I'm back! - MINT TULIP

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have spent the past two years in an alternate reality - and couldn't get a blog post in!

I am back, and going to start over again.

I have got to rave about the newest Vegan Restaurant that has just opened in the Albuquerque University area: Mint Tulip.

The Particulars: Their hours are 8-4, Monday through Saturday. Located at 2110 Central Ave SE 87106 [the old 20 Carrots locaton]

I have only been able to dine in once, so far. But I am so pleased with my first menu choice that I give then a two thumbs up review already.

I odered the Buffalo Ranch wrap, with chips and salsa for my side. Wow, is all I can say. I am no food critic [unfortunately!] but I know what I like. I would definitely order this again, once i make my way though the rest of the menu! Please note that I forgot to take the photo until I had already eaten 1/2 of my lunch!!!

Speaking of the menu, I liked what I saw - and I'm hoping they'll post it online soon. There was more to choose from than I can remember, but here's an incomplete list:
Oatmeal
Breakfast Cereals
Burritos
Hot Dogs
Chicago Dogs
Grilled Veggie Sandwiches
Veggie Burgers [House-made]
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Fluffer Nutters
PB&J's
Fresh Squoze Orange or Grapefruit juices
Vegan Soft Serve Dessert, Sundaes, Nana Splits/etc
AND MORE!

They have several accompaniments to choose from when selecting sandwiches - if you're not a chips & salsa fan.

They have a Facebook profile here and also a twitter presence.

I say "Yay, it's about time Albuquerque got another wonderful, all-vegan restaurant!!" Go there as soon and as often as possible - let's keep this business open and prosperous!

Next time I will be writing about Thai Vegan, another super fantastic new Albuquerque Vegan restaurant.

CLOSED : Berry Ocean - Albuquerque Gelato!

Hi! I bet ya'll thought I'd dropped off the face of the earth! Nope, I'm here... It's just that sometimes, life gets in the way of everything else. :-)


You probably already know that the Empire Burritos that I had blogged about earlier is CLOSED. It's very sad; it was one of my husband's favorite places to eat. And as a strict Vegan, he's tough to please!


For the first business to be mentioned by me in my renewed interest in blogging, I am writing about Berry Ocean. I've blogged on Gelato before, and THIS place is a must for folks in the Albuquerque area. I have adopted this business as my family's "go-to" place for celebrations. Not everyone is a cake fan and dessert in a crowded noisy restaurant is not my idea of celebrating, but we can please the whole crowd with Gelato, they normally have seating for our whole gang, the owner doesn't mind our taking pictures and videos of our event, and it is peaceful.


Portion sizes range from "that is ridiculously small" [in my American opinion] to "Omm Nomm Nomm" [my term for wow that looks terrific!"], and there are usually 40+ flavors to choose from, in addition to Frozen Yogurt, Espresso drinks, and smoothies.

As their Key Concepts explain, "GELATO = less fat + no air added = rich creamier taste". You might never be able to tell that there is less fat in the products, but you sure will enjoy them. Of course, Vegans are concerned about animal-based ingredients. Not to worry, order the fruit flavors, they are water-based with no dairy.


For Diabetics, ask what flavors in stock are made Sugar-Free - they vary depending on the day.


Please patronize this great Gelato business, Berry Ocean. Keep their doors open!

Location:Corner of Wyoming and Montgomery, same Location as India Palace, Chuck E. Cheese, Yen Ching, Michael's, Just Muffin Around, etc.

4410 Wyoming Blvd # H Albuquerque NM 87111

Please call first to check the hours [these were listed on their website]

M-T : 10AM-10:00PM Fri,Sat: 10AM-10:30PM Sun:: 11AM-9:30PM

Tomato Cafe - Albuquerque. Vegan, Vegetarian, pleases everybody!

My husband can be very vindictive. There was a time in his work history where he would have to go in to work for meetings on his day off. Before his meetings, he'd always stop for lunch at Tomato Cafe and load up on the Garlic Green Beans. Just so he could breathe garlic all over his coworkers. Is that mean or what? I mean, if it were me, I'd just decline the meeting and tell everyone that I couldn't come in on my day off. Isn't that what you'd do?

I hear that the steamed broccoli has butter in it [Vegans beware!] - but the Garlic Green Beans more than make up for that! They have three pasta types, an awesome Marinara Sauce, a sweet little salad bar, and they can do a Vegetarian Pizza for you [omit the cheese if you're Vegan, and you're all set!]. Vegtetarians can top it all off with a Soft-serve Ice Cream with or without toppings. [If you aren't open to the Soft-serve, pop around the corner to Whole Foods and pick up a decadent vegetarian or vegan dessert.] All-You-Can-Eat can be quite daunting if you're a nibbler, but otherwise, you'll most likely leave a bit overindulged.

They're only open during Lunch and during Dinner, so beware if you're hungry between 2:30pm and 5pm:

Lunch (Monday - Friday) 11:15 - 2:00

Lunch (Saturday & Sunday) 11:30 - 2:30

Dinner 5:00 - 8:30 (Summer, June, July, August, open til 9PM)

Tomato Cafe

5901 Wyoming Blvd.

Albuquerque, NM 87109

505-821-9300

Sushi!

I sometimes enjoy a tasty lunch on workdays, as my little treat to myself. When I've just had enough at work, I always coast down the hill to Ichiban. It's a great place that's you'd never expect to find in a corner shopping center.

