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:

Avelo

51 St. Nicholas St., Toronto, ON M4Y 1W6 Canada

Avelo is a small, high-end, all-vegan restaurant. You can choose a dinner service with three, five, or eight courses. Previous dishes have included split pea and lentil tempeh with house mole, black garlic ice cream with soy sauce chocolate ganache, and risotto with wheat berries and lobster mushrooms. Of course, the dishes rotate with the seasons and at the choice of the chef, so expect the unexpected. Reservations recommended.

Grass VBQ Joint

477 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Located in East Atlanta, within the We Suki Suki food collective. Part of the restaurant’s healthy alternatives to traditional barbecue are options of smoked organic jackfruit, seitan Nashville chicken, and a lot more! They also offer customers their Burnt Brown Sugar Bourbon Peach Cobbler, described as “Grilled Georgia Peaches, Bourbon Brown Sugar Sauce [and] Brûlée Crust.” Additionally, all the bread used throughout the week is baked and delivered daily, showing Grass VBQ Joint’s commitment to serving healthy and flavorful food to their community.

Hemplade Vegan Café

707 Old Bainbridge Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32303

Hemplade Vegan Café is a vegan cafe with an emphasis on hemp and the popular hemp derivative, CBD. They have pizzas, bowls, burgers, teas, and pies. Most dishes have at least a little hemp oil or hemp seed, but if it’s the CBD that interests you, just ask.

NoButcher

3565 S Rainbow Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89103

It’s a traditional deli, but all vegan! That being the case, of course they sell sides like deli sandwiches, potato salad, vegan tuna salad, and so on, in addition to vegan deli meats and vegan cheeses.

NOLA Vegan Café

1923 Leonidas St., New Orleans, LA 70118

This Uptown New Orleans vegan café encourages people to make healthy and kind dietary choices with a delicious menu that includes salads, sides, desserts, brunch specials, and various entree options! Nola Vegan Café advertises their “unique brand of vegan seasonings” on their website, which are used to create dishes like their oyster mushroom po boy and smoked cauliflower salad. Dessert is also offered, which one can order with the “Drink of the Day.”

Parlor City Vegan

81 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY 13905

Parlor City Vegan is a former pop-up turned full restaurant. Entrees consist of plate dinners featuring items such as their vegan truffle mac and cheese, fried chicken-style patties, vegan wings, greens, vegan crab cakes, and so on. They also do catering, so if you’re hosting a big meal, but don’t want to cook, they may have the solution for you!

Prioritized Pastries

4904 Devonshire Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109

Prioritized Pastries prioritizes your needs! Everything is vegan and gluten-free, and they strive to be allergen-friendly as well. They’ve got everything you would expect: scones, muffins, cakes, cookies, and so on. They do custom orders and delivery too, so give them a try.

A VRG member has osteoporosis and asked about the bioavailability of different vegan calcium sources such as fortified soymilk, vegan supplements, etc.

VRG Nutrition Advisor Reed Mangels, PhD, RD responds:

There’s not a lot of difference in terms of the percentage of calcium absorbed from different forms of calcium.

Here’s some information from FDA’s Office of Dietary Supplements: The two main forms of calcium dietary supplements are carbonate and citrate. Calcium carbonate is inexpensive, but is absorbed best when taken with food. Some over-the-counter antacid products, such as Tums® and Rolaids®, contain calcium carbonate. Each pill or chew provides 200-400 mg of calcium. Calcium citrate, a more expensive form of the supplement, is absorbed well on an empty or a full stomach. In addition, people with low levels of stomach acid (a condition more common in people older than 50) absorb calcium citrate more easily than calcium carbonate.

These two forms of calcium (calcium citrate and calcium carbonate) are well absorbed as is calcium phosphate.

Calcium absorption is best when a person consumes no more than 500 mg at one time. So a person who takes 1,000 mg/day of calcium from supplements, for example, should split the dose rather than take it all at once.

Calcium carbonate is the fortificant used in most soymilk sold in the U.S. As noted above, it is well absorbed. A variety of calcium salts are used to fortify orange juice. There has been little research on their relative bioavailability. One study found that calcium citrate malate was quite bioavailable.

