2023 November Newsletter

NEW SPOT reviews

The Vegan Factory: Linden, NJ

Dominican Vegan food! Do I really need to say anything else? Seasoning on 1,000. Didn’t taste like anything I have had before. I am rethinking driving to NY overnight. Respectfully, I do not go to Jersey on purpose. I only pass through to get to NY and pass through to come back to VA. Coordinating grabbing a bite at the Vegan Factory is now a part of my planning process. It is a hefty price to pay. During this day drive home I spent 2 hours in traffic.

Vegan Pineapple Cake

The Amazing Burger : 2 homemade patties (black-bean soy beef) with cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and The Vegan Factory's amazing sauce, served on a brioche bun.

Chopped Cheese : Melty, cheesy mix of ground beef, cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mayo and ketchup on a toasted bun.

Naked lunCH: FaIRFAX, VA

Located inside of Mom’s Grocery Store in select locations.

Black Bean Burger - Turtle black beans, brown rice, sweet potato, green onions, and cabbage on a spelt bun with melted cheddar and guacamole. Tasting the difference with the house made patty. Surprisingly enjoyed the pretzels with no salt.

Berry Waffle - Served only from 9am - 10:30am. This waffles was underwhelming. The texture was promising however, there was zero flavor. Blueberries are not my favorite. I struggled piling on the syrup to no avail. It looks way better than it taste.

Busboy and Poets: Shirlington, Va

Old Spot new menu items. Tofu scramble was bland better with pepper or jelly. Vegan “Bolognese” Pasta is a regular favorite me. The vegan steak and rice was good however, I am unable to find information about it online. I tried it at the DC location at 14th and V.

RiCHMOND, VA

THE HOP makes its own vegan cheese and it taste better than any store bought cheese. They have mastered the NY thin and crispy bottom. They also have a secret vegan meat ball sandwich. The do not sell by the slice and the pies are upward of $25.

MosaIc DISTRICT: FaIRFAX

Rasa

Caul Me Maybe : tofu + cauliflower | peanut sesame sauce | lemon turmeric rice | sauteed spinach | cucumber cubes | masala beets | coriander chili | sunflower seeds. Tried one of the several vegan options. I think I tried too many new things at one time. Although I finished my food I could taste the healthy. I plan to try a smoother combination next time. I really pushed it with the beets.

JINYA

Yuzu flavored Hot and Sour soup; tofu, sauteed bamboo shoot, simmered shiitake mushroom, cilantro, chili thread, chili oil and lime >> served with thick noodles. Spicy and delish. Jinya offers training chopsticks for beginners.

Playa Bowls

Power Bowl: Playa Acai with chocolate protein topped with granola, banana, peanut butter. First time trying one of these bowls. Gave me the chills, peered well with the peanuts butter. Sort of like eating a smoothy. Menu is extensive.

POFFY: Mosaic District

This location is one of its kind. Exciting to find a place that is not a chain. The options are pancakes or waffles. The pancakes are too gooey in the center for my liking. The waffles are just right. Both options are diabetes inducing. Consider drinking a detox tea after or splitting the dessert with a friend to minimize sugar intake.

strawberry fiesta - strawberry flavor biscoff and chocolate chips filling, topped with chocolate sauce, oreo crunch and strawberries!

oreo berry crunchout - oreo flavor with biscoff filling, topped with chocolate sauce, maple syrup, oreo crunch and strawberries!

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Cool CAT Cupcakes: FedERicksburg, VA

The dark chocolate strawberry cupcake is 10 out of 10 minus nothing. I tried the oreo cupcake and it did not compare. Very adorable atmosphere. Looking forward to visiting again and trying other flavors.

Cinnaholic grand opening: Stafford, VA

Since grand opening we have been to visit three times. The service is slow the buns are good. Not pictured are the brownies which I found too indulgent, the chocolate chip cookie (average), the cinnadoodle basically snickerdoodle cookie, amazing. It is a tad sweet so I eat half at a time and drink with tea.

Simple classic flavor. Just enough to get a small taste, share and not feel guilty.

Shake Rattle and Roll - Peanut butter frosting topped with homemade peanut butter cups, fresh bananas and pretzels. Gifted to a friend.

Custom Roll - Peanut butter frosting and oreos. Issa’s choice. The first bite is good then after a few bites the peanut butter is over powering. Needs less icing or more toppings.

Custom Roll - Strawberry frosting and fresh strawberries. Light and tasty.

Chocolate frosting and oreo pieces. Issa’s choice. Better then peanut butter and oreo roll.

Campfire S;mores - Marshmallow frosting topped with graham cookies, marshmallows & chocolate sauce. I ate it all in one sitting! The marshmallows were most enjoyable.

The Difference baker: LeEsburg, va

The waffle taste like a funnel cake! I was surprised and overjoyed. They sell frozen waffles so you can make one at home. We also had the vegan breakfast sandwich. I prefer the waffle over the fake egg. Although sandwich taste fine I kept thinking, “What is this?'“

The waffle taste like a funnel cake! I was suprised. They also sell itt frozen so you can make one at home. We also had the vegan breakfast sandwich. I rather the waffle than the fake egg. Although it taste fine I kept thinking what is this.

Cookies and Cream Donut: With these cake like donuts as soon as you begin to like it, its finished. My only complaint is it is they are too small.

spice SuitE: MUSIC, FARMERS MarKET, Food trucks

We love the Spice Suite. It is in a class of its own. The tiny spice shop I first wrote about in 2021 has grown into what is now considered a DC outdoor mall. There is a party for the first and last farmers market hosted by the owner Angel. I attended both. The farmers market grand closing was amazing. Many attendees brought their kids and which was comforting because sometimes the weekend fun is not family friendly. The event took place on a Sunday thus creating the ultimate Sunday funday vibe.

There was a live performance by Backyard and Prince Issa had a prime time seat. We enjoyed food from the Legendary food truck. The meal came with lemonade and vegan chocolate chip cookies.

We enjoyed the burger so much we bought the Legendary Burger at the grocery store and tried to recreate the experience. The burger I prepared at home lacked flavor and cheese sauce. I haven’t quite mastered how to make a great at home Legendary burger.

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Thanks for Reading

Next Month .. snack reviews and detailed recipes.