By Katelynn Budzich, VRG Intern

R. House is not your typical food hall. Located in the Remington area of Baltimore, Maryland arrive and be met by the sight of an imposing gray and orange building enhanced with rows of windows and opened garage doors that are vestiges of a former body shop. Walk inside and it is a food lovers paradise. Abound with ten exciting dining options, you will never leave here hungry. While surveying the various restaurants in search of you next great meal, don’t pass by STEM Farm + Kitchen without giving it a try; you won’t be disappointed.

     This restaurant has a plant-based menu that specializes in grain bowls, salads, sandwiches, juices, and smoothies. Sustainability being a core value of the restaurant, ingredients are sourced from STEM Farm + Kitchen’s own greenhouse as well as biodynamic farms in Maryland. You can’t go wrong with ordering any menu item, but the restaurant is known for their Korean BBQ cauliflower and rice bowl. After the first bite, it became clear why this dish is so popular. On a bed of brown rice, the bowl is overflowing with cauliflower florets that are large and hearty. The vegetable isn’t mushy or overcooked but instead it is satisfyingly crispy, especially for not being deep-fried. The cauliflower is a perfect choice to be slathered in the sweet and slightly spicy barbecue sauce. Finished with scallions, cilantro, and black sesame seeds, the Korean BBQ cauliflower and rice bowl is perfect for lunch or dinner. To wash it all down, a glass of the homemade green lemonade is an excellent option. Just like the name indicates, apples and kale vibrantly color the drink. This is not your average lemonade; instead it is a refreshing beverage that is balanced in flavor; not too sugary or overly tart, making it a perfect accompaniment to any bowl, salad, or sandwich you order.

     If you now find yourself suddenly hungry for STEM Farm + Kitchen, there are a few things to note first before you go due to COVID-19. This stall is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and has varied hours during the rest of the week. You are able to go inside R. House and order at the register or you can order online for pick-up through their website. While there is no inside dining, weather permitting there is a lot of outside seating on the patio, which wraps around the side of the building. In addition, the menu at STEM Farm + Kitchen is limited at the moment. What is not currently being served on the menu are smoothies, acai bowls, fresh-pressed juices (excluding the lemonade), and juice shots. The full list of everything being offered is available here: https://www.toasttab.com/stem-farm-kitchen/v3.

     Who would of thought a vegan restaurant would stand out among sushi burritos or wood-fired pizza; but it totally holds its own as the only vegan restaurant in the food hall. This is not just food that is healthy, it is also food that transforms fresh ingredients into tasty meals for anyone to enjoy. Go to R. House, eat at STEM Farm + Kitchen, and the food will make you feel like you’re eating at your house.

For more information on STEM, see  http://stemfarmkitchen.com/

For information about other vegan restaurants in the USA and Canada see the VRG Restaurant Guide: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/