vegansaurus!

I may have finally found a reason to move to Manhattan: Blossom! It rules. It may even be better than Millennium and Horizons, no lie. I went there for my birthday dinner over the weekend and I’m basically dead. Other food has lost all meaning. I don’t even want to look at anything that wasn’t made in that kitchen. I think I have food malaise! Can you die from food malaise? I guess we’ll see (yay, experiment!).

It was so dark inside that I couldn’t get any decent pictures but trust, everything looked dope. For starters, I had the parsnip cappelletti: “Fresh hand-rolled ravioli stuffed with savory whipped parsnip and crushed potatoes, finished with shiitakes and truffle oil.” DAMN. It was amazing. I’ve been really into parsnips all winter and this pasta-parsnip combo was great. People got various yummy things but one of my guests got the ravioli with cashew cream, which I liked in particular.

For my entree, I had the phyllo roulade: “French lentils and root vegetables baked in a phyllo crust, served over a carrot-cream sauce. Caramelized onions and swiss chard complement.” It was great but honestly it kind of just tasted like the lentil Peasant Pie, which is a lot cheaper. But I love the lentil Peasant Pie so I loved this dish too. Half my guests got the rigatoni in porcini cream because god forbid the ominvores step out of their comfort zone! Just kidding, it’s a valid choice and that dish was slamming. The cream sauce was excellent—all the cream sauces were excellent. One friend got the seitan scaloppini which we both agreed was too salty.

Then we got dessert! We all shared the cheesecake, the ganache and the apple cinnamon sticks. The last was my favorite, I think. It was a great mix of sweet and salty. The omnis couldn’t believe how legit the cheesecake was; one guest said it was one of the best he’s had. The chocolate ganache was good, it had a nice cake bottom, but it wasn’t that special. See, I like cake like I like my education: special!

And the wine, oh the wine! Delightful. I’d say though that it was the appetizers that did me in. I want to go back and just get all starters! And wine. But seriously you’d have to be Sir Fatpockets to eat there on the regular. It’s pricey. Worth it, though! And if it were any cheaper, I would live in the gutter just waiting for them to open each day. I wouldn’t get anything done! And I have important things to do. Big things going on, big things.

[generic picture from restaurantsinyc.com]

I live on a tiny island with a bunch of happy-meat-eating hippies with no love for vegans, so when I make a trip over to Vancouver for such insignificant, fake reasons such as “meeting with my thesis advisor” or “researching an article,” I eat and drink like a madwoman and, for efficiency, operate on the understanding that there are at least six meals a day.[Ed.: the ONLY way to travel!] I went to grad school in Vancouver for two years and though I haven’t finished my real thesis, I have made progress on my dissertation covering all the vegan food Vancouver has to offer. Here are my peer-reviewed findings.

I hope you brought your passports, because Canadian border guards have something to prove. Once you’re done with the hellish process of waiting for an hour in line and lying about the pounds of pot you intend on bringing home from British Columbia, Vancouver will welcome your vegan selves with open arms.

Let’s start downtown, shall we? People will have warned you that Vancouver’s downtown eastside is the slummiest slum ever, and it might be true, but stop being a snob—you are hungry and no one is going to kill you. Probably my favorite restaurant in the city and fully vegan, Radha Yoga & Eatery offers a rotating seasonal menu—cajun tempeh pictured—and is all sorts of green with its locally sourced produce and green technologies. Shout out to the amazing SOLEFood urban downtown eastside garden project who supply Radha. Don’t worry, you don’t have to use a neti pot or meditate before you’re fed, and there are no horrifying rules against garlic/onions/booze. I’m looking at you, Supreme Master. The desserts at Radha—even the raw ones—are just totally amazing. Vegan baklava made with Canadian maple syrup and local B.C. hazelnuts can be yours! Radha earns extra points for hosting and helping promote Vancouver Vegan Bakesales, such as the one on Mar. 9 benefitting the BC SPCA in the wake of those horrible sled dog murders you might remember sobbing about when the news broke a couple of weeks ago.

