Tweaked Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 So here is the situation... Mom's 70th B-day lunch on Memorial Day Monday...so we are looking for someplace nice...but not overly formal or stuffy. Mom is a somewhat picky eater, struggles with most ethnic food (esp. Mexican/Indian/Asian countries), spicy food, pasta. Sister-in-law is vegan Everyone is staying in the Dupont area, so ideally something close by/walking distance. Suburbs not ideal. We are already hitting Jaleo and Zaytinya during the weekend. Tabard Inn would normally be a great spot for a Mom B-day celebration...but their vegan policy is the "veggie plate" consisting of whatever veggies they have that day. Yawn. Thoughts/suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcs Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Nora might work, but it really has been quite some time since I have eaten there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 I thought about Nora, but I've never heard anything good about the place. Plus it's outside of our price range! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Phor Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Founding Farmers might have a broad enough menu to suit both of your companions. I have been there with vegetarians (although not vegans) who have remarked that there are more choices than they often find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Founding Farmers is a good 15 minutes walk from Dupont though. I think Firefly is the only thing that comes to mind that might fit the bill? Ezme and Agora are on the the vegdc site, but are Turkish/Med cuisine, so maybe out. Other "safer" bets, but probably not as spectacular maybe Pizzeria Paradiso and maybe Ping Pong Dim Sum (although this option is probably not as satisfying for the money spent). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Founding Farmers is in the running. The menu is even handily marked with "v" and "vg" to note the meatless options. I thought of Firely as well. the menu online isn't particularly vegan friendly...but I'll give them a call to see what they can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Is your mother okay with pizza, and is Pizza Paradiso nice enough? They've got some salads without meat, fish, or cheese, and some of the others might be able to be ordered without cheese. The pizzas can be customized, and they also have soy cheese. [Oops. I didn't see PIzza Paradiso mentioned above.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saf Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) Pizza? Paradiso does vegan pizza. Nicer, probably, huh? Firefly? Darlington House? (Obviously left this sitting too long before hitting post!) Edited May 2, 2012 by saf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 pizza is an option...but vegan pizza just seems wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Blume Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 pizza is an option...but vegan pizza just seems wrong! Pizza bianca! Traditionally, it's made simply with garlic, coarse salt, olive oil and herbs. However, two things FWIW: 1) this is a birthday dinner for the 70-year-old mother, not the vegan SIS, so go where you think the guest of honor would be happiest within your price range. Calling Tabard Inn ahead to request something more substantial than an assortment of the day's vegetables for the vegan with suggestions that slightly modify what's already on the menu might work. For example, they offer lentils in soup and as a side dish, I would imagine. Pasta could be made without eggs--even if it means a high-quality packaged, vs. house-made noodle. That's about all you can do for an adult who has most likely been in this situation many, many times before and knows how best to cope. (Give her directions to Amsterdam Falafel for a late lunch beforehand.) 2) Since Nora's not within your price range for a large party, it's off the list. As someone who's eaten there just a few months ago, I can say that even though the restaurant is no longer on anyone's radar--in part, because its insistence on local, organic, seasonal ingredients is now standard vs. innovative--I thoroughly enjoyed a delicious meal. Nothing particularly jazzy, lots of uncomplicated comfort foods somewhere in between Europe, Northern California and Columbus, Ohio, beautifully presented and totally not scary. Plus, I really wished I had the stand-out vegan option that Don raved about elsewhere: an exquisite tofu hot pot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Honestly, I wish I could just tell the sister-in-law to suck it up this one time. But that's not going to work. I spoke to Tabard Inn already. They told me that the only vegan specific item they do is the veg plate and the rest of the menu isn't vegan friendly. They were quite matter-of fact about it and I didn't feel like arguing with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Is Clyde's in Georgetown to far to go? It is far from my favorite Clyde's location but the food is solid, if uninspired. They have a hummus app, plus lots of salads. I've never been to Urbana but I've always been intrigued. Their lunch menu loos like it has decent options. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genevieve Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 It'd be worth calling Urbana and asking them - it's a pleasant place to have a meal, your mother would probably like it, and Urbana could tell you if the minestrone is vegan, if the eggplant sandwich would be vegan if the goat cheese was omitted, if the "market pizza" could be done cheeseless, etc. SIL could have hummos, olives, and the fancy field greens salad for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsdc Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 The key will be finding out what restaurants will be open on Memorial Day, and what hours, if so. Since most businesses will be closed, a lot of places could also be closed or have reduced hours. For a 70th Bday, I'm trying to think of places that may have some sort of uniqueness or difference to them. Note: I'm used to perusing menus for picky eaters and for my own allergies and the places I've mentioned have at least some items that are vegetarian and may be vegan, but would of course have to be verified. (You should see how difficult it is to find a restaurant to suit my family--we've got several allergies, picky eaters, vegan, gluten intolerance, fructose intolerance... !) Kramer Books & Afterwords has quite a variety on their extensive menu. It's not "nice" per se, but definitely a unique experience and may suit all diners. It's also right in the heart of Dupont. Another restaurant in Dupont is Scion. South of Dupont on Connecticut is Casa Nonna, which has much more than pasta and something may appeal to your Mom. Further south on Connecticut is The Mayflower Hotel Cafe Promenade. It's the Mayflower, need I say more? A little west of Dupont is Hudson at 21st & M. Further west of Dupont and very European-like, is Bread & Chocolate at 23rd & M. And there is a Hotel across the street from Hudson that I can't recall the name, but there is a restaurant within that is supposed to be very good with a nice variety. I'll try to remember to look tomorrow when I'm driving in to work. ETA-a bit east of Dupont, Logan Tavern and The Commissary. I can't access the menus right now and haven't been to the latter, but the former was able to accommodate my family--and every one was happy. Now that is a tall order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 The advantage to the holiday is that some places that don't normally offer brunch might be offering brunch. This sounds like something that's going to require a bunch of phone calls, but the upside to that is it might be better for determining how far a place will go to offer vegan fare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saf Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 You know, Equinox is close. They do nice, and they do vegetarian stuff. Worth asking if they do vegan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 I'm guessing that Turkish would be out because Ezme has their menu labelled so you can quickly see what is vegan and what isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 It can't hurt to call Ris and Blue Duck Tavern, unless they're out of your price range, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 wow you guys are great! Equinox and Firefly are on my call list today. several restaurants are closed for lunch on that day...like the Tabard Inn (who had to call me back to tell me that they are indeed closed that day for lunch, after they said they would be open...yeah Tabard Inn you are not scoring many points on this one!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 like the Tabard Inn (who had to call me back to tell me that they are indeed closed that day for lunch, after they said they would be open...yeah Tabard Inn you are not scoring many points on this one!) Man, I'd be exactly the opposite - props to Tabard for actually calling you right back rather than waiting until that weekend or having you show up to closed doors... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaked Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 Man, I'd be exactly the opposite - props to Tabard for actually calling you right back rather than waiting until that weekend or having you show up to closed doors... That is true...they could have not called at all. But they weren't making the cut anyway, due to the dreaded "vegetable plate" ok, folks...so here is the verdict: Equinox closed, Firefly closed, Tabard Inn closed...basically, Monday lunch on Memorial Day not a happening time for restaurants. We have a reservation for Founding Farmers, who will be serving their brunch menu...with a seperate vegan menu. That's about as good as it is going to get! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmoomau Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Bless their hearts, my goodness you have a lot of patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genevieve Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 We have a reservation for Founding Farmers, who will be serving their brunch menu...with a seperate vegan menu. That's about as good as it is going to get! That sounds like an excellent choice. Kudos to you for going to so much trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now