This weekend I was fortunate enough to visit another new-to-me eating establishment in this fine city. Land of Kush is a vegan café located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood whose claim to fame is "vegan soul food". Intriguing right? Since I am trying to consume less meat lately I was looking forward to eating there all week.
As far as location goes, it's not in the most picturesque area of the city, located right next to Maryland General Hospital, but I felt fine parking a block away on the street (for free!, yippee, small victories) and walking there. Upon entering, the appearance was cute and low-key. Very casual. And it was very crowded, even for 6:30pm on a Sunday, which was a good sign! The table seating is limited though, and it looked like a lot of their business is carry out.
My companion and I picked up a menu and found a table for two. The menu isn't huge, but there is a nice variety. I checked out reviews on Yelp before I went and the live kale salad got rave reviews, so I knew I definitely wanted to order that. For the main dish, I was trying to decide between the BBQ "Ribs" or the Curry "Chickun". It seemed like the chickun got more love on the Yelp reviews, but being that I normally don't really like or eat a lot of 'real' chicken, I went with the ribs. I also got some fresh brewed sweet black tea (which was delicious!!).
When the food came out, I wanted to take a picture of it for the blog (obvi) but I was on a date and thought it would be rude. Well, wouldn't you know, my date actually whipped out his camera and took a picture! HA. Do boys normally do this? Regardless, I still felt rude doing the same so I didn't take a picture. I'm sorry :( But there are a few pics on Yelp and on the restaurant's website.
Verdict: So how was it? Well, true to the reviews, the kale salad was SO good! It was very simple. Just kale, some shredded carrot and a scrumptious garlic dressing. I love garlic and this was so good. Although I'm sure my breath following the meal was not! The ribs were just ok. I am still new to vegan 'meats' but something about it just kind of turns me off. The BBQ sauce was really good, but the soy protein product that is supposed to be the pork just doesn't do it for me. Definitely not the restaurant's fault, but my own personal preference. All in all, I enjoyed trying something different last night and would probably go back sometime to try some other dishes. Perhaps even the 'chickun'?!
Have you been to any new restaurants lately?
Ooh I live not too far from there and have heard good things about it but never eaten there yet! Sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren! Oh I didn't know you lived so close! It was a neat little place - had a down home, yet hippie vibe at the same time! Like I said, I wasn't really a fan of the 'meat' products but that's just me. I think I would go back to try some other veggie/side dishes.
DeleteI need to check this place out, too. Maybe I can convince the carnivorous husband to go on a vegan date night? :) I'm with you on the "veggie" meats, though. Even as a long-time vegetarian, I don't like a lot of them. Particularly soy-based foods. I like a good black bean burger, and sometimes a "chicken breast" hits the spot, but typically I just do meat-free and meat-substitute-free meals.
ReplyDeleteIs it clean in the restaurant? I've been to a couple other vegan places over the years that just felt dirty. I get the whole hippy, earthy vibe, but still. It's a food establishment and should be clean.
HI Larissa, Yeah these meat alternatives just don't do it for me. I guess I am just too accustomed to the taste of actual meat!
DeleteThe restaurant was clean as far as I could tell. It definitely had a hippie vibe though as was not upscale at all. Just a few tables and a bar you could sit at at the window.
I'm lot really vegan anymore, but I've tried a fair share of meat alternatives... some are okay-ish, but most can't be compared to its counterpart. I'm with Larissa, though - I really like black bean burgers. That's funny that your date took a pic :)
ReplyDeleteHI Kelly, I don't know if I'll ever be able to go vegan but the more I read about factory farming and what actually happens to the animals I am eating, just makes me more and more disturbed. So I'm trying to do what I can....
DeleteI would have taken the picture only after he took one. I have had seitan made in BBQ or Chinese food. It had more of a veal texture and tasted like the sauces so I did not mind it.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, yes I suppose I could have! Oh what a modern age we live in when 2 people out on a blind date are sitting at the table instagramming pics of their meal!
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