Dining Out in Paris - Bob's Kitchen

Avocado Lemon Tartine on a Bagel - Bob's Kitchen

Inside Bob's Kitchen

Before it gets too delayed and my dining memories fade I want to share a review of Bob's Kitchen, a healthy restaurant that I visited during my late spring trip to Paris this year. Bob's Kitchen is one of five businesses run by the same company called Bob's Food Etc., it includes a juice bar, bake shop, catering, and pressed juices in addition to this kitchen. I found my way there early in the day and when I arrived I was the only customer, which is quite the opposite of what reviews on Yelp say. I was not used to the late morning start that Parisians are accustomed to, but lucky for me this place opens at 8:00am.  It tends to be very loud and crowded in the later hours in this very casual, small restaurant. I was greeted in English and shown the menus on the wall to order my breakfast. It seemed like more of counter service setup with small tables to dine at versus table service. 

For breakfast, I paired a Vegan Matcha Protein Smoothie with an Avocado Lemon Tartine, otherwise known as an open-faced sandwich topped with spreadable ingredients. Maybe I've become a spoiled New Yorker after the last couple years, but this was not a bagel I'd go writing home about. It was dry, hard and since I typically go for more savory flavors like an everything bagel, it was too bland. It reminded me of a grocery store Thomas' brand bagel, not very impressive. The French have perfected their bread, but bagels they should leave to the Americans! The avocado topping was plain and simple avocado slices with a tiny bit of lemon juice with sea salt. Again critiquing as a New Yorker with access to about ten restaurants who've all perfected avocado toast (hello, Cafe Gitane!) I would say this didn't stack up, but it was one of the few places I could find healthier meal options. My Matcha Protein Smoothie was creamy and delicious, definitely worth the price.

Karlie Kloss is a fan!

In order to have a healthy breakfast for the next day I walked by again that same afternoon to pick up something I could store in my mini-fridge back at my hotel. I grabbed a premade Chia Pudding with berries. It wasn't very sweet or flavorful, but I was glad to have the wholesome ingredients versus a big baguette and coffee and my only alternative. I loved Paris and if I return I would visit Bob's again for their healthy dishes and give some of the lunch dishes and salads a try. As a final note I should mention that it's gotten a supermodel stamp of approval, I noticed a Karlie Kloss' autographed photo at the register! 

Vegan Crumble, Seasonal Fruit, Chia Pudding To Go

Cold Pressed Juices

Bob's Kitchen

74 Rue des Gravilliers

Paris, France 3

Bob's Kitchen Website

Dining Out in Paris - Hank Vegan Burger

Le Petit Menu with La Catcheuse Burger - Hank

This is a long overdue review from my weekend trip to Paris this May. I was inspired to post it because my parents just embarked on a journey through France. Better late than never! If you find yourself wandering around Paris (I highly recommend you do) make a turn down this side street and grab yourself a delicious vegan burger at Hank.

Even with all my vegan research, I didn't know about Hank until a friend in London mentioned it to me. She had just been with her vegan friend and said it was delicious. It's an all vegan, quick service, burger joint near Notre Dame. It's very small and mainly serves take out (or "take away" as they call it there), but I still dined in at the small tables.

Le Petit Menu (Combo Meal) - Hank

I ordered a combo meal, Le Petit Menu because after walking all of Paris I felt I earned myself some fries, too. They offer about 4 or 5 different burger flavors combinations with the option to make the bun gluten-free and add vegan cheese. I chose the La Catcheuse burger with alfalfa sprouts and mustard sauce, with fries and a light, refreshing carbonated beverage I had never tried before called Bionade Fair-Cola. I was eating my lunch at 4pm so I wolfed this down, but that was also because it was so tasty! The sauce on the burger, a mustard vegan mayonnaise was creamy and savory. The bun was toasted and the patty was filling. I also liked the thick cut, organic, Belgian French Fries and the Homemade Vegan Mayonnaise available on each table, not that I  needed that, but I wasn't holding back for this meal! 



