Peppermint Cookie Perfection. Addiction.

I rarely make an effort to write a full blog post about a single vegan product. Exceptions include Skydottir GF Vegan Cookies, Leahey Garden's Vegan Mac and Cheese, Dandie's Vegan Marshmallows, and TODAY! I just needed to make sure you all knew about my new favorite thing: the Late July Organic Dark Chocolate Covered Sandwich Cookies Sprinkled with Organic Peppermint.

That was a mouthful. LJODCCSCSWOP for short? Uhhh. How about just "Peppermint Cookie Perfection" PCP. That is better - hints at it's addictive qualities.



The cookie on the inside of PCP is super crispy and light but with rich chocolate flavor, and the chocolate covering on the outside is just thick enough to hold the thing together when you bite into it, but not so thick that you think you are eating candy instead of cookie. PCP is also just the right amount of mint. Two out of two tasters (thanks Newtonator and Kirb) agree that this delightful store-bought delectable is very special indeed.

The PCP is ideal for terrible bakers like me (I know I can't be alone, right? Hello?). It also comes in an adorable lidded box perfect for giving to your lovable friends and family. Each vegan cookie is individually wrapped, so you can give a box or a single cookie. After having this yummy thing for the first time, I thought, honestly, "This is all I want for xmas. More of these cookies and donations for my favorite charities." That isn't asking too much, is it?

The scary news: this is a limited edition product, only available for the holidays. This is why I had to tell you sooner rather than later! I know you can get these at Sidecar, and I suspect you'll be able to pick them up other places that sell Late July cookies and crackers like PCC, Wholefoods, Mother Nature's, Marlene's, and Madison Market. But wait, there's more! If you aren't close to any of those stores, just mosey over to their website and order a box or two.

OK. Now you know. Phew. When you see these on the shelf, don't think, "I wonder if these are any good," just trust me. Really. They may even end up being your favorite new thing too.

Ghost with the Most

Anyone into punk in the last 20 years knows that there is nothin' quite like an all vegan hardcore band to lift your spirits and bring out your very best dance moves. Really.

Thanks to the guys and gal in Olde Ghost, you don't have to live in D.C. in 1988 to experience the wonderment of your own local old school hardcore band. I don't kid. Most of the cats in Olde Ghost have been playing in bands for all of their lives, some for 20+ years, so they bring real experience and no retro posing.


They've only played one show. Ever. But don't fret, they'll be putting on the ritz in less than two weeks at our favorite all-ages home venue: the Black Lodge. Line up is looking like this:

Run with the Hunted (AZ Hardcore)
Not Sorry (Seattle Wyld Punx)
Envision (Seattle/Bellingham Hardcore)
Olde Ghost (Seattle Hardcore)
Breag Naofa (Seattle Heavinesss, first show)

Super show BONUS: there will be a vegan bake sale, put on by former VotW, Mo Wyse, benefiting Precious Life Animal Sanctuary.

Show info:
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Black Lodge
Doors at 6:00pm
More info here


Olde Ghost is: Ego (drums), D Hach (base), Kirb (guitar), LaPointe (vocals), and Sara (vocals). If you don't already love at least one of these hardcore kittens, I promise you will.*

One more reason to like them: they aren't in it for the money (what money?). They are playing benefit shows and/or donating their take (if there is any). Could these kids get any sweeter? No. Will they scream their way into your punk rock heart? Absolutely. Become a fan of Olde Ghost and get updates on shows and recordings.

Stay tuned for more vegan musicians and artists coming your way, including an expose on super amazing vegan jazz musicians such as Jason Parker and Andrew Boscardin. And don't forget about your favorite Seattle vegan MC, Derelict. And as always, help a gal stay in the know. What are you up to?

*I feel obligated to state, if it isn't obvious, that the old goats in this band are my dearest friends and therefore my statements about them may not be very objective. Not that any of you were mistaking this blog for objective journalism. heh.

Loco Cozy Ocho in Ballard

So you are looking for a crazy cozy, perhaps romantic, and truly delicious locale to have cocktails? Let me suggest a tiny nick of a place near the heart of Ballard: Ocho.

This dark and rustic Spanish tapas bar, hidden in plain sight next to Azteca, is lucky to have vegan genius, Eric Cockrell, working in their kitchen. Mr. Cockrell developed a totally vegan, and mega delicious chorizo dish for their tapas menu. Packed with seitan, fabada beans, seasonal vegetables (brussel sprouts and roasted tomato when I had it), dates, and toasted slivered almonds, it was so good, I didn't want to share it with my gal dates (sorry Sheila and Rebecca).

Left photo of chorizo dish courtesy of Eric Cockrell's camera phone. Righ photo courtesy of Ocho.

Ocho has 3 other items on the menu that are vegan modifiable, including a simple butter lettuce salad and a really yummy plate of Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes with brava sauce). We just asked our server to bring us one of everything that could be made vegan - they were so kind and accommodating. Thanks Ocho!

And if you are into Spanish tapas, but don't want to leave Capitol Hill, you can also try out Tango. They have at least 2 vegan dishes, including a pickled beet and quinoa tapas - plus they know about gluten-free dishes.

No se sabe si algo es bueno hasta que se lo pone a prueba.

Other good vegan tapas in town? Tell me where to go!

Ocho
2325 NW Market St,
Seattle, WA
206-784-0699
http://ochoballard.com/

BBQ Soul Food on Seattles South Side!

