The Best Vegan Brunch Spots in Philadelphia

Tempeh Bacon, Tofu Scramble, Soy Lattes, oh my!

BY MARISSA OSWALD Forget boozy weekend happy hours and fancy-schmancy gourmet dinners; brunch is Philly’s reigning champ of weekend feasts.  Who wouldn’t love to roll out of bed around noon, sit outdoors, and lazily sip endless coffee between bites of bacon and omelet? Although the first part of this equation sounds spectacular, the second may leave the alcohol-coated linings of your stomach permanently scarred.

But then there came the vegan brunch, a blend of savory-sweet options that include sizzling plates of tofu scramble, tempeh bacon, soy lattes, and egg-free french toast.  The city’s most legendary brunch joints may have a plant-based option to suit you, whether you’ve been craving the big breakfasts from your pre-vegan days, or you’re looking for something a bit healthier post-hangover.

Dos Segundos Cantina

Heavy on enticing and flavorful ingredients (including exotic prickly pear cactus and papaya) this Northern Liberties burrito and tequila hotspot provides equally satisfying brunch long after the last margaritas have been sipped dry.  Call ahead to see what’s featured on the vegan chalkboard.  Regular items include french toast with fresh berries, tofu scramble, and tempeh breakfast burritos.  Top it off with a pitcher of cinnamon margaritas or a blood orange mojito, and make sure you sit outside to enjoy the lively strip of shops along 2nd St. And the best part isbrunch is available every day of the week.

11am-4pm daily
931 N 2nd St
Northern Liberties
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-629-0500

Mi Lah Vegetarian

100% vegan, this Center City brunch spot overwhelms vegans accustomed to only having a choice between plain oatmeal and fruit salad with plenty of options.  Indulge in Vegan omelets, red bliss and sweet potato home fries, pumpkin pancakes, and the intriguing Yards beer-battered seitan atop Belgian waffles- the closest to a vegan McGriddle sandwich you could invent.  Opt for Mi Lah for the best tasting and wallet-friendly brunch in all of the city.

218 South 16th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 732-8888
Sat & Sun 10am- 3pm

Mugshots Coffeehouse and Cafe

Although Mugshots is technically a Cafe, their vegan sandwiches make it the ultimate pit-stop during any weekend hangover.  Vegan sausage & pepper jack cheese, and Vegan sandwiches such as meat, egg & cheese, BLT, and reuben.  In honor of their cafe status, Mugshot’s soy chive cream cheese-slathered bagels and soy ginger cream iced lattes aren’t too shabby, either, while keeping prices relatively modest. Their seating is hang-out friendly at any of their trifecta of locations:

Fairmount Location
2100 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia
514-7145
Monday – Friday 6:30am - 10pm
Saturday: 7:30am – 10pm & Sunday 7:30 – 8pm

Manayunk Location
110 Cotton Street
Philadelphia
482-3964
Monday– Thursday: 6:30am – 6pm
Friday: 6:30am-6pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 6pm

Brewerytown Location
2831 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia
717-3327
Monday– Friday: 7am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 5pm

Honey’s Sit-N-Eat

If this brunch spot was a movie, it’d be an instant cult classic.  Folks start to line up to grab some of the cute outdoor seating to eat their amped-up diner-style dishes.  There is only one vegan offering, but it’s a helluva good one: the cliche tofu scramble, served spicy, veggie-filled, and sizzling on an iron skillet alongside toast, and seasoned potatoes.  The orange juice machine and aproned waitresses rip the classic 1950’s diner with the hip poster-clattered cork board and indie music floating over steaming dishes and conversation.  Good outdoor seating is a trade-in for a long wait and less veg-conscious options.  If you do have a long wait, walk a block south to The Random Tea Room, where you’ll find quirky art and collectibles, yerba mate filled gourds, and the most knowledgeable tea barista in the upper hemisphere.

800 North Fourth St Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-925-1150
Mon-Fri 8am-10pm
Sat 8am-9:30pm
Sun 8am-4:30pm

Memphis Taproom

Read Memphis Taproom’s on-site proclamation for prove that, “Our vegetarian and vegan options will knock your non-leather shoes off!”  Chow down on pub-style vegan entrees between sips of craft beer.  While the food options are limited to the veggie burger and tofu scramble, and the Vegan Rooster (Tofu scramble with vegan blood sausage, smoked coconut, roasted new potatoes and toast- whoowee!) the variety of morning libations will assure you’re not sober until Monday morning.

