-State/City | Veggin' Out And About

Jade’s Market (Jade’s Market has been sold and is now Angkor Bistro)

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jul 23, 2012 in Asian, Grocers, I-26, Johnson City, TN, Thai | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

Jade’s Market has been one of Johnson City’s best kept secrets. But the secret is out! Located conveniently near Johnson City Medical Center right off of State of Franklin Road, you won’t find better Thai food anywhere. There is a lunch buffet for carnivores and a menu from which Tara can convert any of the recipes to vegan, all costing a modest $7.59. Drunken Noodles is Rich’s favorite, I love the Pad Thai equally well. Much of her herbs and vegetable produce come from Tara’s own garden, even the keffir lime leaves essential to Thai Cuisine. The restaurant is named after one of her twin girls, Jade. She also owns Lola’s Bistro and Wine Bar which is named after the other twin, Lola, located near The Olive Garden off N. Roan Street. (more…)

Suwana’s Thai Orchid, Asheville, NC

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jul 8, 2012 in Asheville, NC, Asian, I-240, I-26 | 2 comments

by Danielle Bussone

Asheville, North Carolina was recently voted the best small city in which to find vegetarian restaurants. Somehow, Suwana’s Thai Orchid was overlooked in several of the on-line vegetarian search engines. We are so tired of the standard vegan fare, meatless meals made to look like meat, tofu out the wazoo. What we want are delicious fresh vegetables presented in healthy, tasty sauces. Suwana’s Thai Orchid certainly accomplishes that.

Suwana’s Exterior

Spicy Eggplant

(more…)

New Apna Bazaar, Kingsport, TN (This market has moved to a new location in Johnson City, TN and is now called Spice World. Review pending.)

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jul 6, 2012 in Grocers, I-81, Indian, Kingsport, TN | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

New Apna Bazaar in Kingsport, TN, is the Tri-Cities area only Indian market. Fortunately, you can find almost anything you are looking for here. From fresh exotic vegetables to Indian cooking utensils to grains and spices, you’ll find items you’ll be hard pressed to find at your local market.

The owner, Chirag Patel, speaks excellent English and can help you find whatever you’re looking for and will look for unusual foodstuffs in his weekly trek to Atlanta for exotic produce. He is an excellent resource for cooking information and actually taught me how to cook Dohkla, a spicy chickpea cake, and several Indian vegetable dishes.

(more…)

Abingdon Farmers’ Market, Abingdon, VA

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jun 18, 2012 in Abingdon, VA, Farmers' Markets, I-81 | 0 comments

This is my favorite local market. It meets twice a week, Saturday mornings from 7 am to noon and Tuesday afternoons from 3 pm to 6 pm. You can find plenty of fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs, seedlings for your garden, fresh breads and pastries, jams, salsas, coffees, homemade soaps, jewelry, flowers, and sometimes art. Many of the vendors offer organic fare and Saturdays usually feature some sort of entertainment. Arrive early for the best of the best. Parking is no problem.

Cafe Lola, Johnson City, TN

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jun 17, 2012 in American, I-26, Johnson City, TN | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

Cafe Lola is a charming little bistro and wine bar. The owners, Tara and Hunter, named this quaint little restaurant after one of their twin daughters, Lola. They also own our favorite Thai restaurant in Johnson City called Jade’s Market and Eatery, named after their other daughter, Jade.

Tara is a lovely, willow-thin genial young woman who is willing to do whatever it takes to offer her customers a satisfying meal. Hunter is an energetic, affable young man who will make you feel right at home. (more…)

Babylon, Johnson City, TN

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Jun 17, 2012 in I-26, Johnson City, TN, Middle Eastern | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

Rich and I discovered this restaurant a few years ago, when we were still unenlightened carnivores. Adopting a whole foods plant-based lifestyle dramatically reduced the number of decent restaurants we could enjoy. Babylon is a friendly family owned mediterranean restaurant. We had to include this as our first post for Veggin’ Out and About. Babylon is not fancy but the food is delicious. Friday is the best day to go as most of the specials then are vegan.

On Fridays they serve eggplant and potato stew and vegetables stuffed with a tasty tomato-rice concoction. Most days one can purchase a vegan lentil stew, Falafel (fried vegetable balls), and eggplant salad with pickles, Tabouleh (parsley, tomato and bulgur salad) and hummus (pureed chickpeas with spices). Everything is served with generous portions of flatbread, which is wonderful.

(more…)