Eating vegan in the Triangle 

Thank you so much for covering vegetarian restaurants ("Slim pickin's," by Claire Cusick, DISH, Feb. 6). When I moved to the area two years ago, I loved just about everything—the people, arts community, etc. The one thing I missed was the vegan restaurants that Seattle has—about 15 and counting—Thai, fast food, home cooking, Chinese, etc. They are frequented by veg and nonveg folk alike. They are busy.

We most certainly have the demand for an all-vegan restaurant here. A fancy restaurant has its place, but we need something like Hillside Quickies in Seattle or Foodswings in Brooklyn—a great down-home, soul food, cheap sandwich kind of place.

That said, it is not hard to be vegan in this town. I go to Cosmic Cantina and order the Chimichanga or tofu burrito, Xiloa for nacatamales, International Delights for falafel sandwiches and Whole Foods to eat at the (practically) all-vegan bar. I get soy milk in my lattes and coffee. Many things are labeled "veg" or "vegan."  

When I'm not eating out, I make a mean seitan, which according to omnivores, tastes like chicken. At $2.75 for the wheat gluten from which it is born, and considering this makes enough for five meals, it's way cheaper than meat and has a lot of protein. It's easy as heck to fix, too. Check out the recipe at rockinthestove.blogspot.com/2008/01/elenis-seitan-recipe.html.

One more thing: I was surprised that Isa Moskowitz of Post Punk Kitchen was not part of the cookbook conversation (www.theppk.com). I can't tell you how many omnivores buy her stuff. She's awesome.

So thanks for covering this topic. I really hope someone creates a vegan restaurant. If recipes are needed, let me know; I've got plenty of easy, fast, good ones. Cake, cookies, biscuits and gravy, etc.

My friend and I are also working on a site that lists veg-friendly places in the Triangle; check it out at www.vegtriangle.com.

Eleni Binge
Durham