Whenever fellow vegans are visiting Vermont I always suggest my favorite vegan friendly restaurant-A Single Pebble. The Hubz and I went for a Saturday lunch a few weeks ago and it was just as good as I remember (it’s been a few months since we last went). The other thing I love is that at lunch everything is less expensive but you still get a ton of food- we ended up taking half of ours home with us.
Our favorite dishes: Vegan Buddha’s Beef (request vegan), Mock Eel, Double Garlic Broccoli, Vegan Dry Fried Green Beans (request vegan) and Vegan Dan Dan Noodles (request vegan).
Last week Neil and I decided that we needed to have a date night. Lately we have been so busy with our own things and home things that we haven’t been spending enough quality time together.
Our date night started at the driving range where we shared an extra large bucket of balls.
After we emptied our bucket of balls we headed to the batting gages. I watched while Neil hit a few balls and then it was time to head downtown for the second half of our date.
We debated over a few places to go for a drink and dinner but I wasn’t really that hungry so we decided to go to the German brew pub for a beer and decide on what we wanted for dinner later. Once we sat down and perused the menu we saw that there were a few potential small plate options for us to have and since we were enjoying the quiet night on the patio we decided to stay and order food as well.
Grilled Asparagus with olive oil and lemon
Giant pretzel with horseradish mustard (no butter on the pretzel)
Spicy Fries (more liked seasoned)
The Verdict: delicious beer (we stayed for a second) and tasty food. We sat and enjoyed each others company while sipping beers and snacking on the food. Overall one of the best nights lately and I can’t wait to return for more of the asparagus-SO GOOD!
Tonight Neil took me on a wonderful date night to France, well the closest you can get to France in Vermont. We started the night out with a drink at 156 Bistro and then Neil surprised me with dinner at Leunig’s Bistro. We have been talking about going to Leunig’s for months okay years but we just have never gone. It’s a little pricey but we had an amazing meal complete with dessert.
To Start- Seeded Baguette
Cocktail for me: Moulin Rouge and a Beer for Him
Artichoke stuffed with Temeph
Espresso
Vegan Carrot Cake: A-MAZ-ING
Overall we had an amazing and delicious meal. The entree was light, fresh and so tasty. The dessert was amazing especially with the espresso. It was the best espresso I have ever had too. Overall amazing meal, amazing ambiance (it was like you were in France) and I had the best date ever- my husband.
After dinner the Hubz and I headed back to the Aloft for a drink (or two) at the hotel bar. Unlike most hotel bars the prices weren’t ridiculous and the best part was the beautifully lit patio, the fun seating areas and of course the pool table. The Hubz and I had a drink and had a mini photo shoot on the patio while we waited for the pool table to free up.
We played a few (okay like 5) rounds of pool before calling it a night and heading back to our comfy giant bed. It is always nice to sleep in a king bed and it makes me miss having one (serious who down sizes from a king to a double-not recommended).
After a night of dinner, drinks, pool and of course elevator dancing we were in need of a gym sesh. So we headed to the hotel gym and I got in a run and the Hubz used the elliptical. After that we showered and hit the road to the most amazing bakery I have ever been to.
WE CAME TO DANCE DANCE DANCE
C25K Week 5 Day 2
We spent a hungry hour in the car making our way to Wildflour Vegan Bakery what I am now claiming to be the most amazing bakery I have ever been to in my life. I could honestly eat here everyday (and would if it wasn’t 4 hours away). We walked in and were overwhelmed by the vast selection of baked goods as well as other tasty items such as kale chips, fresh juices and smoothies. To help us decide we took advantage of the free samples of basil lemonade, peanut butter brownie and raw chocolate brownie.
As you can see there were so many options to choose from but in the end the Hubz and I decided that the scones looked most appealing for breakfast. After a heated debated over which ones we would get we decided on the granola scone and the spinach and mushroom scone. Along with the scones I got a green juice and the hubz an avocolada smoothie.
Everything was amazing and we obviously ordered too much so we ended up taking the granola scone with us and snacked on it throughout the day. The scones were absolutely amazing and flakey; I have never experienced anything so good.
After checking into our lovely hotel the Hubz and I headed out to The Elephant Walk in Waltham for dinner. This restaurant has been on my “must visit” list for awhile but we have never made it there. A few times I tired to make last minute reservations but they have always been booked (guess that means they must be good right?) Well I lucked out this time and got a last minute reservation at the Waltham location and I am so glad I did because it was delicious!
I received a number of great recommendations as to what to get at The Elephant Walk by a number of tweeps and in the end the Hubz and I decided to both do the 3 Course Prix-Fixe since it was our anniversary and all.
We both ordered the Vegan Rouleaux, Chilled Avocado Citrus Soup and theVegan Crevettes (tofu) Amrita for our three courses. We also both picked out fancy cocktails. I chose the Cucumber Martini; it was really refreshing and so good.
Crop organic cucumber vodka accented with a splash of Dolin White Vermouth (an amazing, small production family product) and garnished with a slice of cucumber
First Course: Vegan Rouleaux– this was a really amazing and fun dish to eat. We were instructed that you take the lettuce leaf and place the fried roll in the middle, then top with mint, basil and bean sprouts roll it up and dip in the sauce. It was crazy delicious and there was so much food- I definitely got a little filled up just on the first course! I am now going to have to recreate these some day after a long run.
