Veggilicious, Vegan Scavenger Hunts and Hot Beans. Vegan springtime fun in Toronto

Spring is coming, or creeping along, and I’m really looking forward to the warmer weather. Soon it’ll be time for picnics and lounging on patios. This summer is going to be full of fun veg*n events (in Toronto, and all over the place (Vida Vegan Con!)), and I can’t wait to participate.

This past Thursday (March 31st, 2011) was my first Vegan Rock TVA fundraiser at The Boat in Kensington Market, and I had a great time. Music and vegan baked goods (which disappeared quickly, so it paid to be early), random conversations with other local vegans, and just an all around fun time.

There were treats by some very awesome people, and I was curious who the volunteer bakers were (so I asked around). I’m happy to say I probably got to try some of Apiecalypse Now’s vegan treats (since I snacked on something from every dish) and had a very cute yummy little cupcake from TheCupcakeTree (which is not an exclusively vegan business.) The other folks were rad private individuals that volunteered their time to help out, so thank you to them!

After the snack fest and mingling, there were performances by a diverse group of performers, from the all instrumental work of More Than Breathing, the indie, slightly haunting, vocals of Jacqueline Rendell, the mindblowing 12 string guitar in Dream Awake, and an inspirational rap set from Hush Money (fan them on FB).

Veggielicious is coming so soon! Starting on April 9th, 2011 and ending on April 24th, various places around the city of Toronto (as well as a few places a little further) will be offering specials on vegan meals around the city. There is such a great list of restaurants, including some surprises, that keeps getting updated with specials. I’m really looking forward to trying some of the places I haven’t made it out to yet.

If you haven’t heard yet, there will be a Vegan Scavenger Hunt on Saturday June 2nd 2011, in Kensington Market, Toronto, (noon to 6pm.) They are on facebook and twitter, so follow them for updates! Registration starts on April 25th! I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty stoked to participate. Now I just need to think of a team name… oh and find a team!

I’ve been pretty late to the Hot Beans(160 Baldwin St. Toronto, ON) love party, but I’ve been there a lot in the last few weeks if that’s any indication of how much I like it. They’ve got a great location, right in Kensington Market. Most of the time the food has been totally great, I’d recommend heading over there earlier in the day though before they run out of the good stuff. Plus on weekend they have breakfast burritos! (Which I haven’t tried yet, but I’d like to.)

I don’t think I can recommend the donuts enough. I had one of the espresso glazed ones a few weeks ago and it was overwhelmingly delicious and fluffy, plus the glaze was just stellar, sweet with a hint of creamy coffee.

I like the mix and match option with the tacos, I usually get the Yuba and the Jackfruit, but last week I tried the TVP and I was pleasantly surprised. (I was expecting tiny chunks of TVP but it was more like half chunks of nutrella/soyatein if you’ve ever had it.) Everything is spiced well, but they offer hot sauces with varying degrees of spiciness on the side. So what I’m saying is, go try it. It’s good. You can find their take out menu on their website.

Another nice thing about Hot Beans is that everything they use, from the containers to the forks to the cups, is compostable. They have a compost bin and a recycle bin, and that’s it. Now that it’s a little after lunch time, I’m thinking it would be a good time to go grab their nacho plate. Ciao!