The New Starbucks Vegan Menu Additions: My Thoughts

Perhaps you have heard the news. Vegans have demanded more cruelty-free food products at Starbucks and the coffee shop giant took notice and appropriate action. They have done an excellent job with the vegan milk variety, with most stores offering three types of non-dairy milk options, and now they are expanding their food menu to include more vegan-friendly offerings, with a focus on a new lunch item.

There's going to be a Mediterranean inspired lunch choice that has vegetables and riced cauliflower or something like that. Very fancy schmancy stuff.

You want to know what I think? I think it is great! A swell idea indeed. Want my prediction? It'll fail like the other vegan lunches they offered, on and off, for the past few years. They are too fancy for a coffee shop.

I (as well as many other vegan people that I talk with about topics like this) would be perfectly happy with packets of nut butter to go on bagels (like they used to have), packets of vegan butter to put on bagels or bread (like they should have - they are a coffee shop after all), or a vegan scone or muffin on the menu.

Why get so sophisticated with these jazzed-up menu items when adding some baked goods, sans eggs or dairy, would do just fine? Or how about a tofu and veggie sausage sandwich on an english muffin or bagel that can be enjoyed during breakfast or lunchtime? These heavy-on-the-vinegar vegetable dishes they keep introducing are okay, but they are just, okay. Veganizing one or more of their existing menu items would not only be cost effective to Starbucks, but would also satisfy their vegan customers so much more than their souped up salads.

I appreciate any vegan offerings that any eatery can offer us, but frankly it is long over due and also I think they have the wrong impression of who most vegans are. We aren't all healthy eaters, all the time, because let's face it, if we were we wouldn't even be drinking coffee. You know what I want to see? A vegan cake pop, for crying out loud. It isn't hard, Starbucks. It'll actually be cheaper to make than your existing cake pops and more shelf stable. I can create the recipe and send it to you if you'd like. Or just take something from my vegan cookbook and call it a day, if it will make you stop with these over-the-top veggie dishes that never go past a few months in existence.

I'm just saying, obviously I say this out of love and respect; I'm a Starbucks fan and get all my beverages from there made with soy milk. I am a longtime customer, I just think we can do better here, not just for the consumers but for your business too. I doubt if these new vegan dishes will last more than a year.

Do you want to eat salad and vegetables with your coffee? I don't.

Being Vegan at the Melting Pot Restaurant (Fondue Me!)

It really takes my mother thinking I was dead because I wasn't blogging regularly, to be the push I needed to get back in the game. I thought, gees if this is what my mother thinks, imagine my poor readers! Ha!

Without further adieu, Happy New Year! This is what my New Year's Eve partying consisted of...

So, based on the title of this post, you are probably thinking, "Dirty Vegan, why must you tease us about vegans being able to tango at the fondue restaurant?"...well tease I don't. When the Dirty Vegan dines, she receives plentiful amounts of delicious vegan eatables, and the Melting Pot in Providence, RI was just the place to wine and dine this Naughty lady! Check out the multi-course vegan meal I was accommodated with!

To start, sesame crusted tofu, mandarin, and teriyaki sauce!

Some of the fine foods that I got to cook in a scrumptious vegan broth then dip in an assortment of sauces. Prior to this, I had yummy fruits and veggies to dip in a generous pot of vegan spinach and artichoke cheese fondue! Yes, the motherload!

Vegan Chocolate Fondue!!! To dip...

Fruits, cookies, cake, and my personal favorite...pieces of Go Max Go candy bars in each assortment!!!

While I cannot promise the red carpet treatment that I received dining as the Dirty Vegan (i.e. my favorite food group, Go Max Go), I can say that yes this restaurant offers vegan options, and they are amazing. I always recommend calling ahead and letting them know you are vegan when making your reservations. The Melting Pot is definitely versed on the vegan lifestyle, as their manager Tyler has experience with vegan diet, cooking and lifestyle (and is such an awesome person! Love him!). This definitely should change the minds of your friends and families who think that us vegans cannot possibly dine with the rest of society (which statistics are beginning to prove that very soon vegetarians will no longer be the minority, we'll be the majority!). The Melting Pot did such an awesome job and I left the restaurant fat and happy!

