Va-va-va-voom: Vegan delectations on either side of the BQE

You know when something's so good, you feel obligated to do it proper justice? That's how I've felt since I discovered Champs and foodswings, both cash-only, vegan eateries located in Williamsburg. To be honest I'm still hesitant that I can do these places full justice but it's not fair to keep them from you any longer.

So without further ado, let's start with foodswings. Located near the BQE on Grand Street, this little vegan haven is great for late night junk food savories. While I've only tasted two of their dishes so far, I feel it's safe to assume that the plethora of items tattooed across their chalkboard menu are fabulous. One I can certainly vouch for is the chick'n parmigiana sandwich featuring breaded veggie chick'n with Daiya mozzarella and marinara sauce smushed between two pieces of garlic bread--which in itself is genius. Even vegans/vegetarians get the occasional craving to nosh on something that feels bad for you. This little diddy perfectly satisfies that craving. And since my first post on using Daiya, the taste of this soy cheese has really grown on me.

Second on the hit list: the philly cheese steak--veggie steak with onions, mushrooms, and Daiya cheese on Italian bread. In one word: hearty. Not as perfect as the chick'n parmigiana but stands up in its own right as a late night indulgence.  And if you've already made the commitment to indulge in this mouthful, why not wash it down with a chocolate soy milkshake?

Moving on to the other side of the BQE, we come to Champs. Sigh. If I lived in Williamsburg, this would be an old standard. I'm sure it is for actual residents. While you're sitting in your retro booth with a portrait of Rue McClanahan or Mike Tyson staring down at you, you may wonder why this place is so well-known for being a bakery when its true delights come in the savory variety. On my first visit, I played it safe. Why, I can't remember. I had the bomber burger, which all these months later, I don't remember at all. I'm sure it was tasty but if you're going to go, I recommend getting something with faux meat because they use it so well.

Option 1: the Reuben--grilled seitan with melty vegan mozzarella, tangy mock Russian dressing and homemade purple kraut served between fresh slices of marble rye bread. Each sandwich is served with a side of leafy greenery and balsamic vinaigrette. Are your tastebuds watering, yet?

Options 2 and 3: The Buffalo Chick'n vs. the Hot Cubano. Both these hot sandwiches are contenders for my number one, favorite vegan sandwich of all time. The former for its finger-licking-good sauce and the latter (a melty paradise of soy ham, jalapeno and pickle) for its punchy kick. Both pack some heat, the latter more than the former. And both are the reason I haven't tried more things on the menu. These little buggers are so delicioso that it's hard not to order one or the other when I find myself in the neighborhood.

By virtue of a friend ordering something else, I was able to try the chili. As a main or a side, the chili is a wise choice. It's robust and beany and is apparently made extra special when served alongside the breakfast menu item called the Drunken Cowgirl.

Whether you're in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a savory lunch paired with leafy greens, or a sumptuous snack, I highly recommend checking out either of these vegan havens in W-burg. It's well worth the trek, even if you're coming all the way from South Brooklyn like I do.

Pocketful of Rainbows...or Veggies

I remember a dark time in my life. A time when I didn't like baba ghanouj. The truth of the matter is that I had one rotten (literally bitter) experience and shut out the Middle Eastern spread altogether. I now realize I'm a fool. I now say yes to the opportunity to have it at every turn. I now say yes to life.

I've only had four things at Eva's in Greenwich Village--two were soups and two were sandwiches. All were excellent. With each pita sandwich you get a filling of some sort--baba ghanouj, hummus, falafel, just to name a few, a mountain of salady goodness that cannot be contained in the walls of the pita, and a choice of dressing such as tahini or yogurt. The vegetable and lentil soups are both packed with vegetables, hearty enough to stand on their own but also serving as a great accompaniment to the overstuffed pitas.

I like this place. Many vegetarian options to choose from. There's lots of items on the menu with "protein" in the title. I haven't tried them yet but this spot seems to be all about healthy eating, which I appreciate when I'm looking for a quick bite that doesn't make me feel weighed down and convenient in that I can pay by debit card. It's also not too far from this place:

which reminds you what an eccentric neighborhood Greenwich Village is. Sparkly jumpsuits anyone?

