Vegan Restaurant Information of the Week: Ramen in Hawaii, Caribbean in New York, and Extra

The times of boring salads are formally behind us with thrilling vegan restaurant information cropping up each week. World Vegan Month is upon us and Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya has a brand new menu to have a good time. The group at Manhattan’s Seasoned Vegan Actual Fast simply gave a traditional NYC sandwich a plant-based makeover. Plus, over in Brooklyn, a brand new Caribbean spot HAAM is placing on the ultimate touches earlier than opening day this week.

And, in fact, Thanksgiving is on everybody’s thoughts, and if cooking will not be your jam, heading to Veggie Grill or Crossroads Kitchen for the feast-tivities is not going to disappoint. Learn on for extra.  

1Seasoned Vegan’s new menu

New York’s bodega sandwiches are a factor of magnificence and the traditional Chopped Cheese serves as inspiration for a brand new providing from Seasoned Vegan Actual Fast—a brand new iteration of shuttered Harlem mainstay Seasoned Vegan. 

Michael Tulipan/MST Inventive

Beneath the helm of Brenda “Chef B” Beener and her son Aaron Beener, the eatery not too long ago up to date its menu, bringing the Harlem Chopped Cheese Burger into the highlight. This creative vegan tackle the traditional New York chopped cheese sandwich is crafted with oat “meat,” the burger is chopped and grilled with ketchup, then topped with vegan cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and vegan mayo on a pretzel bun.

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The inclusion of this sandwich pays homage to the Beeners’ unique Seasoned Vegan institution in Harlem, reflecting their dedication to providing comforting, plant-based variations of acquainted dishes. 

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The menu replace additionally sees the return of fan favorites, together with their acclaimed vegan mac and cheese, alongside a variety of salads and greens, and their house-baked vegan cupcakes—in flavors corresponding to vanilla, chocolate, and crimson velvet—rounding out the eating expertise with a candy end.

With the restaurant’s transition from a full-service venue in Harlem to a extra streamlined, to-go format within the East Village, the Beeners proceed to serve up beloved dishes that replicate their New Orleans roots and progressive culinary spirit, now accessible in a quick-service setting.

2Veggie Grill will get festive with mushroom meat

In these powerful financial instances, vegan fast-food pioneer Veggie Grill is restructuring to convey shoppers one of the best animal-free fare in a manner that makes fiscal sense. A technique is thru partnering with innovators to showcase their vegan merchandise to its massive fan base.

This initiative is highlighted by its two new seasonal choices: the Turk’y Cranwich and the Harvest Mushroom Stew. The brand new menu objects, created in partnership with Prime Roots and Fable, are a part of Veggie Grill’s mission to supply health-conscious and trend-setting meals selections. 

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“Veggie Grill clients can sit up for new menu choices that embody their favourite fall consolation flavors in better-for-you methods, and have progressive mushroom-powered plant proteins from business leaders Prime Roots and Fable,” T.Okay. Pillan, co-founder and CEO of Veggie Grill, stated in a press release. 

The Turk’y Cranwich options Prime Roots’ Cracked Black Pepper Koji-Turkey created from mycelium, the fast-growing root system of mushrooms. This sandwich additionally combines cranberry aioli, golden “turkey” gravy, home made cranberry stuffing, lettuce, and tomato, and is served on grilled sourdough bread. 

“At Prime Roots, we worth innovation and sustainable choices, which aligns completely with Veggie Grill’s mission of serving plant protein-powered meals for all,” Kimberlie Le, co-founder and CEO of Prime Roots, stated in a press release. 

“We’re extremely desperate to introduce Veggie Grill visitors to our Koji-Turkey deli meat various, which we’re assured can be a delight for these seeking to bask in plant-based dishes that evoke the flavors of a standard Thanksgiving feast,” Le stated. 

The Harvest Mushroom Stew affords a hearty mix of tempeh, Fable’s mushroom meat, and greens, making a warming dish ultimate for the autumn season.

These seasonal menu objects can be found in any respect 17 Veggie Grill areas nationwide till December 31. 