I found enough willpower to skip dessert but they did have 3 options when I was there, a large chocolate chip cookie, a carrot cake, and the special of the day, a chocolate mousse.

Hank Vegan Burger

55 Rue de Archives

75003 Paris, France

Hank Website (English Version)

Dining In - Kale Salad with Chickpeas & Spicy Tempeh Crumbles

Kale Salad with Chickpeas & Spicy Tempeh Crumbles

I was looking for a quick, healthy dinner recipe that I could make for my boyfriend and that wouldn't require buying a ton of new ingredients at the grocery store. I also wanted to find something that would fill us up with more protein than say a vegan pasta dish, that we often feel the need to eat 2-3 servings of! I found this on a list from Buzzfeed, "23 Vegan Meals With Tons Of Protein." The full recipe can be found here.

It had a few more steps involved than a regular tossed salad, but I loved the crunchy tempeh bits and the kale was very tender after being blanched in boiling water. This has a lot of fiber-filled ingredients, I mean a lot, so just a warning! :)

Serves 3-4 (or in my case 2!)


Tempeh Bits:
8 oz. package of tempeh (I used Trader Joe's brand)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Sea salt

Salad: 
1 pound of kale, chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
15.5 oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Dressing: 
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger


To Prepare Salad:

Boil a large pot of salted water and blanch kale for 30 seconds. Run under cold water and drain, squeeze out excess water, and set aside.

Blanched Kale

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mixed Spices for Tempeh Bits

(Optional step: To reduce bitterness of tempeh, you can steam it, by using a small pot and steamer basket for about 20 minutes, while prepping the salad). 

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl for tempeh bits. Pour vegetable oil in a separate, small bowl. Cut tempeh into thin strips then dip into oil and arrange strips on the baking sheet. Sprinkle each piece with the mixed spices, flip if desired and coat both sides, though not necessary.


Bake for 20  minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Tip: check on them around 15 minutes in, I noticed some pieces started to burn. 

Baking Seasoned Tempeh Slices

In a glass jar or a bowl with a whisk, combine all dressing ingredients and blend or shake well. 

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss together. Top it with the tempeh bits broken into crumbles. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. 


Enjoy!

Dining Out in London - Food for Thought

Spinach Cauliflower Dal with Brown Rice & Potato Salad with Garden Salad
Food for Thought

Dinner Crowd at Food for Thought

I'll keep this one short and sweet, because sadly Food for Thought will be closed by the end of June after more than 40 years in business. It happened to be my favorite vegan food in London and the most conveniently located, close to both my office and my hotel, in Soho. Tucked away on a small cobblestone street, it always attracted a crowd in the early evening. People just like me enjoyed their delicious savory, hearty meals. It tasted like home cooked food and the servings were always generous. Not everything they served was vegan, but they had a few vegan entrees to choose from every night and for a combo meal adding a daily salad option was easy as all of them were vegan. 

One of my favorite entrees was the Spinach Cauliflower Dal with Brown Rice. I ordered salad to go with it and got a mix of vegan potato salad and garden salad with a yummy tomato dressing. The Dal dish was creamy, perfectly seasoned and fresh. On other visits, I also tried the Stir-Fried Vegetables with Brown Rice, the Pickled Vegetables, an Avocado, Corn and Black Bean Salad. One more stand out was the dessert I tried on my last visit. The Apple Pear Crumble was jam-packed with fruit and deliciously cinnamon-spiced. Every meal I enjoyed was takeout, but as shown in the photo they do have a few tables to dine in for a small price increase.

Stir-Fried Vegetables with Brown Rice
Food for Thought

The limited, constantly changing menu might frustrate people, especially when you find a favorite, but considering how good the various options were, I enjoyed the surprise and variety! It was cash only, but this is far more common in London than back in the states so I was used to it. If only a place like this existed in New York, where you could get a vegan meal that tastes like home and satisfies you like no other! 

Butterbean Pie - Food for Thought

Taste the Rainbow!