Vegetarian selections include:

Bean Curd Inari [these babies are really great as a starter]

Vegetable Roll

Edamame [a super choice that's low-cal and you don't have to worry about the glycemic index, like you do with the sticky rice offerings]

Vegetable Tempura

Vegetable Udon

Cucumber Roll

New Mexico Roll [Fried green chile roll] - Vegan if you ask for it without the spicy mayo. This is my absolute favorite! The green chile is Tempura fried, with avocado. Ommm Nomm nommm nommmmm!

Here's my lunch!:

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

10701 Coors Boulvard N.W.

Albuquerque, NM 87114

Phone: (505) 899-0095

Check them out! :-)

Jason's Deli® - Albuquerque

Here's a 'drive-by' report on Jason's Deli®, brand new and ready to serve you.

I was surprised to hear of a 'newish' restaurant on the west side; it's surprising how a place just springs up - seemingly overnight. Jason's Deli® reminds me of a spacious, cleaner, brighter version of an back-east Deli.

The great thing about Jason's is that they are proud to announce [and print on their menus and also all over the walls and on signage] that "Everything! is FREE of artificial trans fats."

They are also gracious enough to mark their menu items with a Green V to designate vegetarian items. Some of those are: Tomato Basil soup, Vegetable soup, French Onion Soup [vegetarian F.O. soup?!! ohhh yeah!!!!], large and small fresh fruit plates with 'creamy liqueur dip', Spinach Veggie Wrap, Garden Po'boy, Grilled Portobello Wrapini®, Vegetarian Pasta, sides of Steamed Veggies, and 3 Bean Salad. They also offer a Salad Bar with gingerbread muffins and garlic toast.

I was pressed for time but lucky enough to get in before the lunch rush. I enjoyed the Garden Po’boy, with Baked Lays potato chips. The bread was lightly toasted Wheat French bread with Organic Greens, guacamole and pico, cucumbers, red & yellow bell peppers, asiago cheese and low fat balsamic vinaigrette.

It was great and I’ll be visiting quite often since it just down the hill from “the Borg” [sorry – inside joke for area residents of a certain profession]. Here’s the visual – I apologize for the quality but I promise I will get better at this!

Jason's Deli®
3410 State HWY 528 NM
Albuquerque, NM 87114
Phone: 505-897-2200
Fax: 505-897-9590

Silver City - Vegan, Raw, Living, Gelato!

I am not blogging today on any specific restaurant. I figured I could share a little more information about myself and my new blog quest. I've done quite a bit of traveling and I have never passed up a meal, but trying to plan trips is so tough when my husband is a strict Vegan.

The very first research I do is to find the best Vegan and Vegetarian restaurants [Vvr] possible and then the museums and attractions - and hopefully in a town within driving distance of Albuquerque. It's not that I only travel within state, but for a quick weekend trip - driving distance is a must. In other blogs, I may share some great places out of state like some in Florida, Arizona, and Toronto - but for now I'll stick to inside the state borders.

Exclusively Vvr in New Mexico are few and far between - especially after having been spoiled by the opportunity to enjoy restaurants like Sublime in Ft. Lauderdale. We always plan a side trip to Ft Lauderdale every time we're in Florida - just to dine there. It's so refreshing to be able to get the food we love in a serious 'grownup' fine-dining experience.

I am always searching for a great committed Vvr to open up in any city in New Mexico because I would be willing to drive quite far to patronize them.

Silver City has an awesome Vvr that is we were able to visit during our 1st anniversary celebration in March of 2007. We really recommend the Peace Meal Coop for Vegetarian, Vegan and Live Food Dining.

Peace Meal Cooperative
601 N. Bullard St.
Silver City, NM 88061
(505) 388-0106

We ordered a couple of delicious raw salads, a hummus plate and a mock-egg salad sandwich. I wish we’d had more time there to be able to eat in more than once. We definitely plan to go back.

And to top off any meal in Silver City – we highly recommend the Italian Ice Cream and Delicious desserts at Alotta Gelato. Hubby was delighted be able to order any fruit-flavored gelato to satisfy his sweet-tooth with a vegan dessert. Ask the server which are vegan/dairy free. OOOoohhh yes – heavenly, and so rich and creamy!

Alotta Gelato
619 North Bullard
StreetSilver City, NM 88061-5410
Telephone & Fax: +1 575-534-4995

CLOSED - Vegan!!! Empire Burritos! Burritos so Good – They’re Gooder?!!

CLOSED - Empire Burritos

Vegetarian Selections [Vegan is you omit the Cheese]...
with Seasoned Peppers & Onions or Spicy Vegetable Mix - with Guacamole

Burritos, Bowls, Tacos, and side orders.

The Spicy Vegetable Mix is cubed Sweet Potatoes, Onions, and Bell peppers - cooked with Canola Oil. The Guacamole has no dairy, and the Black and Pinto Beans are cooked without lard.

Four salsas to choose from: Empire Fire Roasted Salsa [Chipotle Peppers with Roasted Tomatoes], Sweet Corn and Jalapenos [Corn, Roasted Jalapenos, Cilantro, and Onions], Tomatillo and Jalapenos [Sweet and Tart Salsa with a Little Kick!], and Fresh Tomato Salsa [Tomatoes, Garlic, Cilantro, and Onions].

Three locations at:
Golf Course & Paradise:9401 Golf Course Rd. NW
(505)-899-5288

Jefferson & I-25:4320 The 25 Way NE
(505)-344-7200

Juan Tabo & Montgomery:11225 Montgomery
(505)-299-6140

Oh yes, this place rocks for burritos. Of course, there are tons of places in town to get a burrito or tacos - but this place has generous portions and with the security of knowing that they don't use Lard and their ingredients are well thought out is super! You can choose your type of beans, white or brown rice, and all the fixings to create your dream entree.

Me and Hubby will be frequent visitors in the future!