|
The (Non-Dairy) Cream of the Crop: #4 PORTLAND, OREGON
Every neighborhood in this funky little corner of the Pacific Northwest offers an abundance of options for the adventurous eater. In Portland, a place described more like a large town than a small city, veggie and vegan living is as common as rainfall. Best of all, a healthy meal won't leave you penniless. Portland is quickly becoming America's darling, and the young hipsters who inhabit this city are also super-sweet to animals. Vegetarians in Portland are as plentiful as celebrities in Beverly Hills-and they're happy and well-fed, thanks to the city's many vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurants.
It's easy to plan your day around food in the City of Roses. For breakfast, try Purple Parlor, North Portland's best kept secret. Want an affordable and filling breakfast served anytime? Then head to the lively Belmont neighborhood and Paradox Palace Café; if their vegan, four grain pancakes don't make you an instant fan, then the fun, retro diner-style décor will. Nearby, cozy Daydream Café makes delicious soy hot cocoa and fresh pastries.
Local health food store owners smile at sales of vegetarian food products like Gimme Lean and scrumptious Celebration Roasts. For groceries, drive up Hawthorne Blvd. to discover Daily Grind's extensive bulk section and fresh produce. For more bulk items, walk over to the Clinton neighborhood, where intimate People's Co-op will not disappoint. In northwest, Food Front Co-op is worth the trip alone for its vegan German chocolate and carrot cakes. For those who enjoy shopping at larger stores to save money, Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, and local favorite Nature's NW are nearby and useful for everyday items.
Lunch and dinner choices will leave you astounded by the variety of veggie entrees. Try the vegan lasagna at Vita Café, in the heart of the Alberta Arts District. The Vita Café may very well have the best vegan home-style American grub in the country. Check out the vegan nachos or the veggie-chicken fried steak as well! Blink and you'll miss Divine Café, an all-veggie food cart across from the Lloyd Center Mall. Laughing Planet is burrito central in trendy Belmont, or go across the street to It's a Beautiful Pizza, which will substitute tofu in place of meat. Along Hawthorne are Cup and Saucer, Café Lena, and Taco Del Mar's excellent vegan burritos for less than $4. Across the Willamette in Old Town, Dogs Dig is open weekdays for on-the-go folks who'd rather eat and run. Also near the river is Aesop's Tables, a quiet storefront offering simple, healthy sandwiches and sidewalk tables for people watching. Got kids? Then you're in luck at Old Wives' Tale, which, in addition to their hearty soup and salad buffet, provides a private room for families with youngsters. In downtown or heading for the burbs, vegan Asian food rules. You'll find Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, and Japanese restaurants with an awesome selection of vegan food, staff that is helpful when you tell them you are vegan, and choices in every price range.
And finally, night birds fear not. Coffee Time on NW 21st Ave. has your late night java fix covered. Open until until 3 a.m., you can enjoy a hot beverage, vegan brownies, and play chess long into the chilly night. This is only a sample of what Portland has to offer. Many other restaurants are veggie-friendly and will be happy to accommodate vegetarian palates.
DAYDREAM CAFÉ
1740 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland, OR
503-233-4244
PARADOX PALACE CAFE
3439 SE Belmont
Portland, OR
503-232-7508
LAUGHING PLANET CAFÉ
3320 SE Belmont Ave
Portland, OR 97214
503-235-6472
CAFÉ LENA
2239 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland, Oregon 97214
503-238-7087
OLD WIVES TALE
1300 E. Burnside
Portland, Oregon
503-238-0470
CUP AND SAUCER CAFÉ
3566 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland, Oregon 97214-5142
503-236-6001
VITA CAFE
3024 NE Alberta Street
Portland, OR
503-335-8233
DOG'S DIG
212 NW Davis
Portland, OR
503-223-3362
THE PURPLE PARLOR
3560 N. Mississippi Avenue
Portland, OR
503-281-3560
|
