Currently viewing the tag: "VV Upstate NY"
On the way to the farm we stopped at a new all-vegan bakery in Verona, New Jersey: Cupcraze. As per usual, when visiting an out-of-state bakery, I have to get at least 2 cupcakes. I chose this one above, their delicious banana split cupcake, and I am glad that I did. The moise banana cupcake was sprinkled with chocolate chips, topped with a smooth vanilla buttercream, chocolate drizzle and a maraschino cherry.
I had to also taste their festive chocolate cupcake with the subtly green buttercream and a fondant ghost. I never had vegan fondant! This was a nice, sweet bite that energized me after the drive back down state, before evening festivities.
And of course, a chocolate chip cookie. I have to always try a bakery’s chocolate chip cookie. I am happy to report that these cookies were spot-on vegan replicas of Linden’s cookies, a favorite of mine growing up.
Requisite shot of the bakery display case. So pretty…
Cupcraze is just a few weeks old. Check them out if you’re in their area and give them your support. They have plenty of gluten-free options and a great selection of delicious cupcake favorites.
And after the farm we had to hit the amazing Garden Cafe on the Green, Woodstock, NY’s all-vegan cafe. I have been hitting this spot for years now and it is always impresses. They do their simple dishes well, with love, care and attention to detail. We sprung for the quesadillas. These are really elevated quesadillas: not oily and over-stuffed with wet veggies. The olive is all you need… and guacamole, salsa and a dab of sour cream [store-bought].
My entree: The Fall Vegetable–Wild & Brown Rice Saute with Brussels, crispy tempeh with red wine mushroom sauce, a heavenly butternut squash terrine with pistachio gravy and sauteed kale and cabbage. Perfect bite of autumn.
Here is a gorgeous shop of the trees of Harriman, New York. I love autumn in New York!
Happy 16th Vegan Birthday to me at Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
I’ve been vegan so long. And while every year my passion for vegan food (and vegan food reporting) grows stronger, my reason for going and remaining vegan have nothing to do with food at all. It’s about animals.
It was learning the conditions of factory farming so long ago that steered me towards veganism. What others preferred “not to hear about” I preferred to know and to not accept–because it was in my power to do so. This is as true today as then. To celebrate my love for animals (all animals) and my commitment to living aligned with my values, I spent the day at Catskill Animal Sanctuary with fellow vegan and food lover CandyPenny.
Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a bucolic 110 acres in New York’s Hudson Valley. It’s been a home to over 2,000 rescued farm animals since 2001. Though the expansive grounds are peaceful, the horrific stories of abuse and neglect need to remain forefront. Sanctuary Founder, Kathy Stevens, and her staff work tirelessly to be the voice of these animals. They provide medical care, legal care, and rehabilitation to the gentle, innocent souls of the farm–who, because of profit and consumer demand, were born to be abused and slaughtered.
We started our tour at these magical mushrooms. They stood tall and proud against the green ground with the scattered foliage. After consulting this interesting website, it seems to be the Shaggy Mane mushroom. Unfortunately only several remained after bulldozing toddler feet.
Here are Jangles and Peggy Sue, two rescues pigs enjoying their time now that they are safe. Nadine is in the background. There are over 100 million pigs killed each year for pork products. These wonderful animal individuals are 3 who survived. [learn more about how life is for most pigs]
Peggy Sue let us give her a belly rub.
What a gorgeous sanctuary for these pigs.
People eat so much chicken. This “healthy alternative” is a living, sentient being. 7 billion chickens are bred and slaughtered every year for food. Conditions for chickens used for food are absolutely despicable. The demand for chicken has risen tremendously; the average person eats 87 pounds of chicken a year [source]. And that is why conditions are absolutely despicable. The rescue chickens at the farm are franken-chickens. Unnaturally fattened up from being pumped with drugs. They’re now in need of daily medical care and missing feathers.
