waldo pizza

★★★★★ (5 stars)

valentine's this year consisted of a two day affair, culminating with a trip downtown to waldo pizza.  we've been here before, but the last time was to meet up with eric prescott and his crew from i'm vegan.  (i'm not in the documentary, but he contacted me while he was in kc just to have a casual dinner).  anyways, that didn't seem like the most appropriate time to bring my camera, and i haven't been back since.  i don't know why - we love pizza it's good enough to eat every night - but we live up north and only occasionally head in to the city for dinner.  most likely because i'm usually cooking at home.

anyways, as i said, this place rocks for vegans.  they have both soy cheese and vegan cheese (so be sure and specify) - the vegan is follow your heart mozzarella.  they run it through the oven twice to make it melty, which just shows how awesome they are to vegans.  you can also get the bread sticks, sandwiches, etc. with the fyh mozzarella.  on this visit we got the veggie pizza, and since neither one of us likes onions, we substituted half zucchini and half roasted corn.  we were a little nervous about the corn, but let me tell you - it rocks!  i wish we'd gotten the whole thing with roasted corn - it was a delicious surprise, for sure.  apparently, they also have some kick ass vegan cupcakes.  i don't really like dessert or sweets all that much (despite my love of baking them), so i've never actually had one. 

it's about as expensive as any non-chain pizza restaurant, but they have great specials on certain days (check their website).  they also have a gluten-free menu, and the staff really seems to know what they are talking about.  and if you get bored while you wait for your dinner, they have trivial pursuit questions that you can test your date with.  of all restaurants in kc, i would recommend this in my top 5 for vegans.

(this review was written about he original located in kansas city - i just found out they have one in lee's summit too!)

website:
waldo pizza




location(s):

7433 broadway
kc, mo
816.363.5242


rollins meadows @ douglas square
lee's summit, mo
816.875.2121

garozzo's ristorante

★★★★(4 stars)

let me start by saying that this is a 5-star restaurant food-wise. it has been my favourite italian restaurant since i moved to kansas city. as an ovo-lacto vegetarian, i always found plenty to eat... and it is sooo good. authentic taste, great atmosphere, phenomenal food. but because i have to factor in the vegan-friendliness, i had to demote to four stars.

however, i will say that as a vegan, there isn't much choice. in fact, your only option is their salad. there a stuffed artichoke on the appetizer menu, which you could probably have them modify and just serve with olive oil, but i haven't attempted this yet. namely, because their house salad is ReAlLy good. pimentos, artichoke hearts, fresh romaine. and their dressing is just as tasty (be sure and ask for no parmesan in the dressing). and it's big. and it's $7, which is pretty decent for such a nice restaurant.

they have some great vegetarian options. i used to love the broccoli and mushrooms in a creamy red sauce. the husband always orders their white wine sauce and claims it is the best sauce ever. i try not get offended since i am italian and make some great sauce myself (so i think), but apparently mr. garozzo has one up on me. :)

anyways, it's a great date restaurant. the one in downtown kc is in the little italy district, which is in a pretty isolated part of town. the pictures here (sorry - camera phone) are from that visit. i've eaten at the one in overland park,which is just as tasty. we usually visit salvatore's in independence and sal is almost always there, greeting us and making sure our visit is spectacular. (*note - sal is the nephew of mike garozzo, but it is pretty much the same menu and just as yummy). so if you are vegan and go with the understanding you are having a salad, then this place will not disappoint.


ps- sorry for the sucky pics. it was really dark and all i had was a camera phone.

website:
garozzo's ristorante
salvatore's

locations:
kansas city, mo
lee's summit, mo
independence, mo (*called salvatore's)
olathe, ks
overland park, ks