Brunch/Lunch in Georgetown w/ Vegan

[Elyssa]

Here's a tough one...my vegan officemate asked me to recommend a good Sunday brunch/lunch spot in Georgetown to go to with his Uncle and family (including his 1 year old son).

He only really needs 1 item that he can eat and he knows he is a tough one to please being vegan so it doesn't need to be extraordinary. I suggested Clydes (but for some reason was unable to get a current brunch or weekend lunch menu online). Any other ideas?

[sweth]

Is he tied to G'town? The best vegan "real" brunch in DC is at Asylum (or at least it used to be; I haven't been there in a while, but I assume they're still doing it). In G'town itself, I don't know if you'll be able to find a traditional brunch that can do vegan, but I think Pizza Paradiso has vegan (soy cheese) options; also if Harmony Cafe is still around (another place I haven't been to in a while) they can make most dishes vegan (w/ mock meats if he likes that).

[Professor12]

I've been a vegan Georgetown student for the past three years.

Pizza Paradiso would be a great option (they do have vegan soy cheese). Amma Vegetarian Kitchen would have the widest selection of options for a vegan as well as probably the best south indian cuisine in the District. While they do use ghee/yogurt in some dishes, they have been more than happy to leave the ghee off the dosai when asked. Harmony Cafe is still around and has vegan alternatives of nearly all their dishes in addition to the strictly vegetarian menu options but having dined there three or four times, I've never been impressed by their food. George's Falafel is another good option for a quick lunch as well as Quick Pita. For something more substantial try Zed's Ethiopian next door to George's which has some of the best Ethiopian vegetarian(almost all vegan) in the district (though overpriced). Cafe Divan on Wisconsin is another option if you're in the mood for Turkish. Hope that helps.

[Elyssa]

Hi Professor,
My friend thanks you for your recommendations. He wanted to know which items at Zed's are NOT vegan.

Thanks!

[Elyssa]

Yes apparently tied to Georgetown. I tried to get him to go elsewhere but I believe this is where his Uncle will be. He's ok not having a giant selection---he's use to that. But would like at least one item he can eat or at least adjust to his taste (ie take out the goat cheese in a salad or leave off the eggs etc).

Thanks ofr all the suggestions...I'll pass it along.

[DCDOLL]

There are a couple vietnamese places in G'town; i'm sure they have some veggie dishes. And what about that Joe's Dumpling house or whatever it is? haven't been but it looks interesting...

[zelda68]

try Amma Vegetarian Kitchen.

[sweth]

I'd call first to confirm that they're vegan; South Indian restaurants are usually pretty into the butter/ghee, so if he's a strict vegan, I don't think he'd find much of anything (maybe an idli) that he could eat there.

[Jeserf]

you associate with a...vegan? And I thought I was the most annoying person to get food with!

I BELIEVE Le Pain Quotidien has vegan options. I'm not 100% positive, but I was under the impression they did have some options.

I wonder if Leopolds has anything? Perhaps check their menu?

[Elyssa]

I'm not eating with him :)

I figured he would have to go somewhere with a lunch menu as well because brunch seems to be the most unfriendly vegan meal out there.

[Jeserf]

check out those two...they might work.

OR i'd say tell him not to go to Georgetown.

there's a falafal shop across from the cupcake place - isn't falafal vegan?

[Elyssa]

Leopold's actually seems good with some of their salads. I figured Clyde's is a solid choice since you can probably get a veggie sandwich or something---minus the cheese (OH the horror!!!)

I think he wants a nicer sit down place since his uncle is treating. But these were good choices.

[Jeserf]

He who doesn't consume cheese doesn't deserve the cheese!

Leopold's always looks good, but never been. That whole "georgetown" thing.

[JAC13]

I went to Leopolds for the first time on Sunday and I was pleasantly surprised. It was very busy and we were late for brunch so they were out of a few of the specials that I wanted to try (i.e. truffled parm. grits and blueberry buckwheat pancakes). Still, I was very happy with my selection of a pureed root vegetable soup and lemon souffle pancakes, which were served w/a strawberry coulis. The soup was devine- velvety and rich w/a very intense flavor. While the pancakes weren't quite as light as their name might imply, the flavor was amazing and I have been thinking about them all week! My SO got the liptaur crostini, which was great and some sort of smoked salmon platter, which was the low point of the meal- we just thought that it was over-priced for its size.

The service was OK but not spectacular- she seemed a bit harried so I am not sure if the crowd was normal or just a fluke.
Still, I will def. go back again soon and I rec. it.

They had a few nice looking salads on the menu- perhaps that would work for your vegan friend??