Memphis Taproom
2331 East Cumberland Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125
215-425-4460
Sat & Sun 11am- 3pm

A Full Plate

The word “homemade,” can be used to describe every element of A Full Plate, from the light fixtures and painted walls to the beverages served in mason jars.  The food itself is self-described as “home cooking, Southern influenced, healthy food,” and though this sounds like a fried chicken and potatoes sort of place, the influence of a vegetarian owner has given a vegan face-lift to many southern classics.  Some of these include vegan Mexican Breakfast Pizza, Vegan granola crusted french toast served with homefries, BBQ Veg riblet sandwich, and even vegan mac’n cheese.

1009 N. Bodine St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215-627-4068
Sat & Sun 10am-3pm

Citizen’s Bank No Longer PETA’s #1

Vegan Concessions = Better Team?

BY MARISSA OSWALD Philly is a city brimming with vegans, and it’s quite obvious why:  as reflected in the 2010 Census, the city’s increase in population can be attributed to the influx of youngsters; college students and job-seekers, a biggest pool of veg lovers of all.  In my own experience, I’ve watched my circles of friends refrain from animal products in the past few years.  Philadelphia’s veggie-ness is apparent in the countless vegan restaurants, bake shops, faux cheese steaks, and vegan-designated cocktail hours.  Among these notably veg-inclusive venues is Citizen’s Bank Park, which had won first place in Peta’s “Top 10 Veg-Friendly Major League Ballparks,” for the past 3 years.

But if Philadelphia’s veganism has grown substantially in recent years, why has San Francisco’s AT&T Ballpark beat out Citizen’s Bank Park for 2010?  Since the the first award, the Phillies beat out all competition consistently.

Citizen’s Bank has a website that lists all their “healthier options,” carefully labeling what’s vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free .  Here, AT&T Ballpark falls short in educating the public about their options.  Albeit a short paragraph on PETA’s site listing the veggie burgers and burritos they serve, there is no delineation between what is vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free.  Therefore, the Phillie’s can remain puffed with pride over their detailed labels and tasty concession options – if nothing else.

It’s hard to judge why Citizen’s Bank didn’t win this year, but from observing the options, the Giants’ win must have been a mistake.

So on your next visit to the park, you can grab a vegan hot dog instead of the classic innards-filled pig intestine; a dolla is still all you need.

But for more refined palates, a list of vegan ballpark delicacies awaits:

South Philly Market has Vegan breaded chicken sandwiches, Vegan hot dogs (which are part of dollar dog days), and a Vegetarian Southwest black bean burger.

Hoagie Planet has a Vegetarian Crab-Free Cake Sandwich or salad, regular old garden salads, and two vegetarian options that come in the form of a sanwich, salad, or wrap which can be vegan-ized by holding the cheese: The poppy has fresh mozzarella cheese, roasted eggplant, roasted red peppers and sundried tomatoes, and The Vedura has Roasted eggplant, broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, sharp provolone.

Alley Grill has a southwestern veggie burger.

Other options include classic roasted peanuts, whole grain pretzels, and trail mix.  Boardwalk fries are fried in vegetable oil that’s exclusively used for potatoes.  Brewerytown offers vegan options of Draft and bottled beer, and you can nom on roasted pistachios as you throw back a beer or two at Brewerytown.  For desert, there’s always the Philadelphia water ice cart, cotton candy, lemonade, and iced coffee or cappuccino.

We see an eerie connection between Citizen Bank Park’s vegetarian rankings and on-field success.  Am I suggesting the park concessions swap in all their meaty meals into vegan grub?  No, but based on superstition, the Phillies could be assured to win the next World Series if they lock down such a diet.  Or maybe the players should adopt vegan lifestyles to assure keep hitting homers with the same vitality.

Pure Fare: Puff Daddy’s Assistant Opens Healthy Eatery

Puff Daddy’s Old Assistant Gets it Right 

Photos by Reuben Wilson

 

BY MARISSA OSWALD After spending all winter moseying past the golden PURE FARE sign on 21st St., the words “Opening Winter 2011″ remained a cruel bluff.  But a few weeks ago, I finally entered the humbly dressed cafe. To my surprise, I found the cases of prepared salads and sandwiches along the walls completely empty.

