A Seattle Reunion

View from the train 

I met a lovely young woman in Chicago through Couchsurfing several years ago. She became a dear friend who got married, moved to Seattle, and recently had a baby. It was time to pay a visit to this seaport city. 

The Link light rail is the perfect method of transportation from the airport. The train runs frequently, is inexpensive, and will take you all the way downtown, if need be.

My phenomenal tour guide (aka Cricket) supported all my preferences including vegetarian food, beer, culture, and street art. I found Seattle to be hilly, laid-back, artsy, stimulating, and full of coffee shops:)

Let's begin with my favorite neighborhood - Fremont. I say this because of its wonderful quirkiness. I fell hard for Fremont Brewing. I drank some of the best beer of my life here and have been begging them to distribute in the Midwest. Babies and dogs are welcome, and the brewery offers an impressive urban beer garden. 

All my brews had me seeing stars.

While I could have spent all my free time here, we did stroll around this colorful area. Craft beer and frites are highly recommended under the gargoyle's watch at Brouwer's Cafe.

The Fremont Troll stands guard

Yes, Lenin

The Fremont Rocket

Another Seattle must is Pike Place Market. There are oodles of things to feast your eyes and stomach upon. Make a beer stop at Pike Brewing and be sure to walk along the Great Gum Wall of Seattle while heading there. Across the street from the market is the first Starbucks with an entertaining mural above it.

Swinging from a chandelier above Starbucks

My favorite detour off the beaten path was Gas Works Park. It was unfortunate that the weather wasn't in our favor; however, the views were still astonishing. 

My taste buds were completely satisfied with all the vegetarian food introduced to me and you may begin drooling now.

*Soybean stew at Tofully - 502 S. King St. (in Chinatown)

*Popeye's Last Stand at HeartBeet Organics Superfood Cafe - 1026 NE 65th St.

*Tofu Delight at Paseo Caribbean Food - 4225 Fremont Ave N. I was SO hungry there was no time for a photo!

*Fancy Spring Rolls and Garlic Wokked Vegetables at BOL Test Kitchen - 900 NE 65th St.

*Vegetarian Banh Mi at BOL - 918 NE 64th St.

Last, but not least, I'm elated with the street art that I discovered in Seattle. I'm so glad I had my face smashed against the train window while traveling from the airport, otherwise, I wouldn't have known about the impressive murals along the SODO track. 

The reunion exceeded my expectations and made me miss my friend even more. And Seattle, you were marvelous. I'm already looking forward to a return visit.

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

A Slice of Tranquility at Good Karma Prasad Cafe

My favorite meal in New Orleans was consumed at the Good Karma Prasad Cafe inside Swan River Yoga. Check your schedule at the door, and prepare to relax and take in all its splendor.

I couldn’t get enough of the Malaysian Curry Bowl consisting of veggies, soy protein, and brown rice stewed in a lemongrass and ginger coconut sauce. I accompanied this delectable bowl with an Enlightened fresh juice.  

The Good Karma Prasad Cafe will sustain you with mouthwatering food in a tranquil setting that will make you so at peace you won’t want to leave.

On my return visit to NOLA, I plan to attend one of many drop-in yoga classes and you should do the same. Until then, I will be dreaming about my next meal....

http://www.swanriveryoga.com/good-karma-prasad-cafe