VeganFabulous

the lowdown: Picabu Bistro | 901 W 14th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204 | 503.624.2464 | Website |Entrees $7.95 - $17.95 | Lunch, Dinner | ****

This is where you go in Spokane!

Last weekend I visited my college roommate and dear friend in her hometown of Spokane. Thus far I have made it a yearly tradition.  Her daughter, approaching two years old, was at an age where she wasn’t quite verbal, but her personality and charm did all the talking. I struggled for the first part of the weekend to earn her trust and by mid-day on Saturday I received it. Despite my sometimes awkward and sometimes rigid approach around children, she was able to open her arms up to me and give me a chance.

Google searching “Spokane + Vegan” ranks this blog #3. Unfortunately this doesn’t say a lot about vegan dining since I have only reviewed one Spokane restaurant! Luckily the HappyCow.Net index lists 7 options. Picabu was my top choice not only because it was nearly my only choice, but there were a few reasonably priced menu items including appetizers, salad, burgers, curry, pad thai, and a falafel. Picabu is located up the hill from Spokane’s downtown, juxtaposed to Roseaur’s, a grocery store. Although I generally avoid restaurants in such locations, we carried on through the front doors into a quaint, art covered bistro with a neighborhood feel. We started with the amazing Cilantro Hummus ($7.95) complete with grilled veggies and I followed that with a huge Curry Bowl ($10.95). Most typical curry only comes with a few veggies while this bowl included broccili, zuchini, onion, mushrooms, and green beans, not to mention it was loaded with tofu! We ended with dessert and the vegan option is a delectable Raspberry Cheesecake ($5.95). It doesn’t seem like much changes as we get older except our taste in food, friends, and clothes. One thing is for sure, we all scrutinize what we eat and who we spend time with and sometimes it just takes a little bit of time to warm up.

the lowdown: Sip | 3029 SE 21st Ave., Portland, OR 97202 | Dessert (Closed Tuesday) | Shakes $2.75 - $5.50 | *****

Super good vegan milkshakes and smoothies!

Remember those pre-vegan summer days when the only thing you craved was a huge milkshake and finding one was never an issue? You can stop longing for those times and put away your blenders because the most fabulous cart rolled into town and is parked in front of the People’s Food Co-Op, offering delectable all vegan shakes and smoothies.

It was fantastically hot last weekend when we ventured out to the Clinton St. hood to confront the blogosphere hype created about Sip. With an opening just two months ago, Sip has created a name for itself that reverberates throughout Portland. Not more then an Airstream-esque trailer with an interior of vintage wallpaper and a 70’s milkshake machine; Sip produces soy based, organic milkshakes in an array of flavors. At $4.75 each we enjoyed the Chocolate Peanut Butter and Orange Creamiscle. Both equally perfect. Other options include Cookies-n-Cream, Chocolate, Vanilla, Blueberry, Strawberry, Mocha, and Vanilla Latte. In addition there is freshly prepared juices, smoothies, and wheatgrass. If you order it “For Here” it comes in a classic milkshake glass where you can occupy the outdoor seating in front of the Co-Op and people watch all the hippies doing their grocery shopping.

the lowdown: Sweet Masterpiece | 922 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209 | 503.221.0055 | Website | Dessert | *

Dessert shop that serves vegan cheesecake and made a extraordinary bad decision to host a Valentine’s Day Vegan Dinner.

I always considered Sweet Masterpiece a good last minute destination when I am craving vegan dessert but it is too late to go anywhere else. They serve a vegan cheesecake that isn’t stellar, but will suffice. This month’s NW Veg e-newsletter advertised their foray into vegan dining by offering a day after Valentine’s Day vegan fondue dinner. Needless to say, I was amped at the concept and quickly made reservations. Since it started at 6:30, I made special arrangements to leave work early so I could prepare for my belated V-day celebration. We hurriedly made our way to the Pearl and immediately after walking through the door, I had a gut feeling that something was amiss.

The dining room was filled with eager vegan diners sipping water while we were clumsily shuffled to our bar seat facing the windowed kitchen. Within minutes I realized that the kitchen hadn’t prepared any of the food. I gave them the benefit of the doubt but I knew we were in for a long night. Essentially we had to flag someone down to bring us something to drink other than water, the appetizers were delivered over an hour after the event started, the food was luke warm and many people never received an entree because they ran out of food! Furthermore, we left after 2.5 hours only because we were lucky enough to be one of the first to receive the final course and immediately asked for our check. I am willing to make concessions for new ventures, but this was inexcusable. Everything that was served could have easily been pre-made, there wasn’t a single professional handling the food or managing the service, and from our vantage point, we witnessed the stress levels in the kitchen rise until it became uncomfortable. One thing is for sure, Sweet Masterpiece did a fantastic job destroying Valentine’s Day for approximately 40 people. In addition, this event will single handedly bring Sweet Masterpiece’s reputation to its knees.

the lowdown: Saint Cupcake | 407 NW 17th Ave., Portland, OR 97209 | 503.473.8760 | Website | Dessert & Special Orders | Items $1.25 - $2.25 | *****

Cupcakes, cupcakes, and vegan cupcakes!

I love this place so much I have the tshirt!

Saint Cupcake is a stone’s throw away from the Mission Theatre and makes for a perfect ending to a movie night, or any other night for that matter! Being the sugar junkie that I am, I ordered two full sized cupcakes, the Chocolate and Cookies and Cream while my boyfriend of course ordered two dots (bite sized cupcakes). In an effort to avoid feeling like a complete pig I tried to eat mine slowly but who cares, the cupcakes are fantastic!

the lowdown: Blossoming Lotus Cafe | 925 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209 | 503.228.0048 | Website | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Items $4 - $12 | *****

Eat your heart out!

What’s better than meeting a vegan friend for an extraordinary vegan dinner? I can’t think of much except when you top it all off with your free serving of their soft serve as a NWVeg member!

The Blossoming Lotus has roots in Kauai where it was opened in 2002. Some of the owners migrated to Portland and brought with them the fabulousness that it is. I’ve heard that the Kauai location is quite popular with celebrity vegans. Mark my words, if I ever make it to Kauai, I will be there star gazing. I digress…In Portland, the Blossoming Lotus is nestled in the upbeat Pearl District and certainly makes it a more bearable place. I ordered the special which was herb crusted tempeh with garlic parsley mashed potatoes and mushroom sage gravy with broccoli and my friend ordered the live wrap with cashew hummus. Both were excellent. The only excuse for not having tried the Blossoming Lotus yet is that you are morally opposed to the Pearl District, otherwise, get there immediately!

the lowdown: Pied Cow Coffeehouse | 3244 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214 | 503.230.4866 | Dinner, Dessert | Items $2 - $50 (pimped out sundae, definitely not vegan) | **

Very very slim on options.

During my senior year in high school, going to the Pied Cow was the highlight of my weekend. My coffee habit didn’t kick in until well after college, leaving me curious about what I had while there? Regardless, I headed back for a night of nostalgia with one of the few of my remaining high school friends.

The converted Victorian house displays an eclectic collection of artwork and offers low cushy couches in a dimly lit atmosphere. The Pied Cow is mostly known for their desserts which I totally dug in my pre-veg days, but now the only sweet choice is sorbet. As far as food items, take your pick from the hummus plate or salad. I had already eaten so I was safe with coffee. The service is sporadic and oftentimes the small space is completely filled, so take special care when including the Pied Cow in your plans.