Two vegan-friendly restaurants in the microbrewery-filled Gastown neighbourhood are Wild Rice and Nuba. A “modern Chinese cuisine” restaurant where you can get cocktails made with ingredients such as lychee-infused vodka and rosemary-infused local gin, Wild Rice’s kitchen is dairy-free, which means that all of the vegetarian options, of which there are many, are vegan! VEGAN DIM SUM! The hot and sour soup is the best, and they offer stuff like tofu bacon, curry buns, and bean curd rolls filled with the freshest Chinatown mushrooms.

The Lebanese restaurant Nuba offers the best cauliflower you will ever taste and it will make you look at cauliflower as though it was like, I don’t know, something far more exciting than cauliflower. Called Najib’s Special, it is deep-fried cauliflower with perfect mystery spices tossed in lemon juice and served with the best hot sauce of all time. You can get it alone or in a pita, but don’t stop there! Get the falafel (pictured!) too. And dessert. They always have vegan sorbets, and usually a feature vegan dessert.

Now I’m going to tell you about a taqueria. You guys are probably sitting in your apartments in the Mission eating your Papalote burritos and saying, “Oh no she didn’t! This Canadian girl is NOT telling me about good Mexican food in CANADA,” but shut up—we have immigrants too and their health care gives them the happy incentive to open up delicious Mexican restaurants. La Taqueria is probably the most authentic one with vegan options, and even though there are only two vegan taco options—Tinga de Hongos, sautéed fresh mushrooms in spicy chipotle sauce, and De Picadillo, sautéed tofu in the best spicy sauce—they are impressive and worth the trip!

Vancouver has some pretty nutty rules about street food, but last year saw quite a few openings. Where it all began though, is at Japadog. A happy marriage between Japanese inspired condiments and hot dogs, at Japadog, you can get a veggie dog with toppings such as pickled daikon, shredded nori, teriyaki sauce, etc. Specify no mayo! Whatever, Sushirito, you totally stole Japadog’s shtick! Oh, and famous people really like it there, even dicks like Anthony Bourdain.[Ed.: he is SUCH A DICK!]

Back to Mexican, we have Bandidas Taqueria on Commercial Drive. Bandidas is all vegetarian and very vegan-friendly, with house-made vegan sour cream and Daiya cheese. Oh, did I neglect to mention that Daiya was INVENTED in Vancouver? You’re welcome. I’m not the biggest fan since it kind of gives me Daiyarrhea, but Vancouver places loving on the Daiya include the Naam, Vancouver’s oldest vegetarian restaurant—try the Tempeh Reuben—The Wallflower, vegan chili-cheese thunder fries; Sejuiced, delicious albeit expensive veggie burgers; Loving Hut, currently closed for fire damage or some other suspect Supreme Master activity but otherwise serving Daiya pizza, nachos and surprisingly few even remotely Asian-inspired options; and more.

Café Kathmandu, located next door to Bandidas Taqueria, serves up Nepalese food with

a million vegan options and the most hilarious/awesome/politically engaged owner ever. Try the momos! Chutney Villa and Saravanaa Bhavan are both South Indian restaurants, and both will provide you with perfect dosas. Gorilla Food is the raw vegan joint and though I could spend all day long poking fun at raw foodists, I can really get down with Gorilla Foods’ incredible raw pizzas, salads (pictured), smoothies, and desserts. Just beware of potential Katie Holmes encounters! Scary!

The Eatery is probably the least authentic Japanese restaurant in a city full of Japanese people, but they make crazy and amazing vegan sushi, and the decorative dolls, toys, lowbrow art, crazy

lighting, and stiff drinks, will enhance your acid trip in no time. Just a block or two from The Eatery is Dharma Kitchen, a typical vegetarian (vegan other than honey in the chai) Buddhist-leaning restaurant, where you can get miso soup along with a decent rice bowl (pictured) to help assuage the previous night’s shameful transgressions. (tip: they pretend that Boca burgers are tempeh).

Did you know that Vancouver has a “sky train” (light rail) public transit system (thanks, horrible Olympics!) that will make you daily MUNI-users sob in envy? Jump on it and head out to the charming suburb of New Westminster to visit the all-vegan shop Karmavore. Considering slitting your wrists because Field Roast isn’t available in Canada? Karmavore has it, and vegan soft-serve ice cream too boot! The trip was worth it, because now you can dive into some vegan pho or the multitude of other vegan options at Paradise Vegetarian Noodle House. 