Hope you have a vegan fat kid kind of day. Oh, and stop drooling at your computer! For now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.

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Two More Chain Restaurants With Serious Veg-Friendliness

Recently, I dined at two chain restaurants that really impressed me with their veg-friendliness. The first is Rainforest Cafe, which really is a fun place to eat and shop! I really love all the mechanical animals that are moving around as you eat; it is like you are in a jungle! If you look up, you will see stars and periodically a shooting star will go zooming by, which I think is really cool. Also, every so often a storm will happen where the lights flicker, resembling lightening, and you'll hear thunder and see the animals moving around. The Rainforest Cafe that I dined at was in Burlington, MA and had a cool waterfall inside. Each one is slightly different, Burlington had a mechanical alligator in the entry that moves about, and the decor is really fun.

The service was amazing! I called ahead to ensure a vegan dish was available. The server Dan was amazing, I couldn't dream up a nicer person, and Chef Paul was the best! They both took the time to talk with us to ensure we'd get to enjoy a truly vegan meal. Chef Paul was so excited to be able to put his culinary skills to the test, and had such great knowledge about vegan diet. He is the Head Chef and still took the time to come to our table twice, once to talk with us about what he was about to make, and twice to see how we liked it. What a cool experience! 

Special Rainforest Cafe vegan nachos to start!

Chef Paul also made an awesome grilled veggie wrap that came with Safari Fries! The wrap had so many different veggies in it like fresh spinach, avocado, peppers, onions, and zucchini. It looked so great that I ate it so fast and forgot to take a picture! I thought to take one once it was already in my belly! So yummy; compliments to Chef Paul!

The second restaurant we enjoyed eating at was P.F. Chang's China Bistro. I was excited to be able to review and dine at the Providence, RI opening weekend. This was my first time at P.F. Chang's. They have an entire vegetarian menu, but I was really impressed with the restaurant's partner Brian for coming by our table to tell me that everything contains sugar, and that he is almost positive its a bone char processed/ containing sugar, and he can substitute the sugar for a vegan cane sugar or agave nectar for me. That right there was damn impressive and told me that Brian knows a lot about food and the vegan diet. The decor was modern and contemporary. The service was wonderful, especially since it was a crazy-busy Saturday night on their grand opening weekend. We had a great time and our server was so funny! We had a lot of fun joking with her and felt like we knew her forever. You know someone is an experienced server when you feel like they are one of your pals.

P.F. Chang's Ma Po Tofu and you get to choose white or brown rice; I chose brown rice!

For a starter, we had the Chang's Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps that they made vegan by using the same sauce as in the Ma Po Tofu. The wraps were very tasty and had little cubes of tofu in them. Those also went right into my belly, too quickly to even snap a photo of them!

As you can see in this post and in so many of my previous restaurant reviews labeled under "Review", dining out as a vegan is quite easy. I've never had a problem dining out, no matter what type of restaurant, no matter what veggie dishes they do or don't have on the menu. This is why it baffles me when people say they are or have been vegetarians with dining out issues. I find decent to amazing vegan food at any type of eatery, no matter where I go. All you really have to do is ask. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off! While dreaming of Safari Fries! Tootles!

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Yes, Another Veg-friendly Chain Restaurant!

I'm happy to report yet another vegan friendly restaurant that not only will accommodate us veggie folk, they have vegan dishes on the menu now! No, I'm not kidding you. And yes, I realize this is unusual for chain restaurants, some of which still do not offer a simple veggie burger on their menu. Well, Ruby Tuesday has lots of veggie options. Like what, you ask?