Word up to my neighbors! It's the South Side Vegan again with a new score from, where else? White Center yall! Uncle Mikes just opened 2 months ago, bringing the southern style love to Seattle's south side. You can feel the love that went into this place when you first walk in. There are large family style tables, warm cozy colors, and signs about love and respect on the walls.















Uncle Mike himself promptly welcomed me. I asked him about the vegan items on the menu. He took a thoughtful moment and started recommending one of the two vegetarian sandwiches (without the bbq aioli!) and a whole host of sides, including red beans and rice. (confirmed no chickens were juiced in the making of the rice.) I ended up ordering the bbq tofu sandwich without the aioli and a side of fries.




















Oooh weee! My tongue was so happy biting into this sandwich! I felt like I was back in the south (... that is if there was a vegan-friendly bbq joint in the south). The bread was just the right amount of crispy and soft, the peppers were grilled to the perfect consistency with this amazingly smoky flavor. The firm tofu tasted marinated and baked and had a lovely hearty consistency. The sauce is just tangy and straight up perfection! (also confirmed no anchovies were minced in the making of the sauce).

It's obvious Uncle Mike knows what he's doing with tofu and didn't just throw some veggies on a bun and call it a veg option. To top off the delicious food, Uncle Mike is super charming and just makes you want to hang out in his restaurant all day and talk about all your hard life lessons.




















Listen up vegans: let's bring hoards of veg folk to Uncle Mikes to let him know how much we appreciate that sweet sweet soul food in the Northwest!!


9640 16th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98106
(Across the street from Full Tilt!)

Don't Miss The Fish: New Thai Joint

Here is the thing about Thai food: it is everywhere in Seattle. I would venture to say it is our most popular Asian food choice in town; even when there are five places on the same block, they are usually packed with hungry diners. I think there are 11 on Capitol Hill alone.

Here is the other thing about Thai food: it is fishy. Lots of fish sauce and oyster sauce in almost every dish. Some places say the two are inseparable and vegan Thai food isn't worth it.* (I'm lookin at you Tom Yum Koong in West Seattle).

Thankfully, the folks over at Araya's (all vegan in the U-District) and Jhanjay Thai (2 locations in Wallingford and Ballard) know differently and have been serving fish-free Thai food for years. And now, a little closer to my abode we have a new veggie Thai food player in the hood:

Wedgwood II. I understand the the original Thai of Wedgwood (located in Wedgwood, wow!) isn't vegetarian, so I am pleased as punch that their second location went the kinder direction.*

And yay for them! I will now be calling them Yumwood. No wait, make that Wedgeyum! Wait. Sir Yumsalot? Hm. Not everything 'Wedgeyum' is vegan - they have a cream cheese filled appetizer and a few other items - but no worries about chicken bits and fish sauce getting into your food, which makes me very happy.

We tried three dishes: the Onion Cake (asked and confirmed vegan, pic top left), a traditional Pad Thai (above left) and a dish we picked for the name: Pad Ka-Plow (pic above right). And the fun part? When we asked for hot sauce, we got a selection of 4, including a non-fishy prik naam plaa, in a space-age contraption with cute little lids and spoons (pic above center).

The service and atmosphere were really lovely. The space, especially the hidden back area, is super adorbs (see pic top right) and perfect for birthday dinner groups. (eh hem, March).


Wedgwood II Vegetarian Thai
420 Broadway E
(between Harrison St & Republican St)
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 724-0655

*Wondering why a little fish sauce matters? Because a little fish sauce adds up to a lot of fish. Almost 90% of the worlds large fish are already depleted from the oceans and we continue to rake that underworld daily with sonar and large nets to meet world demands. Longline and net fishing destroy the ocean fish, reptiles, and mammals that we aren't eating. And fish aren't always the health food people might hope because they concentrate toxins like mercury that are released into the worlds water sources. But the most important reason is that we don't have to! Fish, just like cows, and sheep, and dogs, and people, feel pain and experience suffering. We don't have to eat fish sauce to be happy or healthy.

Ain't No Party Like a Vegan Tea Party

Hey. Hoh.

So everyone knows about the Teapot Vegetarian House on capitol hill. It has been a 15th Ave staple and a mecca for vegans from all over for more than a decade. But did you know that this quirky Asian-fusion loving, water feature-friendly, 100% vegan restaurant has a twin sister over on the eastside?

And just like the original, the Redmond location has all your favorite dishes (Mongolian vegetarian anyone?), and a long list of green, black, and herbal teas. The best part? The teas come in lovely clay, steal, and ceramic pots collected by the owner. This is my herbal citrus ginger tea.

The eastside locale is tucked away in s strip mall just north of Fred Meyers next to a Malay Satay and a Hoagie shop. Even if you know it is there, it is very easy to miss. It's worth the trek up or down Bell-Red Road from downtown Redmond or Bellevue for lunch and has enough familiar fried goodies to tempt even the most carnivore of omnivores.

If you haven't been to either location in a while, let me remind you of a few special items: mango cheese cake, fresh lettuce wrap, hot & sour soup, smoked "salmon" (one of my favorites), and fried wide noodles. Don't forget to finish it or start it with some traditional Chinese style green tea.

How are you not hungry yet? A better question is, if the more eco-friendly of the nuts over at the Tea Party broke off from the group, would they call themselves the Green Tea Party? Yuk. Yuk.

Teapot Vegetarian House
www.teapotvegetarianhouse.com
15230 NE 24th St.
Redmond, WA 98052
425-747-8881