working in a vegan cafe
As the only vegan (and one of maybe a dozen vegetarians) in my tiny school, I almost always bring my lunch to school, almost always eat a different meal from my family members and cook the majority of my food. I don't mind though really, no one like.. picks on me and my friends absolutely love everything I ever make for them. But I got hired three weeks ago at a Vegan Cafe (the only one I know of within about a 50 mile radius) that is roughly a 20 minute drive from my school. I cannot tell you how amazing it feels to walk in and be able to eat anything I pick up, to feel good about the food I serve to people, to have my boss (who is absolutely amazing) ask me if I want a slice of tofutti-cheesecake to go with my bbq-seitan riblet wrap.
I just wanted to share how exciting it is for me to meet other vegans and vegetarians and i wanted to be a sap for a second :D
Wow, that really is fantastic. I've never been to a vegan cafe *sobs*. We have a vegetarian one in town here (the only one I've ever been to) that has vegan options & although I can't have everything on the menu I can have most of it & it was sooooo exciting for me to get an iced coffee with soy ice cream! An iced coffee! In a cafe! Something I thought I'd seen the last of.
Congratulations on your new job, I am ridiculously jealous.
Wow - I don't think I've ever even seen a vegan food establishment of any kind!
In my home town, I cannot think of a single veg*n of any description besides me.
Your new job sounds really cool! 8)
okay so where is this vegan cafe?? :)
and we'll need a posted menu... ;)
pictures of the food would be awesome as well...
how fun to eat anything you want! :) lucky you! :)
What a great place to work. The only restaurant I go to regularly is vegan. It really is comforting to know I can safely eat ANYTHING on the menu. It seems like such a luxury.
I miss the Rosendale Cafe in Upstate NY, totally vegan, totally organic, and totally local. Near Woodstock NY. Nothing even close to that in this whole state where I currently reside. Bookmama & Bookpapa, do you know of any with all 3...(100% vegan, organic, and local)?
And I wanted to add...good for you owalkerjillo!
Alas, Davedrum. I don't. Only one of those things at a time, certainly not all of them together. We actually don't eat out much because there's such a limited choice of places so I don't usually even bother to look for them. Bookpapa has done a little research. I'll ask him to post if he knows such a miraculous place.
Because we have been vegetarians for so long and have not had many options until recent years even for lacto-ovo meals, when I am presented with the rare restaurant menu with lots of options for me, I have a hard time dealing with it. With so many choices, how DOES one decide... ;)
Owalkerjillo, I'm so jealous! Not only does Tampa (my city) not have a vegan restaurant, but there isn't even a vegetarian one! Sad in a city this big. Congrats to you on the great job and much success!
Congrats on your job and being able to have such a great convienience! Woohoo!!!! :D
I wish there was a place like that near me... We need more vegan restuarants!!! ;D
mm thanks for all the comments :) today I was doing dishes and licking the frosting off the knives. FROSTING. Frosting that I didn't blend myself haha I'm such a loser but it was so exciting.
The restuarant is in Concord New Hampshire if anyone is ever in the area I highly suggest that you check it out.
and to all of you complaining about a lack of veggie friendly restuarants I completely agree. We need more. So what are we all waiting for? Lets get off our butts and start out own cafes ;)
congratulations!!!!! I can only imagine what it feels like to live so close to a place where you work that is ethical! :) Good luck and joy in your employment!
(P.s. Do they send food stuffs to those less fortunate ;) jk....sorta)
There are two vegan places I know of, but they are a "hike" from me. But I still eat at one or the other once in a while. I wish they were close enough for me to work at. You are SSOOOOO lucky.
YES. the cafe i work at isn't all vegan, but there are plenty of options. i live in a progressive little town, ripe with vegetarian and vegan resturaunts. there's even a raw vegan place a block from my house. and the best part is dragging meat-eating friends along for dinner, and helping them discover that they love mushroom masala with tempeh
Im jelous, well i have sublime here but expensive.