Its not just about the salad bar anymore (which is not too shabby either); you can actually get other things. They make veggie sliders which are like little mini veggie burgers, which are off and on their menu that changes frequently. Right now, they are offering a lot of farm fresh veggie dishes on their menu. They have a lunch and dinner portion of the above picture, which is their Spaghetti Squash marinara (a vegan item on their menu - just be sure to say no fresh cheese on top because some staff may put some on top, although it is not mentioned on the menu, it can happen), that is like pasta but with the strings of squash instead, and has chunks of tomato, green zucchini, and onions in the sauce. It tastes pretty amazing too! They also offer a Veggie Trio dish where you choose three vegetarian sides that are on their menu. In addition to the plethora of produce to choose from in the salad bar, you may also want to start with their salsa, and fresh guacamole chips appetizer. It is portioned like a mini meal (very generous size) and I'm told there is no sour cream or dairy in the guac, which is pretty obvious anyway.

This restaurant is among the best chains for accommodating vegetarian customers. So I definitely recommend it. You may want to call in advance, since they do change their menu items so often, and especially since autumn is approaching. I'm not sure what they will be offering for the upcoming season, but am excited to find out. Ruby Tuesday, please keep the veggie menu items coming - we love it! And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.

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Dining in the City

"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food." -W.C. Fields

Let's face it, if you are vegan like me (I've encountered plenty of this for almost a decade), or even vegetarian, you have experienced the "going out to eat crisis". Oh no, your friends, family, co-workers, etc. want to go out to eat with you but they are stressing out because you are vegetarian. Over ten years ago I was stressing out a little too, and that was just as a vegetarian, however being vegan sometimes makes it a little more difficult because restaurants seem to sneak dairy, eggs, and honey into the unlikeliest places. However, now the options are much different for vegan dining. I know a lot of us tend to dine with our veggie partners or friends and seek out veg-friendly restaurants, but today I have yet another discovery of veg-friendliness in an unexpected place; you will be pleasantly surprised.

Joe's American Bar & Grill has many locations around the United States. I had the pleasure of dining at the Providence Place location in the heart of Providence, RI. WaterFire was happening and the city was filled with personality. Joe's is located right across from WaterFire, making it a great place to eat if you plan to see the show or partake in a romantic gondola ride.

This gorgeous picture is of their Angel Hair Pasta Primavera. Just ask for it vegan with no cheese, because they normally do the vegetarian dish with Parmesan. This angel hair dish was extraordinary including fresh ingredients such as zucchini, squash, tomatoes, red peppers, basil, garlic, oil, and lemon. The flavor combinations were especially pleasing to the palate, making this primavera much better than the usual options for vegetarians at restaurants. We also had nachos to start, which were made vegan with guacamole, salsa, and veggies. I ended my meal with a nice black espresso, which was rich and had a great quality taste.

Joe's American Bar & Grill is a cosmopolitan of cuisine that works out great for everyone you may be dining with. We all know that it is highly unlikely that your entire family, friends, and social network are vegan, so it is great to find a place where you don't have to have menu anxiety and can go out and dine with others. Places like Joe's also deter you from the inevitable and awkward vegetarian conversations, with the menu versatility and atmosphere. You can order pizza with no cheese and just oil, tomato sauce, and veggies of your choosing, and many other options that are available upon request. Actually, quite a few of their menu items can be made vegetarian easily, especially since they do a lot of fresh dishes which aren't pre-made like some other eateries might do. This makes Joe's a five star with their accommodating factors. The surroundings were pretty cool also.

We had delightful sidewalk seating, directly on Providence Place. Our view was of beautiful buildings on a wonderful summer evening. The energy from WaterFire was nice also and you could even hear music from the show. The staff at Joe's American Bar & Grill were friendly and personable, even for an uber busy weekend night when the establishment and city were jam packed with crowds.

The wall out front of Joe's opens and you can see inside from the sidewalk seating. The atmosphere was cool and fun!

The next time you are in Providence, do not overlook fine American cuisine like that of Joe's American Bar & Grill. They are definitely down with the vegetarians and vegans!

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Dine Like You're Famous!

"I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me, papa-paparazzi. Baby, there's no other superstar you know that I'll be, papa-paparazzi" -Lady GaGa

 A quick bite with your fellow famous friends and/ or lover before a night on the town?

