Kick Ass Cupcakes – Boston

Posted by Cups | Posted on 14-03-2011

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages

Tags: ,

This weekend I went to Boston for my friend Sarah’s birthday.  Yesterday we were in Somerville and grabbed cupcakes at Kick Ass Cupcakes.  As always, I’m very happy when cupcake places offer a vegan cupcake.  They had a Choc-it-to-me vegan chocolate cupcake with a chocolate filling and chocolate ganache frosting.  The cupcake was on the drier side and the filling ended up falling out in one squiggly lump of hard chocolate which I ate last and let melt in my mouth.  The ganache frosting was soft and fluffy with chocolate shavings as a garnish - really the best part of the cupcake.  The over-all flavor was good. This wasn’t my first dry vegan cupcake - I sometimes wonder if they’re just not as fresh, maybe due to a low demand which I suppose they can’t do much about other than make smaller batches  so they’re not left selling the dry ones, or maybe their recipe is just dry and if so that could be adjusted.

Sarah had the red velvet.  The first thing she noticed when she pulled away the paper was that it wasn’t even red!  I know they try to use natural ingredients, but red velvet just isn’t red velvet if its not red!  They do make natural food coloring from plant based sources that they could use.  The next think she noticed was the dryness :(

I guess they just didn’t impress us – needless to say, we won’t be going back.

Roy’s Chicago

Posted by Cups | Posted on 23-02-2011

Category : Dining Out

Tags: , ,

Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine

Friday we went to Roy’s in Chicago for Restaurant Week.  I was there once a few years ago when I was just starting on the vegan road.  I can’t remember what I had but I remember it being a good experience.  I was not however offered their vegetarian menu which I discovered while researching Roy’s for Friday’s dinner.  Friday afternoon I called to ask if they’d be able to veganize some things on the vegetarian menu.  The woman on the phone was wonderful and said they’ve had their vegetarian menu for years and that my waiter would be happy to show me what is already vegan or what could be made vegan for me. 

Roy's Edamame

once you're seated they bring edamame to the table - it has the best seasoning on it I've ever had on edamame!

Once we arrived I was sure to ask the host to bring a vegetarian menu to the table for me.   Next I told the waiter (who said he grew up vegetarian) and next thing I knew, the head chef was at our table asking me what I wanted for dinner!  Let me just tell you that this place was super busy and it was restaurant week and in my mind I figured they’d be annoyed with all the “cheap” people and wouldn’t be into handling special requests but boy was I wrong!  All 5 people I was with were ordering off the pre-fix, restaurant menu and I assumed I’d be getting an entree and that’s it.  I was pleasantly surprised when the chef created a special pre-fix menu for me.  Veggie sushi rolls for an appetizer, a delicious tofu dish as an entree and a black raspberry sorbet for dessert.  Yes, I got a VEGAN DESSERT at a  regular restaurant!  AMAZING!  I had packed a little Sjaak’s Peanut Butter Bite in my bag but I didn’t even need to eat it!  Lucky me!  Everything was delicious – my food as well as everyone else’s.  We’ll definitely be back again soon.  I really appreciate them taking the time to make me a happy customer.  In addition to veg friendly meals, they also have a gluten free menu!  Don’t miss out on the cocktails!  The signature Hawaiian Martini was delicious as well as the Pineapple Ginger Mojito!

