Viet Garden // Gluten Chicken

Out of all the times I've been to Viet Garden (a mix of Vietnamese food and Thai food), I have never noticed under their veg options (yes, they have a whole section for it) there's two fake meat choices. Usually I get the Buddha's Delight, which is an assortment of vegetables with tofu in the house (brown) sauce for $7.50. There are five other veg selections. This time that I went, I noticed there was "gluten chicken" and "vegetarian pork stir-friend with mixed vegetables." Each $8.95 a piece. I decided to try something new. I asked the waiter what "gluten chicken" was, if it was tofu. He said sort of, but said it's "fake chicken." I said anything without cruelty, I will try! So I went ahead and gave it a shot. It was pretty tasty. It wasn't as dry as the "chicken" that they serve at the Whole Food's salad bar (which tastes awful, may I add).

Here is the gluten chicken with the variety of vegetables that they bring. They give you so many different types of vegetables with their veg meals! Yum.

Personally, I will stick with the Buddha's Delight. Although I am willing to try new things, as I did the gluten chicken, it just wasn't for me. Their tofu is so much better and so goooood.

I was never a pork person, even when I was a meat eater, but just to try it out, I might try the "fake pork" next to see what the fuss is all about.

Oh, and I usually start with the garden rolls delight. Shredded tofu and vegetables rolled in rice paper. It comes with two for $2.95.

Viet Garden

1237-1239 E. Colonial Dr.

Orlando, FL 32803

Shari Sushi Lounge

Shari Sushi Lounge has the best sushi I've ever had in my entire life... And I've eaten a lot of sushi. I've been there twice and as a veghead it is hard to find a lot of places that get creative with their sushi. Most places throw cucumber and carrots in a roll and call it a veggie roll. Not here. The first I went, I got a veggie sushi plate called the "vegetable moriawase" which includes one crunch rolls, assorted Japanese vegetable nigiri a hand rollthat was only $15 (photo not available). It came with about 20 pieces of all different types of rolls and a variety of exotic vegetables, some I have never even heard of.

The photo above was taken the last time I went. I asked the waiter what he suggested, and they are so good with making suggestions. He recommended a roll with crunchy asparagus (on the left). But the thing that blew me away is the crunchy sweet potato. I have never been anywhere that put sweet potato in a sushi roll, let alone CRUNCHY sweet potato. He even suggested a side of a special sauce that was much like duck sauce. He recommended I eat it with the sweet potato roll and man, I am so thankful because it was delicioso! And even better, during happy hour, everyday from 5-7 p.m. which means the rolls are only $3.75 each.

And don't forget the ginger! Can't go without the ginger. Love me some ginger. mmm, ginger.

Shari Sushi Lounge

621 E. Central Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32801