vegan restaurant

Anniversary Getaway Day 1 Part 2

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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).

Dining Locally: The Farmhouse Tap & Grill

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The Farmhouse Tap and Grill opened just the past spring and has been packed every night since.  It quickly has become one of the most popular restaurants in Burlington.  This gastropub is all about featuring and supporting local farms and it has a tap room as well.  In the summers you can sit and have a brew in the outdoor beer garden while you wait for table.  Although the menu is heavy on the meat and dairy side the vegan options do not disappoint. Shortly after the restaurant opened I emailed inquiring about the vegan options and this is what I was told are vegan:

  • Heirloom tomato salad (sans feta cheese)
  • House soy burger (sans cheese and bun) we suggest over some wilted kale in place of bun
  • French fries!
  • Nitty Gritty Corn Cakes (sans buttermilk vinaigrette)
  • Kale & arugula salad (sans blue cheese, with lemon vinaigrette instead of the buttermilk vinaigrette
  • Marinated olives, spiced pecans from the snacks menu
  • Roasted Beets (sans goat cheese)
  • Phil’s Vegan Delight – not on the menu, but we make it often.  Some braised greens, mushrooms, and veggies over grilled Red Hen Bakery bread

We have enjoyed the french fries which are crispy and delicious, the corn cakes with the lemon vinaigrette which is just to die for, the marinated olives- plump juicy and so good and of course the vegan delight.  The thing I love about the vegan delight is that the basis is the same every time greens, mushrooms and veggies over bread however the combination is different each time I order it because it is based around what veggies they have that day.  It is always amazing and the Hubz and I have been known to frequent here more often then any other restaurant around.

The beer selection is really outstanding which is why we keep going back for more.  There is also a small wine menu that features some nice wines, however if you are looking for liquor you won’t find it here.  The atmosphere is loud with low lights and is always packed and full of energy.  Unfortunately due to the lighting inside I didn’t get great photos but I do have some from the beer garden.  I have to say that if you are a beer and food lover this is the place to visit in Burlington.