Vedge 1221 Locust St. Gayborhood (215) 320–7500
Don't Miss: Crispy Cauliflower Skip: Saffron Cauliflower Soup $$$
Vedge, first of all, feels very cozy. The interior is warm, but clean, and somehow manages to look at once homey and polished. Although it was a Tuesday, the restaurant was pretty busy, filled with middle–aged couples having a quiet date night. We started out with drinks: the Elder Sage ($10) and the Kyoto Sour ($9) — both of which were refreshing and delicious. Choose the Elder Sage if you’re into more complex, herby drinks, but go for the Kyoto Sour if fruity, sweet–and–sour cocktails are your poison of choice.
Vedge's plates were pretty small, so the waitress recommended that each of us choose two main plates and something off the restaurant’s “Dirt List,” a small menu of vegetable sides that changes daily. I ended up with the Sweet Potato Paté ($8) to start, while my dining companion had the Saffron Cauliflower Soup ($9). The paté, a flavorful, smoky spread that came with crumbled nuts and mini–toasts, was a big hit with our table. It wasn’t exactly filling, but the dish is so unique and delicious that it’s worth trying. The soup underwhelmed us; although it was comfortingly warm and spicy, it didn’t have the exciting uniqueness of the other plates we enjoyed.
The table next to us told us that we had to order the Crispy Cauliflower ($7) off the Dirt List, so we did. I’ll pass the message on to you on their behalf: you have to order the Crispy Cauliflower. Reminiscent of Zahav's fried cauliflower — a Philly favorite — Vedge's takes it up a notch with a spicy curry kick and a creamy aioli–style sauce. The Brussels Sprouts ($7), also off the Dirt List, were another favorite for our table. For our main dishes, we had the Grilled Seitan ($16) and the Autumn Squash Pierogies ($14). The former came with parsnips and achieved the ideal consistency of seitan: chewy and hearty without being rubbery. The squash pierogies satisfied as well, but after a meal replete with vegetables, most will probably crave something a bit meatier, like tofu or mushrooms.
We were too full for dessert, but we had the Sticky Toffee Pudding ($9) anyway, and we didn’t regret it for a minute. Served with a scoop of vegan pumpkin ice cream, this is a dessert so incredible you won’t be able to believe it was made without dairy and eggs. Whether you’re vegan or not, look to Vedge as a place to branch out and expand your culinary horizons with some unique and delicious takes on the vegetables you may think of as unexciting. We’ll be back for their happy hour specials, which look awesome, by the way. If you do end up at Vedge, get the cauliflower. Just trust us.