Below is a list of some of the restaurants, caterers, and groups offering vegan meals/potlucks for Thanksgiving (both before and on that day) alphabetically by state. If you’re looking for some new recipes to prepare for Thanksgiving, visit: http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegan_thanksgiving.php

We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

CALIFORNIA

+Native Foods, Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, and San Diego, CA

https://nativefoods.com/thanksgiving/

+Farm Sanctuary, Acton, CA

https://www.farmsanctuary.org/events/celebration-for-the-turkeys-acton/

+Café Gratitude, Los Angeles, CA

https://www.cafegratitude.com/

+Rancho Park Vegan Potluck, Los Angeles, CA

https://www.meetup.com/Los-Angeles-Vegan-Events/events/265467078/

+Raven’s Restaurant at The Standford Inn, Mendocino, CA

https://ravensrestaurant.com/ravens-thanksgiving-dinner-2019/

+The Gentle Barn, Santa Clarita, CA

https://www.gentlebarn.org/thanksgiving

COLORADO

+Native Foods, Glendale, CO

https://nativefoods.com/thanksgiving/

FLORIDA

+Florida Voices for Animals

https://www.floridavoicesforanimals.org/thanksvegan

GEORGIA

+Café Sunflower, Atlanta and Buckhead, GA

https://www.cafesunflower.com/thanksgiving/

+Mother Bar + Kitchen, Atlanta, GA

https://www.facebook.com/events/1399776250177516/

HAWAII

+Down to Earth

https://www.downtoearth.org/events/2019-06

+Vegetarian Society of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

http://www.vsh.org/thanksgiving/

ILLINOIS

+ ChicagoVeg, Chicago, IL

https://www.meetup.com/ChicagoVeg/events/265271595/

+Native Foods, Chicago, IL (loop)

https://nativefoods.com/thanksgiving/

MARYLAND

+The Vegetarian Resource Group Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck, Baltimore, MD

https://www.facebook.com/events/315299322485816/

+Land of Kush, Baltimore, MD

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheLandofKush/menu/

+L’Eau de Vie Organic Brasserie, Baltimore, MD

https://www.facebook.com/events/725270881282024/

+One World Café, Baltimore, MD

https://www.facebook.com/events/2227871970844110/

+Poplar Spring’s Thanksgiving with the Turkeys, Poolesville, MD

Annual Events

MASSACHUSETTS

+Boston Vegetarian Society (Buffet at Red Lentil), Watertown, MA

https://bostonveg.org/events/

https://theredlentil.com/10th-annual-vegan-harvest-dinner/

MICHIGAN

+Northern Vegans, Negaunee, MI

https://www.facebook.com/events/2145039835801035/

MISSOURI

+The Gentle Barn, Dittmer, MO

https://www.facebook.com/events/760423371042890/

NEW JERSEY

+God’s Creatures Ministry, Wayne, NJ

https://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/events-20191117.html

NEW YORK

+Parlor City Vegan, Binghamton, NY

https://squareup.com/store/parlor-city-vegan?fbclid=IwAR3wWDEQDw7LYjrc29Fzz5cgrDISybUaETBlkuBYgXCDPXinKEBNYmJdVbg

+Asha Sanctuary, Newfane, NY

https://www.facebook.com/events/2499548303467966/

+Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary, Poughquag, NY

Upcoming Events

+Hudson Valley Vegans, Rhinebeck, NY

https://www.meetup.com/Hudson-Valley-Vegans/events/265138992/

+Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Saugerties, NY

https://eventful.com/saugerties/events/classic-cozy-vegan-thanksgiving-/E0-001-128762254-0

+Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, NY

https://www.farmsanctuary.org/events/celebration-for-the-turkeys-watkins-glen/

NORTH CAROLINA

+Triangle Vegetarian Society Thanksgiving Dinner in Durham, NC

https://www.trianglevegsociety.org/thanksgiving/index.php

OHIO

+Sunrise Sanctuary, Marysville, OH

http://www.sunrisesanctuary.org/contact-2/events/

+White Barn Healing Arts Center, Revena, OH

https://www.portagecountyevents.com/event/Vegan-Thanksgiving-A-White-Barn-Event

OREGON

+Native Foods, Bridgeport Village, OR

https://nativefoods.com/thanksgiving/

+NWVeg, Portland, OR

https://nwveg.org/compassionate-thanksgiving

PENNSYLVANIA

+Miss Rachel’s Pantry, Philadelphia, PA

https://www.missrachelspantry.com/thanksgiving-2019

+Eden Café, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, PA

https://www.facebook.com/edenavegancafe

TENNESSEE

+The Gentle Barn, Knoxville, TN

https://www.gentlebarn.org/events/upcoming-events/a-gentle-thanksgiving-tennessee-2019

TEXAS

+Vegetarian Society of El Paso, TX

http://vsep.org/calendar-of-events/

VIRGINIA

+GreenFare, Herndon, VA

https://greenfare.com/event/enjoy-thanksgiving-at-greenfare-organic-cafe/

+Vegetarian Society of Richmond Virginia

http://www.vegetarianrichmond.org/events/2019/11/28/vegan-thanksgiving-potluck

WASHINGTON

+Café Flora, Seattle, WA

http://cafeflora.com/

WASHINGTON, DC

+DC Veg Society, Washington, DC

https://vsdc.org/Thanksgiving-2019

Marcy Schveibinz (a VRG volunteer) did a vegan cooking demo at Howard Community College Sustainability Day in Columbia, Maryland. The Vegetarian Resource Group also had a table at this event. We answered numerous questions from students thinking of going veggie due to environmental concerns.