(312) 787-7599
720 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60654

babycakes Downtown Disney

Posted by Cups | Posted on 04-02-2011

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages, Travel

Tags: , , ,

Wednesday Eric and I found ourselves stranded in Orlando, staying across from Downtown Disney.  Neither of us were too excited as we’re not big Disney people but suddenly I remember there is a new babycakes there!  We wandered around to check everything out, but really I was looking for babycakes.  I found it rather annoying that none of the maps indicated where it is.  Thank goodness for my blackberry which helped me locate it.  I was beyond excited to get some yummy vegan treats.  I got the chocolate chip brownie cupcake top with vanilla frosting to eat on the spot (despite being overly full from my massive lunch-there’s ALWAYS room for cupcakes!).  I can’t tell you how heavenly that was.  It was equal parts cake and frosting, so for a frosting lover it was divine.  I also grabbed two cookie sandwiches for Eric and I for later, but who was I kidding, Eric doesn’t like sweets so really they would both be for me.  I’m not so good at having food (especially treats) so close to me without eating them.  After a few hours of carting around those sandwiches I broke down and ate one – two chocolate chip cookies filled with creamy pink frosting – YUM!  Of course the day moved on and I did my very best not to eat that second sandwich.  I was sure never to leave it in the car to melt so I kept it in my handbag hoping for the best on a 75 degree day.  Once we got to the airport I reached in my bag only to find a very greasy brown paper bag.  It had melted after all.  So, I pulled that baby out and savored every goey bit of deliciousness.  Mind you, at that point there really wasn’t any pink frosting left – it has seriously melted away and into the cookie, yet that didn’t stop me from finishing it off.  I’m not at all into messy foods and had I been at home I’d have eaten it with a fork but I didn’t have a choice in the airport – luckily I had some wet wipes in my bag!

I’ve now been to all three babycakes!  That does make me sound a bit nuts I suppose!  So far the only thing I haven’t liked are the red velvet cupcakes – everything else is wonderful!!!

So, if you’re headed for Disney and are in search of some amazing vegan or gluten free goodies, locate the building marked Fresh A Peel and just inside the door near the chicken restaurant you’ll find babycakes.

Pozole Vegan Soup at Chipotle

Posted by Cups | Posted on 13-01-2011

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages

Tags: , ,

Chipotle just rolled out a new vegan soup so I gave it a try at lunch yesterday.  I was a bit confused when thinking it was a soup the guy kept asking what stuff I wanted on it.  Basically they made it like a burrito bowl.  I just added rice and the tomato salsa – which I’m glad I added something since otherwise it would’ve been just one ladle of soup!  The soup itself is a spicy tomato with these giant soft corn kernels…I’m sure they have a name but I don’t really know what they were.  It was pretty good.  I certainly won’t be craving it or going out of my way to get it but since there is a Chipotle close to my office it’ll be nice to add into my lunch rotation to mix things up a bit.  I really appreciate them offering a vegan soup – it’s so easy to do but not many places are that conscious still.  The menu does refer to it as vegetarian rather than vegan but I read about it being vegan in Crain’s yesterday and then confirmed with the server that it was safe for me.  I think they probably find it easier to call it vegetarian than vegan – the word vegan can still be a little scary to some people :)

Bagels & Tofu Cream Cheese in Times Square

Posted by Cups | Posted on 19-11-2010

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages, Travel

Tags: ,

Last week my girlfriend and I met in NYC for a few days.  We had an absolutely fabulous time.  One of my highlights (yes, this is silly) was the scallion tofu cream cheese at Times Square Hot Bagels.  We decided to go for bagels for breakfast on our first morning in the city.   Of course this is a must in NYC but I’ll admit I was nervous I’d be eating a plain bagel.  The entire walk over from our hotel I was hoping that I’d get lucky and they’d have peanut butter but boy way I surprised when I saw not one, but TWO HUGE tubs of tofu cream cheese!!!  I was in HEAVEN!!!  They have both plain and scallion so of course I went for an everything bagel, toasted with scallion tofu cream cheese.  It was fabulous.  Ok, someone else may disagree and maybe I wasn’t even thinking clearly due to all my excitement at the cream cheese selections for me, but whatever, I enjoyed every bite and of course we went back the next day.  The second day I opted for an onion bagel, toasted with scallion tofu cream cheese but I must say the everything bagel way far more exciting.  If you’re in the Times Square area, this place is a must!  And of course if you bring along a non-vegan friend they’ll love it too as they’ll have a TON of dairy cream cheese options.

This place is take out only and they have regular brewed coffee but no soy milk – which I found odd considering they have tofu cream cheese.  Anyway, there are obviously PLENTY of other coffee shops around so grab your bagel and then head to a coffee shop for your soy latte and enjoy your fab NYC breakfast!!!

Times Square Hot Bagels
200 W 44th Street (at 7th)
New York, NY 10036

Recycling Cups at Starbucks!