Twisting Your Way to Bliss, Part 2

My month long pass of unlimited classes at YogaWorks is almost up and I'm finding myself at a crossroads. Do I buy another unlimited pass like the one available on Groupon now? So far, I like YogaWorks. The majority of classes I've attended have been with instructor Sarah Bell at their Union Square location.

YogaWorks classes have a different feel from classes I've taken elsewhere in the city. The vibe is quieter and feels less judgmental. As an instructor, Sarah is laid-back but also not too hippie dippie as some instructors can be. There's no music played during the 85-minute class but neither the lack of music nor the longer class time makes me more antsy or restless than any other class. In fact, the first two times I took it, I actually felt less emotional. I can't say if this was state of mind, concentrating more intently on the poses, lack of moody music or something altogether different, but I appreciate the fact that I've been focused rather than having my mind wander and that I've remained focused without struggling too much.

I'm also not used to non-Vinyasa classes. While a little bit of flow is incorporated into Sarah's 5:45 p.m. Monday and Wednesday classes, most of the session focuses on alignment and doing what's right for you in your body on that day. The website describes the YogaWorks signature classes as focusing on alignment, Sun Salutations and postures and modifications that "individualize the practice for each student" and I have to agree that it lives up to that description.

So where does the dilemma in this situation arise then, you must be asking yourself if you made it this far down the post. The dilemma is it's hard to settle on a yoga studio. In an earlier post, I mentioned liking some of the classes at Yoga Vida, which still holds true. The vibe there isn't as chill as at YogaWorks though. There are only two teachers there so far that I enjoy taking. I'd like a studio option where I can take class any day of the week and want to be there and feel welcomed to be there. A space where no one seems in competition with anyone else.

The next studio I want to try is Brooklyn Yoga School. It's donation-based but I'm hoping the classes don't get too crowded. I'm also hoping it's better than Yoga to the People, which I have a few grievances with. Anyone ever been? Thoughts?

Eating Out on a Budget: Dorado Tacos in Union Square

It's all too easy to get out of the habit of things. One busy week at work turns into neglecting your exercise routine in the evenings; one week without groceries leads to a second week of justifying your "fatigue": This is the last night I'll pick up takeout.  One week of not allotting time to post to your blog leads to two weeks of laziness. But I know one thing that seems to be habit-forming and that's a trip to Dorado whenever I'm in the vicinity of Union Square. Since having lunch with friends there for the first time a few weeks ago, I've been back a handful of times for their all-too-tasty tacos.

Having tried all but one of the options I can eat, my favorites have become the Baja Original (sorry true vegetarians who don't eat fish) and the Veggie (yay for everyone!). The fish in the Baja is crispy perfection topped with tangy crema sauce and the veggie consists of perfectly grilled zucchini and red peppers tied together with guac and a kicking spicy sauce.

Tacos are the perfect light meal, filling but doesn't make you want to go back in time to when you could've made the choice between a food that would keep you going and a food that was sure to knock you out. While visiting, I recommend rounding out your meal with the guacamole and chips, for Dorado does what so many find hard to do: make an excellent guac.

Italian-inspired Veg-ging Out, Part 2

I want to say that New York trumps D.C. in terms of its offering of Italian fare. It probably does but I should be honest: I rarely sought out Italian food while I lived in the District so there's not much I can compare except for the pizza. It's kind of superfluous to say that New York pizza is better than D.C. pizza.

And luckily some of the best New York pizza can be found in my neighborhood, Midwood. DiFara is a small, corner shop located off the Avenue J stop on the Q. My friend and former co-worker recommended this little place of heaven/hole-in-the-wall to me even before I moved here. Now that I live within walking distance, I see the wisdom in her suggestion. I don't care that they were shut down a few months ago for health code violations. They worked it out and have reopened. Owner Dom makes some of the best pizza I've ever tasted in my life. The simple cheese slice comes with deliciously fresh basil, rich tomato sauce, oozing cheese and oil you actually don't want to dab away. It's well worth the wacky operating hours and what can be a 30-40 minute wait.