I really didn’t mean this post to be soapbox-y. But it angers me that so many don’t care what they contribute to with their dietary choices. And seeing these beautifully unique survivors finally at peace and thriving, I’m filled with a lot of emotion. Catskill Animal Sanctuary does such important work.
Each animal on the farm can feel pain, can comunicate, and can develop strong bonds. Each is a unique being. I’m always amazed when others are amazed when they experience an animal’s personality and unique traits. Why do we only extend some animals our appreciation and love (our beloved cats and dogs)? We can learn a thing or two from getting to know a turkey.
I’ve learned that chivalry is not dead. In the bird world at least. I learned that a lot of male birds protect their mates fiercely. Geese congregate to yell at their predators (in this case humans) while their mates swim safely yards behind them. Our tour guide Rebecca let us know that they have been known to protect their mates passionately, sacrificing their own safety to protect her. Roosters test food in bowls but then spit it out; they don’t eat a bite before the hens get what they need. And this turkey couple above. A cautious male turkey, feathers puffed and making warning noises, revolves around his mate. He was so nervous. And with good reason… come November, 45 million are slaughtered to be holiday centerpieces. [learn more about how life is for most turkeys]
Rebecca explained that a male turkey’s gorgeous neck and head can change color as his moods change. Fascinating!
I was so happy to be able to see some baby cows. These calves were huddled together in the back of a pen. Their beautiful black eyes looked cautiously as the tour group entered slowly. Some tour-goers were more concerned about not stepping in their doo-doo than taking in the sweet, calm energy of these calves. Knowing the heartbreaking cruelty of veal production, it was hard to care about some sh*t on my shoes. Calves are ripped from their mothers at birth and starved in narrow pens to minimize movement to keep their flesh soft and tender for people to eat. I want to live in a world where people care about these babies more than their shoes… which are probably made from the skin of the babies’ mothers.
Close siblings.
This beautiful cow may live out its natural life. 42 million cows, however, suffer horrid conditions on beef and dairy factory farms. It was my learning about how cow moms are inseminated and kept pregnant repeatedly, hooked to painful milking devices and given drugs to increase milk production, and slaughtered when their bodies give out after these vicious conditions and abuse. That is why I went vegan. As a young woman deciding what kind of woman I wanted to be. Others can have their cheese (that you “can’t give up”) and all of the drugs, pain, and torture that remain in it.
Meet Emmet. Emmet had free range access to the grounds on our visit. He was rescued from a crystal meth facility. The meth heads were using chickens to hide the stench of their illegal activity.
Also on the farm are horses. There is something about horses, isn’t there? Iconic strength and majesty. There is something different about horses’ suffering that gets to me. Maybe it’s their role in history, in the development of our United States. Maybe its their bodies, pinnacles of utility yet sleek and gorgeous.
These special horses were rescued from a mentally ill hoarder. She received a slap on her wrist for her abuse.
There were other animals who are usually out and about that remained in their pens. Rebecca thought this might be Hurricane Sandy-related.
This is the handsome Buddy, one of two blind horses on the farm. I don’t really know what to say about seeing an animal like Buddy. It was a bit overwhelming to me and I’ve welled up many times since thinking about him. I plan to read Kathy’s book Where The Blind Horse Sings to learn more about his life at the farm.
Through the years, folks have asked about why I don’t wear wool. Like most animal related products consumers use, there is indeed suffering involved. But most have a naive image of a gray-beared man gently shearing a massive sheep who “baaa”s lovingly (just as they think their milk comes from a healthy cows grazing on an expanse of grass by an Old McDonald fairy tale farmer). This site depicts the reality of wool production. Sheep are mistreated and abused. And there are tons of fabrics as warm, as stylish and as durable as wool that come from plants. And lest I hear a ridiculous argument that I am abusing plants as a vegetarian, they don’t feel pain, contrary to ridiculous (!) reporting on the New York Times.
A pretty lamb. This shirt says it perfectly: What Kind of an A**hole Eats a Lamb?
