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Vegan and Vegetarian in Nashville & Middle Tennessee

Archive for the ‘Nashville’ category

Vegan in Coolsprings – Brixx: Wood Fired Pizza

August 31st, 2011

A new vegan option has cropped up in the Coolsprings area. Brixx:Wood Fired Pizza has opened on McEwen Drive next to Whole Foods and behind Bricktops. I managed to get a pre-opening invite to enjoy dinner while they practiced their daily motions thanks to Coolsprings.com.

The website and menu clearly states many of their items can be made vegan and that they offer vegan cheese as a substitute for regular cheese at no extra charge which is uncommon as there is typically an extra cost for this which most restaurants adopt. Brixx uses Follow Your Heart mozzarella so you’ll be getting a quality vegan cheese and it’s truly vegan so no worries about whether it contains casein.

Our complimentary dinner included one appetizer, a salad, two pizzas, a sandwich and a pasta dish.

We chose the Wood Fired Pita Chips and Three Dips as our appetizer. It was served on a large plate with three small scoops of hummus: black bean hummus, roasted red pepper hummus and traditional hummus. The hummus was served on a bed of greens and topped with roasted red peppers and cumin. Pita triangles, the equivalent of about three pitas, that had been toasted in the pizza oven were served around the perimeter of the plate. The hummus was very thick which made dipping a bit hard but flavorful and at $5.95 was a good appetizer though I would like a little more hummus. I didn’t get to eat much of this one as the kid really enjoyed it and decided to take it for her own. That’s a positive vote for the hummus.

Brixx Salad - No Cheese

Our salad was a modified Brixx Salad. We modified this one by simply leaving off the goat cheese. The salad is a spring mix topped with croutons and pistachios and served with a balsamic vinaigrette. It’s served with a large piece of focaccia which looked to have cheese toasted onto it so we just ignored the bread. I’ll be sure to inquire next time about it as it did look very inviting sitting on the edge of the plate. Another $5.95 selection and worth it. I would consider it a big salad. It’s enough to share if you’re having an entree as well.

We chose two pizzas, the Artichoke which is served with a basil pesto instead of red sauce. We asked our server if the pesto contained cheese and she quickly ran back to the kitchen to ask. She returned to tell us it did and we substituted red sauce instead. Substituting seems to be welcome at Brixx and didn’t throw any confusion into the process so have at it if need be. The Artichoke pizza is topped with artichokes, roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. This pizza could be named the 80′s pizza. Anything with sun-dried tomatoes belongs in the 80′s. Not that I’m complaining about sun-dried tomatoes, I love them. Then again I love the 80′s, so there. Of course, we also substituted the mozzarella for Follow Your Heart cheese. Our second pizza was the Wood-Roasted Vegetable. This was more of a typical veggie pizza with mushrooms I couldn’t tell which type exactly, broccoli, bell peppers and onion. Substituting Follow Your Heart cheese this was also a very good pizza but I think I pick the Artichoke pizza as my favorite of the two. I just really like artichokes on a pizza and then there’s that 80′s thing. The kid got her own kid-sized pizza with red sauce and vegan cheese. She devoured the entire pizza, a good mark as this kid is a very picky eater.

Wood-Roasted Vegetable Pizza with Follow Your Heart Mozzarella

All of Brixx’s pizzas are on a thin, crisp crust and baked in a wood oven. The crust is available in original white flour or whole wheat and both contain nothing animal-derived right down to the turbinado sugar used. These are 100% vegan pizzas when ordered with Follow Your Heart vegan cheese. Brixx also serves pizzas with a gluten-free crust option at a $2 upcharge giving the gluten-challenged a pizza beacon that some may have missed for some time. Prices for the pizzas range from $8.95 to $11.95 though a pizza without all of the animal accoutrements will be in the $8.95-$9.95 range. These are 10-inch pizzas, six slices per pizza and with a good dose of toppings. Another note to keep in mind, after 10pm all pizzas and appetizers are 2-for-1. Get your late-night munchies on!

Artichoke Pizza with Follow Your Heart vegan cheese

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The Kid's pizza selection: A Vegan Cheese Pizza

We also ordered a Wild Mushroom Wrap. I expected the typical wrap: fillings in a run-of-the-mill tortilla. I don’t know why I expected that but that’s the typical wrap these days. That’s not what we got. We were served a mix of portobello, shitake and white mushrooms, spinach and Follow Your Heart cheese wrapped in a slightly toasted pizza crust. One of the franchisees came to our table and explained that they put the pizza crust in the oven for two minutes and then wrap the fillings in it. This is a great wrap. The pizza crust made this wrap superb not to mention the fresh, tasty fillings. If you’re ordering this as a vegan be sure to leave off the sun-dried tomato (80′s) aioli and substitute the Gorgonzola cheese. $7.95 for the Wild Mushroom Wrap. All sandwiches and wraps are served with a choice of pasta salad, bean salad, fresh fruit or chips.