Co-owner Kunal Sehgal offered the explanation, “We’ve been selling out of our prepared foods every day since we’ve opened,” calmly reminding himself of their need to rethink their stocking plan – and fast.

Not a modicum of stress could be detected in the cozy cafe, a European-style family table snuggled between a coffee counter and breakfast/soup/cashier bar.  Although not much seating was available, the main focus is on grab-and-go dining.  Decorated by the owners themselves, one customer described the space as “very Brooklyn-esque,” which is a good observation, since the New Yorkers’ plans were to bring a little taste of the Brooklyn coffee shop scene to Philly.

With the voguish obsession and the clash of culture and food, Pure Fare’s gleaming storefront on 21st and Walnut is a material marriage of technology and organic food, while doubling as a downtown upgrade of traditional fast food joints. A refreshing change, in my mind, than the rank-and-file of healthy chains, all offering the same Caesar salad.

Pure Fare’s grub is all locally-sourced and delivered fresh from rural PA farms daily, with the exception of their unique coffee selection.  They serve up a mean cup of San Francisco’s Blue Bottle coffee, preparing it each cup in the authentic Blue Bottle drip method.  As for iced coffee, they brew Nola, a New Orleans-style chicory roasted coffee made for cold-brewing, then topped with your choice of milk or Pure Fare’s homemade almond milk.

Brother and sister founding team Kunal and Kriti have two goals: to feed people the right way by using locally-sourced foods while engaging customers through a program called My Fare, a website designed to track customer’s daily meals.

Through My Fare, customers can educate themselves on the nutritional details of each of Pure Fare’s dishes before placing an order.  And, after getting a My Fare card at their first

visit, customers can track their progress by adding their daily intake of not only Pure Fare foods, but by choosing from a database of over 500,000 foods, which Kunal aims to build upon.

With such nutritious options as the chopped kale salad (recommended by Kunal himself), quinoa muffins, and a fresh juice bar, it’s sensible for Pure Fare’s customers to stick to Pure Fare; all this, and Kunal,  a recent NYU grad, possessing no background in diet and nutrition.  With a degree in Film and Music media,  Kunal worked at a bank and as a personal assistant to none other than Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs.  Kunal’s sister, Kriti, graduated with a Health and Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and currently works at CHOP.

So how did his establishment become so accessibly health-conscience?

“Karen Pollins, Head of Nutrition at Columbia, has been working with us for the past 9 to 10 months – working to put in the right amount of calories, salt, and everything,”  said Kriti.  By providing the nutrition facts and ingredients online, there are no secrets. People have the right to know that information,”

Kriti and Kunal both aspire to be entrepreneurs, and plan on Pure Fare as being their first in a legacy of others.  On their site, they even file the 21st and Walnut streets location as “our first store.”  But even if Pure Fare were to transform into a national chain, the original concept will always remain as a joint venture between brother and sister, from the revolutionary technology down to the vintage lighting fixtures.

Dust Off the Fedoras and Slick on the Rouge: Scott Shuman’s in Town!

The Sartorialist Is In Philadelphia!

BY MARISSA OSWALD Scott Shuman, author and photographer of The Sartorialist, a street fashion photography blog voted one of Time Magazine’s top 100 Design Influences, announced that he would be traveling to Philadelphia and Boston during the month of April.

A far cry from the cachet and couture of Shuman’s usual rotation (Paris, Milan, New York, etc…) Shuman asked his readers where he could find equally stylistic peeps in the less prominently fashionable cities.  Guess he doesn’t want his visit to be wasted like last time.

In 2006, Shuman visited Philly, resulting in what he could only describe as a “bust.”  He left the city without one photograph.  Awarded a second chance, Philadelphia has a lot to prove.
And step one in finally getting some stylish Philadelphians on the site.  So please, unless you’re actually a nurse: take off those darn scrubs.

Is it possible to be inspired by us?  Last time, Shuman left without anything.  Let’s hope he leaves with at least one usable shot this time.

South Street's Lovash

Authentic Indian Cuisine for Unauthentic Visitors

BY MARISSA OSWALD If you’re seeking massive amounts of authentic curry dishes through which to dredge endless disks of naan, then Lovash on South and 3rd streets is certainly where you’ll find it.

