May 2012
62 posts
Gently Cooked at Go Raw Cafe
Going raw doesn’t necessarily mean that some things can’t be cooked…it’s just how they are cooked and up to and maintained at a certain temperature to preserve all of their goodness. Gently cooked. That’s what I had on my latest visit to the Go Raw Cafe. I have always ordered things off of the menu, but I wanted to try something from the buffet bar where there...
“What we often fail to recognize is how efficient a vegan diet is. Less land,...”
– Ed Begley, Jr.
Plates of Peace at Kabuki
We all have to eat. There is no denying it. And in doing so, I love eating food that is kind…that has not exploited or taken the life of another living creature in the process. It is as simple as this…when we do so, we are eating life instead of death. No violence, just peace. I was pondering the reality of this once again while enjoying a peaceful array of vegan-friendly small...
“The tiger, the lion, in short, all flesh-eating animals seized their prey,...”
– Gustav von Struve
“Studies have shown that animal waste lagoons emit toxic airborne chemicals that...”
– California State Senate, 2004
Vegan Burger High at Elevation Burger
There is a new place to get a vegan burger in town…and I think you are going to like it. Elevation Burger is one of the new breed of restaurant chains, like Pizza Fusion, that is concerned not only about using fresh and organic ingredients, but also offering vegan alternatives and making a concerted effort towards sustainability. They are committed to building their restaurants in an...
The Happiest Hour at Geisha House
My lovely friend April has encouraged me to go and try some of the vegan sushi rolls at Geisha House and after that sweet little nudge I found myself not only at Geisha House but sitting at the sushi bar in the midst of what they call The Happiest Hour. How great is that? It seems that seven days a week at the sushi bar from 5:00-7:00 p.m. all large sake, Japanese beers, and appetizers are only...
“I hope that all those who eat animals and yet consider themselves to be living...”
– Peter Singer
Avocado Fiesta Salad with Chile-Lime Vinaigrette
This is a wonderful salad that is full of nutrients and goodness. It is easy to make and can stand alone as a side salad or you can eat it as a filling for a taco or burrito. You can even use it as a dip. I like the versatility of it and I love it not only during the warmer weather but all the year round.
Avocado Fiesta Salad with Chile-Lime Vinaigrette
3 avocados, chopped
1 can black...
“In the perfect world originally designed by God, man was meant to be a...”
– Rabbi Jacob Cohen, The Royal Table
Bacio One Year Anniversary Dinner
I can appreciate all that can happen in a year’s time. I am coming into the last month of my 365 day 365 vegan meals in Vegas culinary adventure. It is not the end by any means though…it is really only the beginning. I had the opportunity to be able to attend the one year anniversary dinner at Bacio in The Tropicana and it was a delight for all that were there. Chef Carla...
“Oh come! That boot is on the other leg. Why should you call me to account for...”
– George Bernard Shaw, The Vegetarian
Simple but Exquisite at Bartolotta
Dear Mr. Wynn…I did say that I would be back soon to visit a few more of the wonderful restaurants at The Wynn and Encore while on my little vegan culinary adventure. Bartolotta is a beautiful restaurant, as you well know, and certainly is as good of a restaurant as you will find anywhere. They take very good care of you at Bartolotta. Truly, Italian dining at the highest level. I have...
“The same quantity of ground has been proved to be capable of sustaining a larger...”
– Thomas Ignatius Maria Forster
Simpo Sandwich Making Downtown It's Own
Well there is a new light that is shining down in the Downtown Arts District and it is ready to bring fresh and delicious sandwiches, salads, soups and other wonderful things your way…and it is simply called Simpo Sandwich. Located on E. Charleston almost directly across from the Charleston Arts Factory is a sandwich shop that is colorful and alive and where everyone greets you and will...
“I like animals, all animals. I wouldn’t hurt a cat or a dog, or a chicken...”
– Peter Dinklage
“Vegetarianism is a way of life that we should all move toward for economic...”
