After founding Cleveland Vegan in 2012, Laura Ross and Justin Gorski have been thought leaders among the vegan community. Between running a business and teaching yoga on the side, Ross, a mother of three, knows the ins and outs of the scarce but delicious vegan eats in Cleveland.
Date Night: I would say our go-to spot, if it’s just me and my husband, would be Douglas Katz’s new place, Amba. We love Amba and Zhug, over on the East Side. Nearly half the menu is vegan, and it shows which items are vegan beside each dish. There are so many options. It’s fresh and consistent, and it’s a great vibe.
Dairy-free Dessert: We discovered this place out in Avon Lake called Fenik’s Frozen Custard. They have around 20 different dairy-free, vegan options. They make their own vegan cones, as well. They have eight different sundaes, and all of them can be made vegan. It’s not a vegan-only place, but they have a lot of options such as vegan sprinkles, vegan gummy bears, and other vegan toppings. It’s a little haven that we will drive from Lakewood all the way out there just to have ice cream.
Family Friendly: Banana Blossom is the top spot. It’s our favorite Thai. They just do an excellent job with the vegan options. It’s fresh, and the vegetables are cooked well. [Chiming in while in the car, Ross’ kids say the restaurant’s pad see ew ($14.05-$24.95) is the best and that the menu is flavorful.]
Morning Boost: Goodkind is right around the corner from us. We love their almond milk chai. They make their own almond milk and their own chai concentrate, and it’s just phenomenal. That’s probably our favorite there.
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