An Earthy Deal At Veggie Grill

For the next few days, Veggie Grill is offering a fantastic deal to encourage patrons to be more eco-friendly. Of course eating a vegan meal is already the most eco-friendly thing a person can do, but since ALL of our actions are important, it's great that Veggie Grill is rewarding customers who are strive to help the environment through riding a bike or taking public transportation. All you have to do is bring your helmet or show your bus receipt to get a free meal. The deal is that if you purchase a meal, you'll get a voucher for a future entree. Make sure you read the fine print, though, since the entree card expires in a month.

I went yesterday with some friends to take advantage of the deal by bringing in a bicycle helmet and presenting it to the cashier. I ordered a baja fiesta salad which was quite tasty with the succulent papaya and buttery avocado slices. I still find the vinaigrette to be a little too sweet, though. I cannot wait to return again with my free entree card. If you haven't gone yet, you have until Monday to bike or bus yourself to one of their locations. I find it odd that walking doesn't count, since that doesn't cause any CO2 emissions, but I guess it's harder to prove that you walked there, unless you present the scuff marks on your sneakers. 

A Lingering Meal At Leaf Organics

On a lovely March evening, my friends and I had a delicious meal at Leaf Organics. This wonderful raw/cooked vegan fusion cafe had plenty of options for our growling stomachs and left us feeling pleased.

We began the meal with one of my favorites: Rawchos ($6).

These were even better than usual. I'm not sure if they revamped the recipe, but the appetizer was so flavorful and had the perfect amount of spices. I loved the variety of cheeses, from the smooth cashew "queso" to the the almond, nutty parmesan. I normally loathe sour cream, but Leaf's version is very light and doesn't have an overpowering sour taste. The chips were perfectly crunchy and the beets on top added a lovely sweet touch.

Next, our entrees came out. I had the Shanti in a baked sweet potato ($11).

This dish was fantastic. I loved the mixture of saag and chana masala, as both had wonderful Indian spices and seasonings. The chickpeas and spinach were soft and easy to chew. The cashew sour kreme was a nice touch and balanced out the spiciness of the curries with its cooling taste. The baked potato absorbed the flavors perfectly and was sweet and succulent.

One of my friends got the Sloppy Jose in a baked sweet potato ($11).

This was also very delicious. The chili was fantastic and so savory. The beans and corn concoction was  very juicy and had a meaty taste. The cashew sour kreme and pico de gallo enhanced the flavors of the dish. Similar to my dish, the sweet potato added a lovely sweetness and balanced out the spices very well.

Lastly, I tried my other friend's dish: Thai Simmer over quinoa ($11).

This was equally fabulous and enjoyable to eat. The grilled vegetables were soft and delectable and covered in a smooth, rich sauce that had a wonderful coconut flavor. The quinoa absorbed the flavors of the sauce well and provided its own nutty taste. The cashew kreme cheese took the dish over the top added a slight sweetness and enhancing the nuttiness of the quinoa.

Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert and the restaurant was about to close when we finished. Despite the lack of dessert, the meal was still fantastic and so tasty. Since we used a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate, the meal was about $20 total for the three of us. I cannot wait to return to Leaf again soon and order more of their delicious food.