Vegans might be very health-centric with regards to their diets, however even a number of the most devoted ones have to take pleasure in a candy deal with from time to time.
In a list compiled in honor of Valentine’s day by the animal rights group Folks for the Moral Remedy of Animals, New Hope’s Sprig & Vine was acknowledged for having a number of the finest vegan desserts within the nation. The restaurant made the lower for its cashew-based cheesecake that is available in varied flavors all year long.
“It was an entire shock to us,” mentioned the restaurant’s Pastry Chef Linda Monastra. “We’re very honored.”
Government Chef and CEO Ross Olchvary usually modifications the restaurant’s menu based mostly on what’s out there seasonally, and sources 100% of his animal product-free substances from natural and sustainable farms round Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The spotlight of the eatery’s desserts is Monastra’s cashew- and silken tofu-based cheesecake, which is made with a gluten-free oat-based crust and is topped with coconut whipped cream.
Proper now, the restaurant is providing a kabocha squash flavored model of the cake, which Monastra mentioned tastes much like a pumpkin. Nevertheless, this weekend she is going to change it to a Meyer lemon model, which has ginger within the crust and is topped with chamomile syrup.
Monastra mentioned that her cheesecake is exclusive as a result of as a substitute of being ready uncooked, it is baked like a conventional cheesecake, which makes it style extra like its dairy-based namesake.
A few of the different dessert choices embody a tiramisu topped with bourbon-chocolate espresso sauce, a flourless almond and cocoa torte and a cranberry linzer tart with blood orange ice cream and ginger-maple syrup.
However the restaurant’s savory lunch and dinner choices are not any much less notable than its desserts.
In honor of the Tremendous Bowl, Olchvary has cooked up some traditional consolation meals together with “wings” manufactured from seitan, a flour-based substance which resembles meat. They’re out there in 4 flavors: buffalo, barbecue, agave-garlic-chile and miso-maple-mustard.
He additionally has a cauliflower mac and cheese out there which, just like the cheesecake, will get its signature creamy texture from blended cashews.
Sprig & Vine opened in March 2010 and has since turn out to be thought to be one of many Philly space’s top vegan food destinations.
Olchvary labored at Horizons Vegan Restaurant on South Avenue for seven years earlier than shifting on to start out his personal enterprise. That restaurant was the precursor to Heart Metropolis’s Vedge, which is likely one of the most well-regarded vegan eateries nationwide.
Although Sprig & Vine’s meals is totally vegan, Monastra mentioned meat-eaters will not really feel misplaced within the restaurant or unhappy by its choices.
“It is actually great-tasting, artistic meals,” she mentioned. “It is filling (and) satisfying… It is only a bonus that it is vegan.”
Entire desserts might be ordered from Sprig & Vine not less than 48 hours upfront by calling (215) 693-1427. Reservations, that are advisable because the restaurant will get busy, might be made by calling the identical quantity.
