Amazingly, I ate lunch at my second Seventh Day Adventist-inspired vegan joint in almost as many days. This one, Little Lad's, is in Portland, Maine, and it seems that the same fellow started them both--and others. So maybe he likes bland food that features descriptive names but tastes almost exactly the same? ( New Hampshire's stuffed pepper did have a tasty tomato sauce.)
We ate lentil pilaf, Armenian style, "Shepherd's Pie," fresh corn, slabs of potatoes, and salad. I doubt that an Armenian came within an inch of those lentils. The corn and the salad were fine. When I asked for black pepper, I was told that the cooks think pepper is tough on the digestive tract, so no dice. The salt, too, was hidden, but available.
Little Lad's sells perfectly popped and seasoned popcorn in bags that is exceptionally good, I must say. They give you small sample bowls with your lunch and, of course, I bought a bag to take away. (If the popcorn is distinctive, then why is the carb-heavy food so...?)
A fellow blogger who lives near London makes delectable vegan food--as do many others inclined in that direction--so there is no reason for same to be utterly lacking in distinction. Or spices.
For supper in Portland? Gilbert's Chowder House--homemade onion rings! Fried clams with bellies! Oh yes, mighty fine, as a once in a blue moon treat. We neglected to have cole slaw.
Tomorrow I head south, back to the wicked NY/DC metro corridor, where I most likely will not be enticed into another such vegan eatery.
ps Don't miss eating at Flatbread if you are in Portland. Pizzas and ethical stances of distinction.
Nothing worse than Bland...
Posted by: Ayahuasca Recipe | May 07, 2012 at 08:45 AM
True, Rose, but when everything tastes the same....
Posted by: Foodie | October 26, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Deliver Me From Bland! you write.
I will give my take on "bland."
Very often food is tarted up to the point that the original taste has disappeared under condiments from all sorts of places.
Good unadultereated taste of produce as they are can be delicious- even though we are not used to them anymore.
Posted by: Rose | October 25, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Well thank you! I actually was thinking of trying to make a lentil pilaf since I had never had it before.
Lydia enjoyed her non-vegan lunch today. Mexican pizza sprinkled with the cayenne seasoning you brought. Yum!
Posted by: Sonya | October 20, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Sonya--you are a terrific and inventive cook who could well improve the fare at LL, dare I say. And yes, the price is remarkable for ample portions of healthy food.
(Hi, Lydi-er!)
Posted by: Foodie | October 20, 2009 at 06:40 AM
I have to say that I really enjoyed the lentils as well as being your dining partner. I also think that $4.99 is a huge deal for a massive plate full of food plus more if you want.
Thanks for lunch! I hope you find some better vegan places in the future!!! Flatbread's, by the way, is vegan friendly.
Posted by: Sonya | October 19, 2009 at 05:58 PM
I love home made popcorn!
Unfortunately the popcorn that is on sale in supermarkets etc just does not do it for me.
However i would love to try some of the little lads popcorn!
Posted by: hog roast | October 19, 2009 at 02:52 AM