Please go to my new blog instead. I am keeping it uptodate with alot of wonderful, helpful content
and vegan world travel advice.
www.veganworldtrekker.com
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Yes!..Vegan in Argentina beef region!
The finally leg of my 2006 South American journey brought me to Bariloche, Argentina.
Apparently there are two vegetarian restaurants in this town. However, they were not within distance or timing of my arrival. I did find a restaurant that served vegan pasta and a cafe where you could design your own sandwich. At least, I did not starve. :)
The town is simply gorgeous. It resembles an old Swiss village with its chalets, chocolate shops, ski mountains, and general atmosphere. I took a ski lift to the top of a hill overlooking the village. Simply gorgeous! This village is heavenly!
My tour made a stop into the forest to view some ancient trees and check out the landscape of this magical land of gnomes. At various viewing stops along the way, you can take your photo with a big ol' Saint Bernard wearing a whiskey jug under its chin. Being an animal lover, this was one of my favorite experiences of the trip.
A popular beverage in the region is Rose Mosqueta tea. This flower grows extensively here and is used in many products. I purchased Rose Mosqueta tea several times and a Rose Mosqueta moisturizing cream to bring home.
The following morning, we flew to Buenos Aires. There are several vegetarian restaurants in this cosmopolitan capital city. However, again I was limited in time between tours so I had to dine at a closeby cafe prior to my tour. They made some vegetable side dishes for me, so again I did not starve. Its not the easiest city to find vegan options, but if you have time and look hard enough, you can indeed find some.
The main government plaza area is a sight to see. The Casa Rosada, "Pink House" building is the infamous spot where First Lady Eva Peron made her speeches. It is a beautiful example of Spanish architecture. The remainder of the tour consisted of driving by the various architectural structures of historical importance.
We then drove through the Boca neightborhood. Its truly unique. The buildings and shops are brightly colored and funky. This is where tourists love to shop, eat, and listen to street performers. Its an artist colony also.
In the evening, no visit to Buenos Aires is complete without attending a performance of tango dancing. It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch!
In the morning our group hopped on another plane and arrived at our final destination, El Calafate. This old gauche region village is a quaint, little tourist stopover on the way to the glacier region or to Tierra Del Fuego, the furthestmost, southern city in the world. Much to my surprise and DELIGHT, my hotel was almost next door to a fabulous gourmet, veggie-friendly restaurant! This is right in the middle of gaucho (cowboy), beef country.
I don't recall what I ate there. However, I recall that the appetizer, beverage, entree, and dessert were spectacular! The restaurant is called "Pura Vida". They serve alot of whole grains and pumpkin dishes. It was delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant!
The next morning we set course for the drive to Perito Moreno Glacier. Your mouth will be wide open in awe as you view the landscape along the way. If you arrive in Fall, the mountains will contain colors of green, orange, and snowcapped at the peaks.
We arrive at the glacier and take advantage of the two options available for tourists. We first took a ferry around the edge of the glacier. The ice sparkled a blueish color against a white backdrop. It was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.
We then got off the boat and walked along a pathway fairly close to one side of the glacier.
This was a wonderful trip culturally, visually, and gastronomically!
Apparently there are two vegetarian restaurants in this town. However, they were not within distance or timing of my arrival. I did find a restaurant that served vegan pasta and a cafe where you could design your own sandwich. At least, I did not starve. :)
The town is simply gorgeous. It resembles an old Swiss village with its chalets, chocolate shops, ski mountains, and general atmosphere. I took a ski lift to the top of a hill overlooking the village. Simply gorgeous! This village is heavenly!
My tour made a stop into the forest to view some ancient trees and check out the landscape of this magical land of gnomes. At various viewing stops along the way, you can take your photo with a big ol' Saint Bernard wearing a whiskey jug under its chin. Being an animal lover, this was one of my favorite experiences of the trip.
A popular beverage in the region is Rose Mosqueta tea. This flower grows extensively here and is used in many products. I purchased Rose Mosqueta tea several times and a Rose Mosqueta moisturizing cream to bring home.