Food for Thought

31 Neal Street

Covent Garden

London, UK WC2H 9PR

Food for Thought Website

Dining Out in London - Manna

Sticky Toffee Pudding - Manna

Manna is an all vegan restaurant located in Primrose Hill, a pricey more residential part of London compared to busier parts like Soho and Bloomsbury. I loved walking in this sleepy, quaint neighborhood with white townhouses and boutique shops. I met with a friend from the US who moved to London over a year ago, her vegan friend joined us for dinner. From my research I knew this historical (celebrating 47 years!) restaurant offered some of the traditional British fare, things I had never tried before even in non-vegan versions, like Bangers and Mash and Sticky Toffee Pudding, but even with the unknowns I was excited for a sit-down meal with good company. Manna is a small restaurant and although I called and couldn't get the reservation I wanted, there were empty tables throughout our dinner (a bit frustrating). 

Manna Mezze - Manna

Manna Mezze, Arancini - Manna

Baja California Plate - Manna

We started with the Manna Mezze to taste a variety of appetizers. I got to try the Arancini, Vegetable Tempura and Indian Pizza. All of them were delicious, though the Arancini and Indian Pizza were more unique and exciting. I enjoyed the sauces paired with each one. Though their menu changes often, the Organic Bangers and Mash is a constant. I ordered this dish for my entree, again I didn't have much to compare it to because I'd never tried the non-vegan version before. Sadly I wasn't in love with my dish, but it was good. It contained organic fennel and pumpkin seed sausages, on a parsnip and carrot mash with a red wine leek and thyme jus with onion rings. The vegan sausage had lots of seasoning and flavor, but the texture was a little too grainy. I of course loved the fried onion rings that topped the dish! My dining companions both ordered the Baja California Plate (sadly no longer on the menu) and really enjoyed it. Their meals were slightly more fresh and colorful than mine. Although already full, for dessert I had to get my hands on the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Luckily I was able to share it with my friend. It was presented beautifully with a flavor that was decadent and very sweet, certainly happy with this choice to end the meal!

Overall I enjoyed the appetizers and dessert the most. For this more relaxing, quiet dining experience compared to what I experienced in the city center, I would return here. The quality of food was high and service, despite being slow, was decent. In comparison to US prices, this wasn't a cheap meal, but I didn't feel like I was overpaying.

Organic Bangers and Mash - Manna

Manna

4 Erksine Road

Primrose Hill

London, United Kingdom NW3 3AJ

Manna Website

Dining Out in London - Tibits

A Mix of Delicious Vegan Dishes - Tibits

I learned about Tibits from Chef Chloe Coscarelli's list of "must dine at" places in London. I was out and about on the Bank Holiday (May 4) enjoying the beautiful weather when I came across the lovely alley, known as Heddon Street with a handful of restaurants that had plentiful outdoor seating. Tidbits founded by three Swiss men is a vegetarian buffet-style restaurant that is pay-by-weight. I'll admit, this turned me off a bit before going. You might assume (like I did) when the kitchen tries to create so many dishes, 40 in total, and keeps them out for everybody to pick at, that the quality suffers. It did not, let me tell you! I enjoyed my meal so much that I cleared my large plate then went back for takeout on both dinner and desserts. I think I shocked the cashier when I downed so much food! I made sure to come back for another visit later in my trip, too.

The rare find, a vegan creamy dressing!

Tibits offers a ton of vegan and gluten-free options, everything is labeled and it seemed at least 90% of the options were vegan. You'll find a mix of hot and cold sides and entrees. Some of the highlights on my plate were the Swiss Chard Lasagna, Orcchiette Pasta with Tofu, Japanese Noodle Salad, Creamy Herb Dressing, Gnocchi, Falafel, Red Pepper Hummus. For dessert I was already thrilled to have more than one vegan option so I took a whole box home with me of Sticky Toffee Pudding, Chocolate Chai Cream, Rhubarb and Apple Crumble and Victoria Sponge Cake. I also ordered a fruit juice that sounded appealing, named Tutti Frutti, with orange, kiwi, apple, pear, banana, and sea buckthorn syrup (what's this? I didn't know either, it's an herb with many health benefits including vitamin C)!

