Vegan cheese? What's it made out of? Tofu?

There are the poor-tasting vegan "cheeses" that are out of soy and which you'd find in a supermarket, but the high-quality raw vegan ones that can very much resemble a nice feta or a parmesean have nuts - almonds or cashews usually - as the primary ingredient. There are a few recipes for various "cheeses" in "Raw" by Charlie Trotter and Roxanne Klein.

Thanks for the explanation. Fascinating.

I rarely eat cheese because I do not like cheese.

Would someone who does not like cheese like vegan “cheese”?

I ask because of the following story:

In September of 2005, I traveled to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help someone clean out her house that was heavily damaged due to Hurricane Katrina. One evening, a group of people — one of whom was a relation to the homeowner — came to join us for dinner, which had to be grilled outside as there was no electricity. They searched for ground beef hamburger meat but could not find any. After all, whatever markets were opened were scarce. They returned with ground turkey meat and frozen vegetarian “hamburger” patties.

Although I was repulsed by the thought of eating vegetarian burgers, I was hungry from working all day and decided to try one. I liked it enough that I had another. It was actually tasty — and I ate both “burgers” without a bun and not covered in condiments.

I appreciated the fact that I did not have to worry about the “meat” being undercooked, nor did I have to worry about such annoyances as gristle.

While I still prefer a beef hamburger, I think the mistake people generally make is comparing vegetarian burgers to beef hamburgers. There should not be a comparison, as I believe that they are too different to compare. On its own, in my opinion, a vegetarian burger is actually quite good.

Based on this experience, it is logical for me to ask the “cheese” question, which is why I asked it.

I know it is subjective, but what is the answer?

Buy some cashew butter, taste it and if you like it, you probably will like vegan cheese (though they are a lot less sweet).

Their is a big difference in vegetarian burgers, and some are quite good. The Boca mushroom is particularly good (and much better than Gardenburger, which invented the market).

Stockholm:

Hermans - Fjallgatan 23 A
Many options on the buffet and a good selection of veg and some vegan desserts. It's casual and cheap by Stockholm standards - about $20 per person.

Chutney - Katarina Bangata 19
Very casual place in the edgier part of SoFo. Also about $20 per.

Primo Ciao Ciao
One in SoFo (generally packed) and another on Kungsholmen. Not a vegetarian restaurant, but lots of good veg pizzas and pastas. About $30 per.

F12 - Fredsgatan 12
Also not a vegetarian restaurant, but they do offer an 8-course (really 10) vegetarian tasting menu that's quite creative. They will also do blind wine pariings, which are quite fun. Expect to spend about $200 per person.

London
 

Pricey - but excellent (and very good for pairing food with wines)
http://www.roussillon.co.uk/ (near Sloane Square tube)
Isn't exclusively vegetarian but offers some exquisite vegetarian menus
(Lunch here is best for value - 3 courses and a half bottle of wine for 35GBP)

Near me there is
http://www.manna-veg.com/
(just North of Camden) not quite as refined (or expensive) as Roussillon but certainly recommended


Not nearly as good, but a decently priced, decent vegetarian option in Soho is
http://www.mildreds.co.uk/


But for one of London's real hidden gems, have lunch here:
http://www.museumgardenhistory.org/
(near Westminster, on the other side of the river - or walk there along the Thames from Waterloo)

Milan
 

I came for the Grand Prix once with a vegan friend and decided to have a 'ladies' evening out' (and ditched the mechanics;)). We made a booking here:

http://www.joia.it

Very small portions, hoity toity service, but actually rather nice. I still remember the ravioli...

Boston & Cambridge
 

Boston:

Grasshopper - Excellent food, low prices, 100% vegan.
Site: http://grasshoppervegan.com/

Cambridge:

Oleana - Slightly upscale restaurant, with an amazing 6-course vegetarian tasting menu for $40 a person - a total steal. The restaurant has a beautiful outdoor dining area - if you do choose to go there during the weekend and want to sit outside, make the earliest reservation (as of now, 5:30 PM), and get there around 5PM and wait in line. It's well worth it.
Site: http://www.oleanarestaurant.com/

If you are a hungry vegetarian/vegan, stay away from...

