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

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

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.

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.

Since the writing of this article it has been pointed out to me by some who work at Burger Up that the Marathon burger mentioned in this article is no longer vegan. One of the ingredients is Worcestershire sauce containing anchovies. Note: Worcestershire sauce is also in the homemade ketchup they serve.

UPDATE: Burger Up is now open. If you have made a visit please take the time to let me know what you thought in the comments.

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I have been reading of the new black bean/quinoa burger at Frothy Monkey for a few weeks on Twitter and had a standing reservation for one form Miranda, the owner, for some time but never could make it because of other obligations. This weekend we finally made it on the last day they would be available before the opening of Burger Up just down the street.

My trips to Frothy Monkey have only been for coffee in the past I have never really looked at their menu which has a few vegan selections. The burgers are not on the menu but were on a spur of the moment availability. The burgers can be ordered with a wheat bun or sourdough bread. Those working were unsure if the wheat bun contained honey so we opted for the sourdough. Our burgers were served topped with tomato slices and hummus and a side of tortilla chips and salsa. I’m not a big fan of the black bean veggie burger variety. Usually they are over-spiced with cumin to the point there’s no other flavor but these burgers were great. No over-powering spice and they held together very well, something not easily found in housemade veggie burgers. The hummus was a very nice addition.

Burger Up Black Bean Quinoa Burger

We were told by Miranda, the owner, that Burger Up will hopefully open by April 1st. They will also be serving baked fries for those who prefer something hot and crispy on the side.

Future Location of Burger Up:

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