As I walked through the abundantly curtained entrance of Lovash for the first time, I was greeted by a very chipper host.  His enthusiasm at first seemed strange, but I soon found that his happiness springs from his pride in his employer.  Offering us suggestions and happily catering to vegans, the entire staff was incredibly hospitable and nice.

Most of the dishes tasted and looked very authentic. Each curry is served with basmati rice; and there is a long list of Indian flatbreads available, such as parantha, naan, and thali. The standouts of the meal, however, were definitely the flaky coconut and raisin-filled basket of warm naan and Aloo Dum Banarsi – a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce covering lumps of potatoes.  The menu explains that this dish is from Banaras – a “Holy Place,” – and eating it could be described as only slightly short of a holy experience.  The recognizable classic Aloo Gobi, a dish of curried cauliflower and potato, fell short with too dry a sauce and overcooked potatoes.

Despite the incredible selection of samosas, soups, salads, tandoor-fired meats and flatbreads, the lunch specials are well portioned to price.  From 11 am to 3 pm on weekdays, Lovash offers regular menu items for about 5$ as well as platters for 7 dollars that include an entree, chana masala (a heavy dish of spicy tomato and chick peas) and naan.  With a meal like this at your lunch hour, you may find yourself nodding off at work in the afternoon.

Stop by Lovash for weekday specials or a casual weekend meal.  The variety of authentic Indian dishes is decently priced and caters to your tastebuds.

New York's Blossom, Wilted

An article I wrote for Philly Broadcaster.

Horizons > Blossom?

BY MARISSA OSWALD New York’s Upper West Side hosts brownstones, above-average incomes, and the artiest folks in the whole city.  And perhaps the culinary prowess of Blossom vegan restaurant on 9th Ave. illuminates this part of the city for its overpriced but artfully executed face-free food.

This vegan gem is high up on the list of animal-product free gourmets popping up across the eastern seaboard.  California has long been known for holding a vast number of fine-dining venues for vegans and vegetarians; but New York City’s Blossom and Candle 79 are sharp competitors in the world of vegan gourmet.  Our own Philadelphia – city of cheese steaks and Italian cuts – possesses renowned vegan establishment; Horizons, for one,  which is elevated as a top dog among the New Yorkers.

But Blossom falls far from the Big Apple tree, for as you walk in, it’s impossible to tell you’re in New York City.  Nestled away in a dimly lit, romantic townhouse, Blossom’s black-curtained lower dining area makes you feel as if you’ve accidentally busted into some secret society of devil worshipers.  But by the time the menu arrives, you’ll forget about any preconceptions as you peruse through the extensive list of American wines and multi-cultural appetizers.

Everything on the menu is animal product free, meaning butter, eggs, cheese, honey, and milk are absent, as well as meat.  But dishes such as Cape Cod Cakes, raw Sweet potato Rolls, and Seitan Empanadas seem satisfying enough to entice any meat-eater’s palate.  The meatless menu scans the globe, and the helpful but not overbearing waiting staff is well-versed in guiding picky customers to their perfect dish, even if they have never heard of seitan or tempeh before.

When my appetizer arrived, the Parsnip Cappelleti appeared as two little deflated, dry pockets.  I realized it looked more like defrosted pierogies than “fresh, hand-rolled ravioli” and no taste of savory whipped parsnip or truffle oil could be detected.  Though unsatisfied with my appetizer, the Porcini Flutes compensated for my loss.  The porcini mushrooms, almonds and ground tempeh were wrapped in truly “fresh, hand-rolled” phyllo dough, set afloat in a shallow pool of  a cashew pesto, which tasted like buttery, herb-filled heaven.  The creaminess of the pesto drenching the crisp phyllo dough highlighted the savory taste of the ample filling.  While the porcini flutes will rock your taste buds, opt for the richer but well-reviewed Ravioli with Cashew Cream – a savory mixture of smoky tempeh, spinach, pine nuts, and white mushrooms in a genuine pasta coating.

