Category: vegan travel

Detroit Visit – Day 0.5 – Dinner and a Casino.

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We’re back in Toronto again, but had a great time in Detroit and the surrounding area. I wouldn’t mind visiting again sometime. After we had arrived, checked in, and got comfy in our hotel room, I scanned the internet for a suitable eatery – Seva jumped out at me. Seva has two locations, one in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and more recently (as in, in the last two weeks) they opened a location in Detroit. Seva Detroit – (66 E. Forest Ave. Detroit, MI). It’s located behind the N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art (the restaurant entrance is on the left side of the building.) There appear to be two seating sections, a bar/lounge/young adult table zone in the back, and a place where grown ups can eat in the front. We were seated in the back at the kids table, near the bar. It was pretty busy in the front, so I’m assuming that’s part of it (they do accept reservations). The back bar space has a very nice collection of art from the N’Namdi Center, during our visit it appeared to be mostly by Valencia Robin, and we sort of eased into the relaxed atmosphere, people chatting, espresso machines espressing, surrounded by exposed brick and rich wooden beams. We started with drinks, JC got a Seva Soda with Basil and Strawberry (as recommended by our server) and I ended up with Root Beer (which by the way, I found out later was not vegan – damn you raw honey.) There…

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December in New York – Tien Garden

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We’ve been long back from New York city, but since starting a new job, and still having another one, I haven’t had enough time for the fun stuff (which includes this blog.) It was my birthday on Monday so my gift to myself is to write up a series of new blog posts, especially about our trip to New York City. I like making sure I write while I’m on vacation, because afterwards, things get lost in my memories. I forget to write, I lose track of time, and various other excuses but this trip was different in that after the unbelievable (yet entirely believable) events of the first day, I didn’t know what to say. So I’ll start from the beginning and keep going till it’s done. I’m aiming for one post a day for the next few days. Jordan and I got up bright and early on Friday morning, suitcases ready and waiting, excitement in the air. I’ve never flown Porter Airlines, so that was new, and delightfully convenient (it’s right downtown and only short drive from our house.) In case you’re wondering, Porter Air does not have particularly vegan items available in their cute little snack boxes, but I filled up on free almonds and coffee in the airport lounge before we got on the plane. I tried asking them via twitter if they ever had any vegan options but didn’t get a reply. Three hours later we arrived at the Thomson LES Hotel, after a very…

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Lawrence Kansas – From Ashes to Immortality

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On my way to Portland a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit a friend in Lawrence, Kansas. Now, upon hearing Kansas, I may have wrinkled my nose a bit (even though I shouldn’t have… I mean, I’m from the Canadian Prairies, and the first impression people seem to have is the same erroneous assumption that everyone is conservative and lives on farms) but Lawrence is genuinely an amazing little place (and has been repeatedly rated as one of the top college towns in the USA.) It’s the sixth largest city in the state of Kansas (i.e., it’s not very big!), but it’s full of heart. And I don’t say that to sound hokey, I mean it with complete sincerity. It has  a thriving arts community, and a fascinating history (that you can learn more about here if you want to.) If it wasn’t for the oppressive sun and heat (at least while I was visiting,) Lawrence would almost feel coastal. That languid easygoing atmosphere, where people don’t seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere in particular. But maybe it was just me (because I know I was feeling languid and not in a hurry to go anywhere in particular that day.) We weren’t sure where to go for lunch that day, but after seeing a listing for Local Burger (714 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS) we decided to go there. I was happy to see such a huge, bright space. The floor to ceiling windows on one…

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