The following morning, we flew to Buenos Aires. There are several vegetarian restaurants in this cosmopolitan capital city. However, again I was limited in time between tours so I had to dine at a closeby cafe prior to my tour. They made some vegetable side dishes for me, so again I did not starve. Its not the easiest city to find vegan options, but if you have time and look hard enough, you can indeed find some.
The main government plaza area is a sight to see. The Casa Rosada, "Pink House" building is the infamous spot where First Lady Eva Peron made her speeches. It is a beautiful example of Spanish architecture. The remainder of the tour consisted of driving by the various architectural structures of historical importance.
We then drove through the Boca neightborhood. Its truly unique. The buildings and shops are brightly colored and funky. This is where tourists love to shop, eat, and listen to street performers. Its an artist colony also.
In the evening, no visit to Buenos Aires is complete without attending a performance of tango dancing. It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch!
In the morning our group hopped on another plane and arrived at our final destination, El Calafate. This old gauche region village is a quaint, little tourist stopover on the way to the glacier region or to Tierra Del Fuego, the furthestmost, southern city in the world. Much to my surprise and DELIGHT, my hotel was almost next door to a fabulous gourmet, veggie-friendly restaurant! This is right in the middle of gaucho (cowboy), beef country.
I don't recall what I ate there. However, I recall that the appetizer, beverage, entree, and dessert were spectacular! The restaurant is called "Pura Vida". They serve alot of whole grains and pumpkin dishes. It was delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant!
The next morning we set course for the drive to Perito Moreno Glacier. Your mouth will be wide open in awe as you view the landscape along the way. If you arrive in Fall, the mountains will contain colors of green, orange, and snowcapped at the peaks.
We arrive at the glacier and take advantage of the two options available for tourists. We first took a ferry around the edge of the glacier. The ice sparkled a blueish color against a white backdrop. It was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen.
We then got off the boat and walked along a pathway fairly close to one side of the glacier.
This was a wonderful trip culturally, visually, and gastronomically!
Eating Vegan in Chile
Santiago, Chile..This city is known for fish and seafood, like most coastal regions. My tour group actually stopped at the popular, huge, indoor fish market called "Mercado Central" which contained many cafes and restaurants serving seafood. It first appeared that it would be impossible to find vegan fare here. I walked through cafe upon cafe, row upon row in the central market and no veggie-friendly fare in sight! FINALLY, I found a small restaurant there which served a few vegetable dishes. I'm glad that I stumbled upon it, as there were local strolling musicians playing instruments and singing during my lunch there. The meal they served me consisted of several veggie-friendly side dishes which were indeed tasty and filling. YAY!
In the evening, I ate dinner at one of the city's vegetarian restaurants "El Huerto". The meal was wonderful and vegan! The staff does speak some English.
Popular sights to see include a visit to Plaza De Armas,the catherdral, and several beautiful, historic buildings. We also drove to the top of San Cristobal Hill for a view overlooking the city.
The next leg of the tour was the visit to the southern Patagonia region of the country. Our hotel overnight was in a small village. You could purchase many local crafts and gifts here. Lucky for me, the town had a Govinda's restaurant. This is the popular Latin America restaurant that serves mainly Indian food. I filled up on vegan soup and veggies. I love this place in every country I've eaten there. In the afternoon, we drove for a short while then arrived at a volcano. We took a lift to the top of the volcano. I walked in the volcanic ash right below the snowcapped peak; pretty cool!
Our final destination in Chile was the national park in which there were deep wooded forests, unusual flowers, and beautiful waterfalls.
Next came the infamous "Lake Crossing". I can't tell you how many buses, trains, and boats we took to get over to the Argentinian side of Patagonia.
Chile surprised me with its vegan dining options and breathtaking views of the Patagonia region!
In the evening, I ate dinner at one of the city's vegetarian restaurants "El Huerto". The meal was wonderful and vegan! The staff does speak some English.
Popular sights to see include a visit to Plaza De Armas,the catherdral, and several beautiful, historic buildings. We also drove to the top of San Cristobal Hill for a view overlooking the city.
