vegetarian

Grateful Bread Bakery, Pacific City, OR., 7/9 &10/26

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
building – 34805 Brooten Rd, Pacific City, OR 97135-8033

The Grateful Bread started in 1991 and new ownership took over in 2023.  They had an independent building with a to-go window as well as 2 dining rooms inside.  Also inside, they did a constant business of those picking  up bakery items to go.  The best I understood was that they started as a bakery of breads and pastries but expanded into plates for breakfast and lunch.  The name was a play on the Grateful Dead Band – with the staff wearing tie-dyed shirts or ones that said “everybody must get sconed”.   They do a lot of community support with unsold bread and pastries being donated to the local food bank.  While we were in eating several new items appeared in the front cases.  A couple twists on the place was that all their eggs were served only scrambled and they offered a discount if you paid in cash.  People lined up to be the first in and I can see why when we came later one day and had to wait 45 minutes for a table.  Service was very slow that day so we knew to be the line the next time we came and service moved at a better pace then.  The entry room had chairs for waiting and windows on one wall.   The second room was surrounded by window with a more modern feel.  Both had lots of art on the walls and the bathrooms had lots of lyrics from songs on the wall.  The food was served in generous portions and pretty tasty, although it did need added sauce of some kind.  It’s worth a trip when you’re in the area. Continue reading →

The Root Cafe, Little Rock, AR., 12/12/24

~ hsnixon ~ 8 Comments
building – 1500 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72202

The Root Cafe sources as much as possible from small farms and producers in Arkansas.  They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at different times during the day Tues – Sun.  Opened in June 2011 in the SoMa district of downtown Little Rock by Jack and Corri Sundell, it was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  A second location in Breckenridge Village opened in 2022.  The Sundell’s philosophy is to create a more sustainable food system for Arkansas and have even used that principle in the design of the building, landscape and public events they sponsor.  It’s a small interior but lots of patios are enclosed in plastic to provide climate control.  A large mural of vegetables is on the wall of the building next to the parking lot.  Inside the decorations are funky and historic with lots of photos to look at.  There is a counter at the entrance where you place your order and a self-serve beverage area in front of it.  After you order and pay you receive a token to place on your table and they bring out your food.  Each token seemed to describe one of the farms they trade with.  The food was well thought out and I like their philosophy but nothing we had sang with flavor. Continue reading →

Sabine’s Manufaktur and Kochschule, Piesport, Germany, 3/6/24

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exterior – St. Martinstraße 45, 54498 Piesport, Germany

Sabine’s Manufaktur and Kochschule was a small place with one table for about 8.  She is a self-taught cook who decided she wanted to explore vegetarian and vegan cooking.  She now runs a school but also offers lunch.  There is no real menu just what she has cooked that day and English is limited.  The ambiance is cozy and it feels more like you are eating in her home.  She was most welcoming and the food was quite good.  No reservations are needed.  She offered a choice of tofu sausage or lentil dahl and rice.  We chose the latter.  It was a large portion of rice surrounded by the flavorful lentil dish and dotted with a non-dairy sour cream like substance.  I would recommend the place if you find yourself in the area. Continue reading →

Block 16, Omaha, 5/7/22

~ hsnixon ~ 1 Comment
exterior – 1611 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68106

Block 16 is in downtown Omaha and owned by Paul and Jessica Urban who met in a culinary program.  They have a family farm that supplies a lot of their produce and otherwise shop for local and sustainable food sources.  They like to feature a daily special and have offered a different one 1,400 times in the last four years; they call it fun, street-style food.  It’s a fairly small place of 2 rooms.  The first one is where you order and there are some stools around the edge and counters, also the hall to the bathroom.  The second room is where you wait for you food to be brought out and has small 2-tops along the edges with 3 larger tables in the center.  There were a couple tables outside also.  The dining room had large windows to the street and tables on one end, music in the background and bright interior lighting.  The person at the order counter was very helpful.  They do sell beer as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Continue reading →

Geronimo, Santa Fe, 11/1/19

~ hsnixon ~ 1 Comment
IMG_1969
building

Geronimo is a large place in an old building spread over several rooms.  The tables are fairly close and set with white cloths and napkins.  The lighting is lowered, music is in the background, candles are on the tables and in the old fireplaces, art and mirrors decorate the walls and bench seating is on some walls.  There is a room with a bar at the front of the place with a couple tables and bar seating, but it was quite crowded when we got there.  They offer an a la carte menu or a vegetarian tasting, that has optional wine pairings.   They also had some nightly specials.  Service was helpful, extremely friendly and well paced. Continue reading →