Blue Dog Kitchen

If you're looking for a quaint, almost hidden, place to grab a bite to eat, Blue Dog Kitchen & Coffeehouse is your spot. Located on the northern end of the Ave in the University District, this restaurant doesn't get too busy and is a great place to study with their new addition of wireless Internet. Although I don't recommend this restaurant for vegans at breakfast (they have extremely limited options) they do, however have a great selection for your midday meal.

Blue Dog serves both hot and cold sandwiches and surprisingly there are more than one vegan options. Salads are also available, but my favorite is their ginger kale soup. Take your pick with a soy lavender chai and you have a tasty, animal-free meal.

Blue Dog Kitchen
5247 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 632-5132

Pike Place Chowder

Chowder and vegan normally aren't used in the same sentence, or even next to each other. However, today's special at Pike Place Chowder was just that, vegan chowder.

At this quick-serve restaurant at the market, they are well known for their chowder and have won numerous awards, and once I was informed that they served vegan chowder, I knew I had to stop in. Luckily I came in on a day where the special was just that, although some websites made it seem like they carried it every day.

Their vegan chowder is made with coconut milk, lime and veggies such as green beans and potatoes. It was very tasty and tangy, which went well with the sourdough roll that was included. Although $6 for a 12oz bowl might seem a bit high, it is worth it. Plus, if you end up falling in love with it, you can buy a gallon for $89.95.

So drop by the market and check them out, although you may want to call ahead to check if it's available.

Pike Place Chowder
1530 Post Alley
Seattle, WA
206.267.2537
http://www.pikeplacechowder.com

Originally I went to this restaurant because of their soup reviews. However, the night I chose to dine there, they weren't serving soup. Normally this wouldn't be too much of a problem, but I was at a fairly authentic Italian restaurant. Everything on the menu contained meat, cheese, milk and/or cream. Luckily, the waiter was very concerned about my dining experience and was able to talk to the chef who agreed to whip me up something special.

I snacked on some olive tapenade while awaiting my mystery dish. Soon a large pasta plate was presented heaping with bow-tie pasta, snow peas, pomegranate seeds, red and yellow peppers, and olive oil. It turns out that Brad's Swingside Cafe is a locally-owned restaurant that uses local and organic produce. The dish was delicious! Plus, the meal was completed when Brad appeared with shots of sambuca.

This dish might not be available at all times, but I'm sure they would add it if enough people asked. So if you don't see something on the menu that suits your dietary needs, just ask.

Brad's Swingside Cafe

4212 Fremont Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 633-4057

Veg-friendly Eating Out

Greetings everyone! Due to my love for trying new restaurants and cuisines yet still staying eco-friendly and animal free, I've decided to blog my experiences to share with other like-minded folk. Veganism and dining out normally don't go together unless we're talking about an all vegan restaurant, which are limited in numbers. However, options are out there; sometimes it just means asking the cook to be creative.

I hope you enjoy and try some new eateries or, even better, suggest some for me to try.

Regards,
M.