And the main course proved to match up to the previous hors d-oeuvres.  While my tofu dish proved excellent, light, but satisfying, the other dish failed to wow a vegan and probably would be spit out by someone not used to faux meats.
The subtle flavors of the Pistachio and Pepper Dusted Tofu were enhanced with the coating of tangy, creamy lemon truffle emulsion.  The tofu was cut into two triangles set atop a cold crepe that was stuffed with root vegetables, which ended up tasting like soft carrots and maybe a few pieces of sweet potato.  While the crepe wasn’t all that spectacular, the pistachio-encrusted tofu drenched in the citrus cream was to die for.

On the other hand, the intriguing Feijoadinha with Smokey Tempeh was not at all a “lighter version” of Brazil’s national dish; that of hearty beef, black bean, squash, and sweet potato stew in a cilantro-lime broth.  Tempeh stood in the beef’s stead, which seemed cold and uncooked amid the sweet yet scant barbecue-like broth.  The vegetables were mediocre, but what cretin can’t cook up some sweet potatoes and pour a can of black beans into a dish at home?

With such a multi-cultural list of delicacies, Blossom seems to execute about half of them correctly.  Instead of indulging in dessert on the spot, I decidedly trekked across 9th Ave. to Cocoa V, their sister restaurant, which is a vegan and fair-trade chocolatier and wine bar.

There, I found more success with a not-too-sweet soy mocha latte and three truffles: vanilla berry, puffed rice marshmallow cluster, and peanut butter.  They were all creamy, rich, and dark, although the peanut butter truffle tasted so smooth that it could have been mistaken for a rich milk chocolate.

Whether Blossom flourishes or wilts, it remains one of the winning titles in the vegan dining world.  Preferably, I would choose Philadelphia’s Horizons over Blossom, proving you don’t have to travel to the Big City to dine glamorously.  However, I would suggest making a trip to Cocoa V, which is the only vegan chocolatier heard of on this side of the states, truly making it a match made in herbivore heaven.

Philly’s Most Eco-Friendly Fast Food Chains

Greenopia Ranks Unlikely Green Grub

BY MARISSA OSWALD In the midst of the rise of all-organic, locally-sourced food sold in Wholefoods and farmer’s markets across Philadelphia, going out for a burger at a fast food joint seems very last century.  Surely, buying a sandwich from Panera or some fries from McDonald’s is giving in to the “evils” of the corporate food industry.  Think again.

Greenopia, Philadelphia’s comprehensive online source for green places and products, ranked the city’s most sustainable chain restaurants using a leaf system- 4 leaves being the most sustainable, and 0 being the least.

The top three choices were EVOS, a burger joint, Le Pain Quotidien, a brand spankin’ new internationally-owned french bistro located on Walnut St, and Pizza Fusion, a pizzeria with vegan options.

These rankings are based on how extensive and well-cared for each chain’s sustainability reports were for the year as well as other elements such as green building design, supply chain, recycling, and stocking.

A newbie to Walnut St., Le Pain Quotidien, is an upscale, sustainable, and progressive version of Panera, complete with a gourmet menu, use of local and organic ingredients and green fixtures and appliances.  Le Pain even composts it’s food to use as bio diesel and marks each of the vegan options (which are shockingly plentiful) on it’s menu with a little green leaf.

As for sustainability reports, one of the most detailed reports this year came from what is known as the baddest boy in the sustainability game- McDonalds.

Yes, McDonalds.  Although they are known for acquiring their “meat” from sketchy sources, processing their food until it changes flavor, texture, and color multiple times, and maintaining an image of artery-clogging but pocket-friendly calories, they produced a report that gave promising outlook for the company as a whole.  They are improving their standards of meat, purchasing fair trade coffee and seafood, and recently opened 2 all-green stores.  This caused McDonald’s to come into a whopping 8th place above Panera Bread, Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Starbucks seems as though it would be a consistent runner-up, but winning only 3 out of 4 stars slid it only one slot above Mickey D’s.  They scored well in all arenas except one: they have a mysteriously non-existent recycling policy.  One worker admitted, “They made me throw out an entire stock of plastic cups just because the design changed slightly and they got a new shipment in.”

Restaurants around the city are breaking through their images to produce unexpected improvements to their eco footprints.  While Le Pain Quotidien rules Center City as the most sustainable choice, the green appeal of Starbucks plummets to the bottom of the list and McDonald’s makes conscious steps toward turning over a new leaf.