taj mahal

★★★★ (4 stars)

taj mahal recently opened a location in independence, mo. we've been eyeing it from the outside for a couple months, and finally decided to give it a try when we had planned to meet my family for a movie in the area. this review is based on the independence location only, since i've not visited the kansas city one yet.  if i do, i will update this review.

i was... surprised. it's in a strip mall, but the inside certainly does not feel that way all. very clean, a great menu and service, and it definitely had fine dining appeal. and like any good indian restaurant worth it's curry, they started us off with some yummy papadums. i couldn't place the flavour, which killed me, but they were some of the best i've had. the only downturn came when i was trying to order something without ghee, cream or yogurt, which seemed to present a little bit of a problem. i'm guessing they don't have too many vegans coming through. after being told they couldn't make any of the first three dishes i wanted, i finally settled on baingan bharta (eggplant). to be fair, there were a number of other dishes that they suggested for me - mostly lentil and chickpea dishes. i guess i just get burnt out on lentils and chickpeas because i make them so much at home. the husband got something with paneer - i can't rightly remember because the paneer chunks were like the size of my head! it looked really good! we also got some roasted garlic naan (specified no butter) that was drool worthy as well.

all in all, a good indian restaurant. vegans will face a lot of the same dishes they can normally eat, so nothing above and beyond in that respect (at least at the independence location). however, the food was super delicious, service was good, they did have at least four or five vegan dishes and you'll be dreaming about the garlic naan for days. i'm not sure how friendly their buffet is (lunches), so this review is based on dinner only. not too shabby for the suburbs of the midwest heartland (which can often be a vegan wasteland).

no website

locations (2):

independence
19210 e 39th st
independence, mo
816.795.0001 

kansas city
7521 wornall rd
kc, mo 
816.361.1722 

the brick

★★★(3 stars)

i've been wanting to write a review of the brick for a while now, but have never found the right time to go and scour what is truly vegan.  we finally found the opportunity when a local band was playing, and headed down early so we could grab some grub.  they have a separate section of vegetarian options on their menu - probably more options than any other bar in kansas city.  unfortunately, their 'hipper-than-thou' staff seriously detracts from the underwhelming food.

granted, it's not the first time i've had server/bartender issues there before, but you always go hoping for the best.  we were the only people there at the time, and i politely inquired about the bun the portabello burger is served on.  the bartender checked, then came back and told me 'no', it's not vegan, and then walked away.   i had to flag her down and ask about some other options, and she seemed frustrated that i was bothering her.  as i said, we were the ONLY people there.  finally, she found a lady in the kitchen who came out an offered two bread options - the pita bread or a wheatberry wrap.  i was happy and decided on the wrap.  unfortunately, the end result wasn't all that great.  it was flimsy, and not very veggie stuffed.  it certainly seems a little overpriced.  not to mention, this all came after they told us the kitchen was closing late, and then rushed us to make an order at like 8pm.  whatever.

so truthfully, they only have two vegan options because the veggie burger has eggs. and they weren't all that impressive (seriously, check out the record bar's wrap in comparison).  and, of course, it isn't served up by super friendly staff or anything, so that also kinda detracts.  i give them props for having a robust vegetarian section on their menus, but the final product is sort disappointing (especially for vegans).  i went there thinking i would surely give them four stars, and i'm only giving them three because of all the vegetarian options.  otherwise, this is a two star vegan joint (with good music).  bummer.


website:
the brick


location:
1727 mcgee
kc, mo  
816.421.1634

thai paradise

★★★ ★ (4 stars)

recently a couple of the thai place restaurant locations have closed (bummer economy!).  in fact, the two closest to me - the north and downtown location were victims.  i wasn't aware of this, and had happily made the trip to downtown kc for some serious thai indulgence.  after realizing it had closed had closed, we headed over to thai paradise on grand boulevard.  we had eaten there once before, and i'm happy to report, it's as delicious as i remember.

we started with the crispy fried tofu.  although the tofu chunks were a little too big, they were still nicely crunchy.  we ordered the spice tray to kick our sauce up a bit. although the tray isn't as robust as the thai place spice tray, they do have jalapenos marinated in soy - seriously awesome.  for our entree, we both ended up getting the tofu cashew, but there are plenty of other options.  and, they don't use fish sauce, so veg folks can order safely.  the helping was very large, definitely enough for leftovers (and chock full of cashews).