If you want more atmosphere with your pizza and more distance from the greasy kitchen, I recommend Fornino on Bedford Ave. in Williamsburg. When I stopped in this cute little brick-walled place, I had trouble deciding what to order but finally eeny meenied my way to a decision: the Bianca pizza. It was quite good, but I wasn't paying close attention while choosing and didn't realize that it was sauceless. Even so, the arugula and cheese were so fresh and amazing. This is a cheese lover's pizza indeed: mozzarella, ricotta, and parmigiano--yum! I personally would've been happy with the mozzarella alone, but everything blended nicely for a fresh, satisfying taste. To accompany my meal, I also had an $8 glass of Chianti. For dessert, spumoni--a blend of pistachio, chocolate and vanilla ice cream. What a great finish. On my second trip I ordered the Melanzane (pictured on the right) which knocked Bianca out of the park. Between the delicious flavors, the soft lighting, the exposed brick, and the cozy feel, Fornino makes a great date spot.

A couple blocks further up Bedford Ave. is another good date place: La Nonna. Their gnocchi. Oh. my. god. This is the best gnocchi I've ever had. It's light but also filling. The buffalo mozzarella combined with the red pasta sauce and soft potato gnocchi are like a ballet troupe dancing gracefully on your tongue.

I ordered something else on my first trip here, but I don't even remember what it was called. Some pasta I had never heard of, a fun shape, but definitely not as memorable as their gnocchi. I'm sure there are more wonders on the menu but I'm not sure I'll ever get to them because I'm hooked. I can tell you, however, that their bruschetta is also divine and they have some of the best homemade balsamic vinegar I've ever tasted in my life. I'd drink it if I could. Well, I should admit, I was not too ashamed to literally lick the plate.

Unlike my first post on Italian veg-ing out, I can't imagine trying to recreate these perfect palette pleasers. If you should find yourself in either pole--North or South Brooklyn, I highly recommend you hit up one of these delights on your journey.

What to eat for lunch when you're too lazy to cook it

Sometimes I'm really good about planning my lunch meals the week ahead. I buy fresh ingredients or get inspired by recipes I see online. Then there are other weeks I can't be bothered. That's when I turn to Trader Joe's for my lunchtime dining on-the-go/at work.

And because I happen to be particularly lazy/tired at the moment, I'll just give you a quick list of my favorite Trader Joe's items to bring to work.


The following selections are based on savoryness and low sodium (for the most part). The list would definitely be longer if I weren't taking into account how much salt is in a lot of their frozen food.


Frozen
-Vegetable or vegan pad thai--For some reason I can't quite distinguish, I prefer the vegetable to the vegan pad thai. It tastes more flavorful but I haven't figured out why.
-Paneer and spinach basmati rice--This is absolutely divine and colorful (the reddish orange paneer coupled with the green rice makes for a festive lunch plate). The only downside is that there's a lot of sodium in this one.
-Shells in brie and asparagus--Watch out! This may be so tasty that many of your coworkers will smell it from a distance and hound you on where you got it from and can they have a bite. I speak from personal experience.
-Pizza Olympiad--Here you get two meals out of the price of paying even less than you would for a slice at some places. Topped with olives, feta and tomatoes, this little pie will surely delight your palate. It's the best microwave pizza I've ever had. Take that DiGornio/Red Baron/Freschetta. Actually, take Freschetta off that list. It's too bready.

Boxed
-Try any of the Indian Fare varieties. If you're looking for spice, try the Punjabi Chole. I find the boxed Indian selection to be spicier than the frozen selection at TJ's. It seems even spicier than Kitchen of India and Tastybite, if you're familiar with those brands.
-Butternut squash soup--Dip crackers, bread, anything you can get your hands on into this soup and wait for your body to warm up and your stomach to smile.