Edible Flours, Vancouver’s very first vegan bakery storefront is opening soon in Kitsilano, as is Vancouver’s first vegan shoe store, Nice Shoes, opening March 1st. 

Because you are now on the next flight to YVR, I implore you to also check out Victoria, a ferry-ride away from Vancouver, B.C.’s capital, and home to Sarah Kramer. Here’s a little guide I wrote for VegNews.

I know I missed a ton of places, but I hope I at least somewhat increased my country’s tourism and will maybe receive a break on my taxes?

The Brownie Parfait at Radha. Jesus H!

Gabrielle Pope lives on a small island where she is currently going pleasantly insane, and writing a novel. All photos by Mel of My Vancouver Vegan Kitchen!

First, and most important! IT’S MY BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday TO ME! You can thank my parents for their gift to the world.

[Latest documentary/cartoon from Cats Vs Human. What if I just call cartoons “documentaries” from now on? And phone calls will be “radio interviews”!]

They are selling breast-milk ice cream in London. BREAST-MILK ICE CREAM. While I’d rather die than eat breast-milk ice cream (right now I’d rather die than move, though), I’m in full support of this because it’s hilarious and brightens my world. Well Ok, I think maybe I’d try breast-milk ice cream for like $20,000. But is it going to pull in weird fetishists? Survey says: Probs.

Hey! Did you know that the SF SPCA appointed new presidents last month? Yes, more than one president! Two presidents—they’re calling it Four-Legged Leadership! One a super-savvy business man and the other a genius veterinarian. 

Jerk scientists are getting poor monkeys fat and not letting them exercise, because we definitely can’t find any people like that to test on. The New York Times will tell you all about it!

PCRM is suing the federal government because the new nutrition guidelines are crap! They don’t like the “doublespeak” and “mumbo jumbo” the USDA uses when it should be calling out meat and dairy. I have a bone to pick with them too! Three servings of dairy, really? REALLY? CRAP!

UNC and Duke have picked Eating Animals as their summer reading requirement! I was supposed to read the biography of George Washington. Definitely did that. 

From Mark Bittman, we have the most in-depth discussion of oatmeal I’ve ever seen! Specifically, oatmeal from McDonald’s: “Incredibly, the McDonald’s product contains more sugar than a Snickers bar and only 10 fewer calories than a McDonald’s cheeseburger or Egg McMuffin. (Even without the brown sugar it has more calories than a McDonald’s hamburger.)” Yowza!

Do you have a vegan tattoo? A tattoo with vegan subject matter? Super! Submit it to new website veganink.com and let’s get this party started!

Over at veganbaking.net, you can read an interview with Cinnaholic’s Shannon Michelle! Read all about how Cinnaholic came together and get advice for your own vegan baking biz! Can we all agree that Shannon Michelle is dead-sexy?!

The veggie internet has been a buzz about this story from Yahoo sports:  Vegetarianism is all the rage in MMA! That’s ultimate fighting. It’s a sport. I guess.

There was a big earthquake in New Zealand! The Search Dog Foundation is on the case! New Zealand has its own dogs but the SDF’s training leader is going over to help with the search and rescue. We wish them the best of luck! Be safe and save people!

Lastly, don’t forget about the East Bay Vegan Bakesale tomorrow! Get treats, get pudgy!

Joshua Katcher is a super-cool NYC vegan and founder of The Discerning Brute! The Guardian dubbed him “the New Sexy Vegan!” Jealous.

Vegansaurus: Do you go by Josh or exclusively Joshua?
Joshua Katcher: I prefer Joshua, but I won’t have a complete meltdown if someone calls me Josh. I may cry for a few minutes and punch a hole in the wall, but then I’ll be totally fine. I’m pretty emotionally stable. 

Why are you vegan?
Because it’s delicious, and because I think animals are individuals who deserve validation and consideration where their lives and bodies are at stake. But also because I hate freedom and I was hoping to be frail and ill—but that backfired and I’m really healthy and athletic now.  

How long have you been vegan?
There was no exact date—it was a transition—but about 12 or 13 years, I think. 