The next leg of the tour was the visit to the southern Patagonia region of the country. Our hotel overnight was in a small village. You could purchase many local crafts and gifts here. Lucky for me, the town had a Govinda's restaurant. This is the popular Latin America restaurant that serves mainly Indian food. I filled up on vegan soup and veggies. I love this place in every country I've eaten there. In the afternoon, we drove for a short while then arrived at a volcano. We took a lift to the top of the volcano. I walked in the volcanic ash right below the snowcapped peak; pretty cool!
Our final destination in Chile was the national park in which there were deep wooded forests, unusual flowers, and beautiful waterfalls.
Next came the infamous "Lake Crossing". I can't tell you how many buses, trains, and boats we took to get over to the Argentinian side of Patagonia.
Chile surprised me with its vegan dining options and breathtaking views of the Patagonia region!
Vegan Dining in Brazil
A couple of years ago my travels brought me to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. I will talk about my experience in Brazil here. Then in following entries, I will speak of my dining adventures in the other two countries.
Obviously I was a little intimidated beforehand, wondering if ANY restaurant options existed there for me. Prior to my trip, I turned to my trusted HappyCow website and found several vegan options for me in Rio. Don't get me wrong, it is indeed a meat-loving town. However, you can find wonderful vegetarian meals.
For dinner, I chose to dine at Vegetariano Social Clube. Its located in a safe, centrally located shopping district near Ipanema Beach in Rio De Janiero. The restaurant itself is a funky, brightcolored building on the street corner. The staff is friendly and helpful. You can actually try some local Brazilian cuisine..vegan style!
I tried the Feijoada - whole rice, black beans with half-smoked tofu and tempeh, crispy manioc flour and “mineira” thin sliced kale. Its served on Wednesdays and Fridays - so if you want to try this popular national dish, visit the restaurant on either of those days. The tofu and tempeh was neither too tough or too mushy. The beans were good also, not overly watery. For an appetizer, I tried the vegetable empanada, a small tasty treat. The meal was delicious! I would definitely go back there again! They even serve a variety of fruit juices, teas, and coffee. I don't remember which dessert I selected, only that it was amazing! They have a large variety of cakes, flans, and pies from which to choose.
I highly recommend this place!
There are many sightseeing options in and around this city.
My hotel was located on Copacabana Beach actually overlooking the beach. What a fantastic way to start the moring as you go out to your private balcony to view the ocean. I took the tram up to the Christ The Redeemer statue. You get a glorious view overlooking the city. For a similar yet different experience, hop on the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf mountain for another view of the city, mountains, and ocean. In both locations, there are gift shops at the top where you can shop or eat. I purchased a local necklace made of glazed kidney beans. My favorite souvenirs to purchase are always local jewelry, statues and crafts that are unique to the region. At the outdoor cafe, I drank a glass of the acai berry juice. This dark red berry grows only in Brazil and is thought to have the highest antioxidant properties of anything you can consume.
In the evening there are rows upon rows of street vendors at Copacabana Beach selling their local goods such as clothing, sandals, jewelry, and crafts. It is recommended not to walk alone in Rio during the evening. However, I walked around the vendor stall area alone in the early evening and felt perfectly safe. Just make sure you do not wear expensive jewelry.
For the adventurous, there are hang gliding options off the Rio coast. I should have tried this. However, I chose an optional tour to visit an artist colony in a Rio suburb. This was a nice choice as I did not have much time in Rio during my whirlwind South American Tour and I wanted to see as much as possible of Rio and its surroundings.
For the shopaholic ladies out there, you must pay a visit to the world famous H. Stern jeweler. You can tour the factory to see their huge collection of gems and learn about the jewelry making process. As you exit, the staff gives you a box of several souvenir stones/gems. Cute souvenir. I purchased (albeit a tiny) gold necklace containing one of the national gems.
In the evening, there is musical entertainment which is truly Brazilian! My tour group selected a Brazilian Samba performance. The stage show consisted of an array of samba performers doing dances from various regions of the country. Each set of performers wore unique, multicolored costumes. The show was spectacular!