3Brooklyn will get new Caribbean 

This week, a brand new Caribbean restaurant HAAM—which stands for “Wholesome As A Motha”—will open within the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. The institution marks the fruits of proprietor Yesenia Ramdass’s journey from exploring vegan options to changing into a dedicated advocate for plant-based cooking.

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Initially a social media challenge that she began in 2019 and expanded into pop-ups and a supply service, HAAM will transition right into a bodily area the place Ramdass can interact together with her viewers extra intimately. 

The restaurant goals to supply a homely Caribbean expertise—a mix of Ramdass’ Dominican roots and her husband’s Trinidadian background—by each ambiance and a menu that boasts vegan variations of conventional dishes. 

“I’m a first-generation Dominican American, so I used to be very tied to the island,” Ramdass informed native outlet Resy New York. 

“If I could make somewhat little bit of an influence with a small a part of the inhabitants in my metropolis, that can be value it,” she stated. 

At HAMM, Ramdass will spotlight the flexibility of mushrooms and different plant-based substitutes to recreate acquainted flavors in dishes like mofongo and ceviche. Right here, plantain boats get a topping of vegan beef and dairy-free jalapeño queso for a candy, tangy, and spicy dish. 

Visitors can even pattern improvements corresponding to Chunk Meals plant-based steak, which comes topped with chimichurri as a part of a traditional rice and beans dish that additionally options crispy tostones.

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The eatery may also provide contemporary tropical fruit—and probably cocktails created from them, pending a liquor license—harking back to Ramdass’ father’s fruit stand choices. HAAM may also serve desserts created from fruits corresponding to soursop, together with beer and wine. 

4Traditional Thanksgiving at Crossroads

Thanksgiving dinner reservations simply opened at Crossroads Kitchen’s three areas, they usually’re promoting quick. Chef and proprietor Tal Ronnen and his crew created a memorable meal that hits on all of the traditional Thanksgiving cravings with none animal merchandise.

The four-course menu (priced at $75 per individual, drinks excluded) begins with a celery root soup with Granny Smith apple and chive oil earlier than progressing to a Waldorf salad made with endive, pears, grapes, and candied walnuts, dressed with a creamy yogurt French dressing. 

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The principle course affords visitors a alternative between breaded scallopini or pulled lion’s mane mushrooms that come slathered in an herb gravy. The included sides listed below are traditional: mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, candy potato biscuits, and cranberry relish. 

For the ultimate dessert course, Crossroads is providing both cranberry sorbet or a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream. 

How do we all know that this meal is certain to be epic? This 12 months, Crossroads gained three classes within the VegNews Restaurant Awards: Finest Restaurant in Los Angeles, Finest Fantastic-Eating Restaurant, and (the mom of all) Finest Restaurant in America.  

5Ramen in Hawaii for World Vegan Month

Whereas we is perhaps in full Thanksgiving mode, let’s not overlook that November continues to be World Vegan Month, and we are able to’t consider a greater technique to have a good time than with a savory bowl of vegan ramen. In Honolulu, native mini-chain Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya has stepped up with a particular menu to honor the month.

Restaurant proprietor Tina Wang revealed the brand new vegan menu—which merges Japanese and Chinese language culinary traditions—on a latest Dawn Weekends section with native outlet Hawaii Information Now. 

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The brand new menu contains an array of dishes. The Vegan Mapo Tofu Rice is a notable addition, combining tofu, eggplant, inexperienced peas, and chives for a satisfying vegan meal. The Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen melds creamy textures with spicy and umami components and comes garnished with inexperienced onions, spicy bean sprouts, atsuage (deep-fried tofu), crispy onions, garlic, and chili oil, all twirled along with green-hued kale noodles.

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For these in search of a lighter but flavorful choice, the Chilly Tofu Salad options mushy tofu, kikurage (wooden ear mushrooms), and inexperienced onion, drizzled with a home made chili sesame sauce. Including a crunchy ingredient to the menu are the Tempura Brussels Sprouts. 

Facet dishes on the menu embrace seaweed salad, edamame, and uniquely flavored fries accessible in each truffle and cumin varieties. 

Can vegan ramen be a Thanksgiving centerpiece? We don’t see why not.

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