Favorite animal?
I am completely FASCINATED by parasitic intelligence. But as far as animals that I want to hang with, and cuddle. Dogs and goats. And cows. And pigs. Turkeys are like cats!  Oy vey, this is impossible to answer. 

Got any companion animals? Pictures!

Enzo is a rescued chihuahua. His nicknames are: Enzo Benzo, Enzo Roni, Reno Roni, Monster, Burrito, Little Man. There are more, but my sanity would be called into question. He didn’t bark or play or have any interest in other dogs for almost two years, but he is finally coming out of his shell, and recovering from the three years of abuse/neglect he experienced. He was rescued by Amy from sugarmutts.org.

 
[OMJesus this picture!]

Favorite food?
Dr. Cow’s hemp-nut cashew cheese. 

Favorite cookbook?
Veganomicon is so incredibly comprehensive. I like to experiment in the kitchen, too, and make my own recipes that I feature on TheDiscerningBrute.com 

Favorite vegan restaurant?
I still swoon over Candle 79’s seitan, but the bacon cheeseburger at Blossom Cafe is habit-forming, and the beet tartar at Madeline’s Bistro is worth flying to L.A. to have. I am such a foodie, it’s hard to choose favorites. Sometimes a bowl of steamed kale is the best thing in the world, and other times a Vegan Treats chocolate-covered strawberry shortcake hits the spot.  

Vegan celebrity you want to bang?
All of them. At once.  

Peta: Y/N?
Yes. Sorry, haters. 

LOLCats: Y/N?
Crucial! Yes. 

Do you remember when we met at Lula’s? Was it as awesome for you as it was for me?
I have been recovering ever since.

What’s your favorite thing to get at Lula’s?
I keep it simple at Lula’s: I really like a scoop of strawberry ice cream on a sugar cone. When feeling adventurous, I am obsessed with the malt powder or a malted milkshake—and the coconut whipped cream is better than I remember whipped cow-tit secretions being. I have a gym membership for a reason. 

What do you like about fashion? How do you know all about it?
I like fashion because I am gay and I love being a stereotype. Ha ha. In all honesty, fashion is an incredibly powerful form of visual communication. It is the premiere means by which the majority of people in our current culture express their personal identity. We all participate in that discourse, whether we like it or not. Even if we reject the notion of fashion all-together, our culture is dominated by this visual language. There is a lot of power to be had or lost in dress, and if you know how to communicate that power properly, it have have amazing effects—especially if you are someone who wants to change the world. Additionally, if you know how to decode what others are wearing—a fur coat for example, it makes understanding the issues surrounding everything from animal cruelty in fashion to sweatshops and ecological issues, less overwhelming. 

Favorite vegan designer?
I am really inspired by the strides John Bartlett is making, announcing “I want to be a 100-percent-vegan designer.” He is a personal friend, and a powerhouse in the fashion arena.

Favorite vegan accessory/possession?
There are a few. I got a recycled poly suit from CPas, a vegan biker “Decontrol” jacket from April77, black “milo” boots from NOVACAS, the gray “Vintage Boot” from Vegetarian Shoes, and an awesome men’s peacoat from Vaute Couture.

Why’d you start The Discerning Brute?
I started the Discerning Brute several years ago because no one was really providing a lifestyle resource specifically for “ethically handsome men.” From the beginning, my aim was to slowly compile a catalog of brands, companies, resources, and people that would form a community, and to eventually open a store, launch a suit line, and write a book. These are all underway.

Who does the illustrative design-y stuff for your site? I’m into it.

Thanks! I did the layout and graphic design myself, and the actual art I used in the design is from an 18th century illustrator.

[Katcher and Anna Wintour look-alike outside the Conde Nast building for the Pinnacle launch!]

What’s Pinnacle all about?
JK: PINNACLE: Reinvent The Icon is an image-driven initiative consisting of fashion industry professionals from all areas of fashion culture who are clarifying the changed meaning of fur within the context of our current culture.