All in all, the sightseeing and dining were wonderful!
Obviously I was a little intimidated beforehand, wondering if ANY restaurant options existed there for me. Prior to my trip, I turned to my trusted HappyCow website and found several vegan options for me in Rio. Don't get me wrong, it is indeed a meat-loving town. However, you can find wonderful vegetarian meals.
For dinner, I chose to dine at Vegetariano Social Clube. Its located in a safe, centrally located shopping district near Ipanema Beach in Rio De Janiero. The restaurant itself is a funky, brightcolored building on the street corner. The staff is friendly and helpful. You can actually try some local Brazilian cuisine..vegan style!
I tried the Feijoada - whole rice, black beans with half-smoked tofu and tempeh, crispy manioc flour and “mineira” thin sliced kale. Its served on Wednesdays and Fridays - so if you want to try this popular national dish, visit the restaurant on either of those days. The tofu and tempeh was neither too tough or too mushy. The beans were good also, not overly watery. For an appetizer, I tried the vegetable empanada, a small tasty treat. The meal was delicious! I would definitely go back there again! They even serve a variety of fruit juices, teas, and coffee. I don't remember which dessert I selected, only that it was amazing! They have a large variety of cakes, flans, and pies from which to choose.
I highly recommend this place!
There are many sightseeing options in and around this city.
My hotel was located on Copacabana Beach actually overlooking the beach. What a fantastic way to start the moring as you go out to your private balcony to view the ocean. I took the tram up to the Christ The Redeemer statue. You get a glorious view overlooking the city. For a similar yet different experience, hop on the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf mountain for another view of the city, mountains, and ocean. In both locations, there are gift shops at the top where you can shop or eat. I purchased a local necklace made of glazed kidney beans. My favorite souvenirs to purchase are always local jewelry, statues and crafts that are unique to the region. At the outdoor cafe, I drank a glass of the acai berry juice. This dark red berry grows only in Brazil and is thought to have the highest antioxidant properties of anything you can consume.
In the evening there are rows upon rows of street vendors at Copacabana Beach selling their local goods such as clothing, sandals, jewelry, and crafts. It is recommended not to walk alone in Rio during the evening. However, I walked around the vendor stall area alone in the early evening and felt perfectly safe. Just make sure you do not wear expensive jewelry.
For the adventurous, there are hang gliding options off the Rio coast. I should have tried this. However, I chose an optional tour to visit an artist colony in a Rio suburb. This was a nice choice as I did not have much time in Rio during my whirlwind South American Tour and I wanted to see as much as possible of Rio and its surroundings.
For the shopaholic ladies out there, you must pay a visit to the world famous H. Stern jeweler. You can tour the factory to see their huge collection of gems and learn about the jewelry making process. As you exit, the staff gives you a box of several souvenir stones/gems. Cute souvenir. I purchased (albeit a tiny) gold necklace containing one of the national gems.
In the evening, there is musical entertainment which is truly Brazilian! My tour group selected a Brazilian Samba performance. The stage show consisted of an array of samba performers doing dances from various regions of the country. Each set of performers wore unique, multicolored costumes. The show was spectacular!
All in all, the sightseeing and dining were wonderful!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Vegan in Peru
When I first heard about the Inca ruins at Macchu Picchu in Peru, I knew that was a place I wanted to visit. In January 2007, I made that dream a reality.
My tour included stops in the capital city of Lima then off to the Sacred Valley and Cusco. I found vegan fare along the way.
This particular vacation tour was quite filled with activity. During my break time from the tour, I hopped into a taxi to seek out several of the vegetarian-friendly restaurants I had found on HappyCow. Unfortuneately for me, each one I attempted to visit was either closed at the time I arrived or no longer open for business. Apparently one of the best ones in Lima is Bircher-Benner. However, I arrived on Sunday, the only day it was closed and my time in this city was limited. Fortuneately, I have a friend who lives in Lima. He brought me to the trendy Miraflores district which has a wonderful Lebanese restaurant. I must admit, this is the BEST falafel I've ever tasted anywhere! I enjoyed the meal and the wonderful, contemporary neighborhood nightlife. I wish I could remember the restaurant's name.