I didn't think Sublime was that expensive... I mean, yes, it's on the pricier side... but it's not that much more than other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale (I'm talking edible places... not Denny's ;)) But it is also a restaurant and not a cafe. Besides the Maccas eat there! If I owned it I'd raise prices too. LOL I'm really excited about going there when we're in FL. So maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into it being worth it. Oh, but I just remembered you're in high school gotskates, when I was in high school denny's was expensive to me! ;)
Hey DaveDrum ... Bookpapa here.
Bookmama said that you were interested in a local (Atlanta) vegan local organic eating establishment.
The only one that I have found in my research so far that meets all of those requirements and is raw also is Lov'n It Live in East Point near the airport.
We went there after picking up our son coming in from Chicago ... and ... we did love it (food great and the owner/staff were very friendly ... we are friendly too so that usually helps). It is not a fast food joint, but a nice dining experience ... esp, if you start an interesting dialog (we had the owner and whole staff at our table for a lively discussion of the DVD movie, Future of Food, which they hadn't seen yet). The owner is a true, passionate believer in the raw food movement since he "cured" himself of several major health problems by adhering to the raw food diet. Also, I really enjoyed listening to a lively discussion of local friends at the front table (very interesting & I really wanted to go join them). So, go ... relax ... enjoy the really delicious food & the folks. Let us know your experience if you choose to sample their fare ... Bookpapa
Here is their description of themselves from their website (http://www.lovingitlive.com/about.html):
We are Lov’n It Live, located at 2796 East Point Street, in the heart of the downtown business district of East Point, Georgia, ten minutes from Atlanta, Georgia’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and twenty minutes from downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
Lov’n It Live is the leader in organic living and vegan cuisine.
Each of our dishes is created with love and care, a sincere expression of Lov’n It Live’s concern for the highest nutritional standards for humanity.
Lov’n It Live maintains a direct link with local organic farmers, a link which helps us to maintain a high enzymic quality in our food as well as a down home freshness, unrivaled by most standards.
Lov’n It Live feels it is important to support local organic farmers in order to ensure the quality of the soil for future generations and to lead the world toward a neo agrarian life style in this new millennium.
Lov’n It Live Will Not Compromise The Quality of Our Food! This is our heartfelt commitment.
Located in beautiful downtown East Point, we are accessible whether you are coming from the other side of the world thru Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, or driving north or south on Interstates 75 or 85, or driving east or west on Interstate 20, or traveling locally on Atlanta’s public transportation system, MARTA , via the East Point train station.
Business and the world can be fast paced and impersonal, but once you step inside our warm, cozy environment, you can unplug from this toxic nightmarish state which has evolved. We invite you to relax to the classic sounds of John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and many other jazz and musical giants, as we prepare your food.
Lov’n It Live is also an art gallery that will move your spirit to a completely different dimension; you can find stimulating, provocative literature to open your mind, or you can play a game of chess while mingling with beautiful, interesting people!
Often we feature live music and poetry, all nestled in a safe family environment.
On Sundays, Lov’n It Live hosts a “12 Steps to Raw” support group that gathers to discuss healthy living.
So, we invite you to paradise, and a “Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants”, a nurturing, pleasant aura of surroundings that will unplug you, heal you and definitely delight you. We think that you will agree with many of our patrons, who once they arrive, linger in their peace and comfort and don’t want to leave Lov’n It Live.
“Let Food Be your Medicine
Let Medicine Be your Food”
Imhoptep
2796 East Point Street • East Point, Georgia 30344 • 404.765.9220
For your convenience, Lov'n It Live's menu (to see it in liv'n color, go to their website - http://www.lovingitlive.com/menu.html) :
Real food for the new millennium.
LIVE, ORGANIC VEGAN CUISINE
“Let food be your medicine, let medicine be your food.”
- Imhotep
HOURS OF OPERATION
Tuesday - Wednesday: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thurs: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Saturday: 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sunday: 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Monday - Closed
Each item is carefully selected for its exquisite taste and nutritional value.
Meals are prepared fresh upon ordering. Please allow at least 20 minutes
for preparation. Prices are subject to change due to organic seasonal
availability.
