Sam I Am: A Taste of the East Coast

So when you have a dog with separation anxiety (like I do), you stop being able to eat at restaurants where dogs aren't welcome. Thank God I live in north county San Diego, one of the most dog friendly areas around, and thank God it's Southern California and the temperature rarely dips below 50.

In my quest for quiet patios with good food, I have discovered Sam's Pizzeria. Sam's is a sweet little family owned restaurant in Del Mar with a view of an estuary and the ocean. I didn't have very high expectations the first time I went. I was just excited to be out of the house, with Bounder in tow, of course. But one bite of the lasagna converted me.

As if it wasn't enough to find a vegetarian lasagna on an affordable restaurant's menu, the sauce was perfectly seasoned. The cheese was delicious. And the meal came with garlic bread. I was sold.

While the location makes it impossible to forget you are in California, the food at Sam's reminds me of home. The food is hearty and delicious. The homemade salad dressing is perfectly seasoned and the garlic bread isn't greasy. My favorite dishes? The vegetarian lasagna, the pesto ravioli, and the manicotti.

I have to say that, for calling itself a pizzeria, Sam's pizza isn't the best. The crust is very light and airy, which can be nice, but something about the crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings just doesn't work. For pizza, I'll still stick with Oggi's.

Ode to Oggi's

I love California. Great Mexican food, palm trees, ocean, fabulous weather. But I love pizza. And I'm from the East Coast. If you've ever been to California, you know that the Golden State is NOT known for good pizza.

In fact, California pizza is almost always disappointing. I go in with high expectations and am consistently let down. So I have made it my mission to find fabulous pizza on the west coast.

And about a month ago, I found my current favorite pizza place, Oggi's Pizza and Brewing Company.

Oggi's (pronounced O-gee's) is a chain of pizza places in San Diego and Arizona. My favorite location is in Encinitas on Encinitas Blvd.

What I love about Oggi's:

• The crust--I've tried both regular and thin and the crust is well made, not salty, and tasted like the East Coast pizza I dream about.
• The sauce--Tomato sauce or garlic and olive oil. Either way, you can't go wrong. Well spiced and proportioned correctly.
• The options--Oggi's offers a multitude of toppings and, most importantly, cheeses.

What I order: Regular crust, no mozarella, gouda, green peppers, red onions, and fresh basil. I can't get sick of this pizza.

Recently, I tried the thin crust with garlic and olive oil sauce, parmesan and mozarella, basil, tomatoes, and green peppers. Totally delicious, especially when dipped in my homemade marinara.

photo courtesy discoversd.com

Oggi's is also a brewery, which makes it top on my list. Amazing beers always served in frosty glasses makes for a great experience. I love the Sunset Amber but have enjoyed the Light Lager as well.

The quest will continue--There is a New York style pizza place down the street from my apartment I plan to brave soon!

PS-- Meet the new member of my family, Bounder :-) (He's clearly a Steelers fan!)

Red Oak Cafe: You Can OTY Me Anytime

If you're familiar with Pittsburgh's "other" downtown, Oakland, then you're probably familiar with the  Red Oak Café. If you're not, it's time to get hip. This little joint caters to vegphiles, college students (it's located right in the heart of the University of Pittsburgh's urban campus), and the UPMC doctor crowd.

This restaurant is my savior when I’m desperate for fast, quality food. It’s within walking distance of my office building, and is the location-of-choice for nearly all of my weekday lunch dates.

The prices here rival those of the nearby Panera, but the menu offers an extensive selection of fresh and interesting food items. The seasonal menu features rotating blue plate specials (of both vegetarian and omnivorous varieties), a broad range of vegetarian options, and organic and natural prepared foods and beverages. They will even cater to a vegan diet upon request!

They serve breakfast all day, and sell a trademark OTY Smoothies (Oatmeal Tea and Yogurt Smoothies) in numerous iterations. The OTY is so popular (or at least so extensively marketed) that you can even get an OTY t-shirt. The ambiance is cute when it’s not super crowded: tables are decorated with flowers, herb plants grace the windowsill, and there are pictures of Pittsburgh everywhere!

