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Cam Ranh Bay in Banner Elk

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Aug 21, 2013 in Asian, Banner Elk, NC, Fusion, Vietnamese | 0 comments

One of the most delightful eateries you’ll find in the High Country is a Vietnamese/Japanese restaurant in Banner Elk, NC. Vietnamese native, Nancy Nguyen, moved to the mountains eleven years ago and now considers Banner Elk home. Since immigrating to the US after the Vietnam War, Nancy has worked in both Vietnamese and Japanese restaurants and knows both cuisines well.

Until recently, Cam Ranh Bay was known as Tokyo Express. Nancy changed it’s name to reflect her origins, having grown up in the town of Cam Ranh Bay, Viet Nam.

Vietnamese Sweet & Sour Soup

I first became acquainted with Cam Ranh Bay when I attended a dinner for Nancy created for our vegan group, VegBoone, of 49 attendees. The food was amazing and the service flawless. To illustrate how much the community embraces Nancy, several Banner Elk residents showed up to work as voluntary servers for the event! We recently held another event at her restaurant and it was even better than the first, if that’s possible.

Vegan Sushi Rolls

Nancy also has a great deal of experience working with plant-based clientele. She worked at a Vietnamese restaurant in Boston where all employees were required to be vegan. She is fully versed in the concerns of the plant-based diner. (more…)

Canyons Is Now Veg-Friendly!

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Aug 14, 2013 in American, Blowing Rock, NC | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

Canyons is located in Blowing Rock, NC. When I say it is right off Highway 321, I mean it is right off 321. Continue past the road into Blowing Rock until the highway curves to the left. Steer slightly to the right and you’ll find yourself in Canyon’s parking lot.

The restaurant stretches precariously on the precipice of John River’s Gorge with a sheer drop of nearly 2,000 feet. The view extends 12 miles across five mountain ranges including the view sought after by most tourists to this region, Grandfather Mountain.

The last time I dined at Canyons, I was not a vegan. The food was quite good though I don’t remember a plant-based option. The fare was gourmet sandwiches and classic burgers and fries.

Many years have passed since then and times have changed. Canyons now offers a delicious plant-based menu with daily specials which can be tailored to be vegan at prices which are more than reasonable. The requisite salads and soup of the day are always offered, however, we went straight to the heart of the menu. (more…)

2013 Charlotte VegFest

Posted by Danielle Bussone on May 12, 2013 in Charlotte, NC, Charlotte, NC, Features, Veg Fests | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

Today, May 11th, Charlotte VegFest celebrates it’s second annual gathering of health and animal rights enthusiasts. It is held from 12pm to 5pm off Commonwealth Avenue in Plaza Midwood in Charlotte, NC. Rich and I made the rainy 3 hour trek to Charlotte with high hopes but low expectations. After all, it’s only Charlotte’s 2nd VegFest. We were delighted to discover at 12:30 the place was already packed with vegans, vegetarians and the veg-curious sampling the wares of venders offering raw cookies, juice bars and vegan salads and pastas. We visited organic spice purveyors, yoga instructors, macrobiotic chefs, raw and vegan chefs and numerous animal adoption and rescue agencies. There were also recycling and green energy agencies represented. The turnout was fantastic! Every hour or so there were speakers discussing issues concerning health, fitness, and what we as individuals can do to reduce global warming. Shabaka Amen (Fitness & Nutrition), Dr. Michael Smith (Naturopathy Physician), Leilani Munter, race car driver, and Gene Baur (co-founder and President of Farm Sanctuary) were on the program. We connected with numerous establishments which cater to the plant-based diner and have plans to return in the near future to do restaurant and chef reviews as well as cooking videos. Even the weather cooperated! Just as we tooled into Charlotte and found a good parking place, the skies cleared and we enjoyed a sunny day made perfect by a light breeze. On the way out we stopped and had a fantastic vegan lunch at Fern. Just the ticket after a long drive and a few hours perusing the tents at the Charlotte VegFest. We are already looking forward to next year’s festivities!

Vegan Meetup in Asheville, NC

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Apr 22, 2013 in Asian, Features, I-240, I-26, Thai | 0 comments

For the vegan and veg-curious, there is no better way to sample a variety of great vegan dishes than by joining a local meet-up group. The best way to find one in your area is to simply google vegan meetups (your city). For example, vegan meetup Butler, TN. This brought up meetup groups in Boone, NC, Asheville, NC and Johnson City, TN, all of which we have become members. Participation in these potluck events are usually free or very inexpensive, depending on whether the group has to pay a fee for a venue in which to meet. I’ve never seen one charge more than $3. You are expected to bring a pot-luck dish which has no animal products in it whatsoever and will feed eight people. Usually, you also bring your recipe as well as your own place setting. This is a great way to experience vegan cuisine, gather new recipes of the dishes you enjoyed and become a part of a supportive group of like minded people. Occasionally, a group will get together to sample the vegan cuisines offered by local restaurants.

Yesterday, we were able to visit for the first time (due to the long drive) The Asheville Vegan Society’s luncheon at Suwana’s Thai Orchid. Suwana’s was one of the first restaurants we reviewed when we began our journey with Veggin’ Out & About. We learned yesterday she is in the process in opening up an Asian Noodle shop very near Suwana’s Thai Orchid. We are excited about reviewing this new find in the coming weeks.

The Asheville Vegan Society is a robust, laid-back group of vegans of all ages. We had such a great time and were welcomed like old friends. The food at Suwana’s was even better than we remembered. It was all so delicious and the service was fantastic. Thank you, Joe W. VeganMan for organizing this great event and this dynamic group!! And thank you, Suwana and her amazing staff for pulling it off so seamlessly!!

Coyote Kitchen

Posted by Danielle Bussone on Oct 28, 2012 in Boone, NC, Caribbean, Southwestern US | 0 comments

by Danielle Bussone

Coyote Kitchen is located in Boone, NC in a shopping center next to Walmart. It has been a hangout of ours since it was first created by Mike and Nova Nelson, owners of Hob Nob Farm Cafe (see post). It is a fusion of Caribbean and Southwestern cuisines, what they refer to as Southwest Caribbean Soulfood.

The new owner has carried on the fine example set by the Nelsons serving farm fresh produce and free range chickens. Most of the dishes can be made vegan. I’ve experimented with a variety over the past couple years. I don’t much care for soy products so I have them replace them with Jamaican lima beans or some other vegetable. My favorites are the boats. (more…)