Pinnacle produces editorial stories, and works with informed designers, models, and other professionals to create accessories and various forms of visual art consistent with an interest in:

1. Aesthetics
2. Providing critical commentary about animal fur
3. Exposing aspects of fur production and marketing which are intentionally hidden or obscured
4. Shifting the outdated, whitewashed and greenwashed attitude toward, and meaning of fur garments
5. Calling for personal and corporate accountability concerning the cruelty inherent in all fur production

What’s next for Pinnacle?
I have been touring a bit with my “Fashion & Animals” talk, and I plan on speaking at Parsons, FIT, and San Francisco, soon. I was also asked to teach a module at the American University of Paris next spring on the topic, which is exciting. Getting more designers, models, photographers, etc. involved and producing more and more fashion content. Also, a huge priority for us is expanding to China because that is the fur capital of the world, and there are no regulations to protect animals. There is more animal cruelty in China than the rest of the world combined, and they are the largest exporter of fur—and that includes cat and dog fur. Because China is a communist country, if you can convince the government to stop something, it will be done overnight, more or less. We need to reach the Chinese government with a message of being heroes for animals in an appealing way. The Compassion For Animals Foundation is doing amazing work in China.

Is it true you’re trying to take over the world?
Well, the short answer is yes. But, since I have a bone to pick (hey vegan police, is it vegan to say that?) with hierarchical power structures, that poses a dilemma. I plan to change the world, but a take over seems so…egotistical.

First of all, the Guardian rules. Second of all, how do you feel about being “the new sexy vegan?”
I was so honored, and shocked. Growing up, I was always a totally shy, unpopular, comic-book-reading geek who got picked on pretty bad. So it’s quite strange to be considered “sexy” by someone. I’m learning to embrace it though, and use it to help animals. 

Do you have any amazing nicknames I should know about?
My nickname in junior high was “fag” so you can try that. Or you can call me Yahoshua Ruvin. That’s my super-cool Hebrew name. Don’t be jealous.

Are you willing to have Vegansaurus over and cook us a vegan feast? If so, what day?
I’m not sure I have room for a dinosaur in my apartment, but I’d be happy to come to one of your places and cook together! That would be fun. We can make sawdust and gravel and grass clippings, since that’s what vegans eat.

Any questions for Vegansaurus? Anything!
What would the Vegansauraus dudes like to see happen on the DB, and what would you like to see for sale at my forthcoming store, BraveGentleMan.com? Do any readers have men’s lifestyle questions for me?  

Vegansaurus men, let’s hear it! Just what does the Vegansaurus Man of today want?

According to Change.org, while eBay does not allow animals to be auctioned, they do allow animal sales in their classified section. I took a look and as you can see by the above screen-grab, it looks like puppy mill central. They also have adoptable animals, but the majority seem to be puppies like the ones above. Hey everybody! Three to four million cats and dogs are euthanized by shelters each year! ADOPT already!!! Good grief.

I know what you’re thinking: “Megan Rascal, what can I do?” Well, dear friends, sign this petition, for one!   

[Can’t see the video? Watch it at Vegansaurus.com!]

Like I mentioned on Friday, I went to a screening of Chow Down on Saturday. The movie was good; I liked it. It was hokey as fuck with all these cartoons and shenanigans but it was informative and comprehensive despite the scientific subject matter. The film focuses on two men who are faced with surgery for heart disease. Instead of surgery, both men opt to work with Cleveland Clinic doctor Caldwell B. Esselstyn and follow a “plant-based diet.” The results are very impressive; both men hadn’t had a single coronary indecent since changing their lifestyle even though they were told they would die without surgery.

The other aspect of the movie that was very interesting is it really goes into the business of nutrition in America. It has a lot of information about the hold that the milk and dairy lobby has on the USDA and the huge conflict of interest the government organization has when it comes to being a.) responsible for national nutrition recommendations and b.) in charge of promoting American agriculture. The film interviews the woman who created the first food pyramid and even then, the main component of the recommended diet—the bottom of the pyramid—was supposed to be fruits and veggies. The government rejected that and replaced the bottom with good old American grain. Ultimately, the first food pyramid was bagged altogether under pressure from the meat industry. What a tangled web we weave!

Guess what else: it was made by some Philadelphians! I knew the one guy in the movie was Philadelphian as soon as he opened his mouth. Hilarious.

