VeganFabulous

the lowdown: Opposable Thumb | 3312 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214 | 503.238.0146 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Items $3 - $7.95 | ****

Art, coffee, food.

Sunday morning I was awaken at 5am to the news that my paternal grandfather had passed away. We were expecting it within the week, but no matter how prepared I thought I was, the teeth of reality still bit me hard.  The last conversation my grandfather and I had was about my garden. He seemed so pleased that I had planted tomatoes and was watering my plants everyday. As a result, I am dedicating my newly planted tree to his memory.

Knowing what to do with yourself after a death is awkward, especially when opposing family forces complicate the issue. I’ve had my eye on the Opposable Thumb for some time now and since opposition was the word of the weekend, it seemed appropriate to visit on Sunday. It is a cafe perfect for studying, hanging out, observing art or just having a mellow lunch. There is a vegetarian section on the menu which contains a wonderful baked tofu sandwich ($5.95) made with house-made focaccia bread, spicy baked tofu, grilled onions, roasted red papers and a side salad. Other items to choose from are the Portabello mushroom sandwich ($6.50) and a variety of salads. Grab your MacBook, homework, or just yourself for an incredibly relaxing visit.

the lowdown: Jace Gace | 2045 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214 | 503.239.1887 | Website | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour | Items $5 - $8 | ***

Waffles all day long!

I had started to wonder how long it would take before I ran out of places to write about. Then last week I was humbled by the constant stream of possibilities when an old friend introduced me to the latest trend, waffles! Just when you think you are one with the dining landscape of Portland, a savory waffle puts you in your place.

Jace Gace is as unexpected as paying $400K for a one bedroom condo on Belmont. The modern decor is intertwined with poignant art installations that change at least monthly and offer dramatic messages whose meaning you can ponder while chowing down your waffle. The menu clearly outlines the vegan options which include a traditional, savory, and sweet waffle. I started off with the “Avocado Rancheros”, a waffle topped with black beans, avocado, ranchero sauce and tofu cilantro sour cream. The Belgian style waffle was thick and crispy and although an unconventional combination, it was rather tasty! It didn’t take much for my friend and I to convince ourselves that we should split the sweet option, the “Pina Colada”. A waffle drenched in coconut, pineapple, and banana. Two waffles and a mug of french press. I keep trying with the hope that one day, I will be a hipster!

the lowdown: Hoda’s Middle-Eastern Cuisine | 3401 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214 | 503.236.8325 | Website | Lunch, Dinner | Entrees $4.75 - $13 (cash/check only) | ***

Yet another Middle Eastern option!

The last time I had been at Hoda’s my sister and I were organizing a blind date dinner, which marked marked my last foray into match matching. The couple ended in marriage and I decided I should quit while I was ahead. Nonetheless, I remember Hoda’s with fond memories of blind date awkwardness and group attempts to find common ground among the blind daters. I can’t help but feel that Hoda’s brought some magic to the fold and was hoping it would do the same for my low key Saturday night. There’s just something about family style dining, except its much harder to do when you are the only vegan in the family!

With a number of Portland Mediterranean options it is hard to choose but based on the fact that Hoda’s is always packed I decided to give it a go. Although it doesn’t usurp the likes of Yahala, it is a great option and arguably the best pita bread in town. I ordered the Veggie Mezza which includes the standard humos, falafel, tabouleh, pita bread and loubieh. I had to substitute another dish of humos because the baba ghanouje contains yogurt. Nonetheless, it includes and a spinach pie, which I haven’t had with any other mezza, and was quite good. The service is friendly and they keep the fresh bread coming. Just keep in mind that all of SE Portland likes this place so sometimes it is jammed.

the lowdown: It’s a Beautiful Pizza | 3342 SE Belmont, Portland, OR 97214 | 503.233.5444 | Website | Lunch, Dinner | Slices $2.50 - $3.25, Pizza $11 - $16.50+ (depending on # of toppings)

Pizza slices or the whole pie with soy cheese and tofu available as topping.

Last week I attended my first PPK gathering at It’s a Beautiful Pizza. I have to admit that I was incredibly nervous as I had only ever chatted with the other PPKers online. Although I was the greenest member, everyone was incredibly welcoming. It was great to meet other bloggers such as GetSconed!, VeganShizzle, Yellow Rose Recipes, StrawberryRock, and Parsnip Parsimony to name a few.

Beautiful Pizza is a casual, family friendly pizza joint that regularly hosts live music events. The dead head owners must like vegans because they are one of the only pizza spots around that offer soy cheese. I ordered a small pizza with green & red peppers, olives, and soy cheese. Overall it was pretty tasty but I had to send it back because the cheese was hardly melted. I have cooked many pizzas with Vegan Gourmet cheese and although it doesn’t melt as well as dairy cheese, it does melt. When the pizza was returned after having been placed back in the oven, the server made a point to tell me “It doesn’t melt well because its not real cheese!” No…really? Aside from the partially melted cheese, It’s a Beautiful Pizza is great spot for hippies, vegans and everyone else to enjoy beer and a pizza.

the lowdown: Paradox Cafe | 3439 SE Belmont, Portland, OR 97214 | 503.232.7508 | Website | Entrees $4.95 - $8.95 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Per the menu, “We will veganize everything we are able!”

I am finally coming to terms with the fact that the most vegan options are outside of the NW. I haven’t wanted to admit this since I live in NW but it is true and I think I will be ok. Is it the exorbitant rent or pretentious Portland Monthly readership that scares them off? Oh well.

Paradox is a small alty cafe that has a huge vegan selection and offers some egg and meat options for the masses. They serve Stumptown coffee (my favorite) and have KILLER wheat biscuits and almond gravy that I was uncontrollably eating off of my bf’s plate. I ordered the #3 which was french toast, tofu and veggies. It wasn’t bad but the “fronch” toast I make every weekend out of my staple cookbook Vegan with a Vengeance is superior. I would totally go again, but not for the service.

the lowdown: Cricket Cafe | 3159 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214 | 503.238.9348 | Entrees $5 - $9 | Breakfast/Lunch & Fr-Sa Dinner

Tofu can be substituted for eggs in any dish. Hell yeah.

I know I have been bitching about tofu scrambles for some time now so I am happy to report that Cricket Cafe is my official winner for Best Tofu Scramble in PDX. The sizable portion, aromatic spices and fresh wheat bread on the side fulfilled my crusted tofu fantasies. To be honest, I forgot which one I ordered. All I know is that it had olives and was heavenly. Our waitress was this bad ass chick who was on it with the coffee and our orders. It’s restaurants like Cricket that make me love Portland.

One last thing. I am one of the many that love this place so be prepared for a wait.