 A business lunch to go over your newest project?

Lunch with your girlfriends (and/ or boyfriends!) during your day of shopping at the hottest stores?

We've all seen the tabloid pictures of celebrities and socialites like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Mila Kunis, Rachel Bilson, Miley Cyrus, and Britney Spears dining at hot California restaurants such as Koi, The Ivy, and Mr. Chow. And how about New York City eateries like Butter and Il Cantinori? Have you ever wanted to have the superstar experience yourself, but maybe are stuck in a state like Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or New Jersey? Also maybe you are wondering how to dine like a celebrity when you are vegan. Well have no fear - Papa Razzi is here!

Papa Razzi Trattoria & Bar in Cranston, RI is super swanky, chic, and the place to see and be seen. And it just to happens to be located in the glamorous Garden City Center where you can find sophisticated retail locations such as Anthropologie, Williams Sonoma, Whole Foods, Starbucks, and lots more, to fulfill your wildest Rodeo Drive fantasies. The perfect day? Shopping at these glammy stores and boutiques then waltzing into Papa Razzi just in time for your reservation...and possibly getting your photo snapped by the paparazzi! Well you do look fabulous in those designer shades, with shopping bags from the hottest stores, dining at this stylish establishment, with the tastiest vegan options. And yes I said vegan options...read on for details!

The experience at Garden City is definitely very celebrity, but when you approach the restaurant, the swank-factor gets taken up a notch; even more when you step inside. You first will notice the luxurious and hip decor. The bar is really modern and cool if you just want to go in for drinks and a bite. Also, something that caught my eye immediately was the gorgeous staff - but since you are a beautiful vegan socialite yourself, who else better than other gorgeous people to be a part of your dining experience? The bathrooms are clean and lavish also. But I know you didn't come here to only hear about the hot staff and the decor; you want to hear about the vegan-friendly food!

There are an assortment of sumptuous salads to choose from; my favorite is the Spinachi which is baby spinach, fresh strawberries, shiitake mushrooms, and vinaigrette (just ask for it without the goat cheese). There are also a variety of pasta dishes that can be made vegan upon request. What I love about this restaurant the most is the friendly and approachable vibe. The waitstaff and management are so helpful and accommodating  That is very important to me when dining out, and the fact that Papa Razzi is so kind to people with alternative diets, means a lot. For dinners you can also get wood-fired, thin crust pizzas without cheese (I do this at Bertucci's too and they taste amazing!). The vegan possibilities are so great when you are at an elegant restaurant like this with a huge selection of ingredients and wonderful people willing to serve you up tasty veg-friendly dishes! Right on the Papa Razzi menu they encourage you tell them if you have any special requests, which is awesome for a restaurant to do. And you all know how proud of my Italian heritage I am (hence most of my recipes on here are Italian dishes and/ or heavy on the Daiya cheese!), so it is cool for me to be vegan and find a cool Italian restaurant willing to accommodate my diet. And seriously, what's more celebrity than getting a custom made vegan dish that a talented Italian chef creates for you? Chefs love doing that stuff, but rarely people ask them to.

There are other Papa Razzi locations (like upscale Newbury Street in Boston and even locations in DC!), but if you are in the Cranston, RI area, I do recommend this one for the whole experience at the Garden City Center and the exceptional restaurant service. I hope you enjoy being fabulous and almost famous! You can tell them the Dirty Vegan sent you, but I can't guarantee the VIP treatment is from me - you may just feel fancy saying it. For now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Champagne dreams and tomato sauce wishes to you, my Friends!

Good luck in ducking the paparazzi, all you Fabulous Naughty People!

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My Thai - One of Boston's Best Vegan Eateries in Chinatown

Formerly known as Buddha's Delight, My Thai Vegan Cafe in Boston's Chinatown district (Beach Street), is a vegan food paradise! If you live in or around the Boston area and have not been here, you really must stop by. Or if you are planning a trip to Boston, plan to stop here for a bite, or two, or three!