Appetizers
Stuffed Avocado $6.50
Avocado, nutmeat, bell peppers and tomatoes
Cabbage Taco $5.50
Cabbage stuffed with nutmeat, tomato, avocado, onions and sauce
Collard Roll $6.50
Garnished nutmeat and herbs and spices wrapped in a collard leaf
Nori Rolls $6.50
Nutmeat, tomato, avocado, and lettuce wrapped in
Nori seaweed sheets
Nutmeat (1/2 pint) $8.50
Almonds, onions, garlic and spices
Soups
Vitality Soup (16 oz.) $7.50
Avocado, bell peppers, dulse, ex. vir. olive oil., fresh herbs and spices,
kelp, sea salt, spinach, distilled water and zucchini
Seaweed Soup (16 oz.) $7.50
Avocado, bell peppers, cucumbers, dulse, distilled water,
fresh herbs and spices, ex. vir. olive oil, kelp, and sea salt
Salads
Mixed Vegetables $7.50
A medley of fresh mixed vegetables
Spinach Salad $8.00
Spinach leaves with herbs and spices
Kale Salad Small $7.50 Large $13.00
Kale greens with avocado, tomato and onions
Cucumber Salad Small $6.50 Large $13.00
Cucumbers, tomato, onions, and apple cider vinegar
Salad Platter $18.00
Choose any two salad plus one appetizer
Daily Special includes salad, selected Chef’s choice of vegetable, and
one of the following entrees:
Lentil Burger Mock Chicken Salad
Cheesy Spaghetti Neat Loaf
Lasagna Veggie Steak and Potatoes
Sweet and Sour Marinated Vegetables Veggie Cheese Burger
Mock Chicken Fingers Wild Rice Medley
Side Vegetable (Varies Daily)
One of our favorites from Lov'n It Live in East Point, GA (Metro Atlanta near airport):
Vegan Local Organic Veggie Nachos with Flax Chips:
Well DaveDrum ... hope that the input from the Bookpapa helps you eat better when you're near the airport & that I didn't give you more than you wanted (lots of text, but descriptive).
We also like R Thomas Deluxe Grill on N Peachtree (open 24/7/366) ... has great stuff, but doesn't meet all of your criteria ... however, I believe that you & all of your friends (from any dietary path) can eat there happily (minus having to look at some flesh foods). His website is http://www.rthomasdeluxegrill.com/
Bon appetite ... Bookpapa
PS Please return the favor if you find any other "oasis" in our area that meets the totally vegan, local organic, raw (or not) criteria ... thanks in advance.
Hey Bookpapa,
Thanks for telling me about Lov'n IT Live. I go to The R Thomas Deluxe Grill often when I'm in Atlanta.
I do goto the Sunflower Cafe when I'm in Buckhead (and a location they have in Sandy Springs). They have one in Atlanta, but I have yet to be to that one. They are vegeterian, not vegan (but have many vegan selections). They do serve cheese. It's a good place to get vegan take out as well. http://www.cafesunflower.com/menu_buckhead.shtml
There is also a new Organic Brewery in Alpharetta that I have been to a few times recently. It's called 5 Season's Brewing CO., located on Old Milton right near HWY 400 exit 10 (it's located right off the HWY). http://www.5seasonsbrewing.com/?q=node/196 They do have an organic menu but it is an omni menu with a few vegan options. So far I've been "safe" eating there. I mostly go for the organic brew. And no peeps, I don't drive home when out drinking....that's what my best friend's non drinking wife is for! :D
Thanks again for your post,
-dave
I do goto the Sunflower Cafe when I'm in Buckhead (and a location they have in Sandy Springs). They have one in Atlanta, but I have yet to be to that one. They are vegeterian, not vegan. They do serve cheese. It's a good place to get vegan take out as well. http://www.cafesunflower.com/menu_buckhead.shtml
We've been to the one in Sandy Springs a couple of times several years ago but it was before we were vegan. It was delish. We had some sort of salad with apples, walnuts, and a bunch of other stuff--and, yeah, it also had feta cheese on it. Alas...