Celebrate VegWeek With Great Drinks, April 23-29
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to go veggie-only, April 23–29 is the time to try. This week is National VegWeek 2012, a program that was started in 2009 in Tacoma, MD in order to celebrate and highlight the benefits of being vegetarian. While Pennsylvania is not one of the states officially participating in the weeklong event (what up with that?), Philly is home to many restaurants with exceptional veggie options. Here are a few of our favorite veg-friendly restaurants that serve great drinks as well.
Adobe Cafe: This East Passyunk cantina dedicates an entire page of the menu to vegetarian options, which include Texas ranchero seitan wings, tofu fingers, multiple black beans soups and assorted salads. Enhance the Mexican flavors by pairing with a margarita, available starting at just $6 a pint or $18 a pitcher, made with one of nearly 20 different tequilas (1919 E. Passyunk Ave.; 215-551-2243).
South Philadelphia Tap Room: If the term gastropub has you thinking wings and burgers, get a fresh perspective at this Newbold tavern. Chef Scott Schroeder serves a vegan pizza, a vegan hoagie and a vegetarian eggplant parm (as well as veg-friendly daily specials) to go along with the impressive craft draft selection with 14 rotating taps (1509 Mifflin St.; 2015-271-7787).
Vedge: If you thought decadent veganism was an oxymoron, Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby will prove you wrong at this luxe bistro in a historic mansion on Locust Street in Wash West. Not only are the food dishes rich and hearty without the use of meat, even the cocktails aim to eschew animal products, and do it while maintaining great taste. Head over to sip a few at happy hour at the marble bar or in the fireplace-bedecked sitting lounge (1221 Locust St.; 215-320-7500).