Two Cambodian spring rolls filled with something vegan , crushed peanut, beanthread noodles, carrot and onion; served with fresh greens and herbs for wrapping and tuk trey on the side for dipping
Second Course: Chilled Avocado Citrus Soup– this was the Hubz favorite of the three. It had such an amazing flavor and zip to it. Again something I need to attempt to recreate.
Third Course: Tofu Amrita- this final course was absolutely delicious. It was huge as well and neither the Hubz nor I could finish more than half of it after devouring the first two courses. The dish was filled with wonderful chunks of crispy tofu with lots of veggies and a sweet peanuty sauce. Overall delicious.
Organic Tofu sautéed in a lightly sweet and spicy Cambodian satay sauce with coriander, cumin, cardamom, galangal, cinnamon, ginger, peanuts, star anise and lemongrass; with button mushroom, onion, red pepper and scallion
Overall the Hubz and I loved The Elephant Walk; the food and drink were both amazing. The atmosphere of the Waltham location wasn’t my favorite because it wasn’t very romantic and they seemed to try and fit as many tables in as possible so you were basically sitting on top of the people next to you. However despite that the food was amazing and we will be going back (again and again).
Over the past few months I have had a number of requests for me to post more of my daily eats and life. I have been really hesitant because honestly I am not sure that I can commit 100% to doing it due to how busy I am, however I’m going to give it a shot. For one week I am going to post daily eats and happenings. After the week I’ll see how I am feeling about it and whether it is something that really interest you and go from there. Now I won’t be doing three posts a day (unless I’m bored or suddenly my life gets really exciting.) Most of the time you can expect at least one daily wrap up and if I have time I will post late morning and then evening. Of course all of this posting will be in addition to Weekly Recipes, Healthy Living and Fitness Friday Posts. Okay so lets get started!
Last night the Hubz and I decided to take a tour of our local YMCA and got ourselves a 3 day pass to try it out. We have really been debating joining a gym for years but when we were living in Montpelier I had a mini gym at work and the Hubz work (still) has a really nice gym at his work as well as workout classes and a tennis court (lucky, I know), so we never really needed to. Before we moved last year we purchased an elliptical and it is great but honestly I want to run, swim and have access to group classes. Finally we looked into the Y and the prices for a couple are good especially with yoga, BodyPump, zumba and other classes and a really nice lap pool. The gym overall is pretty basic with cardio equipment squeezed in next to each other; it also has free weights and weight machines but it fits both of our needs. This morning we used our trial pass and the Hubz swam and I did C25k on the treadmill. Overall I loved it. It felt great to be working out at a gym and not at home, alone. I think that for me a gym is a place you go to workout and there is a certain energy about it that motivates me, along with being able to workout with the Hubz.
Burlington Vermont Community YMCA, circa 1940. Postcard.
After our workout we both really wanted Friday Bagels but since we are on a soy/gluten/wheat/alcohol/caffeine free cleanse it was a no go. Instead we decided to go to Magnolia Bistro where they have tons of options that are still inline with our cleanse. I was really feeling something hearty and starchy so I went with three sides: steamed kale, chipotle black beans and homefries, the Hubz was also feeling the starch so he went with kale, polenta and homefries. We also got a cup of decaf fair trade organic coffee and big glasses of water.
Now I’m off to work and then heading out to find a Mother’s Day Gift and then it’s shoe shopping with the Hubz. What are you doing for Mother’s Day?
Yesterday the rain finally took a break and it was hot and sunny out. I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and did C25K day one of week 2. It was a great run/walk and I am excited to keep going and finally running my first 5k. Yes you read correctly I am (finally) going to run a 5k! The Hubz and I are going to run the Old Port Half Marathon & 5k together and our friends are running the 1/2 marathon. We are both really excited and are working to get up to running a full 5k. If you are running this left me know!
After a hot and sweaty run the Hubz and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful night and head downtown for a beer and half of veggie burgers at The Scuffer. We were hoping to sit on the patio but of course we weren’t the only ones out to enjoy the beautiful weather so we had to sit inside. The beer and half off veggie burgers was (almost) worth sacrificing sitting out in the beautiful weather.
It’s funny The Scuffer has been around for years, it used to be The Rusty Scuffer – I think it changed owners and the name changed (correct me if I’m wrong) and we had never thought to go there until a few months ago. A few months ago we were looking for somewhere new to go and I just happened to check out their menu online and saw that on Wednesday’s they have half off burgers with a drink purchase, so I called and asked if their veggie burger was vegan and it is (oh and it’s homemade too double win). The other thing that I love about The Scuffer is their extensive beer menu that is filled with local beers and a number of great microbrews and their prices are really good too.
Last night the Hubz and I both got veggie burgers with fries and no bun and we each ordered a beer. I wanted the Dogfish Aprihop but they were all out (because it’s just that good) so I decided to go with McNeil’s Extra Special Bitter and the Hubz got the Rock Art Midnight Madness; we really liked both of them. Overall we had a great date night out at The Scuffer and will continue going on for the Wednesday special because you just can’t beat the beer, the burger and the prices.
Whenever fellow vegans are visiting Vermont I always suggest my favorite vegan friendly restaurant-A Single Pebble. The Hubz and I went for a Saturday lunch a few weeks ago and it was just as good as I remember (it’s been a few months since we last went). The other thing I love is that at lunch everything is less expensive but you still get a ton of food- we ended up taking half of ours home with us.
After we emptied our bucket of balls we headed to the batting gages. I watched while Neil hit a few balls and then it was time to head downtown for the second half of our date.