Here is another animal duo with a strong bond, parents to a little pony (below). It was amazing to see these two spring to action, protecting their baby from a loud-mouthed obnoxious human. CP and I suffered the ignorant commentary from this human during the entire tour. Her concern was having her wild toddler pet every animal as if the peaceful sanctuary for abused animals were a carnival petting zoo. She even declared during the tour that she “didn’t like animals.” (It was her toddler who stomped the mushrooms as well.) Anyway, these horses read her well and trotted between her rough hands and the pony as the tour came to an end.
Here is the sweet baby pony.
CandyPenny feeding the pony some greens.
“Hello there! Thanks for coming.”
The tour was coming to an end and Ozzie wanted to say goodbye. This potbellied pig was rescued from another animal hoarder. I found a bit about the court case here.
Last but not least, Jailbird, a spectacularly sweet best buddy to Emmet. Watch a bit about their story here.
It was a wonderful day at the farm. Having the opportunity to meet so many unique creatures with happy endings was inspiring and seeing the work of the passionate staff, humbling. I look forward to returning to the farm again and visiting my new friends. Please visit Catskill Animal Sanctuary to learn more about how to support their work.
Thank you for reading my thoughts and reflections on my visit. I hope you let at least a little of what you learned shape your actions in some way. I know soapboxing is not the most effective means of initiating change but 1) my veganism is a teenager so you know how that goes and 2) it’s my party and I cry if I want to! Happy Vegan Birthday to me!
Check out my slideshow of lessons learned after my 15th year (2011)…
X’s to O’s Vegan Bakery is the capitol area’s only all-vegan bakery.
Home to many-a delicious sweet treats, the ladies at X’s to O’s serve up cupcakes, donuts, Twinkie-like cakes, whoopie pies, as well as smoothies and now brunch… which means I will definitely will be back! I order a bagful of goodies while dropping v-bombs with the countergal. {She knew all the hot spots and gave me a great recommendation for a local peanut butter maker, Peanut Principal.} Let’s look closer at their awesome vegan treats…
Yes, variety is the vegan buttercream of life.
I just had to get the tiramisu cupcake. For me, tiramisu is like the tempeh reuben of the cupcake world… I have to order it when I see it. And look how lovely it looks. The cake was spongey and bottom-soaked in coffee. The icing completed it just perfectly. What a cupcake dreamboat!
Some other beauties.
I’ll be back X’s to O’s! You were the perfect dessert course to my quick Albany excursion. xo, V.V.
It’s always nice to stumble upon an all-vegan eatery. There’s a whimsy freedom that is a break from scrutinizing a menu. Though I love thinking about food, picturing a menu’s peak potential after my alterations and specifications, I forget that the decision of what to eat can be easy and light. “All-vegan” is a comfort which adds to an eating experience.
I felt all of this and more inside Loving Cafe in Delmar, New York, a warm and inviting all-vegan cafe.
The space is reminiscent of an old diner: black and white checkered tile floor, chalk boards, a broad variety of eats, and personal and attentive service.
The cafe is stocked to the brim with a wide variety of vegan goods that represent the neighborhood’s demands. As I sat and spoke with the owner, she told me that customer recommendations are her guide… and the growing demand for a variety of healthful dishes mark the direction of the menu.
Their appetizer sampler, a chicken nugget, dumpling and spring rolls. Nothing beats fried sometimes.
Their most popular sandwich is the Subconscious Sandwich. A tasty mix of veggies in a zest lemon tahini. Fresh and scrumptious. The combination of textures and taste made this relatively simple sandwich a superstar. I am glad I took the waitress’s recommendation!
The sweet and loving staff of Loving Cafe.
Little Anthony’s is a pretty standard-seeming pizza parlor. Wood decor, a map of Italy on the wall, green/white/red, and an inviting counter with pizzeria-type guys (My definition of pizzeria guys: aimable, hard-working, Italian)… but they have a menu filled with vegan options! Vegan pizza… vegan heros (called submarines up here)… vegan stromboli… calzone… They’re also known to have a vegan lasagna on special. Staying about 10 minutes away, I knew I had to stop in for dinner.