Brixx Wild Mushroom Wrap with Follow Your Heart cheese and no sun-dried tomato aioli

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Brixx Wild Mushroom Wrap with Follow Your Heart cheese and no sun-dried tomato aioli

We didn’t get a pasta as we were already feeling like pigs. There are vegan options on the pasta menu and whole wheat pastas are available as well.

Brixx also has a wide range of beers on tap including Abita Root Beer for the sugar-fiends. With the 2-for-1 pizza deal and array of brews look for Brixx to be busy late nights and with the delicious food they should keep a good crowd at all other times. I’m proud to have a new vegan option in Coolsprings.

(Brixx also has a location in Hendersonville at 300 North Indian Lake Boulevard.)

Brixx: Wood Fired Pizza
1550 West McEwen Drive Suite 10
Franklin, Tennessee 37067
(615) 771-7797

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11am-1am, Sunday 11am-11pm

View Larger Map

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Posted in Cheese, Coolsprings, Dining Out, Food, Franklin, Local, McEwen, Nashville, Pizza, Restaurants

Noodles & Company

April 25th, 2011

Noodles & Company has opened a new location in the strip center adjacent to The Mall at Green Hills. For those not familiar with Noodles & Company it is a fast casual restaurant serving pasta bowls that are freshly prepared. All items are $5.95 for a large or $4.95 for a slightly smaller portion.

We have visited Noodles & Company in Denver on many occasions previously and are very happy to have a location now in Nashville giving us another vegan option.

I received a VIP (read: let us use you for training purposes) invite to a pre-opening event this past Saturday. My sidekick foodie was our 5 year-old daughter who is a pasta-lover. I checked the website beforehand to make sure I knew what was vegan friendly. There is a selection of nine items on the menu that either are vegan or can be made vegan with a simple omission. Tofu is an option to be added to any entree.

Indonesian Peanut Saute
Japanese Pan Noodles
Chinese Chop Salad with no wontons
Penne Rosa with no cream and no cheese
Pasta Fresca with no cheese
Whole Grain Tuscan Linguine with no cream and no cheese
Spaghetti with no cheese
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Tossed Green Side Salad with balsamic vinaigrette

Upon entering we were greeted, asked for our names for the invite list and given a menu. While talking with the greeters, about 2 minutes, no less than 10 people walked in the door only to be turned away when told it was invite only. Most seemed a little angry. I told the employees we were vegan and was quickly and happily handed a vegan menu, not something you get much of around here. Usually when we tell a server that were vegan it’s typically followed by a blank stare and, “What does that mean?”

I had already decided to get the Japanese Pan Noodles and the kid just wanted a pasta so she decided to get Pasta Rosa. We added tofu to each, of course. Our food was served quickly and looked great. The one issue was the kid could not eat hers. It was far too spicy and I wished I had known it would be such an overpowering heat before she had ordered. A little spice doesn’t bother her but the Penne Rosa was far too hot for her. We packed it to go. The Japanese Pan Noodles was very tasty and not over-sauced. The dish was served with flavorful, seared tofu and fresh, crispy sprouts which my daughter thoroughly enjoyed picking from my plate. The noodles were a bit overcooked but I expect that to be worked out as this was, of course, a training session. I had planned on eating only half and boxing the rest but it was gone before I knew it.

The remainder of the Penne Rosa was reheated and eaten the day after our visit and tasted just as fresh as when it was served in the restaurant. I only wished I had some more of the Japanese Pan Noodles to munch on at the time. I plan another visit this week and I’ll likely try the Indonesian Peanut Saute or the Bangkok Curry. You’ll be seeing plenty of me at Noodles & Company in the future.

Noodles & Company
2116 Green Hills Village Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37215
(615) 383-7740

Japanese Pan Noodles with Tofu

Penne Rosa with Tofu

Little Nashveggie with Penne Rosa

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Posted in Dining Out, Food, Green Hills, Nashville, Noodles & Company, Restaurants, Reviews

Tags: Dining Out Food Green Hills Nashville Noodles & Company Restaurants

Veganstravaganza At tayst

September 26th, 2010

A quick note for purveyors of pretty food and those of us who just like vegan dining without having to make special requests. Wednesday September 29th at 6:30 tayst will be having a Veganstravaganza. Cost is $45 and includes 5 courses and 5 wines.

UPDATE: The September 29th Veganstravaganza is filled and a second date has been added. Reserve now for October 13th at 6:30.