My Thai is an Asian vegan cafe with Vietnamese and Thai influences. They have so much to offer on their vegan menu and I've enjoyed everything I've eaten there; you really have to check this place out. Here are my top faves...

Golden battered and fried tofu

These Tofu Fingers mimic "chick'n fingers" but are actually way better!

Fried dumplings but you can also get them steamed. The inside of these are yummy and so very gingery.

Vegan Bubble Tea! Made with fresh fruits, coconut milk, and vegan tapioca beads. Best bubble tea ever! Here we got honeydew melon and mango; both were incredible. I can't wait to go again and try another flavor!

Here is the cool view from My Thai, which is on the top level. Below it, is an awesome noodle place that has awesome noodle soup bowls and the best peanut sauce in which I smother my noodles in. Around the corner is another restaurant that we go to at night when/ if My Thai is closed. They have tons of vegan stuff and a very cozy atmosphere. I will do more reviews on vegan-friendly Boston restaurants in the future. Stay tuned for them.

What are your favorite places to eat in Boston? If you've never been, are you totally going to plan a trip now? How about vegan eateries in other parts of the world; what are your faves? I'd like to hear about them. Well until next time, have a Naughty day!

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I'm Not a Salad-Ordering Kinda' Gal

"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional." - Chili Davis

The yummy picture you see above, is the Johnny Rockets Streamliner burger with American Fries! This is nothing short of heavenly and delicious! Please read on to find out nutrition info about this meal at JR's, because it is indeed very vegan and very dirty! I mean that in the yummiest way possible...

From the Johnny Rockets website:

"A Note for our Vegetarian Guests
At Johnny Rockets we strive to meet the needs of all of our guests. The Boca Burger patty that we use in our Streamliner is their Original V35 and is manufactured as a vegan product. Our spec hamburger buns should not contain any dairy nor other animal-derived ingredients. Our American fries also should not contain ingredients which are of animal origin and are always cooked in 100% vegetable oil. Beef tallow, or flavorings derived from animal sources, are never intentionally added during the manufacturing or cooking process. However you should be aware that, due to the proximity of the manufacturing equipment to sources of animal protein or oil from animal sources there is the slight, though extremely unlikely, possibility that traces of these unwanted products may be accidentally transferred to our American fries during their production. For this reason, and this reason only, we feel compelled to list beef tallow as a possible (however extremely unlikely) ingredient.

Please be aware that we designate a special area of the grill on which to cook only the Boca Burger, and we do everything in our power to keep the area free from other materials. We also have special color-coded turners and tongs which help to keep cross-contamination to a minimum. However, due to the limited space and tight kitchen layout at Johnny Rockets, we cannot guarantee that there will not be unintentional contact with some small amount of material from an item which is animal in nature.

Almonds
Almonds, roasted in safflower oil.
Allergens: Tree Nuts

American Fries
Potatoes, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: canola oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil). Disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate (to promote color retention), dextrose. Product contains 0 trans fat. 
Allergens: Soy"


So, you obviously can tell Johnny Rockets put some thought and effort into researching and accommodating their vegan customers. They use the vegan Boca patties, they use a bun that does not contain dairy or animal derivatives, their oil is 100% vegetable, and these items are grilled and cooked separately from the non-vegan items.


Whether you are in the mall or anywhere that a JR's is located, you don't have to order the salad...unless of coarse you want to. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Happy compassionate and Dirty eating!





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Sexiest Cafe in New England...

"Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere." -Mae West

The 'Veggie' wrap at Mirasol's Cafe in Dartmouth, MA - their special hummus with veggies. It's so good!

Where do I even begin? Mirasol's Cafe is one of the hippest cafes that I have been to. If you check out their website, you will find the word sexy being thrown around, but not without just cause. From Mirasol's vegetarian friendly food options, their organic coffee, their vegan milk and vegan friendly beverages, to the cool vibes and music (check out their website - link above - for sample music), I can't say enough positive things about this Latin American influenced cafe. So, of course I had to sneak in and do a review! Dirty Vegan phantom-style!