My first bite was this fabulous chocolate chip blondie made by Angelina’s Vegan Baked Goods. The baker is the blogmaster of Living the Vegan Way. Boy, I gotta say that this blondie was absolutely special. As a seasoned vegan baked goods taster, this reigns high up there.
I decided on the calzone with their housemade meatball. It was huge! I could barely eat half of it. I found it satisfying but a bit too Daiya-filled. I wished there was some tofu ricotta to break up the glumps of Daiya. The meatball was tasty. A nice salty bite inside the tame dough and cheese. How amazing to be eating a vegan calzone in a traditional pizzeria!
Here is another shot of the awesome blondie I enjoyed. Wow again.
With the swanky Saratoga Springs just a short drive away, I decided to hit Johnny’s Gourmet Italian Ices, a homemade ice cream shoppe that makes several flavors of coconut-based ice creams for its discerning customers. The shoppe owner labels these flavors as “dairy-free” as the food ignorant still fear the v-word… and the zealot vegan types have a problem with the space once being a leather-making shop. Weird. I let him know that the v-word is the reason I was there… and there are many “normal” (ish) vegans. Haha.
Johnny (I’m assuming) was gracious and generous with samples. I tried the vanilla (the true test), chocolate mint, and the coconut cookie, which he advised against my buying as he was not satisfied with the texture. He switched the bin with his chocolate mint, a cold Andres candies taste that reminded me of my mom. In the end it was good ol’ vanilla and chocolate that I chose. And he gave me a discount on my double-scoop cone.
Creamy, flavorful and absolutely delicious. I was very impressed with his homemade stuff. The texture of both flavors was magnificent. The lick of the cone is the test. Does the lick push the ice cream off the cone (bad texture) or does it get creamy and smooth with the moisture of the tongue. Texture score! And flavor score!
On the way back to my car, I saw this place. A real gelato shop with dairy-free flavors including for fruit types and this (pixelated) banana peanut butter. I tried a sample and wished I had a bit more time in the area. Mmm.
Being tossed a couple of days to kill, I decided to spend my Rosh Hashanah out of the New York City area. Stricken with severe wanderlust at times, I need to get away once and awhile. I do this a lot. Ever since I got my first car, free time became a currency of adventure. I was often just driving away, enamored by “the road” and the set of skills that click on inside traversing the unknown. It’s the part of me that feels I was born in the wrong time. It’s the part of me that’s always hungry. It’s the part of me that enjoys time with myself fully, where I am free to chase my fancies… whether they be a vegan cupcake, a half-demolished building on the side of the road, or a location with a promising view of the sunset. Of course, I also do a food blog, fancy myself a bit of a photographer, and I love to drive. These forces are strong in me. Every once and a while I need new things to eat, new things to take pictures of, new air to breathe in. I’ve also never taken an Amtrak anywhere. So here it goes: My vegan excursion to the Empire State’s capitol: Albany, New York.
I’m planning a very extensive Amtrak trip this coming summer to hit the remaining 4 contiguous United States I’ve yet to see. I am pleased with the train-to-rental car travel so far. When I arrived in Albany I was ready to go.
Of course lunch was important after a long-ish train ride. And what better way to fuel up than with an all-you-can-eat taco buffet complete with barbecue tofu! That’s right, Bombers Burrito Bar in downtown Albany offers one delicious lunch special. Unlimited trips up to their taco spread complete with hard shell tacos, soft tortillas, lettuce, black bean, rice (not sure if it was vegan so I passed), salsa, green chilies, and their yummy barbecue tofu cubes.
The spread could have been a bit more vegan-friendly. Some more vegetables maybe… some grilled onion and peppers maybe. Or some housemade tofu sour cream, fresh cilantro and some housemade marinated seitan: cha-right. Now I am in dreamland.
Although I could have had a million tacos, I could only eat two and a half.
