test face

Rosie the free range chicken

"I waited by the chicken door to see if any of the birds would exercise the
option and stroll down the little ramp to their grassy yard, which had been mowed recently. And waited. I finally had to conclude that Rosie the organic free-range chicken doesn't really grok the whole free-range conceit."

Reading an Awesome book title "The Omnivore's dilemma"

This is a witty and informative book. As a vegetarian I pay a whole lot of attention to what I eat. The information in this book tells you that it isn't just about the brand names and ingredient lists on the lables of food.

Rather, you have to think about the sources food, and the food's sources, and origin of those sources all the way back to the water, land and even the sun.

Highly recommended and really for everyone because we all eat.

AGAIN!!! DARN YOU ING NYC MARATHON LOTTERY

Rejected!

Review: Franchia "Veggie to a Tea"

Had a very nice lunch at Franchia in New York City. The food was quite good. The atomosphere was very relaxing.

We had a variety of dishes and smpled their faux meats. The portion sizes were very good. I wil say that we tried to order a wide variety of foods ( my wife and I share everything so we can taste more dishes) yet everything seemed very simliar.

The Franchia web site makes this restaurant seem like a bit of a Tea House. If you are vegetarian that hates tea, hates tea rituals, and would rather eat a big slab of pork than sit across the aisle from somone drinking tea have no fear! Franchia didn't make too big of a deal of the 'tea thing' when we were there (and it was really cold out).

There is definitly better Korean food to be had in NYC than Franchia. No doubt. However, if you are not up for playng 'find the fish sauce' in Little Korea, this place is a vegetarian Korean safe haven. Consider also Hangwai this place is much better that Franchia for Vegetarian korean but about four times the price (ouch!) so better for a special event and not for the casual lunch.

Vegetarian Love? Let's agree to see other people

Review: Brazilian Steakhouse

Remember the Brazilian steakhouse in New York City I blogged about named Churrascaria Plataforma. I was amazed it had the tag line "The Steak House That Even Vegetarians Love!!!!".



So, last night I had some guests in from out of town. I was playing host and wanted to take them someplace unique. It would pretty crazy for a vegetarian like me to be lured to a steakhouse. Not just any steakhouse but a big huge Brazilian steakhouse. Keep in mind I'm the type of guy that doesn’t eat mash potatoes from Boston Chicken because I am sure they have only one spoon (also, a place like that has chicken on everything including the doorknobs)

So when choosing last night's destination did I dance with the devil?

Sure, I did. (I wore tap shoes.)

Overall, everyone seemed to have a nice time. It is a $50 all you can eat affair. Seated at your table you are frequently visited by carvers carry skewers of meats of all varieties. Sausage, turkey, chicken, brisket, prime rib, etc came dancing by. You are engaged to try something. Say yes, they carve it the hunk of meat about 3 inches from your nose. Your job is to use your supplied tongs to snatch the meat before it falls and lay it to rest on your plate. Very interactive!

I was one astounded vegetarian. Stuck deep behind carnivore enemy lines I was surrounded on all side but knives, skewers, drippings, and ever increasing piles of cast aside gristle (it really did build up at times).

This continues for about 60 to 90 minutes. It could last all night but one by one each diner is filled to the brim and yelled enough.

For me, it was okay. I made two trips to the salad bar which was quite good but not super wonderful. Part of the problem is that I had to examine everything 2 or 3 times to be sure I didn't step on some hidden meat salad bar landmine. I was full in the end but that is no surprise thanks to my little bird vegetarian stomach which is really no match compared to that of omnivorous dinning companions.

So, Vegetarian love? No, I don't think so. More like Vegetarian "girl I went to high school with"

• Overall Rating: 2
• Similarity to meat (but in a good way): 5n/a
• Similarity to actual food described: n/a
• "Worth it?" Rating: 1
• "Would I get them again?": 1