Tutti Frutti Juice - Tibits

I could eat here almost everyday, but cost-wise, it can get expensive if you're not careful, my first plate cost about $15 USD. There is so much variety, so much to choose from, and everything I tried was delicious. Buffets can be overwhelming, so given more time I would soon discover my favorite items, until next time... or maybe a trip to Switzerland?

Tibits

12-14 Heddon Street

London, England W1B 4DA

Tibits Website

Tibits on Heddon Street in London

Dining Out in Charlotte - Luna's Living Kitchen

Rawco Taco Salad - Luna's Living Kitchen

I've been frequenting Charlotte for work recently and though I don't have much free time when I'm there, I always find time for a good vegan meal! After dining at Fern on my first visit down, I went to Luna's Living Kitchen for a solo lunch on my second trip this March. My Uber driver even asked how I found out about Luna's because he takes other out-of-towners there fairly often (must mean not everyone can handle BBQ for every meal!). It's located in Charlotte's South End District at the Atherton Mill and Market, which is a very cool industrial style shopping center with retailers, a farmer's market, and quite a bit of history to it (built in 1919). The restaurant itself is bright and airy with high ceilings and lots of seating. I liked what I saw on the menu and in the Yelp photos. It's a clean, wholesome, vegan menu with lots of raw and gluten-free options and a large juice and smoothie selection. Despite it being Charlotte, this place is not cheap; prices here were in line with NYC prices. 

My first visit was dining in and I ordered the Rawco Taco Salad. It was a huge bowl of healthy ingredients: All layered on a bed of lettuce and raw crackers was avocado, pico de gallo, walnut-almond crumbles, cashew sour cream and a delicious hot sauce, served with lime wedges. This was fresh, vibrant, colorful and had the right amount of kick to it. As I sometimes find with raw meals, the walnut-almond crumble was a little bit salty, but the creamy sauce, hot sauce, and lime balanced it out. I ordered the Grey Hulk Smoothie to go, hoping it would keep well enough for breakfast the next day. Of course I sipped it my whole ride back; it was filling and not-too-sweet, though a little bit chalky and actually grey-colored! It had berries, banana, hemp milk, spiraling  mama, and hemp protein. With the spirulina and added protein I felt I was doing my body good.

Chia Breakfast Bowl - Luna's Living Kitchen

My most recent visit was a quick one, I picked up take-out to have for breakfast and lunch. To get my energy kick I ordered the Chia Breakfast Bowl, which they just packaged in a parfait cup. This sweet tapioca-like dish had chia seeds soaked in a homemade cashew milk with vanilla bean and orange zest, topped with fresh fruit and maple syrup. It was outstanding! I loved the vanilla flavor and the creaminess of the pudding. The fruit was fresh and bursting with flavor to complement the chia seed mixture. I also requested a Matcha Latte but iced and they were able to accommodate. It was the expected matcha earthiness taste with a very creamy almond milk. I could have used a tiny bit more sweetness. 

Lunch menu items are not available until 11am so I ordered the Living Bagel to save for a later lunch. It was a raw, savory bagel made with almonds, flax, zucchini and rosemary with cashew sour cream and topped with tomato, onion, avocado, basil and sprouts, jalapeños on the side. I didn't know what to expect with a raw bagel but this was really filling. The bagel held together nicely. All the toppings made this a delicious, much better-for-you bagel sandwich I could easily eat a few days a week as a full meal. It was certainly high in fat content because of the nuts and avocado, but I felt satiated right away.

Living Bagel - Luna's Living Kitchen

Needless to say I will be returning to Luna's whenever I can make it back to Charlotte!

Luna's Living Kitchen

2000 Boulevard

Charlotte, NC 28203

Luna's Living Kitchen Website