We’re back…

Sorry for the hiatus, everyone. While on vacation back in September, I broke my foot in three places and have spent the weeks since then learning strategies for maneuvering on crutches and expediting the healing process. Thanks to my efforts (and those of a terrific physical therapist), I’m almost back to normal. So we’ll get back into posting ASAP.

So here’s a true tale of serendipity. I spent two days in Lisbon before flying back to the States, and it was a sad affair. Instead of the planned sightseeing and city tours, I was laid up in the hotel for most of that time. Using crutches is hard enough, but using crutches on sidewalks with centuries-old cobblestones is even more of a challenge. I stayed in our hotel’s lounge while my cousin went out to see the city sights. She came back and reported that there was one restaurant close to the hotel, and she thought it was near enough that I could make it on crutches. “I don’t know what kind of restaurant it is and whether they have anything for you though,” she said.

We decided to try it. After a herculean effort on my part, we made it to the restaurant door. What kind of restaurant was it?

I laughed out loud. And enjoyed a heaping plate from the buffet:

When in Lisbon, check out Green Pepper at 14 Avenida José Malhoa. They made my day.

Zudaka: healthy Latin food in Boulder

Zudaka at 4457 N. Broadway in Boulder

One of the best things about the Colorado town of Boulder is the wealth of terrific restaurants featuring ethnic cuisine from all over the world. Even better, Boulder is a veg-friendly town, so many of these restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan fare. Fabulous. But Zudaka and its Latin dishes stand out, even from this illustrious crowd. This little restaurant offers vegetarian and vegan Venezuelan and Colombian traditional foods. And it’s damn good. Check out the Zudaka menu.

I tried the hallequitas: two Venezuelan tamales served with black beans, fresh salsa, guasa, and an arepita (a small corn cake). The ingredients were fresh and delightfully spiced, and it was a real treat to enjoy a vegan tamale. We’ll have to track down a recipe…

Hallequitas at Zudaka: Venezuelan tamales with black beans, fresh salsa, guasa, and an arepita

Whenever I find an amazing restaurant that caters to a special niche audience, I can’t help but wonder whether the establishment will make it. I think we’ve all felt the disappointment of driving to a favorite restaurant while anticipating a delicious meal and pulling into the parking lot only to find vacated premises. If you’re in the Boulder area, please visit and support Zudaka. It’s a treasure, and we need more restaurants like this one.

A visit to the all-vegan Vegetarian House in Portland

I recently traveled to Portland on business and had some time to kill before the big evening event. Of course I visited Powell’s books (it took all of my willpower to leave the cookbook aisle without an armload of new acquisitions), and then I headed back to my hotel a few miles away on foot. It was a cold, damp, windy, dreary day, and just as I was starting to think how wonderful a hot drink and a bite to eat would be, I saw this:

The all-vegan Vegetarian House restaurant in Portland

 

The waitperson was friendly, the tea was hot, and the tasty all-vegan lunch buffet was $7.  Enough said. When in Portland, pay this little establishment a visit.