photo from ZoJu Foods

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Fela’s Vegetarian Restaurant, 359 Calle de Diego, San Juan, PR 00923

Despite “Vegetarian” in its name, Fela’s menu, which is updated and posted daily on its Facebook page, is vegan—and proves to doubters that authentic Puerto Rican cuisine can be plant-based, healthy, and still delicious. Served in a casual cafeteria-style setting, the menu offers items such as Papa French con Ajo Asado (French fries with roasted garlic); Arepa de Papa (potato arepas—fried flatbread made from cornmeal); and Pastelon de Amarillo con Lenteja (a yellow cake with lentils). Dessert offerings may include Tembleque (a coconut pudding) and Cheesecake con Guayaba (a guava cheesecake).

HaleLife Bistro, 11270 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33716

Expanding beyond its vegan, gluten-free bakeries, HaleLife opened a bistro to further the owner’s goal of offering delicious menu options to those with allergies and other specific dietary needs. HaleLife Bistro’s menu is free of dairy, egg, soy, peanut, and tree nuts (minus coconuts). However, these restrictions have by no means limited the tasty options, which include Breakfast All-Day items like Sheet Pan Pancakes topped with homemade fruit compote and served with syrup or the Breakfast Quesadilla that is made with black beans, corn, and a spicy mayo. If you’ve moved past breakfast, lunch and dinner options include Handhelds like the Three-Cheese Grilled Cheese (American, mozzarella, and provolone cheeses) and 10-inch pizzas such as the Spinach and Artichoke White Pizza. Their donut holes are the perfect sweet bite at the end of your meal, with flavors including Cinnamon Sugar and S’mores—and the option to add a sauce (blueberry, strawberry, chocolate, or cream cheese icing).

MOOD, 235 US-1, Tequesta, FL 33469

This women-owned restaurant serves vegan dishes like the “Falafel Pancake,” which is a Middle Eastern flavored pancake with a roasted red pepper spread. Another dish served is the “More Brussels,” which is brussel sprouts and sesame agave sprinkled with toasted peanuts.

Plant Based Zoe, 940 McDaniel St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Interested in trying authentic Haitian cuisine that caters to your vegan preferences? You must try Plant Based Zo! Here you can indulge in a plethora of beloved Haitian dishes, including Djon Djon Rice Platters, Macaroni Gratin, Fritay Platter, and so much more. Plant Based Zo also has several healthy vegan smoothie options, including a berry, green, and tropical flavored smoothie.

Third Kingdom, West Entrance, 21 E. 7th St., New York, NY 10003 

Menu focused entirely on mushrooms in New York’s East Village, with an expansive wine list. Dishes include Yellow Enoki – orange balsamic vinaigrette, couscous, almond, arugula; Lion’s Mane – dumplings, daikon sauce, micro cilantro; Comb Tooth – celery root purée, pickled hon shimeji, coleslaw; Blue Oyster – celery root, fennel, button mushroom puree, charred cipollini, peppercorn sauce; and one dessert – lava cake, rosemary & porcini ice cream, candied shiitake, chocolate crumble. Can accommodate private events with up to 100 people. Outdoor seating available.

Vickie’s Veggie Table, 299 Main St., Ste. 101, Biddeford, ME 04005

Women-owned business that serves dishes like the “Sausage Panini,” which has Impossible sausage, tofu egg, vegan mozzarella, red or hot pepper jelly, and vegan mayo on herbed focaccia bread. Also offers the “Apple-Walnut Chickpea Salad Wrap,” which is chickpea salad, lettuce, spinach, tomato, carrots, and lemon garlic aioli on a sun-dried tomato wrap.

ZoJu Foods, 111 Charter Oak Ave., Hartford, CT 06106

The menu rotates seasonally and they strive to source organic, local food whenever possible. For Starters there are various Empanadillas or Pa’ Los Dedos (AKA Finger Food) such as Maduro Tostones – sweet/savory plantains roasted with a citrus Olive Oil blend, finished with sea salt. A couple of their many Sides are Four cheez, seasoned Baked Mac & Cheez and Jacketed Sweet Potatoes– deep fried and dipped in sea salt. Several Soup choices change weekly and may include house-made, savory and slightly spicy Stone Broth. It features hongos (mushrooms) cilantro, beans and greens. There’s also Chik’n Noodle, Lentil, Split Pea or multi-colored Butternut Squash (or another seasonal Gourd), textured with seeds, in a coconut cream base. Numerous Entrées include Sofrito & Adobo Roasted Garbanzos in aquafaba over arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) and the green of day, Pulled BBQ Jackfruit marinated in housemade sauce served with roasted garlic spinach, Beyond meat…Loaf blend of peppers, onions, housemade sauce, beans and beyond meat, Buffalo marinated Tempeh served with arroz blanco (white rice) and organic spring mix. Zoju Foods offers many breakfast items including, Pancakes & fresh made Waffles both of which may be topped with walnuts, pecans, whipped cream, berry compote and or coconut flakes. Fridays only, cap off your week with cinnamon nutmeg French Toast, available with the same toppings as above. Sautéed and seasoned Tofu Scramble comes with kale, peppers, onions, mushrooms, cheddar and extra crispy home fries. The Scramble can even be made with Pumpkin seed tofu or Chickpeas in place of soy. Another possibility is the Breakfast Burrito with seasoned, stewed pinto and black beans, sautéed spinach, peppers, and onions, served in your wrap of choice. Cheez can be an extra. If all this is making you berry thirsty, Bebidas include homemade Berry Blended Mint Tea or Coconut Cider. To finish off, some Dulces (Desserts) are a variety of rotating Cookies, Mango Sorbet with topping options and an oat-based, maple glazed Apple Crumble, roasted with cinnamon and nutmeg which can be topped with homemade coconut cream or berry compote.