– Father Thomas Berry
The Great Bao is Worthy
There are wonderful places to eat along the great Strip of this city…but that is by no means where the story ends. There are so many quality places to find plant-based meals stretching out into the suburbs in non-descript strip malls and corners of our valley. And in one very special case, you will find it inside a hair salon. Personally, I think that finding The Great Bao inside a hair...
Getting Caught Up In It All at Pura Vida
It was a very hot day. But it was a little cooler inside…with a little bit of the warmth coming in with me along with feeling the heat of the kitchen. The Cuban/Latin beats filled the air. I was here for another dance. Not with anyone in particular…I had a date with a plate. I could close my eyes and imagine myself in many exotic places but yet I knew…I was simply, yet...
“Honestly, I would eat cardboard rather than go back to eating animals.”
– Ellen DeGeneres, as told to Rachael Ray
Vegan Pizza By The Slice Downtown
Yes indeed….another reason to go Downtown. Things are happening in Downtown Las Vegas and I love it. My adventures took me down to the newly-renovated Plaza Hotel to seek out the new Pop-Up Pizza. If you have not been down to the Plaza you need to check out what they have done. Such a wonderful improvement. The rooms are beautiful and offer one of the most ridiculous hotel value...
“The Utopians feel that slaughtering our fellow creatures gradually destroys the...”
– Thomas More
The Cash Money Sandwich
The lovely Theresa and I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in the Phoenix area of Arizona this past week and were taken to lunch by her son Chris at a place that he frequents often and knew that we would like…The Main Ingredient Ale House & Cafe. It was a converted house that was just super cool and they serve food that is inventive, mostly organic, and locally grown. They...
“This is the quintessence of wisdom: not to injure any living being.”
– Mahavira
A City View, Airplanes, and More Falafel
I found out where everyone had gone to lunch…it seems like they were all at Fresh Kabob on E. Sunset across from the airport. The place was packed and people were eating in and taking out at an incredible rate. It is really a great place to have lunch or dinner because you have such a great view of the Strip along with the planes landing and taking off at McCarran. Day or night…it...
“Yeah, yeah, it means the same idea, that I don’t eat meat. You should...”
– Ziggy Marley
Finding Something To Eat is A Good Thing
Finding a plant-based meal is not hard to do in Las Vegas. I do it each and every day without repeating the same meal twice. At certain restaurants, though, it is a little more challenging than others. But when you are finished with your modifying, a pleasant surprise is sometimes waiting. This was my experience on a visit to Rhythm Kitchen, a popular steak and seafood restaurant,...
“Out of the mouth of man which is a tomb, there shall come forth loud noises out...”
– Leonardo da Vinci
Falafel Breakfast Sliders at Stephano's
I love Mediterranean food because they have a number of delicious plant-based options that you will find as staples at almost any restaurants of that cuisine. I love falafel in almost any form that I can find it. One form that I have not seen it was in Breakfast Sliders, which I found at Stephano’s Greek and Mediterranean Grill on Maryland Parkway across from UNLV. They advertise having...
“My will contains directions for my funeral which will be followed not by...”
– George Bernard Shaw
Triple George Brings More Vegan Downtown
I am truly excited about all the wonderful that has happened and is continuing to evolve in Downtown Las Vegas. The next few years are going to be very exciting. A wonderful area that continues to express itself is the 3rd St. area between Ogden and Stewart. At the end of the street is the new Mob Museum and next to it on Fridays in the old station is the Downtown 3rd Farmers Market. On 3rd...
“Issac Newton thought it a very frightful inconsistency to believe that animals...”
– Voltaire
When Being Bad is Really, Really Good
Chef Mayra is bad. Very, very bad. But she is bad in a really, really good way. I was actually going to stop in for lunch at Pura Vida for her no-fish tacos, but she posted something early morning about Chocolate Pancakes and Bananas being available for breakfast for a few days…and she had me at chocolate. Now, I have been a good boy…I have been eating great, sleeping great, and...