My tour group visited an Inca museum in Lima. It housed hundreds upon hundreds of vases and ceramic items. We also visited a pre-Incan ruins settlement right on the outskirts of the city. In the evening, we ate dinner at a buffet-style restaurant which provided excellent entertainment for the evening. There were dancers in traditional Peruvian outfits doing local dances.
Finally we arrived at our next destination: Cusco. This is the gateway to Macchu Picchu country. Cusco was truely a quaint little town complete with old, impressive churches, local at galleries, and street performers. We toured the old cathedral filled with beautiful wood carvings and paintings followed by a stroll along the art district. The tour group arranged a dinner at a restaurant which also included music. The performers dressed in colorful, local costume and performed many traditional, Peruvian folk dances. I really enjoyed it. Our next stop was Saqsayhuaman Fortress. It is a huge stone facade. It is thought to be an astronomic observatory and an Inca oracle.
For my lunch break the next day, I ate at Govinda's, a Hare Krishna vegetarian restaurant that is popular in Latin American countries. I always enjoy the meals there. This location had vegan versions of local Peruvian dishes. That is exactly what I was hoping to try. You can have a vegan version of a local favorite Lomo Saltado, potato, or ceviche. I don't recall everything I ate there. I just remember it was all local cuisine and it was delicious. Their cakes and pies were fabulous!
The next morning we boarded our bus and left this wondrous, magical place to head towards our final destination: Macchu Picchu. Our drive through the Sacred Valley brought us by beautiful waterways, deep green valleys, and glorious mountain ranges. A sight to behold!
While in the Sacred Valley, our first tour destination was a visit to an alpaca farm. I got the opportunity to feed a meal of alfalfa to the alpaca. Its definitely a fun experience! We made a stop at Ollantaytambo Incan ruins. To get to Macchu Picchu is no small feat. We hopped on our bus then drove hour to the train station only to catch the train for a 2 hour ride. Its worth the extra $100 to take the train with the panoramic windows. The upclose view of the mountains is out of this world. Finally we arrive at our destination. Macchu Picchu is absolutely breathtaking! We enter the gate and spend a few hours walking around this magnificent, enormous ancient ruins and city. You need to still for a while and just take in this gorgeous landscape. You then start to truely appreciate the perfectly architectured city and the brilliant ancient peoples who designed and built it. If there is ever a place to visit in your lifetime, this should be a consideration. Its immensely breathtaking!
This was one of my favorite vacations ever. I truely enjoyed the traditional, indigenous culture, the beautiful landscapes and ruins, and food of Peru!
My tour included stops in the capital city of Lima then off to the Sacred Valley and Cusco. I found vegan fare along the way.
This particular vacation tour was quite filled with activity. During my break time from the tour, I hopped into a taxi to seek out several of the vegetarian-friendly restaurants I had found on HappyCow. Unfortuneately for me, each one I attempted to visit was either closed at the time I arrived or no longer open for business. Apparently one of the best ones in Lima is Bircher-Benner. However, I arrived on Sunday, the only day it was closed and my time in this city was limited. Fortuneately, I have a friend who lives in Lima. He brought me to the trendy Miraflores district which has a wonderful Lebanese restaurant. I must admit, this is the BEST falafel I've ever tasted anywhere! I enjoyed the meal and the wonderful, contemporary neighborhood nightlife. I wish I could remember the restaurant's name.
My tour group visited an Inca museum in Lima. It housed hundreds upon hundreds of vases and ceramic items. We also visited a pre-Incan ruins settlement right on the outskirts of the city. In the evening, we ate dinner at a buffet-style restaurant which provided excellent entertainment for the evening. There were dancers in traditional Peruvian outfits doing local dances.
