into the pie pan. Make sure batter is evenly distributed.

To Prepare Pumpkin Layer:
In a large bowl mix together the pumpkin, vanilla, and milk. In a small
bowl, mix together the cornstarch, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Slowly add the dry ingredients
to the wet and mix well until all clumps are gone. Now add on top of brownie mixture.

To Prepare Pecan Topping:
Mix all ingredients until well combined and sprinkle on top of the pie.

Bake for 35-40 minutes. Let cool. Serve with vegan ice cream, vanilla will go beautifully with it, but if you're a chocolate lover, go for chocolate!