Grand Tavern ~ Oakland, CA

Just up the street from the historical Grand Lake Theater, the Grand Tavern is a great dining experience for vegetarians, vegans, and their omnivore friends. The avant-garde ambiance combines traditional and contemporary decor in a unique and very romantic environment. Open for dinner with a full bar, the service is outstanding and the food is equally delicious and bursting with flavor! With fresh and mostly organic ingredients, they have several vegetarian items and vegans can simply ask the server to have meals prepared dairy free. The sweet carrot mash is cooked with walnuts so if you have a nut-allergic person in your party, alert your server right away. Who knew roasted squash with chile and onion could taste like this?! This is truly one of the best vegetarian dining experiences in the Bay Area and a place you'll want to frequent. It's also a perfect place for a date, or for a group celebration. Don't forget to pair your meal with the perfect wine or bar drink.
Small bites range from $6 - $10 while grand bites go from $12 - $19.
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly (also a great place for omnivores)

SPROUTS ~ South Lake Tahoe

This cute, country, natural food cafe serves wholesome and delicious food. Located right next to a lakeside park this cafe is great for dining in or carrying out to one of the park picnic tables for a grand view of Lake Tahoe. Enjoy soups, salads, smoothies, fresh squeezed juices, teas, latte's with your choice of milk (whole, low-fat, rice, or soy), hot cider, cocoa, natural sodas. Main course menu items include rice bowls (brown rice), burritos (black beans), tempeh burgers, lasagna, nachos, sandwiches. One of my favorite is the Cous Cous Hummus Burro (a large spinach tortilla stuffed with couscous, homemade hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, black olives and tahini) and my kid's favorites are the Quesadilla Jr. (whole wheat tortilla with brown rice, black beans and jack cheese) and the A.T.O.M Bagel (Avocado, Tomato, Onion, Melted Cheese). The soups are always vegan and always delicious. Sprouts is truly a family favorite for delicious and nutritious food. They even have a good selection of baked goods (some vegan). This cafe is not entirely vegetarian (some turkey and tuna), but definitely a great place for vegan and vegetarian friendly dining. Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner from 8am - 9pm daily. Cash Only.
3124 Harrison Avenue (the main drag) in South Lake Tahoe.
Main Courses range from $5 - $8. Sides, smoothies and cafe' drinks range from $3 - $5. Enjoy!
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly

Vegan Recipes from the Heart: Delicious eating for a meat-free, egg-free, dairy-free and nut-free family

This book, by Edy Henderson, contains a collection of recipes adapted for a healthy nut-free vegan diet. These recipes were developed by and for our family over the years. We have vegans and we have nut allergies in the family. The recipes are healthy and delicious and have been tested on vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike who rave about the beautiful and delicious dishes.
To purchase your copy of this book go to: www.veganrecipesfromtheheart.com