Finally, Florida

Hey, you know what? By the end of this year I will be 49 states reporting!

I’m currently in Central Florida on an extended weekend jaunt to officially report on its offerings for the first time. There’s plenty here… now. That wasn’t always the case. A day of work then travel brought me to a late dinner at Ethos Vegan Kitchen in Winter Park, a cute locale outside Orlando. And what a vegan welcoming… it’s always great to see the v-bomb, especially in this kind of random grouping. Ethos has a tremendous space, akin to a T.G.I. Fridays or similar, and it’s, of course, all-vegan. These details alone are exciting for the weary vegan traveler.

The menu is straight-up homestyle with vegan versions of nostalgic favorites. I steered clear of anything with “cheese” or their “chickun,” which I presumed to be packaged stuff, and opted for the Pecan Encrusted Eggplant, a hefty slice of eggplant encrusted with pecans with a red wine sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy and sautéed asparagus. Mmmm.

It was just what I needed. Well-seasoned, comforting, delicious. There was a subtle taste of beer in the gravy that made the oozing pool even more satisfying.

I grabbed a slice of orange cake to go and I would call it a night. There is much more to see tomorrow. But with a full belly, next was sleeep.