The Refuge’s New Vegan Menu {Melville, NY}

The Refuge in Melville recently created an all-vegan menu… so that I can be fully satisfied. Well, not really me but, let’s say, more people in general. Such exciting twists are born of the changing tides in the food world. Plant-based is being embraced is a huge way… and beyond salad or a hummus wrap. Eateries are putting thought and care into their plant-based offerings. And if you build it, I will come.
The range of Refuge’s vegan menu hit the standard cravings–a pizza, a healthful macro bowl, burgers–along with an Italian and Latin option. All of this variety aligns with the restaurant’s regular menu, which is a mix of Latin and Italian-ish.

CP’s Quarter Pounder in the distance, I tried the Seitan Tacos. I gobbled these down quickly. They were flavorful–smoky BBQ seitan with pops of sweetness from the corn and nice notes from the slaw. Though it was named as apple veggie slaw, I didn’t taste any apple. It was mostly seaweed I tasted. But this was a pleasant surprise! Overall, a bite with all components, along with a nibble of the fresh cilantro garnish, was delicious. A note: I would have preferred some pronounced browning for a taunt bite of sausage skin to vary the texture a bit more. 

From the other side. And plantains–sweet perfection. 

CP let me try a bit of her Quarter Pounder. It was a great patty: taste, texture, chew. All you want from a veggie burger… but it suffered slightly from an issue of bun:burger ratio. A more airy potato bun may help cut the density of the bun. But to shoot for perfection: lose the packaged vegan cheese and create a nut-based cheese spread with some sharp tang.  This would complement the taste and texture.  

Next, the Beet Sliders. These were my second choice during my first visit. So I had to return. Disclaimer: I love beets. I would eat an enormous and only slightly roasted beet like an apple if I had no regard for my digestive system. So these were easy for me to love. But also: because I love beets, I have more notes for this dish. First, seasoning. A little more salt with the roasting would help beets stand up to the inherently flavor-dulling bun. Also, I got the same slaw that was on the Seitan Tacos, which didn’t really complement the sliders. And the Goddess dressing was not detectable if it was on them.

Though I feel like the flavor profiles of different dishes should merit their own unique sauces and garnishes, these sliders would also benefit from the imaginary cashew spread I made in my mind for the Quarter Pounder. And its own slaw. These are little details in comparison to the appreciation I feel for having the opportunity to eat from such a varied all-vegan menu at an omni eatery. And they are made with love and tremendously high regard for the potential of plant-based cuisine. 

I am so excited to have a new option on Long Island. I look forward to the continued growth of the all-vegan menu! Well done, Refuge.