Finally we arrived at our next destination: Cusco. This is the gateway to Macchu Picchu country. Cusco was truely a quaint little town complete with old, impressive churches, local at galleries, and street performers. We toured the old cathedral filled with beautiful wood carvings and paintings followed by a stroll along the art district. The tour group arranged a dinner at a restaurant which also included music. The performers dressed in colorful, local costume and performed many traditional, Peruvian folk dances. I really enjoyed it. Our next stop was Saqsayhuaman Fortress. It is a huge stone facade. It is thought to be an astronomic observatory and an Inca oracle.
For my lunch break the next day, I ate at Govinda's, a Hare Krishna vegetarian restaurant that is popular in Latin American countries. I always enjoy the meals there. This location had vegan versions of local Peruvian dishes. That is exactly what I was hoping to try. You can have a vegan version of a local favorite Lomo Saltado, potato, or ceviche. I don't recall everything I ate there. I just remember it was all local cuisine and it was delicious. Their cakes and pies were fabulous!
The next morning we boarded our bus and left this wondrous, magical place to head towards our final destination: Macchu Picchu. Our drive through the Sacred Valley brought us by beautiful waterways, deep green valleys, and glorious mountain ranges. A sight to behold!
While in the Sacred Valley, our first tour destination was a visit to an alpaca farm. I got the opportunity to feed a meal of alfalfa to the alpaca. Its definitely a fun experience! We made a stop at Ollantaytambo Incan ruins. To get to Macchu Picchu is no small feat. We hopped on our bus then drove hour to the train station only to catch the train for a 2 hour ride. Its worth the extra $100 to take the train with the panoramic windows. The upclose view of the mountains is out of this world. Finally we arrive at our destination. Macchu Picchu is absolutely breathtaking! We enter the gate and spend a few hours walking around this magnificent, enormous ancient ruins and city. You need to still for a while and just take in this gorgeous landscape. You then start to truely appreciate the perfectly architectured city and the brilliant ancient peoples who designed and built it. If there is ever a place to visit in your lifetime, this should be a consideration. Its immensely breathtaking!
This was one of my favorite vacations ever. I truely enjoyed the traditional, indigenous culture, the beautiful landscapes and ruins, and food of Peru!
Big Easy Veggie Dining in New Orleans
Jazz..Mardi Gras..Bayou Country..Thats New Orleans!
Land of gumbo, shrimp, catfish, and alligator..Thats also New Orleans.
Fortuneately for vegetarians, there ARE a few dining options.
I decided to check out a West African restaurant called Bennachins.
Its centrally located in The French Quarter. The unique menu hails from Gambia and Cameroon - my first experience with West African cuisine. For a vegan, I am EXTREMELY adventurous in trying new cuisines! This is truely African, homestyle comfort cooking. The owners and chef hail from West Africa themselves. It is not 100% vegetarian. However, many items on the menu are indeed vegetarian or vegan. Its a cozy space. There are paintings and collectibles that remind one of the region.
A good option is the jama-jama, i.e. sauted spinach. For an appetizer, try the black eyed pea fritters. They also have quite a few stews from which to choose. Fu-Fu is a mashed yam dish which is popular. . For a vegetarian soup, try the kidney bean. Then there are the staples of jambalaya and plaintains. Truely a unique and tasty dining experience. They also serve a nice ginger beverage. This place is a gem!
For dinner on my second evening in town, I chose Thirteen. Its more of a bar and small restaurant. Its not a vegetarian restaurant persay, but is popular amongst vegetarian diners. I ordered a veggie burger with fries. It was extremely good. The other benefit of eating dinner here is that it is located on Frenchmen Street - THE street to visit if you are interested in hearing AUTHENTIC New Orleans jazz, according to the locals. Its where they hang out! Lucky for me, sitting next to me at the bar during dinner was a local jazz musician who invited me to go club-hopping after we ate.
We checked out several clubs on Frenchmen Street - One club was known as an old time, Dixeland jazz club, another played more contemporary jazz, the third had a bluesy feel. All in a all a great evening!