My Red Oak Café Lunch Favorites Are:

The Vegetarian Chili and Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

The Michelangelo (a breakfast sandwich piled high with of spinach and mushrooms on multi-grain bread) and Fresh Fruit

The place gets pretty packed during lunchtime, so beware. However, if you're hungry in Oakland, check it out. Red Oak will provide a much needed alternative to the other heavy, greasy options of Forbes Avenue.

Maniacs Love Pizza

Though I’m sure there are many worthy establishments in Ogunquit, Maine deserving of a spot on Veggie Horizons, there was one restaurant that I simply must share: La Pizzeria.  

I know. A pizza joint? With all the lobster and other exotic (for Yinzers) fare, I’m going to write about a place with a name as uninspiring as La Pizzeria? Yes. I am. Because it was amazing.

One look at their menu (and the intimidating ladies gracing its cover) will tell you that this place is legit. The owner, at least according to a thorough interview conducted by my boyfriend’s mother, hails from Naples and really makes Neoplitan Style Pizza! The pies are not Americanized, watered-down versions of pizza. They are the real deal.

The ambiance of the summer evening was lovely. Our group of five (a mix of vegetarians and omnivores) enjoyed a fantastic meal on the restaurant’s front deck. The outdoor dining spot came replete with mood lighting and a charming view of the quaint shops and bustling tourist traffic of Ogunquit’s Main Street.

The table ordered Gennaro’s Pesto Chicken Pizza, the Prosciutto and Fresh Basil pie, the classic Margherita Pizza, and the White Clam Pizza.

All guests, veg heads and meat eaters alike, loved the food. From personal experience, I can attest to the fact that both the Margherita and the White Clam Pizza left absolutely nothing to desire. They were perfect. The dough was fresh and the sauce was fabulous. Unlike many American joints, La Pizzeria did not go overboard with either garlic or toppings, allowing the ingredients to both remain distinct, and blend together harmoniously.

I know that I haven’t yet discovered a place in the Burgh that can compete with La Pizzeria, and I’m already missing it. If I was going again I would definitely try the Vegetarian Pizza. Oh yeah, and they offer a gluten free pizza! Gotta love Maine!

Maine is for Maniacs: Lobster, Blueberries, and the Ocean

Hello Readers! I know you’ve just been dying to hear me spout off some plant-based musings, but I’ve spent the last week journeying about in a blog-less tundra, bereft of both cell phone towers and high speed internet connections. Yes, I was braving the wilderness of the Maine coastline. (And by wilderness, I mean the 130 year old hotel that charged for internet service– Who does that?)

Anyway, J- and I were swept up in his sister’s fabulous wedding ceremony on the southern Maine coast, and spent more than a couple of days ravaging the local cuisine. And while the steady hum of the turquoise waves was distracting, fret not, because I was thinking of Veggie Horizons the entire time, and have some delights to share.

I learned two things in the stunning down of Ogunquit, Maine:
1.) There is seafood everywhere, and
2.) The short growing season produces one fantastic crop of fresh blueberries.

I have to admit that I loved eating all of the Maine seafood. even though my relationship with ocean animals is a bit complicated. Generally, I don’t eat them. Fish and shellfish are smart, have personalities, form complicated social structures, feel pain, fear and lots of other things.  Additionally, harvesting fish and shellfish often causes serious environmental devastation, which is increasing in scale every year.

However, citing my pledge to eat in a way that is also kind to humans, I ate some seafood. And it was good. Even great! Specifically, I ate lots of clam and lobster. The restaurants that served these delicacies were able to verify the local, ethical sourcing, thus leaving me to face the emotional consequences of eating the little lobster and clam bodies without worrying so much about the environmental impact.

On a more guiltless note, Maine is known for wild, fresh blueberries, which appeared on Ogunquit’s menus in the form of ice cream, pastries, cocktails, sauces, and just about everything else (including the wedding cake).

