Raw Vegan at Its Finest

Aloha! Today’s restaurant review takes place in O’ahu, Hawai’i. When you think of O’ahu, you think about Waikiki and their beaches and restaurants. You also think about Honolulu is the capital city of the Hawaiian Islands, sightseeing, luaus, hula dances, shaved ice, water sports, and Pearl Harbor. Most of you wouldn’t guess there’s a raw vegan restaurant a tad bit outside of Waikiki area. Let me introduced you to “Green & Vines: A Raw Vegan Gourmet Restaurant”.  Their website: http://www.greensandvines.com/

I know what you’re thinking. Why are you writing something about raw veganism? It’s already hard to go vegan, but eating at a raw vegan restaurant? You must be nuts. My friend and I visited this vegan restaurant twice. All I can tell you is that it’s a small café, family and independently owned, and for you meat eaters out there, this place will change your perception about this place.

First, what is raw vegan? A raw vegan diet includes a diet that does not allow you to use any processed foods and these foods should never be heated above 115°F (46.1 °C). This means you cannot use a microwave, cook anything on a stove or oven over 115°F. You’re looking at raw, unprocessed, and fresh ingredients. Vegan is a diet where you cannot consume anything that comes or derives from an animal. This includes meat, fish, dairy, honey, carmine (red #40), eggs, and by-products like gelatin and animal glycerin. For more information about raw veganism introduction and where I got this source, please visit http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianlifestyle/f/rawfoods.htm .

I don’t have the picture of this, but if it’s your first time there, they will serve you this a small bowl of pecan caramelized in sesame soy sauce, ginger, and raw cane sugar. It’s not salty at all, but it’s a great way to start your meal as a complimentary starter. My first time here, I ordered their sampler trio “Dips & Chips” (http://www.greensandvines.com/menu.html) “Tri-Layer Dip of Sunflower Seed Dip, Guacamole, and Cashew Sour Cream) with Macho Nachos; Mac Nut Spread & Spicy Coco Dip with Flax Seed Thins”. These chips are very brittle but packed with flavor, different textures, and good source of whole nutrients as any raw vegan diet you will stumble upon. Note that their “sour cream” has no dairy, so they use substitutions to make it taste and appear like sour cream. I honestly thought the “guac” is a cashew sour cream, which is my favorite out of the other two dips. Macadamia nuts naturally give this dip a very creamy texture along with a subtle sweet nutty flavor. Onwards, their spicy coconut dip is actually a tad bit spicy for me. I am horrible at eating spicy foods like Thai chili or serrano peppers. I am okay with spices like onions, garlic, cinnamon, etc. Yes, I can do bell peppers or counterbalances like pepper jack cheese. Nevertheless, it’s very delicious if you are willing to be open-minded about this place. Finally their sunflower seed dip; it has more of a Mediterranean spice almost like hummus, just without the chickpeas or garbanzo beans. I had to be very gentle with the flax seed chips, because they break easily, but you can eat the dips by itself or mix with the other dips for your own little creations.

Onto the dishes with pictures!

Spicy Curly Kale Salad, Red Onions, Maple Pecans

It’s not really spicy. If you have an appreciation for lots of ginger, then you would get this dish. The ginger will be overwhelming but the maple pecans should help balance out the generous spice kick. You would think the red onions or the hints of chili would be powerful, but the ginger is the key to this crunchy salad.

*Not-Tuna on Onion Bread

Where can I start? It’s a faux tuna salad over a butter leaf looking lettuce, on an onion bread. To be honest, it tastes like tuna, but it’s “veganaise” (vegan mayo) mixed with a good overhaul of flavors to mimic this pescatarian classic. This dish would spin-off your taste buds into having some more. I guarantee it.

*Living Lasagna

You have probably heard of live cultures occurring in yogurt or sprouted wheat bread (live grains), but a living lasagna, really?? Same concept.  In the picture, you are served with their lasagna made primarily with zucchini, basil pesto, macadamia nut as their “ricotta”, and sun-dried tomato marinara (you get more of this marinara on the side) with an addition to their locally and organically grown side salad and house made dressing.

Syl’s Garden Burger w/ Jicama Fries

The dish may not look appetizing, but if you’re a burger type of person, you should try this yourself. You have your “Onion Bread (onion bread used in their “not-so tuna” appetizers), our Date Mustard & Cashew Mayo on Kamuela Tomato (local), & Kula Butter Lettuce (local)” served with some raw crisp jicama fries and sun-dried tomato and raisin “ketchup”. Never judge by the book by its cover, it’s a one hit wonder and creativity of something so good to be true.

Kaffir Miso Pad Thai

This is the description of their miso pad Thai on their site: “Sea Kelp Noodles, Miso Sauce, Kaffir Lime Leaf, Bean Sprouts and Salted Cashews. A Rainbow of Veggies”. In the picture, it looks like Asian coleslaw with a bunch of chopped cashews and greens on top. It’s pad hai in miso sauce that would change your view of a typical pad Thai. It’s a hearty plate believe or not. All the flavor is there. Simply take your time eating this plate and you may be wondering this tastes just like pad Thai—just without the carbs and high sodium content.

Zucchini Fettuccini, Cashew Alfredo, Marinated Mushrooms

I never took this plate seriously when I first ordered it. My server said this one of the popular items along with the garden burger, living lasagna, and not-so-tuna. I thought to myself, “there’s no way this vegan cashew alfredo will be heavy”… and I was wrong. It’s rich, creamy, and flavorful like alfredo, but no dairy involved. I really took my time on this dish; nonetheless, if you have a real appetite and up for a challenge, go for it!

*Meyer Limoncello Garnished w/Mango Rose and Mint

Ah, dessert! This one is my favorite by far. Have you ever tried those fruit strips as a child?

(Source: http://www.tauraurc.com/userfiles/image/Private%20Label/Fruit%20Strip_group.jpg )

Well, the mango “rose” is handmade and raw vegan friendly. I think I had more fun eating and playing with the mango rose than limoncello, as I was unwrapping and twirling my finger. Don’t get me wrong, the limoncello was also as delicious and tangy as the mango rose-like fruit strip.

Organic Coconut Chocolate Truffles

Their tea selection is limited. They only offer black and caffeine free tea, but no green tea. Yes, they also have coffee from Kona to organic and local coffee varieties. I thought this coco-choc truffle would be sweet, but it’s not sweet at all. No need for tea or coffee, unless the living lasagna or cashew alfredo left you hanging.

 

A * means it’s my favorite dish.

Other helpful tips:

·         Please call them ahead of them and set a reservation to be indoors. No reservations will automatically set you outdoors – very high traffic and busy intersection. You may encounter some smoker by passers as you’re dining.

·         They don’t have a bar, but they have a full vegan alcohol menu for you to look at.

·         If you have gluten or soy allergies, there are items or substitutions available. Substitutions have no extra costs.

·         Some of their popular items may be unavailable, so please call ahead and see if they still have it. Still you shouldn’t be disappointed to try their other items. They also have a seasonal menu that change every day or week. Check their site!

·         If you’re interested, this is where they are located:

909 Kapiolani Blvd Unit B
Honolulu, HI 96814 (Kaka'ako)

 

Thank you for reading my first entry for my blog. Have any suggestions, comments or questions? Please let me know. Mahalo!