Radius - While considered one of the best restaurants in Boston, its "Vegetables 5 Ways" menu choice, while tasty, has remarkably tiny proportions. I appreciate fine dining, but to have a single piece of cauliflower constitute 1/5 of an already tiny meal - that's a little absurd. However, the service was amazing, and the non-veg people loved their food.
Site: http://www.radiusrestaurant.com/

I'm a strict vegetarian (but not vegan) and can't stand meat substitutes - for example, veggie nuggets that are designed to taste like chicken... ick! gag!

Have any of you tried the Amy's brand? A bit high in sodium, but it's organic and tastes great. If you're a veggie burger person, then their California Burger is not to be missed.

I like the veggie patties as long as I'm in the mindset that they're veggie patties, not faux beef patties.

I love the veggie "sausage patties" from Costco, not because it tastes like sausage, but because they're tasty in their own right.

But yeah, I'm a carnivore.

Amy's burritos are very good and great for a quick meal when you don't want to go through the prep.

I find that when processed vegetarian food is molded and flavored to try to resemble it's meat counterpart, it's usually a bad mistake. Otherwise vegetarian food is no different than the regular stuff, except no meat, as I try to explain to my co-workers. THey still are disgusted by vegetarian chili although I really don't understand why. The only differences is lack of beef, no additional of some mystery ingredients that should repulse them.

Thanks so much soundgarden. My son goes to school in Cambridge and we've had a terrible time finding good restaurants with veg menus. We'll give those a try next time I'm out for a visit.

completely agree. if i wanted the taste of meat, i'd eat meat. I do make one exception, however, the morningstar farms breakfast sausage links are great. i've introduced these to a lot of carnivores who now seem hooked as well ... even my dad - the one with the strange norwegian diet - reluctantly admits to liking them. available at trader joe's (other places too, but best price at tj's).

Unf, I haven't found any Amy's things that I've liked ... usually they seem too dry. I haven't tried their CA burger, but I don't eat many veggie burgers. Perhaps I'll give it a try. Thanks.

Not a problem! Here are some others that I have enjoyed. Please feel free to ask me anything about these restaurants or any others in Boston/Cambridge. In the past few years, my b/f and I have slowly tried to eat at most of the veg-friendly places around here. :D

Cambridge:

Addis Red Sea - An Ethiopian restaurant. Their substantial vegetarian menu is entirely vegan, and they recently opened a new location in Cambridge.

Site: http://www.addisredsea.com/
Review: http://www.boston.com/dining/globe_review/1517

Border Cafe - Tex-Mex/Cajun, and a Harvard Sq. favorite. Loud, noisy, and always crowded (expect a substantial wait on the weekends), but the food is excellent, and the service is quick.

Site: http://www.bordercafe.com/

Veggie Plant: - Another Harvard Sq. restaurant. I think that it is only okay, but their purely vegetarian/vegan menu is extensive.

Site: http://www.veggieplanet.net/veggieplanet.htm

Oleana - In addition to what I mentioned in my earlier post, Oleana has a dedicated free parking lot (on the weekends for sure, not sure about weekdays) across the street from the restaurant.

Boston:

Bamboo - Consistently excellent Thai (and technically in Allston). Stop in there before dining and pick up a parking permit to park for free at the nearby Whole Foods!

Site: http://www.bamboothairestaurant.com/

Teatro - An upscale/trendy Italian restaurant. I am a fan of their vegetarian dishes, though they are only a few.

Site: http://www.teatroboston.com/

Ivy Restaurant - Similar in ambiance to Teatro, they specialize in American/French "small plates". I found the menu to be vegetarian (not vegan) friendly, and the food to be excellent. One of my favorite "nice night out" restaurants in Boston.

Site: http://www.ivyrestaurantgroup.com/

Indian food is by nature vegetarian friendly. Here are my favorites in Boston:

Kashmir - Good, if expensive, brunch.

Site: http://www.kashmirrestaurant.com/

Indian Delight - Not much to look at on the outside, but their food is fantastic. It's located in Kenmore Sq., and if there is no Red Sox game, parking is a breeze.

Site: None that I can find.