“Foodie” Fridays in Austin
Vegetarian eating is on the rise across the nation; and Austin is at the forefront leading the way to the increasing demand for healthier and more humane ways to prepare food. It’s never been easier or tastier to savor the vegetarian cuisine our fair city offers. So if you are a confirmed vegan or vegetarian, or just curious about it, here’s 3 restaurants you might want to try.
1. MOTHER’S CAFÉ http://www.motherscafeaustin.com
Mother’s Café has been serving delicious vegan and vegetarian food here in Austin since 1980 and has become an icon. To start your meal off, there is a Garden Patch Salad, that when topped with their Cashew Tamari dressing is delicious (some have been known to lick their plates!). If pasta is among your favorites, the Gorgonzola dish with mushrooms, red bell peppers, purple onions and pecans in a Gorgonzola cream sauce over thick fettucini noodles and topped with fresh Parmesan cheese is high on their favorites list; as is the mushroom stroganoff that is made with thick homemade noodles and a peppery gravy. Another popular dish is the Jamaican stir fry that comes loaded with well-seasoned vegetables, including carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. You won’t walk away hungry from this one, it’s satisfying with kind of a ginger aftertaste. For dessert, the Belgian Chocolate Cake is a must have. It’s a generous slice of mocha chocolate cake topped with a chocolate ganache and served with Amy’s vanilla ice cream (an Austin favorite), large enough for 2 people to finish. It is so delicious you won’t even miss the butter.2. COUNTER CULTURE http://countercultureaustin.com
Counter Culture started as a food trailer in July, 2009 and in 2012 reopened in its current location with 1950s diner decor in East Austin offering meatless, dairy-free and raw foods made from scratch at affordable prices. Whenever they can, owner Sue Davis and her team purchase organic, fair trade & locally grown food from area farmers. There are daily specials, as well as a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and plates and homemade desserts. One of their popular items is the Vegan Brunch with tofu ranchero, flax seed crepes with chocolate and fruit and the biscuits and gravy are also very delicious. On their regular menu is their Pesto Rawvioli consisting of jicama folded over, topped with vegan pesto sauce and stuffed with cashew cheese (this dish is gluten free, soy free, vegan and 95% raw). An amazingly good meal, even considering all that wasn’t in it. For dessert, their gluten free mocha ‘cheezecake’ is a nice size slice that is cashew based with a nut date crust and a delicious way to end your meal.3. BEETS CAFÉ http://www.beetscafe.com
This café is as unique as Austin, where the chefs are passionate about their food, creating uncommonly good food that has plenty of nutrition and flavor. Celebrating all the earth has to offer, they want their customers to stop in and experience the “Vitality of Living Foods.” Owner/operator Sylvia Heisey is truly cares about healthy living and sharing it with everyone. They serve breakfast all day, lunch and dinner, delicious desserts and exotic organic teas. Chef Sylvia has trained at Living Light Culinary Arts Institute and has been certified as a raw gourmet chef and instructor. One of their more popular dishes would be the ELT – thinly sliced Eggplant, Lettuce and Tomato with sprouts and avocado sandwich, and comes with veggie strips. Another entrée that is a favorite is their ravioli – think, tender pasta sheets stuffed with fluffy herbed vegan cheese with a pesto dressing and it all comes sitting on top of a light, lemony cream sauce. For dessert the raw cheesecake (chocolate, strawberry and mint chocolate) made from coconut and cashews has been known to be addictive. Or, if cheesecake isn’t quite what you’re in the mood for try the mini-brownie that comes topped with almond ice cream and blood orange sauce. As they say at Beets:
“Nourish your Body & Soul * Cherish Life * Honor the Earth”
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As always, local events and information are brought to you as a courtesy of Dorie Dillard,Coldwell Banker United Realtors, your NW Austin Real Estate Consultant. Please watch for future Dorie picks for Austin dining experiences!
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