Posted by Cups | Posted on 15-11-2010

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages

Tags: ,

I was very excited  to see this bin for recycling used Starbucks cups while I was in NYC!  I’ve never seen one of these before.  I had always heard that you can’t recycle used cups or food containers as the food/beverages contaminate the paper.  I guess Starbucks figured out a way around that so they can recycle their cups.  The disappointing thing though was that not many people followed the directions of cups only – no lids :(   Why are people so lazy?!  I certainly noticed the big white instructions and if you can’t be bothered to follow the directions there is another regular trash right next to it.  Often when there are too many non-recyclable items the recycling company has to dump the who lot – why ruin it for everyone with your laziness  Ugh, frustrating.  Anyway, moving away from being a downer, this is fantastic and I sure hope to start seeing them at more Starbucks!  -even though I always bring my own stainless steel mug :)

does your Starbucks have one of these?  do people seem to be following the directions?

Chicago Vegan Week 2010

1

Posted by Cups | Posted on 27-10-2010

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages

Tags: ,

So excited for Vegan Week in Chicago!!!

The fifth annual World Go Vegan Week is taking place from October 24 through 31 this year! Vegan Week is an international campaign to promote a vegan diet as a compassionate, sustainable and healthy way of eating and living.

In celebration of World Go Vegan Week, Mercy For Animals and four classic Chicago eateries have collaborated to offer exciting, new vegan options for the week of October 24 – 31!

Chicagoans, be sure to dine out at one of the participating restaurants for an incredible, cruelty-free lunch or dinner. Also, join your friends from Mercy For Animals at special dine-out events taking place at each restaurant during Vegan Week!


New York Deli
2921 N. Clark St.
(773) 549-3328

A vegan chicken-parm sandwich, available all week.


Clark St Dog
3040 N. Clark St.
(773) 281-6690
www.clarkstdog.com

Classic vegan hot dog with all the fixins, available all week.

Dine-out with MFA on Wed., Oct 27 at 7pm.


Ian’s Pizza
3463 N. Clark St.
(773) 525-4580
www.ianspizza.com

Will be introducing the specialty Spicy Seitan Taco pizza pie, offered by-the-slice all week.

Dine-out is Friday, Oct 29 at 7pm.


Drew’s Eatery
2207 W. Montrose Ave.
(773) 463-7397
www.drewseatery.com

Entire restaurant is going completely vegan on Saturday, Oct 30! Will offer vegan hot dogs, sausage dogs, ice cream, desserts, soups and more.

Dine-out is Sat, Oct 30 at 12 noon.

Replate

Posted by Cups | Posted on 23-09-2010

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages

Replate (your food) is an organization encouraging people to do just that – replate your leftovers and leave them out for those in need – on top of, or next to a trash bin.  I’ve done this before when I lived in Los Angeles.  Here in Chicago – at least in the loop area – I typically don’t have trouble finding someone to give my left overs to directly.  However, I haven’t really thought about it in awhile and this is great for those times when someone isn’t openly waiting for food.  I suppose there is always the chance no one will get it and it will get tossed out when the trash collectors come, but it is still worth the effort.  So, instead of leaving your leftovers to rot in your fridge at home, give them away so they don’t completely go to waste. If you’re not in love with your meal, instead of having the waiter toss it, have it packed up – someone else in need may love it.  This is a great idea for all –  food in a hungry tummy, less clutter in a fridge and less waste in the landfill :)

mmm…Fritz Cakes!

Posted by Cups | Posted on 01-09-2010

Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages

Tags: ,

Sunday while I was out doing errands I made a quick stop at Fritz Pastry for a vegan chocolate cupcake – DELICIOUS!  This isn’t the best photo but last time I went I completely forgot to take one for you :)   Isnt’ it cute how they do the frosting?  So different than everyone else :)

Veg Food at RJ Grunts – Chicago

Posted by Cups | Posted on 30-08-2010

Category : Dining Out

Tags: , ,

Yesterday afternoon we had a lovely meal at RJ Grunts in Chicago.  We live a few blocks away and have never been, so we finally made a point to stop over.  Everyone raves about the salad bar and they claim they were the founders of the salad bar idea.  To be honest, I wasn’t drooling over it.  So…I opted for the Portobello Mushroom Sandwich with their homemade cottage fries.  I had everything on the sandwich but instead of the cheese added avocado and it was delicious!

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