My Favorite Restaurant: Plant

Plant is amazing!  I used to live in southern California where vegan restaurants are as common as mullets are in east TN.  I really missed the great vegan food when I moved here and had to learn how to cook many different kinds of vegan dishes so that my husband and I would not starve. 

Plant restaurant opened up in Asheville, NC a few years back and has blown me away. Fresh local veggies- yes!  Everything vegan- yes!  Homemade vegan ice cream- yes!  Great ambiance- yes!  If you live in Johnson City or Asheville you should definitely make your way over to Plant.  Sometimes they will have meals where some of the proceeds go towards animal sanctuaries :) Helping animals- yes!

Last week John took me to Plant for my birthday.  I had the following:

Appetizer: SMOKED HUMMUS- cucumber salad · roasted garlic bulb · pickled peppadew · grilled house bread   
(I make hummus all the time and it NEVER comes out as tasty as Plant's. Drool!)

Meal: HAZELNUT CRUSTED SEITAN- truffled cauliflower • Brussels & romesco • pickled haricot vert • shiitake bacon.   (This was ahhhhmazing. My husband usually wrinkles his nose up at cauliflower and I could not stop him from sneaking bites from my plate!)

Dessert: Pumpkin Cheesecake- almond crust · ginger snap pumpkin seeds ·  chai caramel · maple-pecan ice cream (So delish. I wanted to lick my plate but we were in public so I had to sit on my hands to stop myself. In LOVE with the maple-pecan ice cream).

I am actually salivating looking at this picture.

If you are veg curious or newly veg and want to try local vegetarian/vegan restaurants www.happycow.net is a great place to start. Type in your location to find local veggie restaurants.  Check the "stars" to see ratings (happy cow actually rates by cow heads but I didn't want to confuse you before clarifying). We use it all the time when traveling to find vegan friendly places.

If you are ever in Asheville, western NC, or east TN- treat yourself to Plant! Check out their website if you want to read about a fabulous restaurant - http://plantisfood.com/menu/

Some other recommendations if you go to Plant:

Entres I like:

RED CURRY TOFU- jasmine rice & kaffir lime cakes · teriyaki broccoli & Thai basil ·  galangal-peanut curry · arugula  (this is spicy!)

JERK char broiled seitan · smashed sweet potatoes · sautéed collards · spicy serrano crudo · fried banana & celtic salt (this is spicy!)

WILD FOREST-  maitake & beech · smoked-jalapeño mashed Yukon · herbed vegetables · ciabatta · micros

Desserts:

Cannolo- handmade anise shell • candied orange ricotta • warm espresso puddle • mocha ice cream

Ice Cream (my fave flavors)- maple-pecan, mint, peanut butter crackle