Another tourist option I suggest is a haunted city tour. My evening tour group walked around The French Quarter while our tour guide pointed out haunted hotels, homes, and other buildings and shared their stories with us. I don't believe in that kind of thing myself. :)
One of my FAVORITE activities(besides the great jazz music) was a Bayou Country swamp boat tour. It was arranged by a bus company in The French Quarter. However, the swamp itself is a good hour outside the city. The waterways in the swamp were vast and with every turn, the boat got deeper and deeper inside the bayou. The massive tree trunks in the swamp were a sight to behold. We even saw the swamp favorite, a 92 year old alligator called Big Al. He gets close enough to view but not close enough to pose any danger. My tour was a combo tour which also visited a couple of stately plantations. You can walk around inside of the elegant suites and then go into the sugarcane fields. I also recommend you purchase some sugarcane products: candy, jam, and syrup. Yummy!
The one jazz club in the Bourbon Street area that you must visit is the old Preservation Jazz Hall. You can sit on the old, wooden floor and listen to old time jazz musicians up close. There are souvenir shops galore in The French Quarter. I even found a vegan praline almond treat.
Another fun vacation and vegan adventure!
Land of gumbo, shrimp, catfish, and alligator..Thats also New Orleans.
Fortuneately for vegetarians, there ARE a few dining options.
I decided to check out a West African restaurant called Bennachins.
Its centrally located in The French Quarter. The unique menu hails from Gambia and Cameroon - my first experience with West African cuisine. For a vegan, I am EXTREMELY adventurous in trying new cuisines! This is truely African, homestyle comfort cooking. The owners and chef hail from West Africa themselves. It is not 100% vegetarian. However, many items on the menu are indeed vegetarian or vegan. Its a cozy space. There are paintings and collectibles that remind one of the region.
A good option is the jama-jama, i.e. sauted spinach. For an appetizer, try the black eyed pea fritters. They also have quite a few stews from which to choose. Fu-Fu is a mashed yam dish which is popular. . For a vegetarian soup, try the kidney bean. Then there are the staples of jambalaya and plaintains. Truely a unique and tasty dining experience. They also serve a nice ginger beverage. This place is a gem!
For dinner on my second evening in town, I chose Thirteen. Its more of a bar and small restaurant. Its not a vegetarian restaurant persay, but is popular amongst vegetarian diners. I ordered a veggie burger with fries. It was extremely good. The other benefit of eating dinner here is that it is located on Frenchmen Street - THE street to visit if you are interested in hearing AUTHENTIC New Orleans jazz, according to the locals. Its where they hang out! Lucky for me, sitting next to me at the bar during dinner was a local jazz musician who invited me to go club-hopping after we ate.
We checked out several clubs on Frenchmen Street - One club was known as an old time, Dixeland jazz club, another played more contemporary jazz, the third had a bluesy feel. All in a all a great evening!
Another tourist option I suggest is a haunted city tour. My evening tour group walked around The French Quarter while our tour guide pointed out haunted hotels, homes, and other buildings and shared their stories with us. I don't believe in that kind of thing myself. :)
One of my FAVORITE activities(besides the great jazz music) was a Bayou Country swamp boat tour. It was arranged by a bus company in The French Quarter. However, the swamp itself is a good hour outside the city. The waterways in the swamp were vast and with every turn, the boat got deeper and deeper inside the bayou. The massive tree trunks in the swamp were a sight to behold. We even saw the swamp favorite, a 92 year old alligator called Big Al. He gets close enough to view but not close enough to pose any danger. My tour was a combo tour which also visited a couple of stately plantations. You can walk around inside of the elegant suites and then go into the sugarcane fields. I also recommend you purchase some sugarcane products: candy, jam, and syrup. Yummy!
The one jazz club in the Bourbon Street area that you must visit is the old Preservation Jazz Hall. You can sit on the old, wooden floor and listen to old time jazz musicians up close. There are souvenir shops galore in The French Quarter. I even found a vegan praline almond treat.
Another fun vacation and vegan adventure!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Veggie-friendly Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts is a small city with a population of 100,000. Its history is very import to our country. This old milltown with its many factories was a large part of America's industrial revolution. Unions first started in the Lawrence/Lowell area. While Lowell still has that milltown feel, it has also developed into a vibrant, modern city with a popular concert arena, community theater, a minor league baseball team, and several multicultural festivals.
