Vancouver's Own.... Chi Cake!!!

Chi (pronounced "chee") Cake is Vancouver's very own low-fat, gluten-free, vegan cheesecake! This amazing cheesecake alternative dessert is made with organic, local ingredients and is lactose, trans fat, and cholesterol free.

Once I researched the Vancouver vegan scene, I knew I had to try some of this local favorite! Out of the many locations that offer Chi Cake, I decided to check it out when I was at Drive Organics, on Commercial Drive. The rich, creamy texture matched with the light crust is a great combination.

Available in NY Style, chocolate hazelnut, even pumpkin, this is a treat worth checking out. Check them out online at http://www.chicake.com



(photo from Chi Cake website.. ate mine so fast didn't have time to snap one of my own!)

The Naam Vancouver, Canada

2724 W. 4th
(Stevens & Mac Donald)
Kitsilano
(604) 738-7151
http://www.thenaam.com
Child Friendly
Open 24 Hours
All major cards accepted

Breakfast menu: http://www.thenaam.com/naam/menus/breakfast1.htm
Lunch/Dinner menu: http://www.thenaam.com/naam/menus/dinner1.htm


Any vegetarian should be aware of this famous restaurant! Depending where you are staying this might be a little out of the way, but this must-see restaurant is open 24 hours a day and is always delicious. Their wide menu and convenient hours make The Naam a modern-day Nirvana!

Since 1967 this hot spot has been offering their extensive menu right along with their award-winning "indifferent" service. OK- the service is not the best ever offered, but the food is amazing & comes quickly.

Their array of different foods from Asian dishes to Mexican, Mediterranean to classic American, there is something for everyone, morning, noon, and night. Boasting burritos, quesadillas, Vietnamese noodle and vegetable bowls, soups, veggie burgers, pita pizzas, enchiladas, nachos, sandwiches, and lots more, makes every visit different and enjoyable for breakfast, lunch or dinner.


The quesadillas are a perfect opportunity to get a true tasting of Vancouver's very own Daiya Cheese, a locally made vegan cheese substitute. A great way to enjoy a classic comfort food, these quesadillas are crunchy on the outside, soft and creamy inside, and seasoned perfectly with just a touch of jalopeno and green onion. Accompanied by a small salad and their signature fries with miso gravy, this is an extremely tasty and fulfilling meal.

After the main meal, they offer many desserts, hot beverages, shakes, beers and ciders.

All of their dishes are vegetarian, and they offer some vegan and macrobiotic options. Also, as they mention on their menu, the complete list of ingredients for each dish are not listed, so it is a good idea to ask your server exactly what you are ordering. If they are a bit short or curt with you, it is what they are known for. Smile and know you have an amazing experience coming!

Sweet Cheribum Vegetarian Eatery (Vancouver, Canada)

1105 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, Canada
(604) 253-0969
10 AM - 10 PM
http://www.sweetcheribum.com
Menu: http://www.sweetcherubim.com/pdf/SweetCherubimMenu.pdf
All major credit cards accepted!

This major vegetarian/vegan conglomerate has been a part of Vancouver, Canada since 1980, when the Bagga family started this veggie venture. They promote vegetarianism for the reasons of world hunger, world health, world peace & world environment.


The first entrance leads to their small, but packed health store stocking everything from whole ingredients to prepackaged foods, bath and beauty supplies to books, they have it all. Perfect for the traveler who is not allowed many beautification product on the plane, or someone interested in the best products from Vancouver.


Exploring the store is a great adventure of local and organic products, but proves difficult for the dessert lover, for the smells and scents coming through the threshold of the bakery.

The postre collection Sweet Cheribum has to offer is outstanding. Not only do they host a large cookie selection, but they also display many creative, natural desserts like fruit and nut combination delights, balls & squares. This is all well and good for those who have a far smaller sweet tooth, but if you are looking for the big contenders there are cookies, cakes & cupcakes. All the desserts are vegetarian, some being vegan. Their chocolate covered macaroon is a very satisfying choice. This moist cookie, with a hint of coconut and covered in chocolate, is the satisfaction that a sweet tooth is looking for!

Even if Sweet Cheribum is visited just for the bakery, the eatery is worth checking out. Their hot buffet has an Indian feel, with their selections of dahls, nan, and wide variety of somosas and subjis, but they also have many mediterannian salads and pakoras, tapas, and other choices. The bufet and restaurant is very clean and organized, and the dishes are all vegetarian, mostly vegan.

The main entrée of lentil dahl with multigrain vegan bread & salad offers an amazing taste combination. The dahl is very flavorful, with a heat that lingers a bit (but definitely not too hot) and the freshly baked bread is an appropriate accent.
The raw salad dressing packs a possible larger punch then the dahl! Consisting of tahini, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, dates & lemon as the main ingredients, this dressing offers a huge blast of flavor that compliment the spiciness of the dahl.

With many lunch and dinner entrees and combinations, and even snacks on the go, Sweet Cheribum is a place that can be visited over and over again for different experiences.. all of them delicious!