Vegan dining.......

Some of my family will be coming up later this week and my older sister is a strict vegan. I would like to take the family out somewhere that she would be able to eat as well.....but not just a salad, or a baked potato. Somewhere that actually prepares food for vegans. Robin had suggested Zen Garden which i am looking at very closely, i think she would like it, just wondering if there is anything else out there. It would be awesome if there was a place that catered to vegans AND meat-eaters as well....... can't we all just get along?????? But if not thats ok.... i guess.

There are a couple of issues though:

Price - i am looking for something that averages about $10 a person.

Family friendly - we will have six kids with us ranging in ages, 15, 13, 11, 7, 4, and 2. (i dont know if my 29 yr old little sister counts..... )

Large party - we will be at least 10 people, maybe 11.

This last one is pretty important as well..... but the place cannot be too loud or visually "busy". My four year old has some sensory issues and doesn't do well in certain places.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and considered!!! thanks!

[Robin Garr]

Becky, only half-joking, you could find out where the Morels food truck is going to be. It's all vegan.

The Zen Garden people are on the verge of opening Roots on Bardstown Road (former Cafe Mimosa location) with an all-vegetarian menu. I don't know about vegan options, but I'll bet there are some.

And while it doesn't help on the Sunny Side, when we were out at Westport General Store recently, I noticed Will has a number of both vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. The farfalle pasta with tomato sauce opition on that menu was awesome, but I'm pretty sure it had cheese - non-vegan.

i had not thought about the Morels truck.... good idea. now how do i go about finding it?

and actually i had originally thought about Will's place, but it is a bit out of our price range.

The Third Ave. Cafe in old Louisville has a lot of vegan options. ....But there's usually a stuffed Elvis doll propped up somewhere in the restaurant. Don't know if that would be too visually stimulating.
http://www.thirdavecafe.com/Default.aspx

Also just remembered Ramsi's cafe.
http://www.ramsiscafe.com/

Hey Becky,
Like Robin said we have a few options for your sister and we can always leave cheese off of the Pasta. In terms of price we have sandwich items that range in price from 5.95 to 8.95. Entrees from 14.95 to 27.95. here is a link to the menu page. http://westportgeneralstore.com/menus/dinner.pdf
Let me know if I can help.

Thanks

Will

Hey Becky,
Like Robin said we have a few options for your sister and we can always leave cheese off of the Pasta. In terms of price we have sandwich items that range in price from 5.95 to 8.95. Entrees from 14.95 to 27.95. here is a link to the menu page. http://westportgeneralstore.com/menus/dinner.pdf
Let me know if I can help.

Thanks

Will

ha.... i feel silly, honestly i just scanned the main courses section. The sandwiches do look affordable and if you can leave cheese off of the pasta for my sister that might work.

Will you have music this Friday or Saturday? if so, if we get there early would it be before it starts (asking because of my son)?

i think he could do the children's chicken, but if it is visually off for him he has problems. Do you serve plain white rice, that is usually a safe standard for him.

I see your hours listed as 5-9 Thurs-Sat.... is that current?

If i dont respond promptly after this it is because i am off to the immediate care center with my son..... fun... fun.. .fun... and all i have is one of those old-timer cell phones that just makes calls!!! gasp!

Becky, I don't have anything to add on the food part, but I have something to add on the sensory side. Getting an iPad has been one of the most helpful things in dining out for us. They're super easy to use and can be loaded with many free and low priced apps. I know they're a bit pricey, but if you can ever work it into your budget it's well worth it. It gives u's way more time at restaurants than before and Ben loves it so much, that he's not as bothered by sounds, etc. We call it a therapy tool, but it's really been a life saver at everything from the store to waits at the drs office.

Busta Grill has vegan, vegetarian, and meat awesome sausage options. It's outside at a food stand and more like crazy, local fast food than some sort of gourmet restaurant thing but you can eat for 5 bucks a person.

1st and Washington tues-fri 11-2. Word!

Becky,
No band on Thursday or Friday. Saturday they start at 7pm. We serve basmati rice. We can also work up a dish for your son that will appeal to him. I have walked in your shoes with my own son, so please just let me know how we can help make this a nice, stress free dinning event for you.

HI Becky,
North End Cafe has numerous vegan items (breakfast, lunch or dinner), we could easily accomodate your party of 11 and have no live music. Our main dining room gets loud when crowded but we could put you on the bar side which stays rather quiet. As far as food for the kids we offer a kids menu ( pasta with any type of sauce, grilled cheese and a kids burger) but if those don't work we do have white rice as well as a full breakfast menu (what kid wouldn't want pancakes for dinner). Please feel free to give us a call at 896-8770 with any questions that you may have.
We have an online menu with pricing but it is slightly outdated. I would be more than happy to send you our gluten free and vegan menus if you would like.
Thanks
Torri
North End cafe

hey all... sorry for the late response. I was in the ER all night with my son on Sunday and couldnt get on here.

We had a death in the family and my sister is going to have to cancel the trip up here.

[Robin Garr]

hey all... sorry for the late response. I was in the ER all night with my son on Sunday and couldnt get on here.

We had a death in the family and my sister is going to have to cancel the trip up here.

Sorry to hear what you're going through, Becky. Our thoughts are with you.

thanks Robin..... actually i think they are making the trip out after all. But i do not think we are going to be in a celebrating mood. My 34 yr old cousin passed away after a life of liver transplants etc. sigh..... i know death is not an end..... but i am still of the flesh and it is painful.


megan..... an ipad is way out of our price range.... but he does have a ds. and he is really into it. i limit it a lot, but for days such as when we were at the hospital this weekend, it is great at keeping him calm and distracted. he alternated between his ds and drawing all night. he is actually great at computer games and stuff, which at first i thought was great. But now i realize his intelligence and other stuff like that are all strong indicators of his issues.

sorry......... about the original topic, i will let my family know but honestly it is on the back burner for now.