Its dining scene is very diversified including many options for international cuisine and even vegetarian dining.
My favorite vegetarian restaurant is LifeAlive. http://www.lifealive.com/
Most of the items are vegan. I always select the vegan choices myself. Let's start off with the beverages...They have a daily ice tea created by each of the staff. I highly recommend these! The teas are a combination of herbs and spices with green, black, or herbal tea. You may also purchase a hot tea. There are also several living, fresh juices from which to choose. The menu contains descriptions of the health benefits of these juices. Truly fresh and delicious.
Then there are the smooothies! Yummy! They are made with rice milk, almond milk or soymilk. Whether you want something chocolatey or fruity, these do not disappoint. I wish I could have one every day! They are scrumptious indeed.
The meals remind me of warm, comfy, homestyle cooking. The various rice dishes contain a combo of healthy, colorful vegetables with "living", nutritional toppings and dressings such as flax, nutritional yeast, or Bragg's Liquid Amino Acids. You can even ask the staff to add a side to your meal such as garlic, squash or avocado. Everything is based on health and nutrition. The daily soups are a warm, hearty option for cold winter days. The cafe puts alot of care and thought into the restaurant atmosphere with eye-catching color schemes and patterns, candles, chimes, etc. They even give loving names to the beverages and meals.
The meals and beverages at LifeAlive are worth the visit to Lowell! You'll want to come back again and again.
Lowell has become a popular tourist attraction. It boasts to having the largest, free, outdoor International Folk Festival in the entire country! Tens of thousands attend this July weekend festival every year. There are muscians and singers from all over the world. You can hear southern bluegrass music, Puerto Rican salsa dancers, Throat singers from Tuva, West African performers, and the list goes on. In addition, you can go back in history and tour the old mills. The author Jack Keroac was born here and the city still holds a Keroac festival in the Fall.
This old New England city has much culture and history to offer. I also enjoyed the delicious vegan meals and beverages at LifeAlive!
Come to visit Lowell, Massachusetts!
Its dining scene is very diversified including many options for international cuisine and even vegetarian dining.
My favorite vegetarian restaurant is LifeAlive. http://www.lifealive.com/
Most of the items are vegan. I always select the vegan choices myself. Let's start off with the beverages...They have a daily ice tea created by each of the staff. I highly recommend these! The teas are a combination of herbs and spices with green, black, or herbal tea. You may also purchase a hot tea. There are also several living, fresh juices from which to choose. The menu contains descriptions of the health benefits of these juices. Truly fresh and delicious.
Then there are the smooothies! Yummy! They are made with rice milk, almond milk or soymilk. Whether you want something chocolatey or fruity, these do not disappoint. I wish I could have one every day! They are scrumptious indeed.
The meals remind me of warm, comfy, homestyle cooking. The various rice dishes contain a combo of healthy, colorful vegetables with "living", nutritional toppings and dressings such as flax, nutritional yeast, or Bragg's Liquid Amino Acids. You can even ask the staff to add a side to your meal such as garlic, squash or avocado. Everything is based on health and nutrition. The daily soups are a warm, hearty option for cold winter days. The cafe puts alot of care and thought into the restaurant atmosphere with eye-catching color schemes and patterns, candles, chimes, etc. They even give loving names to the beverages and meals.
The meals and beverages at LifeAlive are worth the visit to Lowell! You'll want to come back again and again.
Lowell has become a popular tourist attraction. It boasts to having the largest, free, outdoor International Folk Festival in the entire country! Tens of thousands attend this July weekend festival every year. There are muscians and singers from all over the world. You can hear southern bluegrass music, Puerto Rican salsa dancers, Throat singers from Tuva, West African performers, and the list goes on. In addition, you can go back in history and tour the old mills. The author Jack Keroac was born here and the city still holds a Keroac festival in the Fall.
This old New England city has much culture and history to offer. I also enjoyed the delicious vegan meals and beverages at LifeAlive!
Come to visit Lowell, Massachusetts!
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