Miami's Vegetarian Culinary Scene

You don't have to be a pescatarian or carnivore to thoroughly enjoy the food scene in Miami. From a General Tso Cauliflower Taco to a Bureka pastry filled with Labneh Cheese, this vegetarian was well fed. Other than The Room and Della's Test Kitchen in Wynwood, I let nature take its course with my food and drink venues.

Flight at The Room

Forbidden Bowl at Della's Test Kitchen

I was so enamored with Wynwood Yard that I returned for a brewski followed by a little sustenance from the Lone Wolfe Food Truck.
http://bit.ly/2no6Xvq

Bar at Wynwood Yard

Vegan Mexican Maduro Plantain Taco and Beans

The most delectable revelation came from Naked Taco. I spied the red beauty on the patio and had to check out the menu. So glad I did, because it was foodporn heaven.

Ginger Margarita

Elote and General Tso Cauliflower Taco 

Random venues include the 11th Street Diner, BurgerFi, Abbey Brewing Co., RUST Wynwood, and Aroma Espresso Bar. I neglected to get photos at 11th Street Diner or BurgerFi because I was hangry. 

The patio at 11th Street Diner is good for people watching while munching on sweet potato fries and sipping wine. The yummy VegeFi Burger is made with crispy quinoa and I wanted another, but I had to save room for brews at Abbey. 

There were so many good beer options at Abbey Brewing that I was at a loss. The wonderful bartender let me taste all the beers I was interested in and I decided on a pint of Brother Dan's Double and Father Theodore's Stout.

My final restaurant stop was breakfast at Aroma Espresso Bar. After perusing the menu, I was sad that I wouldn't have an opportunity to try their lunch options. I consumed a poppy seed pastry immediately and saved the Bureka stuffed with Labneh Cheese for the airport. 

Poppy seed pastry

Bureka

A Recap of My Recommendations:
The Room - 100 Collins Ave, #4
Della's Test Kitchen - 56 NW 29th St.
Lone Wolfe Food Truck - 56 NW 29th St.
Bar at Wynwood Yard - 56 NW 29th St.
RUST Wynwood - 2621 NW 2nd Ave.
11th Street Diner - 1065 Washington Ave.
Naked Taco - 1111 Collins Ave.
BurgerFi - 1242 Washington Ave.
Abbey Brewing Co. - 1117 16th St.
Aroma Espresso Bar - 540 Collins Ave.

Thanks for a delish time Miami and I look forward to future culinary adventures.

The colorful patio at RUST

PUERTO RICAN FOODPORN

I wasn't sure if my vegetarian dining options were going to be plentiful in Puerto Rico; however, it didn't take long to realize my choices were abounding and I would be well fed. The dishes I devoured were bursting with flavor and delivered with some creative presentations. Let the drooling commence!

La Madre - Rice and Beans with a Saril Flower Margarita

Cafe at Poet's Passage - Vegetable Empanadas, Mixed Fruit Smoothie, Tofu Wrap and Vegetable Wrap (can you tell I really liked this place?)

Pani Agua - Aloo Chaat

Cafe Berlin - Vegan Guava Loaf

Rosa de Triana - Black Bean Soup and Patatas Bravas

Fefo's Deli & Tapas - Vegetable Trifongo

Greengo's Caribbean Cantina - Greengo Beans & Cilantro Rice with a Bandito Cocktail

Mofon'go (kiosk at Plaza de Colon) - Cheese & Guava Empanada 

I have become a big fan of guava since traveling to Puerto Rico. I'm also really hungry now, aren't you?

GOURMET DOGS AT THE WIENER SHOP

  
As a vegetarian, I never expected to be so enthusiastic about a new hot dog joint that I wanted to blog about it. In my experience, I haven't crossed paths with a gourmet hot dog eatery that offers a tempeh vegan hot dog. That is, until the Wiener Shop opened their doors in my neighborhood. 

Customers have the choice of a Wisconsin-made beef wiener or the vegan tempeh dog wrapped in a hot dog bun or vegan, gluten-free corn tortillas.

The wieners are named after numerous U.S. cities including Detroit, Chicago, Seattle, and of course, Madison. The tempeh dogs are outsourced from a wonderful local Indonesian restaurant called Bandung.

I opted for the Vancouver Asian Dog prepared with the tempeh and corn tortillas. This delectable meal left me satisfied, and the flavors worked well together.

I chatted with the owner, Rex, who said he and his partner will be adding amenities including outdoor seating, rotating art, additional menu items, and alcohol. They don't believe in upcharging for dietary restrictions, which is a win for vegetarian and gluten-free customers.

I look forward to tasting every dog on the menu, and then starting the list all over again. I encourage you to make tracks to the Wiener Shop!  http://wiener-shop.com/

Layla's - Madison's Hidden Gem

I'm partial to my hometown of Madison for the global cuisine offerings. When I'm unable to travel, I can at least experience authentic ethnic food without leaving town.

One perfect example is Layla's Persian Restaurant. The venue and its spunky owner is housed below HI-Madison Hostel. What a perk to be a guest!

The minute I walked through the door I felt like I was "home." The restaurant is cozy, charming, and bedecked with lots of vibrant, personal touches.
 

Layla wears ALL the hats and will greet you, seat you, and serve you. She is personable, has an infectious laugh, and may even have time to sit down for a chat. 

Is this your first restaurant and when did it open?
Yes, it's my first, and I opened about one and a half years ago.

Where do your cooking skills come from?
They are self-taught and from my grandmother.

In one word, what is unique about Persian food?
Persian food is aromatic. It's also very healthy, yet still flavorful.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would like to open a second restaurant in Madison that is perhaps more fast food style, fresh and vegetarian/pescetarian.

Moving on to the best part - the food! The menu offers six entrees, three of which are vegetarian or vegan, and several of the six are gluten-free and/or dairy-free. 

I took Layla's recommendation and ordered the Khoresh e Ghemeh Bademjan (sans the eggplant) consisting of yellow split peas and basmati rice topped with a dollop of yogurt and the most crispy, to die for caramelized onions. Can I say foodgasm?!

You won't find a website for the restaurant; however, you will thoroughly enjoy following the Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laylas-Persian-food-with-a-local-flare/660630290614974 On top of everything else, Layla is extremely witty and you may learn about a daily special (or two) along the way.

I encourage everyone to pay a visit to Layla's Persian Restaurant, where you will come for the food and stay for the camaraderie.