So that’s the movie; it was fine, good even. But THEN! It was time for the Q&A with the all-star panel! This is when things took a turn for the awful. OMG I think I hate vegans! I know, I can’t believe I said that but these people were kooks! And so like cocky and self-promoting! Maybe I’m overreacting; it wasn’t really the panel that got to me, it was more the Q than the A. The panel included Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary; Michael Parrish Dudell of Ecorazzi; Simone Reyes, some chick that’s on Running Russell Simmons (haaa, that was a hilarious inclusion); Victoria Moran, super-author; Alexandra Jamieson, super-author, Top Chef veganizer, and co-star of Super Size Me; and Gary Null, crazy-ass mofo. Also on the panel were Julia Grayer and Gage Johnston, the filmmakers.

I really liked Jamieson and Moran; Dudell was good and I liked him, but he said he would be a strict moderator and ended up being a total nancy. That was the problem: crazy people in the audience kept hijacking the discussion! They would make these barely understandable rants with the only question being like, “What are your thoughts on my rant?” I forgot how much I hate Q&As! I used to go to them for films all the time when my mom worked at the Philly Film Festival. You have these really interesting people there but all you end up hearing all about are the trials and tribulations of various audience members trying to get funding for their own projects. It’s the same with authors: “But how do I get my book published?” Oy! Give me a break.

The crazy audience was only half the problem; the other half? Crazy-ass Gary Null. Oh my god, I did a face-palm whenever he started talking. He’s a complete nut. Like Christopher Walken on crack. He only made sense half the time and he kept talking about getting people to be vegan through spirituality, which just isn’t my bag. The worst was that he was like making sermons with dramatic pauses and bringing in Martin Luther King and crap. And he kept directing his rants at the panel too—who the eff are you to lecture them? If I were the panel, I’d be like, Screw you, bro. And he barely let anyone else talk.

One theme that emerged in the questions was about inclusion and how to unite vegans; THEN at the end, this woman who organized the event came up to speak about this initiative she organized called NYC Goes Vegan. The whole event was supposed to kick off the start of this 21-day challenge. Granted, she was not the most eloquent and she really didn’t promote her initiative very well, BUT! The same people who were talking about uniting vegans and asking what we can do to reach the mainstream started talking straight-up shit on this woman WHILE she was talking! She was a very attractive, model-looking woman and she looked about 26—though she’s actually 38—and made a comment about facing old age and the older women around me like ‘bout had a mutiny! And they were talking trash on her “Valley Girl” speech. Is that how you spell inclusion?! Just petty. I was shocked. I wanted to stop being a vegan just to spite these people! Don’t worry, still vegan (I know you were worried).

Basically, your friend Megan was about to bust heads. It was a shame. I wanted to hear more from the filmmakers, like why they avoided the word “vegan” in the movie, and if the doctors are hesitant to talk about veganism and deliberately stick to “plant-based diet.” I would have also liked to hear a lot more from Moran, she was kind of awesome but didn’t speak much.

The movie was pretty good though and you can actually watch it RIGHT NOW on hulu. It’s only an hour long, you can handle it.

What up, y’all! The gloriously tipsy vegan drinks is tomorrow night, and we know all you boozehounds want to get drunk as a skunk* with us. Then, let’s go eat everything in the city OMG FUN.

As usual, adorable and awesome Lyndsay has the details:

Just a heads-up that the February installment of Vegan Drinks is Thursday, Feb. 24 at Martuni’s (Valencia at Market Streets). As always, there will be a great drink special (this month: $5 Passion fruit, pear, and pomegranate martinis, HELLO GORGEOUS), a host of nonalcoholic beverage options (BOO! I joke, I joke), and all-you-can-eat popcorn!

SF Vegan Drinks is, as always, sponsored by VegNews and Vegansaurus, and runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Have something to say? The mic opens at 7:45 for announcements about any veg projects you’ve been working on. Don’t worry, no bad open-mic poetry, we promise! Unless you’re into that and then: BRING IT ON, Shakespeare!

*hello, saying that exists simply because it rhymes! people are stupid! me included!

Even though I’d heard that Sacred Wheel offered vegan grilled cheese on Sundays, I was a little nervous about seeking out vegan food in a gourmet cheese shop. I had already imagined the eye-rolling response when I sheepishly asked about a vegan option and the ultimate disappointment it was sure to be.