Thanks, Bombers, for a scrumptious start to my trip!
Every once and a while, you have to seek out nature, ascend an incline that is not manmade but randomly place by the elements and duck under a canopy of trees, inside their crisp, fresh breath. So CandyPenny and I braved the rough terrain of the trails of Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, New York to find some solace, an escape from pavement and other urban pests.
Mohonk is the largest nature preserve in New York State, overseeing 7,500 acres of beauty, including the Shawangunk Ridge, part of the Appalachian mountains. Gorgeous views surrounded our climb, a cross-section of sky and land. A pie piece of the visible spectrum surrounded by puffy white.
We toiled up mountain slopes in our flimsy shoes for the reward of the glorious Split Rock swimming hole within the Coxing Kill stream, a tributary of the Rondout Creek, which flows to our own Hudson River. The deliciously crisp mountain water continues its flow to the Rondout Reservior, one of NYC’s water supplier. We were met by fellow bathers joining in a bask of sun and stream.
Adventurous souls pencil-dropped from atop Split Rock, while others, like us, followed a feet-waist-shoulder progression. The water was cold, pure, and magnificent. With its slightly numbing temperature it purged the coiled stress sanwiched inside my muscles giving palpable meaning to the words “invigorating” and “refreshing.”
The creek falls were a glory all their own. At the base of the split rocks was an accessible falls perfect for a quick ablution for one. CP and I took turns to feel the falls’ watery whap against our heads. A well-needed knock of nature on the noggin. 
After our adventure, we needed lunch and fast. We visited Karma Road, the area’s only veg-only restaurant for some hearty sandwiches and much-needed fluids. The counter service sandwich and juice joint was located across from the town’s farmers market and offered great people watching. 
Starving like Marvin, I needed a bite immediately as my sandwich was being built. I went for a chocolate chip and walnut biscotti. A good start and a sweet accompaniment to my chugged Mountain Valley Spring Water. The cookie was more moist than a traditional biscotti and required no dipping.
It was Reuben time! Karma Road’s take on the Reuben hit the spot. Baked Tempeh, a ton of sauerkraut, Russian dressing and soy mayo helped satisfy my hunger after strenuous energy output. I also tried their cold potato salad from the deli case. It was surprisingly flavor-packed and much, much tastier than it looked.
Ok, so we wanted to experience nature, yes. But we also wanted to finally try Lagusta’s Luscious, an all-vegan chocolate shop that has been on my vegan radar for quite some time. The shop is the storefront of vegan chef and goddess Lagusta, who uses only Fair Trade chocolate in the creation of her variety of goodies, uses only 100% post-consumer recycled paper in her packaging, and, clearly, aligns the shop’s every inch to her passionate values: veganism, social justice, and decadent deliciousness.
Lagusta’s shop was filled with amazing chocolate products, packaged pretty with her signature blue. But it was the display case of her unique caramels and truffles that had my attention. I ordered a small box of chocolates, selecting 8 pieces from her scrumptious case for $15… and a vanilla cupcake filled with tart raspberry preserves. 
I ordered 2 of each of her top-sellers: the caramel-infused chocolate croissant and her rosemary sea salt caramels, as well as her “Furious Vulva,” a strawberry creme infused chocolate, and her lemon truffle. Each delicate bite of her gorgeous chocolates was delicious.
Yes, I mentioned the “Furious Vulva.” These chocolate wonders point to Lagusta’s feminist ideals, a wish to counterbalance the domination of chocolate male members in the world. Named by one of the members of the feminist bookstore/cafe Bloodroot in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Vulvas have the gentle flavor of pink peppercorn and Hawaiian sea salt.
Gorgeous pieces of chocolate. 
Finally, a quick stop at the local orchard (Jenkins-Lueken) would send us back to the Big Apple with local-grown peaches. Is there anything more beautiful than a fruit still bearing a leaf. I’ve only seen peaches as beautiful as these in illustrations. 
And one cannot resist a zucchini with this kind of girth.