Quinoa & Pea Cakes
Spaghetti Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, Tomatoes, Pomegranate
Hugel Picpoul De Pinet

Smoked Pumpkin Bisque
Polenta Fritos, Arugula
Pisoni Nosiola

Almonds
Almond Gnudi, Toasted Almond, Almond Froth, Sorrel Pesto, Pepper Sauce
Deen di Bartolo Brut

Tofu
Marinated, Grilled Tofu, Carrots, Eggplant, Crispy Shallots, Roasted Cucumber, Tobacco Potatoes, Beets
Clos des la Bridevid

Dessert Sampler, Warm Flan, Cashew Cheese, Apples, Chestnuts, Dried Cherries
Jean Bourguet Malbec Port

tayst
2100 21st Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee
(615) 383-1953

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Posted in Dining Out, Events, Food, Nashville, Restaurants, tayst

Tags: Dining Out Nashville tayst

Nashville Flood – Lost & Found Pets

May 13th, 2010

Nashville Flood Lost Cat (now reunited)

This afternoon I had a comment posted on Nashville Flood Relief for Animals about a cat that was lost and had been rescued. They were hoping to reunite the cat with its owner. I asked for pictures of the cat in hopes I could help out by posting them here. Not long after the pictures were sent the owner and the cat were together again. I thought that it may help to have a place for people who have lost their pet in the flood or those who have found pets to be able to post a picture and possible reunite them with their owner. I have setup a forum to do just that. If needed, please post any description of your lost or found animal in the comments below. If you have a picture you would like to include send it to nashveggie/gmail dot com and I will post it for you. Maybe we can get some families back together.

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Posted in Animals, Nashville, Nashville Flood, Pets

Tags: Animals Lost Pets Nashville Flood Pets

Nashville Flood Relief for Animals

May 4th, 2010

UPDATE: If you have lost or found a pet please visit Nashville Flood – Lost & Found Pets

The flooding of Nashville has displaced thousands of people and also thousands of animals. Many people were forced to evacuate and some were able to take their pets along but many more were not. There are also the homeless animals that are now finding no food as well as their way into already overcrowded shelters. Nashville area animal shelters are in need of items to assist in the care of the animals they have housed until their human counterparts can pick them up. If you can help please supply what you can.

Metro Animal Services is in need of blankets, cat and dog food, pet shampoo, laundry and dish detergent, towels and kitty litter. Items can be dropped of at Metro Animal Care, 5125 Harding Place.

Nashville Humane Association needs cat food, dog food, blankets, newspapers and towels. Those items can be dropped off at 213 Oceola Avenue in West Nashville. They are located behind Sprintz Furniture off of White Bridge Road.

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Information from Nashville Humane Association site:

Flood Advisory and Assistance

Nashville residents can call 615-862-8574 if they need assistance finding a shelter. This number should be used for non-emergencies. Please use 911 for emergencies.

The American Red Cross opened the following emergency shelters in Middle Tennessee:

* Lipscomb University – Nashville — AT CAPACITY FOR ANIMALS

Animal victims from floods can be brought to the NHA shelter in West Nashville at 213 Oceola Avenue, located directly behind Sprintz Furniture Store.

* Centerville Church of Christ – Centerville, Tenn
* Bonaqua United Methodist Church – Lyles, Tenn.
* College Hills Church of Christ – Lebanon, Tenn.
* Fairview Recreation Center – Fairview, Tenn.
* People’s Church – Franklin, Tenn.
* Erin City Hall – Erin, Tenn.
* Waverly Church of Christ – Waverly, Tenn.
* Smyrna Town Center – Smyrna, Tenn.
* Coffee County Middle School – Manchester, Tenn.
* Civic Center – Jackson, Tenn.

Also, consider staying in a pet friendly hotel. Click here for a list of Pet Friendly Hotels in Nashville, and call ahead to ensure they have available rooms.

LOST PETS:

If you have lost a pet…

• Fill out a lost report with Nashville Humane Association — check daily for found reports. Please provide:

Appearance: breed, coat type, ears, tail, age, weight, sex, color, etc.
Identification: tags, microchip, etc.
Location: where your pet lives, when and where your pet was last seen

• Contact Metro Animal Care & Control — (615) 862-7928 – 5125 Harding Pl, Nashville, TN -– Because of the differences in how owners describe colors and breeds the owner is then required to come down daily to reduce the potential for miscommunication or misidentification
• Fill out a lost report with Nashville PetFinders,LostAPet.org and Wilson County PetFinders.com websites — check found reports daily online — finders have different ideas of colors and breeds
• Contact all veterinary clinics within the area to see if the pet was brought in by a good Samaritan — check back daily
• Contact the closest evening Pet Emergency clinic to see if a good Samaritan brought the pet in for medical care — check back daily
• Place a lost posting on your neighborhood list serve — check daily for found posts
• Walk/drive through your neighborhood, familiar walking routes, check with neighbors
• Post lost report with photo as permitted in stores and other sites
• Contact the streets division to see if any pets were picked up due to fatal injury

Animal Shelters have a hold period, enabling time for the owner to make the rounds and hopefully increase awareness that a much loved pet is missed.

To check Nashville Pet Finders for a lost pet or report a found pet, please click here.