Jilly Bites

    1 Jul 2010

    The Veggie Grill!!! 

    As a foodie, I think it is wise to explore the entire food spectrum and, thankfully, in recent years, with the popularity explosion of vegan delights (especially in Los Angeles) being a vegan or a vegan-lover-wannabe (like me!) is super easy and YUMMY!!!

    There are many places to try a vegan dish and one you MUST try is The Veggie Grill off Sunset Blvd.  It’s bright, cheery, and the service is always excellent.  Order items like VG-Cheeseburger with the Red Cabbage Slaw as your side (that red cabbage slaw is something wonderful), Uptown Nachos (sooooooo good!!!!), Mac-n-Cheese (zero dairy for our lactose intolerant friends), or for a super tricked out meatless yet meaty sandwich get the All-American Stack with the Sweetheart Fries.  They also serve natural sodas, beer and wine!  Sit outside on the patio, people watch (always highly entertaining), and chow down on the all-natural plant-based food.  Yum! Yum! Yum!

    P.S. Secret: I personally choose to believe that when eating vegan calories do not exist.  I extend the same freedom to you! ;-)  

    11 Jun 2010

    Jilly Bites Goes to Nevada!!!

    (Reno, to be specific)

    Pneumat-a what?

    Pneumatics!

    Pneumatic Diner is an eclectic, hipster hideaway.  One of the few restaurants in Reno, NV that features an all vegetarian menu.  Everything is made in-house and the love of quality food is tasted in every bite.  Located on the second story attached to the back of an apartment building (if I lived in Reno, I’d have to live there and I’d never go to the grocery store, just Pneumatics!), it has an incredible view of the city with cozy, small bar tables and local artist work on the walls.  

    I was introduced to Pneumatics the first time I visited Reno with my boyfriend (it’s his hometown) and ever since we make a point to come back whenever we visit.  No matter what you order, you will be happy, it’s all scrumptious.  Some of the staples we order are the Dynaflows (a frozen fruit and juice blended drink) and the chips and beanie dip (tortilla chips with a hummus, salsa, and jack cheese dip served warm).  In addition to our traditional order, I tried their IVE, Iced Viennese Espresso (similar to a Starbucks Double Shot, but BETTER!!!!!) and their Type A salad (perfect for Type A’s like me who are very picky with their food! :-D).  Now this salad was fantastic; fresh mixed greens, chopped jicama, cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers (hold the tomatoes as usual), but what really made this salad stand out from the pack was the dressing we chose-Lummox Vinaigrette.  It took the basic balsamic vinaigrette dressing and flipped it on its head!  I loved it so much I begged for the recipe and they were nice enough to give it to me. And lucky for you as well because it’s posted below for all to enjoy!! 

    Lummox Vinaigrette Dressing

    • 1 head garlic
    • 1/4 tomato
    • 1 serrano pepper
    • 1/2 T. basil
    • 1/2 T. black pepper
    • 9 oz. red wine vinegar
    • 3 oz. balsamic vinegar
    • 6 oz. olive oil

    Throw it all into a blender and blend it up!! Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum!

    And on our next visit, apparently we are trying something called the Cookie Bomb … oh, my!