“While millions of people across the globe are face with droughts and water...”
– www.goveg.com
Pizza Fusion...Round Two
I will admit that I have been back to Pizza Fusion since my last blog when they had first opened in Henderson…but just to eat some pizza and drink a little wine. I wanted to come back after they had settled in a bit and try some more…pizza of course. Vegan pizza that is…because that is what you can get at Pizza Fusion. Almost all of the specialty pizzas they offer can be...
“We manage to swallow flesh, only because we do not think of the cruel and sinful...”
– Rabinadranath Tagore
Chickpea and Vegetable Tacos
Perhaps you don’t think that sounds very exciting…think again my friends. You will be amazed how wonderful, flavorful, and satisfying these little soft tacos are. This is a great recipe adapted originally from a Betty Crocker cookbook of all places. You could possibly add some other things to the tacos but they are really good just the way they are. The fresh cilantro pesto and...
“I was in a sushi bar and it dawned on me—how could I discriminate between...”
– Carrie Otis, Animal Times
“Only by discarding a diet based on rotting corpses could men become sane…”
– Jack Lindsay
Finding Tamale Heaven in Downtown Las Vegas
I finally had an opportunity to visit the Friday Downtown 3rd St. Farmers Market in the old station at 3rd and Stewart next to the Mob Museum. If this just isn’t one of the coolest things I have seen. What a great location and is just a smaller version of the on-going, mostly indoor markets that many of the great cities have. Fresh produce, artisan foods and goods…I thought it was...
Beautiful Pasta at Society Cafe
Dear Mr. Wynn…it was a pleasure to be able to entertain an out of town guest last night at The Encore and enjoy a wonderful meal, once again, at the Society Cafe. The unenlightened might refer to The Society Cafe as a just a place for casual dining. It is so much more than that and yet it is one of the most lovely places to enjoy a casual meal. In reality, though, there really...
“The factory meat industry has polluted thousands of miles of American rivers,...”
– Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Waterkeepers Alliance
Maybe The Best Sandwich Ever
I know…a very bold statement indeed. But when trying to shuffle back through the hard drive of my mind yesterday after “experiencing” the new Jace Sandwich at Pura Vida, I have not been able to come up with anything close in comparison. I have had some great sandwiches since becoming a vegan, some of them right here at Pura Vida, but even they fall short compared to The Jace....
“Just as, in our days, exposure of children, combats of gladiators, torture of...”
– Wilhelm Zimmerman, The Way to Paradise
Dishin' at The Ranch House Kitchen
I have never held back my love for Town Square here in Las Vegas…from Whole Foods to The Rave Motion Picture Theatres…and everything in between including so many shops and restaurants, most of which you have read about here. I find myself gravitating to Town Square a lot and I am always excited for a new restaurant opening there. The Ranch House Kitchen just opened recently in the...
“As human sacrifice was a natural effect of that superstitious cruelty which...”
– Joseph Ritson, Essay on Abstinence from Animal Food
“HEN: What appalling villians! I feel faint. Oh no! They’ll tear my eyes...”
– Voltaire, Dialogue Between The Cock and The Hen
A Lucky Red Velvet Day
When you have friends in from out of town and they would like to check out some of the places that you like to eat…well, I have a few that I could choose from…depending on schedules and where they are already planning to be. If someone is down on the Strip, one of the places I normally encourage them to try is the Red Velvet Cafe at the Fashion Show Mall. Not only for the wonderful...
Chocolate and Spice and Something Very Nice
Chocolate and Spice, a wonderful new bakery and cafe, opened this past Friday near Summerlin and this is going to be a destination spot for those who enjoy wonderful sweets and something more. This beautiful bakery and cafe is the passion and work of well-known pastry chef and author, Megan Romano. She was voted the best pastry chef in Las Vegas while at Aureole in Mandalay Bay by both Desert...
“No member of the animal kingdom nurses past maturity, No member of the animal...”
– Prince, Animal Kingdom lyrics, from The Truth album 