And beets. Material enough for several more blog posts. I better get cooking…
Last time I was in Ithaca, New York I had a horrible time. I exasperated an illness with the drive north and then had to drive home in miserable shape. I wrote my most scathing review thus far on the subpar eatery where my friends and I dined. It was a bad time. This time was also filled with folly that I will again blame on Ithaca, whose tainted land was distributed to Revolutionary War soldiers by way of land grants, claiming the lands of the tribes of Cayuga Indians, big players in the Iroquois confederation (Thanks, Wiki). Yes, I blame the early American settlers for our strokes of Ithacanian bad luck… and I blame Nascar.
That’s right: Nascar. With a Nascar race in Watkins Glen (home of Farm Sanctuary), we were shut out of the city. No rooms save for those fetching $250. So, the backseat was my bed, a bag of sweet rice I bought from Wegmans–my pillow and my chlorine-soaked bathing suit– my my eye mask to cover the harsh, glowing light of the Kohl’s parking lot lamps. With CandyPenny reclining in the passenger seat, we snoozed 5+ hours anxiously awaiting breakfast. It was good to know I still had the flexibility and good humor to partake in such shenanigans.
So yes, my pillow of rice came from Wegmans. Had we not been so astounded by the quantity of vegan pantry items there I may not have rested so easily in the HHR’s backseat. Huge tubs of Vegenaise, agave nectar and Braggs… oh my! A long stock of non-dairy milk options, yogurts and cheeses. International aisles. Real low prices. Love it!
Killing time before breakfast, we poured over stock at Ithaca’s local natural foods co-op, GreenStar, and their great selection of bulk foods.
Morning was filled with several misadventures, including having to spend prolonged time in a Starbucks, terrible coffee at a local diner whose wait staff resented our loitering and this elusive post in VegGuide that sent us on a small excursion to a weird, desolate building. The posting and link was for Vegan Epicure, a deli that offered “12 flavores of Seitan. Tofu 3 Flavores, Tempeh cooked. Vegan Spanikopita’s and tempeh Empanad’s Great food.” No such find. It was only later while wasting time in GreenStar did we see the locally-made seitan and felt a little better.
No Frack-ing way.
And finally! Waffle Frolic was open! This poor place had taken on a heavy load considering our misfortune. All was riding on our breakfast. And it was ok.
I got the Waffle Dog, a Smart Dog dipped in their vegan waffle batter and fried. I really wanted this darn thing… far more than I wanted to drive another couple of hours out of the area after a whole day of driving the evening before to attempt find a room. Was it worth it? No. But it was worth getting back into Brooklyn before flood waters overtook the place. I am thankful we hightailed outta that town quickly thereafter breakfast. Lagusta’s Luscious in New Paltz and Jolo’s in Westchester, we’ll hit you next time.
I leave you with my corn dog…
I praise many eats and eateries on this blog. My praises are merited as are my critiques. I know food. I care about it deeply. So when I have a meal like this, like the meal I had at Buffalo, New York’s The Eights, it’s a big deal. The Eights is a bar and bistro with a very vegan menu of delicious and thoughtful options that speak volumes of the owner’s (owners’?) regard for quality food. With mouth-watering bar food options, The Eights is one of the best vegan options I’ve had in a long time.
It’s easy to find healthful vegan fare. But to find well-done vegan pub fare that is hearty and more than deep-fried? Now that is something. The Eights achieves tenfold what countless vegan “comfort food” eateries attempt and fall short of. I just hate that it is so far away from my home in Brooklyn. Here are their avocado fries with their “honey” mustard dipping sauce. Delicious, pure and simple.
Looking closer we see the delicate pale green inside. The fried outside was crisp, not overly greasy, and the inside creamy avocado. You know avocado. Imagine that fried. Absolutely amazing.