Cooler weather has arrived in many parts of the USA and it’s time to roast vegetables! A previous article in Vegetarian Journal called Roasting for Flavor and Sweetness written by Sally Bernstein features these vegan roasting recipes: Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Cinnamon Roasted Pears, Roasted Veggie and Tempeh Sandwiches, Garlic and Rosemary Potatoes, Roasted Baba Ganoush, and South-of-the-Border Red Pepper Dip.

Read the article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2002issue1/2002_issue1_flavor_sweetness.php

Another article that ran in Vegetarian Journal featuring vegan roasting recipes is called Roasting Vegetables and Fruit by Debra Daniels-Zeller. Recipes included are Roasted Kale Chips, Roasted Roma Tomatoes, Simple Roasted Root Vegetables, Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Maple-Cinnamon Apples, Quinoa Salad with Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon-Dijon Sauce, Balsamic Roasted Portobello Mushrooms, and Orange Roasted Pineapple with Chocolate and Coconut Sorbet.

Find this article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2015issue1/2015_issue1_roasting.php

Subscribe to vegetarian Journal: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

We recently had the pleasure of visiting The Tasty in Philadelphia, PA. This vegan diner serves brunch items including vegan French toast, pancakes, waffles, scrambled tofu, breakfast burritos, roasted potatoes, biscuits and gravy, donuts, and so much more. Portions are huge!

They are located at 1401 S 12th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 and are open daily for breakfast and lunch.

For more information on this restaurant, see: https://www.facebook.com/TheTastyPhilly

Also see The Vegetarian Resource Group’s guide to veggie restaurants in the USA and Canada here: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

Are you looking for some vegan alternatives to Turkey this Thanksgiving? Fortunately, there are many options today.

Field Roast offers these choices:
1. Celebration Roast with Traditional Bread Stuffing and Gravy – made with fresh onions, celery, cranberries and butternut squash.
2. Hazelnut Cranberry Roast en Croute – a rich, hazelnut-infused grain meat stuffed with Field Roast sausages, crystallized ginger, cranberries and apples – wrapped in a savory puff pastry. It’s even Toaster Oven friendly!
See: https://fieldroast.com/products/field-roast/  

Tofurky offers Tofurky Roast and Gravy. The Roast includes stuffing. They also have a Ham Style Roast. For details see: https://tofurky.com/what-we-make/roasts/ham-roast/

Gardein sells a Savory Stuffed ‘Turkey,’ a Holiday Roast, and Turk’y Cutlet. For more information see: https://www.gardein.com/product-type/holiday/

Vegetarian Plus offers a Vegan Whole Turk’y with Gravy and Stuffing. They also have a Vegan Turkey Roll. For details see: http://vegetarian-plus.com/product/all-natural-vegan-whole-turkey/  and: http://vegetarian-plus.com/product/vegan-turkey-roll/

Trader Joe’s offers a Breaded Turkey-Less Stuffed Roast with Gravy. See: https://www.traderjoes.com

The Vegetarian Resource Group is hosting our 38th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck Dinner on Sunday, November 24th, 2019 at 5 PM. The event is taking place at:

North Baltimore Mennonite Church
4615 Roland Avenue
Baltimore MD 21210

We will be showing appreciation for turkeys by not eating them! Come join us for a variety of festive, delicious vegan dishes! Please bring a vegan dish – free of meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, honey, or any other animal by-products – that serves 4 per adult attending.

Adult admission is $5 and children eat free! Any questions call (410) 366-8343 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

Also, you may want to bring a vegan canned good for the church that will be used for feeding the hungry. We hope to see you there!

In a previous Vegetarian Journal article called “Vegan Roots,” by Debra Daniels-Zeller, you will find delicious vegan recipes including: Rosemary Roasted Roots, Orange Marinated Beets, Carrot-Rutabaga Coleslaw, Tomatoes and Lentils with Carrots, Turnips, and Kale, Mashed Celeriac-Potatoes with Roasted Garlic, Jerusalem Artichokes with Caramelized Onions, Curried Parsnip Soup, and Sweet Potato Dip.

Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2008issue4/2008_issue4_vegan_roots.php

Subscribe to Vegetarian Journal in the USA only by visiting https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

You can also subscribe to the Kindle version of Vegetarian Journal in the USA and United Kingdom.

In the USA, visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544727482&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K

In the United Kingdom, visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LBY2Y7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1544731957&sr=8-1&keywords=B07LBY2Y7K

Through December 31, 2019, you can give a gift membership to The Vegetarian Resource Group (includes a 1-year subscription to Vegetarian Journal) for $15 each (40% discount). This offer is valid in the USA only!

This is a terrific way to share the vegan message, as well as support VRG. Gift subscriptions can be done online by simply typing in your message and the address(s) of the gift recipient(s) in the comments field. Go to: https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565