Vegetarian, vegan dining in Morris
It doesn't have to be swimsuit season for many of us to think about a healthier diet — but it helps. If you're looking for vegan and vegetarian dining options in Morris County to keep you looking and feeling good, you've got plenty of choices.
Eating vegan, by eliminating meat, dairy and eggs from your diet, has gained popularity because of its health benefits. Protein is found in nuts, beans and seeds, eliminating the need for fatty meats and cheeses in the diet. The result is a leaner, healthier diet.
Several Morris County restaurants offer vegan and vegetarian options — even some you'd never expect.
Café Metro, Denville
60 Diamond Spring Rd., Denville, (973) 625-1055 www.thecafemetro.com
The Café Metro serves up a variety of cuisines and has a unique flair for organic, vegetarian and vegan fare. The restaurant also serves pastas, seafood and brick oven pizzas.
Chef Larry Cera says he's always adding vegan options to his daily and weekend specials. "This weekend we did a chickpea-filled burrito with a cauliflower tostada, served with salsa verde in a crispy corn shell," he said. "The market is here for it and every time we do something like that we end up selling a good amount of them."
Broccoli Meatballs and Squash Spaghetti is another recent special. Lentil Mushroom Meatballs also met with great success when they were featured on the specials menu, he said.
The restaurant, which has seating for 50 in its charming dining room, accommodates about 20 people outside, as well.
Some popular dinner choices on the regular menu include Vegetable Stir Fry ($14), which features garden-fresh vegetables stir-fried in a ginger soy sauce and served over organic brown rice with tofu.
The Vegetable Lo Mein ($14) is made with fresh vegetables, stir fried with lo mein noodles, garlic, and ginger soy sauce with tofu, while the Organic Vegetables ($15) are served lightly steamed over brown rice with a side of tahini sauce.
The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday. It is also open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The Loving Hut, Ledgewood
538 Route 10, Ledgewood section of Roxbury Township, (862) 251-4611 www.lovinghut.us
For nearly five years, The Loving Hut has been offering a tremendous selection of vegan appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees.
Bright and cheerful, the storefront restaurant is owned by Grace Zhai, and its menu is completely vegan.
"Everything we have is vegan food," said Joanne Chang, an assistant manager at the restaurant. "We have no dairy, no eggs and no meat."
Popular choices include Loving Pho ($9.95), a soup entrée comprising rice noodles, onion, mushroom, kale, scallions, sea nuggets, tofu, broccoli, vegan protein and vegetable broth.
The Mushroom Sandwich ($12.95) features mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, broccoli, red onion, grilled green and red peppers, avocado and vegan cheese. Another signature item is the Phoenix Burger ($11.95), a vegan protein patty, topped with lettuce, tomato, avocado and onion on a whole wheat bun.
The dining room is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 to 9 p.m. for dinner, Monday to Thursday. On Friday, it is open until 9:30 p.m. for dinner; 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Veggie Heaven, Denville
57 Bloomfield Ave., (973) 586-7800 www.veggieheavennj.com
From classic Thai and sushi offerings to popular Chinese-influenced dishes, Veggie Heaven offers a full vegetarian menu and most dishes are vegan as well.
The eatery has been doing business at its Bloomfield Avenue site for the past six years, and previously at a Parsippany location for 10 years prior to that.
Though the restaurant is most popular with a younger crowd, the appeal of healthy eating is fast becoming multi-generational. "It seems like a lot of people are going vegan these days," said Doris Wu, manager of the restaurant, owned by her sister, Diana Wu. "A lot of younger people usually bring their parents, and they come back."
The 4,000-square foot restaurant has seating for 80 diners and features daily specials.
Veggie Heaven's most popular appetizers are Veggie Roast Pork Spring Rolls ($4.50), Mu Shu Basil Rolls ($3.50) and Purple Yam Fries ($4.95).
Entrée options include General Tso Crispy Tofu ($9.95), Tofu Szechuan Style, ($9.95) and Ban Sprouts With Vegetarian Ham ($11.95).
Sushi choices include Sweet Potato Rolls ($4.95), Cucumber Rolls ($4.95) and Organic Sprout with Avocado Rolls ($4.50).
By far the most popular beverage sold is Bubble Tea, a flavorful iced tea infused with fruit flavors like mango, starfruit, peach and passion fruit for $3.95.
And if you're trying to cut sugar from your diet, you'll love the dessert menu here. Many of the offerings are made with agave syrup, a delicious sugar substitute.
The dining room is open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Origin Thai Restaurant, Morristown
10 South St., Morristown, (973) 971-9933 www.originthai2.com
Located in the heart of Morristown, Origin offers classic Thai food with a French influence. A modern dining room seats 82 guests and greets visitors with an Asian temple theme. The restaurant has two other locations, in Somerville and Basking Ridge.
"We have main dishes that relate to French food, Thai fusions and some Japanese influence, but mostly Thai," said Sirina Phumian, manager of the restaurant. Patrons may choose from several vegetarian and vegan dishes. Additionally, many of the entrees can be altered to accommodate vegan diners.
"It's pretty easy," said Phumian. "We just don't add meat. We add tofu and vegetables instead. Many will have no eggs also."
A host of noodle dishes are available without meat, and others may be altered accordingly, she said. Pad Thai, ($15) a stir-fried noodle dish with bean curd, bean sprouts, scallions and peanuts, can be served vegan. Also, Lad Nar ($13–$15) is served with Asian broccoli in a Thai gravy with or without meat.
The Vegetarian Imperial Roll ($8) is a popular appetizer featuring carrots, celery, shitake mushrooms and jicama wrapped with herbs in rice paper.
The Origin Thai Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m., Tuesday to Friday. On Saturday, it is open noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10:30 p.m. and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Morris Tap and Grill, Randolph
500 Route 10, Randolph, (973) 891-1776 www.morristapandgrill.com
Most patrons at the Morris Tap and Grille expect steaks and burgers, but many are surprised to find a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian options clearly labeled on its large menu.
"We are a gastropub, so most people don't think about bringing their vegetarian and vegan friends here," said Eric LeVine, chef and partner of the restaurant, which opened four years ago.
LeVine said his expansive menu pleases large groups, even if some people in the party choose to eat meat and others prefer to have meatless choices.
"When they come here, they realize there are options that are vegan, so they can bring their friends," he said.
Additionally, the chef says he'll make adjustments to just about anything on the menu to please a vegan or vegetarian customer.
"We're very accommodating with what we do. If it's in our house, we'll make it — we're in the 'yes' business," LeVine said.
Popular offerings for vegans include Vegan Grilled Swiss Chard, served with a sauté of couscous, lentils, corn, tomato, pignoli nuts and dates in basil oil for $16.
The Avocado Filet is also very popular, LeVine, a Food Nework Chopped Champion, said. "The avocado is the protein in the dish," said LeVine, who also is the chef and partner at Paragon Tap and Table in Clark. The Mini Vegan Taco, topped with cilantro, is another good choice, he added.
And don't discount the appeal of the Harvest Vegetable Burger, a blend of black and white beans, tomato, onions, mushrooms, steel cut oats and potato topped with garlic aioli and pickled onions, another popular choice, for $12.
Morris Tap and Grill is open noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It is open noon to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Did we forget to mention your favorite vegan or vegetarian restaurant? Leave a comment or email eabreu@GannettNJ.com.
The Daily Record is planning a feature story on great home chefs in Morris County. Do you have a vegan or vegetarian speciality? Contact Planning Editor Eva Abreu, email eabreu@GannettNJ.com or call 973-428-6643.