Canned
-Organic lentil vegetable soup--Serve with a side of TJ's vegetable crackers available in the assorted crackers box (4).
-Organic vegetarian chili--Delicious and filling, flavorful but not salty or gassy. The tofu and red beans really make this meal shine.
-Organic split pea soup--Not too salty. Split peas can be on the boring side but this is tasty for such a soup. Makes me wonder how I was ever able to digest Campbell's condensed soup.

Tastes from the Middle East in Brooklyn

Note: I'd like to dedicate this post to my friend Dina who introduced me to zaatar, lebneh, and most important of all: the wonder of Doritos dipped in yogurt.

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food are great. With both you get a punch of flavors without the intensity or spiciness of South Asian food (which I love but can't eat for every meal). It's light but filling and there are many options for vegetarians. For these reasons, when I'm thinking of a place to eat out but not overindulge, Middle Eastern cuisine comes to my mind.

A few weeks ago, I checked out Bedawi Cafe in Park Slope. A small and cute location on Prospect Park West, Bedawi had excellent food and a homey feel. It was hard to narrow down what I wanted to eat so my sister and I decided to get an assorted plate. I feel like the picture here speaks for itself. Deliciousness. Baba ghanouj, foul (fava beans with tomatoes, garlic, parsley, scallion, and lemon), beet salad, lebneh, and black beans with plum tomatoes, scallion, parsley, and bulgur.

And because I can't get enough of lebneh (a strained tart yogurt that is almost cheese-like), I ordered a separate plate after downing half of the assorted plate.

This meal definitely rivaled a similar assorted plate I had at Turkish Cafe Restaurant on E16th St in Midwood. Open 24 hours, Turkish Cafe is a hole-in-the-wall with a family atmosphere. It's not as pretty as Bedawi but it does stay open on Christmas, which was convenient when my dad was in town and we were looking for a place to eat.

The full plates on the menu are all meat-based, but if you happen to be in this part of Midwood, I recommend stopping in for their appetizer mix. The small size coupled with the delicious fresh bread was enough for me, but for $4 more you can order the large. A mix of hummus, baba ghanouj, Russian salad, piaz (white beans with vegetables), cacik (yogurt, kirby, mint, and garlic), and Turkish eggplant with mashed green and red bell peppers and garlic. So delish! Next time I want to try their falafel--like finding good guacamole, finding good falafel is also a task.

Before telling you my lazy person's version of an assorted plate or mezze, I must go on a slight tangent about lebneh. If you haven't tried lebneh but you love plain (Greek or not) yogurt, do it. You'll thank yourself. Every time I think I can go vegan, something dairy pulls me back. First it was my discovery of the crisp taste of Dubliner cheese, intermittently because of goat cheese, and now more than ever, plain yogurt. I just love plain yogurt--whether it's with fruit and granola, on top of a taco (salad) in lieu of sour cream, along with a beans and rice/couscous dish, or alongside a spicy Indian meal, it makes my tongue happy. And a trick I learned from one of my best friends, it also tastes delicious with Doritos (the original nacho cheese version).

Ok, and now with my lazy person's mezze recipe (which is not so much as a recipe as a "let's-throw-this-all-onto-a-plate" technique).

What you'll need
-Middle Eastern flatbread, lavash, or pita
-zaatar
-sumak
-olive oil
-tomatoes (grape or cherry, but any will do)
-hummus
-fava beans
-garlic, lemon
-plain yogurt (Greek or not) or lebneh
-eggplant
-parsley or cilantro

Start by warming up the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat the flatbread/lavash/pita with olive oil, then sprinkle on desired amount of zaatar and sumac. If you're like me, sprinkle a lot. Warm in oven for about 7 minutes. Meanwhile heat olive oil and garlic in a pan. Before garlic starts to brown, add canned fava beans and grape tomatoes cut in half. Sprinkle lemon juice over it all and cook til fava beans and tomatoes are soft. For eggplant, cut up into small pieces, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake it until tender. When all the hot elements are done, place a dollop of plain yogurt and hummus on your plate, the hot stuff, and voila! a lazy person's mezze.