Holy Sheese on a cracker, being wrong never tasted so good.

Not only did the friendly employees at Sacred Wheel not bat an eye when I asked about vegan options, they proceeded to make me the yummiest panini-style grilled Sheese sandwich ever! The shop’s grilled cheese of the day was a mozzarella-style dairy-free cheese with sundried tomato pesto. My beau and I arrived near closing and even though they’d long since sold out of the daily special, they offered us a regular cheddar-style grilled cheese. They had two vegan soups of the day to go along with their “Sunday Vegan Sunday” theme, a tofu tabouli that was amazingly filling and a TBR (tomato soup with PBR!) that was peppery and perfect for sandwich-dipping. We got a cup of soup and a giant sandwich each, which came out to about $20 all together. I happily ate the whole thing while dancing in my chair and humming “Why Can’t We Be Friends.”

The shop is adorable, very well laid-out, and seemingly able to accommodate a lunch rush with a giant picnic table, window/counter seating, and some little tables out front. We were lucky enough to get to chat with the owner, Jena, who was awesome. For being a store that specializes in gourmet cheese, Sacred Wheel has an impressive vegan selection. In addition to a few different kinds of Sheese, Sacred Wheel carries local tofu products made by Oakland’s Hodo Soy. There’s also a whole case of imported oils and a huge assortment of jams, jellies, and mustards.

Jena said she’d ultimately like to offer a vegan option every day, which means we should probably go in every Sunday to remind her that vegans in Oakland are desperate for more lunch options in Temescal. Because if I have to eat another slice of Lanesplitter pizza before it’s too early in the day to justifiably have a beer, I’m going to scream. (And then order a beer.)

Sacred Wheel is located at 4935 Shattuck Ave. in Oakland, Sunday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Courtney Flynn lives in Oakland and spends way too much time inventing vegan recipes, reading science fiction and crocheting hats for her dog Blender. She sometimes remembers to update her blog where she likes to write about food, restaurants and products that don’t suck. This is her second review for us. Thanks, Courtney!

In the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, a Whole Foods is set to take over the a Hi-Lo that currently serves as the neighborhood’s grocery. People got concerned that “Whole Paycheck” would be too expensive for the locals so The Boston Globe did an investigation of pricing at the stores. Results? Whole Foods is average!

Homeboy was thorough:

Some points about methodology: When gathering prices, I did my best to pick similar products at each store, and went for the cheapest option, when available. If stores stocked different quantities of a product, I did the math to be sure I was comparing the same measurements of the same or similar products. Last, while there’s no guarantee that the Jamaica Plains Whole Foods will have the exact same prices as the chain’s other stores in the area, I did check the prices at three different Whole Foods—Beacon Hill, Cambridge, and Symphony—and the pricing was identical at each.

After this first study, people complained that the writer failed to include fruits and veggies, which they insisted were more expensive at Whole Foods. They did a follow-up, turns out that’s not true either:

Fruits and vegetables at Whole Foods can get pricey if you buy the wrong items. But if you’re a smart shopper, buying produce there turns out to be the same as buying produce at the other stores. For example, regular tomatoes at Whole Foods were $3.99 per pound, which is a dollar more than at Stop & Shop, Shaw’s and Foodie’s. But plum tomatoes were generally cheaper at Whole Foods than they were at other stores (Whole Foods, $1.99; Stop & Shop, $2.99; Shaw’s, $2.49; Foodie’s, $1.99). Likewise, while oranges were 50 cents more expensive per pound at Whole Foods, green peppers there were a dollar cheaper than at the other stores. If a shopper happened to be buying tomatoes, oranges and green peppers this week, the price fluctuation at the store would have evened themselves out.

He did note that meat was definitely more expensive at Whole Foods—guess who doesn’t care?! THIS GUY! Meat should be expensive, if there are any attempts to raise the animals responsibly (I know, a ridiculous concept on its own, but you know what I mean). Sorry they don’t sell grade-Z chuck.

An important thing to note about this second investigation is that Hi-Lo apparently doesn’t even sell meat and vegetables anymore. WTF? It’s a sad, far-too-common occurrence. In my opinion, it’s one hell of a good thing that a grocery store where you can actually get vegetables is moving in. Welcome to the neighborhood!