In bustling center of the seaside town, The Wild Blueberry Café and Bistro pays homage to the blueberry with a full menu featuring blueberry dishes, crepes, lobster rolls, and elegant, blueberry-themed décor. The place exudes coastal charm, is replete with friendly staff, and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They even have their own special blend of coffee from a Portland micro roaster, Coffee by Design, to complement all of their meals.

Bell'Amazing

I recently started a new job in the Clairemont area of San Diego. The best part? Discovering the restaurants in the area!

Earlier this week, I stumbled across (via my smartphone) the Bell'Agio Ristorante and Bakery. Located in a small strip mall, the Bell'Agio seems unassuming and not at all what it is: a beautifully decorated, wonderful establishment with great wine and food.

Photo Courtesy of Bell'Agio

The restaurant has gone through several owner/operator changes, one recently, so I can't attest to what the food was like before. Currently, Executive Chef Pablo Rios and Chef Ramiro Sanchez have a "deconstruction" approach to food. Meaning that, when we ordered bruschetta, each ingredient was brought to our table in separate dishes. The crostini was separate from the tomatoes, basil and garlic pesto spread, and mozzarella cheese. The deconstruction food movement is fairly new and trendy, which means I usually steer clear. But Bell'Agio did an amazing job!

What we ordered:

• Bruschetta
• Eggplant & Sweet Vidalia Onion Bruscetta
• Margherita pizza
• Pansotti Alla Bisanzio House Specialty
• 5 desserts. No kidding. Read on.

So the bruschettas were incredible. The deconstruction method of presentation made the food not at all greasy and perfectly proportioned, since I had control over the food. I am not a big fan off eggplant, but I absolutely LOVED the eggplant bruschetta. The margherita pizza was good, though I have had better. I particularly enjoyed the sauce and the freshness of the basil. The Pansotti Alla Bisanzio was particularly special. It's described on the menu as "baked pillow pasta stuffed with spinach ricotta topped with melted mozzarella cheese, traditional marinara, and fresh basil." When it is delivered, it is actually just two "pillows." Definitely not large portions. But the quality was incredible and the pasta and filling was unlike anything I had ever tasted.

Photo Courtesy of Bell'Agio

Of course, after splitting these small portions between two people, we wanted dessert. And two just weren't enough. SO...we kept ordering and ended up sampling the entire dessert menu, which consists of:

• Bananas Foster Creme Brule
• Tiramisu
• Cheesecake
• Chocolate Lava Cake
• Sorbet Martini

My favorites were the creme brule and the cheesecake. The bananas foster creme brule was made with flambeed bananas, a completely new experience that I really enjoyed. And the cheesecake was really special, a kind of citrus taste with a raspberry glaze and a great crust.

My only complaint is the amount of meat dishes versus veggie. It wasn't terrible, but definitely not a completely veggie friendly restaurant. I definitely recommend Bell'Agio! The food was incredible and the staff was great! (Our server, Luke, was wonderful!)

Las Obsession

Good morning from the west coast!

I thought I'd share my current favorite meal. As I said before, I still eat fish (Nichole doesn't). So I am always in search of really fresh, well prepared fish meals. And let me tell you, my quest has led me to some pretty terrifyingly (deep-fried) disgustingness that I suppose was fish at sometime in its life. This is especially true when it comes to fish in Mexican food.

And then, a miracle.

A few years ago on a trip to California, a friend took me to Las Olas, a Mexican restaurant in the North County San Diego area. I fell in love with the margaritas (their cadillac is to die for), and their warm corn tortillas. A couple of weeks after I moved out here, I started going back. And I was brave. I ordered the char-broiled fish taco platter. And I never looked back. I have had this meal at least once a week since.

Included in the meal:

• Charbroiled fish with carmelized onions
• 3 lime wedges
• Your choice of two of three: rice, beans, and/or Mexican cole-slaw
• Guacamole
• Pico de gallo
• Corn tortillas
• And the real kicker...yogurt salsa. Absolutely to die for.