For my entree I chose the Beef on a Weck. What the heck is that? It’s a Buffalo-born sandwich that became a local favorite after German immigrants working on the Eerie Canal brought over their kummelweck bread, a soft and salty roll topped with caraway seeds. After reading its fascinating history here, it’s clear that The Eights’ version of Beef on a Weck is true to form. That famous weck is served with a sloppy, soaked seitan au jus, fresh grated horseradish that just about kicked my behind and three fried pickles. This meal was so spectacular… and so perfect an accompaniment, a Wolaver’s.
Continuing the all-vegan upstate New York theme, I bring you pictures of some wonderful vegan goodies hiding in a sleepy street in downtown Rochester, the treats of Eco Bella Bakery.
I’ve written of the pleasures of an all-vegan establishment before. What can often be a grueling process of ordering food becomes effortless. Of course the “grueling” process is well-worth it as my choice to be vegan for 14 years stands on many different foundations–one being I like to know exactly what I am putting into my body. At an all-vegan eatery I am suspended in the splendor of complete trust and the excitement of possibility.
In this state I usually eat too much. Case in point: the blueberry filled cupcake, alongside CandyPenny‘s chocolate and peanut butter brownie. The blueberry cupcake was spot on: a subtle, almost corn bread like cupcake topped with the perfect pipe of buttercream, garnished with some fresh blueberries and some colored sprinkles (India Tree?)
Also mine in the sweets frenzy: Rocky Road cupcake and delicious and delicate pecan-topped Snickerdoodle. The cupcake was very good, a subdued chocolate cake topped with all the Rocky Road requirements… chocolate chips, nuts and ♡Dandies marshmallows♡. Eco Bella does a fantastic job making goodies that are not overly sweet, something any food lover appreciates. Sugar ≠ deliciousness. Given how much sweetener is added to processed foods, one can say it’s used more often to fool a taste bud into accepting a whole bunch of crappy ingredients.
“Closer,” I say like Hannibal Lechter. Here is Rocky Road scrumptiousness next to the owner-recommended Snickerdoodle. Mmmm-a great start to the morning. Now onward to Canada.. Oh Canada…
Strong Hearts Cafe is an all-vegan cafe in Syracuse, New York. I’ve been eying their menu for some time, attempted a trip once but fell ill enroute. Since, it has sat in my bookmarks in the folder To Do, subfolder To Go & Eat. Here, finally, I get a taste of Syracuse’s only exclusively vegan eatery.
Strong Hearts Cafe has full menu of sandwich favorites, breakfast bites available all day and a slew of other goodies–salads, baked goods and a mouth-watering list of shakes named after a cast of social and animal activists. Try the homage to the hardline straightedgers Earth Crisis (peanut butter & chocolate), a band I hadn’t thought of since I last saw them at Wetlands in 1996, or The Sea Shepherds (coconut), marking owner Joel‘s Arctic stint with Sea Shepherds in 2005. Beyond their amazing menu, it is great to support the passionate causes that founded the cafe.
On to the food! Growing up on Long Island a local ma-n-pa delicatessen was never more than a few blocks away. I loved the potato salad, watching the big silver spoon dish out a huge portion for me, hoping for a piece of the upper layer’s garnish… Not many vegan eateries include potato salad on their menus. I knew Strong Hearts would do it right. Perfectly cooked potatoes, plenty of fresh dill, creamy with celery for texture. Yum.
I have problems with considering any other sandwich on the menu when a Reuben is offered. This one was delicious. The rye was grilled to a golden brown, there was perfect cabbage-to-seitan proportion and a tangy thousand islands dressing drizzled about. Next time I’d opt for none of the Daiya and add some pickles for some crunchy texture.
Of course, dessert. After a 5 hour ride and a bad case of Driver’s Knee (I’m getting old!), I think I earned it. The huge cupcake was their take on a creamsicle: vanilla cake (VCTOTW if I had to guess) and a sweet orange buttercream. Hubba hubba. Some serious piping up top. I’m curious about their sprinkles as I’ve never seen a vegan version (without the confectioners’ glaze) meet the texture and brightness of the non-vegan variety.
Vegan Reporting By Location
