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!

Albuquerque - Pei Wei

Alright, for a first report, this is going to be more brief than reports to come in the future.

An easy choice, if you don't mind dining in a chain restaurant, is Pei Wei. It’s a great place for quick, easy, and tasty selections. One of my favorites is the Mandarin Kung Pao - made of Chile seared soy sauce, scallion, garlic, snap peas, carrot, peanuts with Tofu and Vegetables and brown rice.

New Mexico has two locations as of this date. One located at:

Uptown Park:
2201 Louisiana Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone: (505) 883-1570
Pei Wei Take Away: (505) 883-1570
Fax: (505) 883-1026

and

Cottonwood Corners:
10420 Coors Bypass NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
Phone: (505) 897-4811
Pei Wei Take Away: (505) 897-4811
Fax: (505) 897-2726

Check for updates to location here:
Check the menu here:
And this is news to me -Gluten-free Menu:

Hello Fellow Vegetarians, Vegans, New Mexico Residents, and Travellers!

Welcome to my Blog; where I attempt to inform friends and readers as to the availability, location, and menus of Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants and markets around the State of New Mexico.
Having come to the conclusion, after a thorough search of the web, that there is not enough vegan/vegetarian dining information out there for me to even plan a day-trip [let alone a vacation] in this state I am going to attempt to compile the information - myself!
I hope this forum will allow me to provide comments, locations, photos of venues and offerings, and links.
Please stay tuned, and check back often to see how this develops.
Regards!Kimberly