Shinzen Sushi translates to Nature Sushi

Where is the vegan sushi?? Shinzen, Vegan Sushi Bar & Izakaya in the Mission offers some of the most thought out creations of vegan food I've ever seen. This might explain the line outside the place on this particular Saturday evening. I make it a rule not to wait in lines... but eating by yourself has it perks! I get a seat at the last spot at the sushi bar. The menu is genius for vegans, you can get Nigiri with roasted pepper, eggplant, tomato and green mango. The rolls have clever titles; Secret Weapon, Colonel's Pipe, the Surprise Ending (comes with a shot of sake in the center), the Candlestick ( presented with a flame on the side, seriously), and Hidden Agenda. I've heard from repeat customers that the ramen is excellent. The dessert delivered next to me (sorry for staring) looked exceptional, green tea ice cream with fresh fruit placed beautifully around the ice cream. The beauty is in the presentation, excellent flavor and a place that transcends beyond the monotonous vegan fare.

Plant-Based Mexican Cuisine in the Mission District

Gracias Madre is a plant-based Mexican food restaurant in the heart of the Mission District (between 18th & 19th Street) in San Francisco. What makes this place so special is its ambiance, handcrafted iron works, a beautiful mural in the outside dining area as well as the wood floor inside, and matching chairs. The food can be hit or miss so be sure to ask your waiter or look at the 1,500 images that Yelpers have provided.One thing that stands out is how well the dishes are plated. I tried the Chilaquiles with cashew cheese and Rojo sauce (pretty good), the salsas in the trays, green and red had a perfect blend and balance of peppers and spices which made it hard for me to chose which one to put on my dish. I spent time alternating between the two.

Uncommon Offerings: North Lake Tahoe Market & Kitchen

For vegan and vegetarian food while in North Lake Tahoe check out Stony Ridge Uncommon Kitchen in the back of New Moon Market, it has great vegan and vegetarian options. I had the falafel salad, great dressing! We sat at the counter that faced the snow-covered yard and enjoyed the low key ambiance. If you want to grab some great organic produce the selection is top notch or browse the exotic craft brews.

Luv It Frozen Custard

Nestled in the old part of downtown still scattered with retro homes from the 1970's stands an unique place to get ice cream in Las Vegas. Luv-It Custard has been around since 1973. Pull up to the old blue house with bars on the windows, you will think its closed but the walk up window is on the side of the house. We ordered the special root beer custard in waffle and sugar cones. This is a great way to get off the strip and enjoy something from Vegas bygone days, also check out the nearby arts district. 

Delicious Wood-Fired Brick Oven Bread

Wildflour Bread is located near Sebastapol in Freestone Valley on Bohemian Highway. The restaurant features brick oven-baked bread, scones, and biscotti. The free bread samples make it easy for deciding what kind you want. We got sticky bun bread, fougasse bread, and a pear scone.

Be prepared for long lines (the bread is that good)! How is it that good; well the oven never cools and even on days they are closed they keep the oven burning. This gives the bread a consistent temperature that bakes it to perfection. The ingredients for each bread makes it hearty and dense, the sticky bun had lost of walnuts and raisins, and the scone had large pieces of pear making it more like a meal.

An added bonus to Wildflour is its outside garden area where you can enjoy your bread among wind chimes, trees, and a beautiful garden.

Arizmendi Bakery A Worker Owned CO-OP

The advent of food Co-Op's helped in putting the democracy of food back into the hands of the people. Arezmindi Bakery is named after a priest (José Maria Arizmendiarrieta) who helped start cooperatives in the Basque Country of Spain.

Arezmendi's is a worker-owned cooperative that opened in 2000 in San Francisco's Sunset District.

On most days the lines for the bakery are out the door at least in the Sunset District. Voted the best bakery in many publications, I have to agree. Get there early, nothing beats warm baked goods fresh outta the oven. If you get there after 11am, try the pizza for $3.00. (Ride your bike and get a discount)! The Arizemendi's website gives you a list of hours, bread schedule and pizza menu.

Amy's Drive Thru: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gulten Free Options

Amy's Drive Thru in Rohnert Park is a great place to stop before heading to the Russian River or elsewhere. Amy's is the same Amy's Kitchen that sells frozen organic meals found in the freezers isle of your local grocery store. It's first and only restaurant/drive thru opened its doors in July of 2015. With Non-GMO, 95% Organic, and Vegetarian items on the menu its nice to be able to make a conscience choice without second guessing. The menu give you choices from vegetarian burgers, salads, non-dairy shakes, burritos, mac-n-cheese and fries. Here's the menu if your in the area, look for the new opening of their store in Corte Madera coming soon .

Tasty Sweet Potato Tacos in Bolder, Utah

Magnolia's Street Food is a teal bus/food truck in front of the Anasazi State Park Museum in a shaded area with picnic tables and makes a great place for lunch. I ordered the Hibiscus Iced Tea and the Sweet Potato Tacos. The tacos were perfectly cooked and delicious and the tea was a great thirst quencher for the hot weather. You can check out the menu here.