VegiTerranean!

Yay! We made it there during open hours. The food was wonderful and completely worth the drives. Both drives- even the time they were closed. It was a snowy, cold day.

The restaurant has a kind of industrial/white table cloth vibe. Very crisp and clean. Considering the fact that it's in Akron (which is historically a rubber/steel city), they really did a terrific job being part of the environment. There are pictures of vegan actors and musicians displayed and an elegant, yet comfortable monochromatic feeling.

Lunch is served from 11-3 Monday through Friday. We started with the Italian Banana Peppers filled with Fresh Herb Risotto and Soy Mozzarella with Fresh Basil Lime Sauce. These really weren't my thing, but my husband loved them. I could tell they were prepared well, I'm just not crazy about that kind of pepper texture. It's me.

Then we both had a cup of soup. Honest, they didn't serve it to me sloppy looking like that. I'd eaten some before I took the picture. It's Minestrone alla Genovese. It was really tomatoey and had a good balance of spices.





Jim got the "Tuscan Garden Steak Panini." It was good...and came with a delicious side salad with olives, chick peas and tomatoes and some kind of Italian style dressing. (This sounds like one of their appetizers for dinner, if you add feta and crustini on the side).




My "Rockin' Burger" was the very best thing we ordered. The menu says it's a veggie burger from the famous "Corky's". I'm a little stymied by that, but googled it and found that there is a Corky's restaurant in Canton that serves a vegan burger... it may be the same and it may not. It came with red onion, balsamic ketchup and a side salad with an amazing aged balsamic dressing. The bun was whole wheat and really soft, but didn't fall apart at all. Yeah, I was impressed. We both agreed that it was the best vegan burger we'd ever had.

The Bakery had 2 pies: an apple and a strawberry rhubarb which looked the same except for the filling. The only thing this place needs is a kick-ass vegan baker, and it would really be stellar. As it is, I'm not complaining. Well, maybe I am just a little-I wish it were closer to us. It's an hour and a half drive.

They were pretty busy for a Monday lunch and while the menu is vegan, it isn't intimidating for meat eaters. I'd guess the majority of the people in the restaurant were omni, judging from the conversations we overheard.... and the fur and leather coats which abounded. But that's ok, at least they were trying something new and supporting the place. (Look at me! I'm a little ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Or trying to be. I have a good attitude about people wearing animal skins.)

Here are a few more pictures. I didn't take any of the dining room because of the other customers and the flash. They're open for lunch from 11- 3 Monday through Friday and for dinners starting at 5. They only serve dinner on Saturday. This purple in the Bakery/Coffee Shop is the only real color I saw, except for the flowers on the table. You can see part of the patio, too. It would be wonderful in the summer!



There are a couple of art galleries nearby but they weren't open when we were there. I've also heard that Akron has a great art museum, too.

The servers and hostess were wonderfully friendly and someone from the kitchen brought out one of dishes and also made small talk. Everyone was really warm.

I can't wait to go back for dinner! I'm still regretting the fact that we didn't get the Tuscan Fries with Rosemary Soy Butter and Tofu Ricotta that "Chrissie promises are the best fries you've ever had." I'm thinking they're the best fries that I didn't have. Next time.

Check out the menus. Lunch first. The bottom four scans are dinner.