the staff was super friendly and definitely were knowledgeable on the vegan/fish sauce issue.  it's not a glamorous place, but the tables all ornamental hand carved wood - gorgeous.  the tables are all small, so it can be a nice little date restaurant.  i would definitely put this as my second favourite thai place in kansas city, and who knows - now that it is the closest one to me, maybe it will become number one.

website:
thai paradise



location:
1513 grand boulevard
kansas city, mo
816.221.5727

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

record bar

★★★★ (4 stars)

the record bar offers up some vegan friendly dishes, salads and some custom items that can be veganized. there are no real vegan-dedicated bars in kansas city. heck, there is really only one or two places where you can find all vegan food. so for a bar in the midwest, the record bar's vegan selection isn't bad. not to mention, you can hear some really great music while you're chowing down.


the moby is their vegan sandwich, a delicious marinated portabello (be sure and request is without the mayosturdaionase). they also have a vegan-friendly pizza, the ian mackay. although i really wanted to get a pic of the pizza, i had pizza for lunch that day, so i went with the moby. i wanted to get it in a wrap, so the bartender checked and as i recall, only one of them is vegan. i can't remember which (blame the beer) - maybe the tomato basil? be sure and check if you order a wrap. yummy and filling - what any good bar food should taste like. the husband got the straight up moby - i tried to convince him to get the pizza for picture diversity, but no dice - so two moby's are what you get. oh, they also have my favourite vegan-friendly beer on tap, kansas city's own boulevard unfiltered wheat.


the service is better than your average music-focused bar. prices are little higher than what i think bar food should be, but i guess it's worth it when you are getting good quality vegan food. this place definitely ranks up there with mccoy's, my other favourite vegan-friendly bar.


website:
record bar

location:
1020 westport road
kc, mo 64111
816.753.5207

swagat fine indian cuisine

★★★★★(5 stars)

i've been trying different indian restaurants in kansas city for the past couple of years, and i would say the swagat has been one of my favourite experiences yet. swagat is located up north of kansas city, in a shopping area called zona rosa. although the busy shopping area didn't appeal to me, i've heard good things about the restaurant and ventured up there.

the place was busy! by far the busiest indian restaurant i've been to - perhaps because of the prime location? it was nice and clean, and definitely had a "fine dining feel". we were seated and served with some (free) delicious crackers. we then ordered the vegan-friendly palak pakoras appetizer, which was a little scary looking, but so so good. it's basically deep-fried spinach, served with some dipping condiments (that i did not care for).



for dinner, i confirmed with my server what could be made vegan. the chana masala, dal makhni, bhindi masala, aloo gobhi, and aloo palak mutter are all cheese-free, but are usually made with cream. if specified, they will make it without, and so i ordered the aloo gobhi (cauliflower & potatoes). the husband ordered something with paneer, but i can't remember what and i can't tell from the photo! either way, we both loved our meals, and their naan was crispy and wonderful.



the portions were huge - i think i got three meals out of mine (although i did have an appetizer that night). the server was pretty knowledgeable about the vegan options - although he did have to check with the kitchen on one or two things. i certainly appreciate their willingness to customize so many different options. prices are pretty on par with other indian restaurants... or at least the ones i'm familiar with. i will definitely go back and would recommend it, for sure!

website:
swagat

location:
7407 nw 87th street
kansas city, mo 64153

nick and jake's

★★ (2 stars)

let me start by saying that my expectations weren't that high when i planned to meet some friends for dinner. i knew it was a shot in the dark, but kansas city is packed with bar and grill joints and many of them have decent vegan or vegetarian options. nick and jakes - not so much.


for vegetarians, there are quite a few options that involve cheese and eggs... many appetizers and pasta are vegetarian friendly. for the vegan, humus or salad are almost your only options (or sides). their noodles contain egg, according to our server, so pasta is out. at the time i took these pics, they had a portobello burger with sauteed onions (non-vegan bun), but it has since been removed from the menu. their salad dressings are also non-vegan, so you have to go with the olive oil and vinegar. and the prices aren't that great, really - especially when all you can eat is salad with vinegar or a combination of side dishes. my vegetarian husband got a peanut pasta (also removed from the menu), and said it wasn't all that great. mine wasn't all that great either.


the plus side is that the atmosphere is nice. service is just okay. unfortunately, the dishes a vegetarian can eat are just mediocre, and a vegan will struggle. there are plenty of other options in kansas city with more variety and taste - i suggest you go there.


website:
nick and jake's

locations:
overland park
6830 w 135th street
overland park, ks
913.681.8535

parkville
6325 lewis street, suite 110
parkville, mo
816.584.8535