What I love most about Mirasol's is that I was able to get vegan beverages someplace other than Starbucks! The prices here are great and they are very conscious of vegetarians, organic, and natural options. They are not a full vegetarian restaurant, but offer many options for us veggie folk. Some of the things they offer are the Veggie (pictured above), Sexy Asparagus (ask them to hold the cheese to make it vegan), bagels with your vegan choice of black bean hummus or peanut butter (their website says regular or veggie cream cheese - maybe Tofutti is the veggie one? Will have to ask them next time I go), salads, some soups are vegetarian but the soup varies daily, and lots of yummy beverages that can be made with soy-milk! They feature Jim's Organic Coffees, a variety of teas, smoothies, specialty drinks, and lattes. I love that I can get a vegan latte and a Veggie wrap, and just chill in a relaxing, casual environment. The beverage pictured above with my Veggie, is their Acai Iced Tea; very refreshing and deeeelish! 

I really love that Mirasol's Cafe pays attention to their veggie and natural-foods-seeking customers; it means a lot to us. And I really just love the fact that they say things like " super sexy" and "stud-liest" to describe their offerings. Me likey, likey. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.

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New Year's Eve, Dirty Style

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man."  -Benjamin Franklin

New Year's Eve began at the very swanky 1149 East restaurant in Seekonk, MA (right on the East Providence, RI line - they also have another restaurant location in Warwick, RI). The chef prepared an amazing vegan menu just for me. It is definitely worth it to call ahead. Our server was charming and funny with a great personality. The atmosphere was very "New York City". It was clean, the bar was cool, and even the bathroom was super modern with flat screens and seating! Also, there was a band playing, so that was a lot of fun. We had lots of laughs with our friends, so with great company and a hip environment, 1149 East is a great place to kick off NYE or any other exciting evening out. Now, let's talk about the food! I know that is what you all really want to hear about!

To begin the meal you are brought a basket of fresh bread and a package of bread sticks. The ingredients were listed on the sticks, and are indeed vegan, so I dug right in. They went perfect with the red sangria pictured above. Now this is no ordinary sangria, this was like a mega sangria. The picture does not do it justice; the sangria was huge in a chalice-like glass! Great value!

The chef also prepared me an amazing salad as a starter. This was no ordinary salad, it had premium greens, roasted vegetables which included asparagus, mushrooms, onions, and the best tomatoes I have ever tasted. It was a huge salad and I ate most of it; that is great because although I am vegan, I am not a huge fan of salad. I am Dirty after all, and salad is very clean, you see. I would say that 1149 East makes a very naughty salad, in my opinion, and I couldn't have been happier.

For my entree I was served a veggie plate. The presentation was beautiful and the taste was even better. The grilled portobello mushroom was very hearty and steak-like, the sweet potato mash was delectable, and each roasted veggie had its own flavoring. It was a surprise with each bite and a flavor explosion in my mouth. Typically restaurants don't do a very good job of accommodating vegans, however 1149 East nailed it, with their brilliant chef who had all the right moves!

For dessert I was served fresh sorbet made right in house. It was mango flavor but they had two others that I could choose from. What a delight! I chose mango because after a meal, mango is said to aid in digestion.

I would definitely return to this restaurant and it definitely welcomes all walks of life. 1149 East proved to be very vegetarian friendly, and in a very gourmet way. Spot on!

We head back for cocktails, hor dourves, and to watch New Year's Rockin' Eve! Here are just a few ideas for party munchies.

-Veggie hot dogs cut into small pieces, wrapped with Pillsbury crescent rolls, and dipped in ketchup
-Tofutti sour cream mixed with a packet of vegan onion soup mix, to make yummy dip
-Chips and salsa or hummus

I served Strawberry Champagne Punch. To make this, all you need is a punch bowl, about 20oz sliced frozen strawberries that are thawed some, 2 bottles of dry champagne, and 1 liter of ginger ale. Mix it all up in a punch bowl and serve chilled! What an awesome flavor!

I hope everyone had a very nice holiday. Happy New Year! Here's to a fabulous and Dirty year ahead! For now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.