If you're ever in San Diego, you MUST go to Las Olas. There are two locations: one in old town Carlsbad and one right on the beach in Cardiff-by-the-sea.

Carrie

The Last Thing We Ate Together Was...

Pamela's Diner

Mt. Lebanon location; Pittsburgh, PA

July 10, 2011

Nichole: spinach and feta omelette, rye toast, short stack of hotcakes, lyonnaise potatoes (which Carrie ate)

Carrie: Chocolate chip banana hotcakes

Coast to Coast: A Vegetarian Love Song

Welcome to our blog!

So...who we are, and why you should read our blog (besides the fact that you are our friends or you have no life.)

We're both vegetarians (me recently, Nichole for longer.) We love food. We love to write. So, we're going to write about food. I recently moved to Southern California and Nichole is still in Pittsburgh for now, so our perspectives on food culture, vegetarianism, and the best damn food we've ever eaten will be varied and (hopefully) exciting and interesting.

Nichole and I met in a college writing class at the University of Pittsburgh. We were both creative writing majors with a clothes addiction and serious opinions that we felt the need to express all of the time. It was only a matter of time before witty class banter turned into coffee dates and one very awesome dinner date in which Nichole made the best cauliflower soup I have ever had.

I'll let Nichole tell you about her cultural food background, but here's mine:

My family is quite a mix of European nationalities. We like to tout our French heritage, but really we're mostly German and English. Like most families, we have those recipes that everyone in the family makes and no one can tell you where they originated. Pasties make sense: a fluffly British pastry filled with meat, potatoes, and vegetables that I hated as a kid but tried while studying abroad (pre-vegetarianism) and loved. The corn tortilla tacos deep fried and filled with ground beef? Not so much. No idea where that one came from.

I grew up with a mother who could COOK. Amazing homemade marinara sauce, grilled salmon, steamed artichokes, huge salads with homemade vinagarettes, red skinned garlic mashed potatoes, baked chickens with rosemary and thyme, homemade German rolls. And the baked goods? Oy vey. A chocolate cake and chocolate frosting recipe passed down for generations that would turn any beefy football player into a blubbering puddle begging for more, more, more, and a glass of milk, please? In other words, I grew up LOVING food.

I experimented with vegetarianism when I was 14, but it didn't last very long due to some family pressures and going cold turkey. This time, I phased out meat gradually and it was a more organic process. I stopped eating red meat, then gradually just stopped buying or ordering anything chicken or turkey. I still eat fish, however, because I am a bit picky and wouldn't get protein any other way.

On that note, things I usually avoid eating:

• Nuts (except peanuts, but they are legumes)
• Olives
• Mushrooms (I know, I know, I just can't get past that they're fungus. I eat veggie burgers and pretend they aren't in there)
• Zucchini
• Pickles (love cucumbers, however)
• Beans

A few of my FAVORITE things:

• Tomatoes
• Bread
• Onions
• Cheese
• Skim Milk
• Cereal (especially Fiber One Honey Clusters)
• Broccoli
• Corn Tortillas (and all Mexican food)
• Chocolate (duh)
• PG Tips tea
• Pasta
• Pita chips
• Strawberries
• Apples
• Yogurt
• Ice Cream (my major weakness)

And, of course, both Nichole and I like alcohol and have preferences. My favorite white wine is Pinot Grigio, my favorite red wine is Pinot Noir. My favorite cocktails are margaritas, vodka gimlets, and cosmopolitans. I live for a good cadillac margarita and a really rich, earthy Pinot Noir.

We hope you'll read our blog :-) There will be a lot about food we eat, the way vegetarians survive on different coasts, the difference in food culture on the West Coast and East Coast...and of course, segments on the BEST damn thing we've ever eaten.

Here's to good food,

Carrie

(Me and a fabulous pizza at The Good Pie in St. Louis, MO)