The inaugural Phoenix Vegan Restaurant Week, happening September 12 to 18, is being organized by Jozh Watson of Phoenix Vegan and chef Jason Wyrick of Casa Terra and The Vegan Taste.
On a pleasant Saturday afternoon during what experts call the tail end of the pandemic, downtown Mesa shows signs of vibrancy.Â
The ârestaurant rowâ strip of Main Street between Center and Robson is percolating, with locals hitting the coffee shops or having lunch-and-drinks at places like Mangos, Tacos Chiwas and Margaritas Mexican restaurants and 12 West Brewing.
A half-dozen blocks east, groups gather for picnics at Pioneer Park. Next door, more folks chow down on the patio at Haven Burgers.
Others chat through their masks while waiting for the light rail stop in the middle of Main Street. The mass-transit usersâ eyes likely gazed at the âNow leasingâ announcement of a building on the corner of Main and Mesa Drive.
These days, the Valley’s restaurant scene has gotten pretty good at embracing diners dietary restrictions and decisions. You can now be a vegan here or indulge in a plant-based diet, and eat pretty well.
Veganism, in short, means abstaining from animal food products. Among the distinctions from vegetarianism are that vegans also skip additional products like eggs, dairy, and honey. For an added perspective on the subject, we turned to Michelle Dudash, a chef, registered dietitian, and cookbook author formerly based in Scottsdale. Dudash shared a few pointers for vegan diners in the Phoenix area.
For those thinking about making the change, “start gradually,” Dudash says. “You don t have to go all or nothing to enjoy the health benefits of less meat. Your taste buds may take an adjustment period. And for your intestinal tract, too, it s in your best interest to go gradually to prevent discomfort while adjusting to more plants.”
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Lost Dutchman Coffee Roasters 12 North Center Street, Mesa Got a day of antique shopping ahead of you? Stop in at the Lost Dutchman coffee shop, and they ll get you set up. Yes, there s the usual options (Americano, cappuccino, cold press), but hyper-local orders like the Gold Rush and decaffeinated Flying Dutchman steamers are also available. In addition to a cup of coffee, you can grab green coffee beans for home roasting, or a quick treat from the in-house Lombardo s Gelato Company. The setup is perfect for a laptop day or a hang with a small group of friends.
Jarrod s Coffee, Tea, & Gallery 154 West Main Street, Mesa