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Vegan Newbury Street

"Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination".  -Oscar Wilde

Newbury Street in Boston: Fabulous Vegan Fun!

If you have never been to Newbury Street in Boston, Massachusetts, you are really missing out. From the chic designer boutiques, trendy cafes, delicious dining, to the spas, salons, and bath and body shops, Newbury Street is your one stop shop for fabulous.

Johnny Cupcakes always has vegan cupcakes! LOL

Beginning at Betsey Johnson, I scored some cute pink lace tights and some useful vegan advice from a very helpful sales professional. I raved about the vegan friendly fashion at Betsey Johnson boutique (has some cute non-leather handbags and tons of vegan friendly items), and the saleswoman sang like a canary. I totally got the scoop on where to find the best vegan stuff on Newbury, and she was such a cool chick! She also mentioned the Hempest, but she obviously doesn't know the Dirty Vegan very well. While the Hempest's vegan and natural fashions are all well and good, it really isn't what I was looking for in terms of couture.

Next stop, Juicy Couture's chic boutique (yay I rhyme!). Juicy has really expanded their vegan options over the years. And the more you buy them, the more they will sell them. They had the cutest fleece hoodie that was so soft you would swear some innocent bunny lost his life over it...WRONG....all man made materials! They even have some canvas and pleather handbags and accessories. If you like something trendy at one of these boutiques, be sure that no animals had to suffer for your happiness (which is BAD karma), and make your values known in the stores. Trust me, it will get around. Lead by example...and your platinum charge card! If these stores sell enough of something man-made, they will make more like-items.

I wouldn't be the Dirty Vegan if I didn't eat every few minutes; that just wouldn't be me. One of the many beneficial tips from Betsey Johnson's sales gal, was a bakery called Sweet Newbury Street. They have some vegan options for cupcakes and select goodies. I enjoyed this yummy Vegan Chocolate Cupcake. The frosting was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Best vegan icing I have ever tasted. Rich, creamy, sweet, and perfect. The nice gal who worked there also helped me take the photo and was really cool. Too bad the whole bakery wasn't vegan...I would have purchased so much more!

If you would like to be beautiful on Newbury Street, there are several cruelty free options. MAC Cosmetics does not test on animals and has great stuff. Also, my personal favorite, Lush! Lush stuff is all natural, handmade, and mostly organic and vegan. Lush does not test on animals. Trust me, once you step foot in a Lush store, you will be addicted, I don't even have to go any further with it, just trust me.

After a long day of shopping out in the cold (burning mega calories, I assume), it was time for lunch. Newbury Street eateries have vegan options in almost every single one. Boloco is a fresh burrito joint that will make yummy burritos however you like them. Lots of vegetarian options right there. Thai Basil is a Thai restaurant that has amazing veggie options and a nice chill atmosphere. It is a hidden gem since it is lower street level, so look for it. I have eaten on Newbury so many times, and have found vegan options at each restaurant I tried, so please don't fear. If you don't see something already made vegan on the menu, just ask and most likely you will receive.

Give Peas (and Peace) a Chance!

We finally decided on Other Side Cafe. Super trendy bar and restaurant located on...wait for it...the other side of Newbury. The atmosphere is chill, anti-establishment, and very rock-n-roll. The music is awesome too. The food is even better! Pretty much everything on their menu can be made vegan (little "v" next to things that they can make vegan). They make vegan BLTs, grilled cheese, chili, raw dishes, and tons of vegan desserts! The desserts range from bon bons, cheesecake, to delectable chocolate mousse. This place is truly amazing and has something for everyone.

                                                              Nature Boy - raw starter

 Vegan Chili and Grilled Cheese Combo....warm and comforting

 Vegan Chocolate Mousse fruit plate - AMAZING!

Vegan Bon Bons! Woah!

So whether it is cruelty free fashions, treats, eats, or cosmetics you are after, Newbury Street in Boston has it all! Such a cool place that welcomes the vegan diva in us all! Happy shopping Naughty People! For now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off...