Nominate JP's Best Vegan/Vegetarian Dish

Time's almost up for the open nomination period for this summer's Best of Patch Readers' Choice contests.

Readers' Choice: Vegan/Vegetarian Dish

Patch readers nominated the best vegan or vegetarian dishes in JP. Vote to determine which restaurant that serves them is the Readers’ Choice 2012 winner.

Who serves Jamaica Plain's best vegan or vegetarian dish? We took nominations through July 9; voting run through Aug. 17.

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Vegging Out

Residents Rate the new Vegan Flavors at J.P. Licks

JP Licks unveils dairy-free ice cream.

Last Tuesday may have been Super Tuesday but judging from the state primary’s light voter turnout, interest was greater in JP Licks “Scooper Tuesday” of sorts, when the JP-based chain, which operates 10 Boston stores, launched a new line of vegan ice cream at all its shops, including its flagship location on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain.  Three new coconut-based flavors of the non-dairy, gluten-free and Kosher-certified products were introduced:  “Chocolate Coconut,” “Pineapple Coconut,” and “Coconut Almond Lace.”  Customers enjoyed complimentary samples of the new sweet treats. “It’s delicious!” said Robin Barraza of Roslindale of the “Chocolate Coconut” that she sampled. “It’s better than the frozen yogurt.  I couldn’t tell that it was…

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JP Licks To Offer Vegan Ice Cream (With Hemp Ice Cream Coming in April)

The first three non-dairy flavors debut on March 6.

Vegans rejoice. You no longer have to just drink coffee while your friends enjoy ice cream at JP Licks. The JP-based ice cream cafe will offer its first three dairy-free ice cream flavors at a free tasting on March 6. The flavors are: According to a company press release, "all of the flavors will be non-dairy, gluten-free, vegan, Kosher certified and sweetened with brown rice and agave syrups." In April, J.P. Licks will debut dairy-free hemp-based ice cream. Tokers shouldn't get too keyed up, though. As Boston Inno points out, hemp, though related to marijuana, lacks THC. In June J.P. licks plans to introduce dairy-free soy ice creams.

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Vegging Out

It’s Easy Being Vegan at Vee Vee

The Centre Street restaurant’s weekly prix fixe vegan menu is a superb, satisfying and super healthy dining experience that could convert the most hardened carnivore.

It’s not easy being vegan.  The rigid but enriching lifestyle eschews, of course, all animal dietary products, including honey, as well as the use of wool and leather. On a personal note, I’ve been a vegetarian (with vegan tendencies and phases) for untold years.   I’m perfectly happy with “pleather” belts and shoes, acrylic or cotton sweaters, and I more or less regard milk as a beverage for babies.  In the early days, it used to be a challenge to find meatless meals when dining out.  Like many others, I relied on ethnic restaurants, chiefly Indian, Asian and Mexican, where the variety of vegetarian dishes was always ample.   Nowadays, it’s certainly much less difficult.   By my count, this article marks the twenty-first of my “Vegging …

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Vegging Out

Vegan Pizza Leads Bella Luna's Lineup of Meat-Free Treats

A vegan pizza taste test at one of only a few Boston restaurants to offer the dairy-free delicacy.

Located at the post-industrial Brewery complex, Bella Luna offers an elegant, candlelit ambience.  The menu is mostly Italian-influenced bistro fare with salads, sandwiches, pasta, steak, chicken, seafood dishes, and a large selection of pizzas.   A little surprisingly, vegetarian options are available but they are not extensive.  Meatless appetizers include the “Mediterranean Duet “ ($9) comprising hummus and eggplant dips served with fresh vegetables and flatbread.  “Quasar Quesadillas” ($8) are available in a roasted vegetable variety made with shredded cheddar cheese and salsa. Veggie diners might also elect to start their meal with the soup of the day ($4.50 cup or $6.50 bowl,) which was “Carrot Ginger” at the time of my visit.  There…

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Vegging Out

City Feed and Supply

Their delicious "vegetarian egg sandwich" is like a cruelty-free egg McMuffin.

City Feed and Supply is a unique concept that requires some explanation.  Is it a store?  A restaurant?  Or is it a social movement?  The answer to all of these questions would have to be, “Yes.” In 2000, founders Kristin Cortese and David Warner started the first City Feed on Boylston Street.  The tiny store in JP’s Stonybrook neighborhood offered a coffee bar, baked goods, and a small selection of freshly made sandwiches. A little like a “holistic Store 24,” City Feed also sold a selection of groceries with an emphasis on local, organic, fair trade, and natural options.  Following its success, a second, much expanded City Feed opened in 2008 on Centre Street with a bigger deli menu, and a wider range of products including cheese, dairy, …

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Vegging Out

Wonder Spice Café

Although there is not a single restaurant in JP that serves exclusively vegetarian fare, Wonder Spice is as close to one as you will find.

Sometimes there’s just no arguing with success.  Diners visiting Wonder Spice Café may notice a long row of star-studded plaques at the restaurant’s entrance.  Many of the framed certificates show that readers of the Jamaica Plain Gazette have voted Wonder Spice JP’s “Best Asian Restaurant” for the past ten years.  Other awards display glowing words of praise from Zagat's guide. And no wonder!  The food at Wonder Spice is uniformly fresh, well prepared, and appetizingly presented.  Although there is not a single restaurant in JP that serves exclusively vegetarian fare, Wonder Spice is as close to one as you will find.  A vegetarian version is available for virtually every dish served at the popular Thai/Cambodian restaurant.  Menu items …

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