*Update: July 29th 2010*
Ok, so there aren’t really that many totally vegan places in Van but there are many great options that are vegan friendly. Much better than being vegan unfriendly.
Nuba – authentic Lebanese cuisine. Nuba has a flavorizer in the kitchen. This is a top secret device that takes already nummy food and kicks it up 10 notches. It looks similar to The Machine from The Princess Bride but inflicts yummy instead of pain. I made that up but how else can they create such insanely flavorful morsels of delight!??! I have loved everything i have ever had but i especially dig the Najib’s Special (crispy cauliflower tossed with lemon and sea salt) and i have finally started pronouncing it properly, NaJib with a hard J. To make Nuba even awesomer they have updated their menu. Instead of noting the vegan dishes they state that everything is vegan unless noted with an M for meat or a V for vegetarian. Love that! Also love the hottie cook i noticed in the kitchen today.
The Wallflower Modern Diner. So far i have had the Portobello Burger, the Tofu Peanut Wrap, the Vegan-Gluten Free Pizza and bites of the Mac and Cheesy. Mmmmm…….everything has been super-duper delish! The Tofu Peanut Wrap is saucy and flavorful and filling and the Vegan-Gluten Free Pizza is AMAZING! They make their own crust which has to be fresh and so the pizza is only available on Tuesday’s but it is worth the wait. Light, tasty, not crumbly crust topped with your choice of veg and fake meat and of course, ooey gooey Daiya cheese to top it all off. My non vegan, gluten eating friend said “this is sick you loser” JUST KIDDING! She loved it and said she would def** be back for more. Also the drinks are cool and fresh and creative, and the staff is friendly, fun, and well dressed. Thanks Wallflower! Also thanks for calling yourself a Modern Diner (which you are) instead of an Urban Diner. Much less douchey.
Grub. As with the Wallflower Grub has an option for everyone. Like to eat duck? there’s an entree for you! Like to eat lamb? Come on in! Like to leave cute animals in the wild and off your plate? You kick ass and can eat at Grub too! Not only does Grub serve up the cruelty free gourmet they also have a drinks menu that includes punch. In a punch bowl. With little punch cups. And a ladle. Seriously! It’s just too rad to describe, you’ll have to go check it out for yourself.
Planet Veg. Today was my first time and i will be going back for more fo sho. Tomorrow maybe. Awesome Indian vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. I had the Bombay roll which was so great i went back on my way home to pick up some pakoras to go. I am always amazed by restaurants that seem to have a magic flavor machine in back and wish i could come close to making my food taste the way they do. Alas, that’s what going out to eat is all about i spose. That and pretending you have slaves for an hour or so.
**October 6th: WTF?!? Why would i want to pretend i have slaves?!? i meant servants. Happy servants who are paid well and love serving. They may or may not be unicorns.
Organic Lives. Totally vegan and raw gourmet restaurant and store. If you like the idea of raw but don’t know if it can be effing amazing then check in here and check your head. You will be blown away by what someone who knows their shit can do without cooking. I recommend the lasagna and the pizza. All i can say is WOWZERS.
Radha. Vegan gourmet. When i am in here i don’t know what to do with myself and i order 4 or 5 things…having options as a vegan is overwhelming as it does not happen often. Also it’s not as hippy dippy as it sounds.
Banditas Taqueria. THE BEST VEGETARIAN BREAKFAST IN THE CITY! Totally vegetarian with lots of vegan options – they carry non dairy milk, cheese, and sour creme! Also the peeps is coooool. You either know what i mean or you will when you go. I seem to recall that i once went when it wasn’t breakfast and the food was great. Oh, and one of the hottest boy spottings of my career (yes, my career as a hot boy spotter) was here.
The Naam. But of course. What would a veg in Van post be without a shout out to the Naam. It is good. And wholesome. And yes, the fake looking grapes on the rafters outside are real.
And the one in Portland? The Bye and Bye of course! AN ALL VEGAN PUB! PUB!!! With “meat”ball subs, and grilled “cheese” and hot boys who work there and hot boys and girls who eat there and drinks in mason jars and an outside patio where you sit with strangers on picnic tables…..Breathe…And they let you smoke at the picnic tables which last year was rad but this year will be sad. Oh well. They have VEGAN CHILLI DOGS! Oh my.
Did i miss a kick ass awesome vegan place in Van you love?!? Let me know yo.
**it is A-OK to not spell a whole word because it takes away from your creative flow (read: lazy) on your blog. It is A-NOT OK to not spell a whole word in order to cheat at Scrabble. Thought you should know.
The hotties of the Bye and Bye. Told you so. Anyone up for a road trip?!?
a chick in Van blogs about stuff 
Jul 25, 2010 @ 00:36:27
Did you look at the flickr feed for the Bye and Bye? I’m so jealous – a group of friends who built the place from scratch and had lots of fun doing it. That’s my kind of ‘work’.
The Wallflower is fabulous and I plan on going back again and again, and you’re absolutely right about ‘modern’ over ‘urban’ choice of adjective.
Jul 25, 2010 @ 02:37:27
As a fellow vegan I ditto all of Robyn’s above choices for each eatery. All fabulous. I would add East is East as they have many wonderful vegan options and the even have live music or flamenco dancers on occasion!
Oh! And who can forget Nuba or La Taqueria! They are also uber vegan friendly. Great lunch places as they are not too expensive and the service is quick.
Oh! One more. Wild Rice also has a handful of vegan options that are conveniently and clearly marked as such on the menu. A bit more pretentious but the food is really great quality:)
Jul 29, 2010 @ 22:09:28
Added Nuba….how did i miss it! And should add La Taqueria too….soon…..Wild Rice i would have to try again before giving it Mad Props and Big Up’s….