Restaurant Reviews

San Juan Vegan Eats with Asian Flavors

February 9, 2014 by Raul Colon

When I find a place that has Vegan options in Puerto Rico I feel need to share it with you so you can help me spread the word.

I shared on my personal blog part of the awesome experience I had a few days ago during a business lunch at SOGO Asian Bistro in San Juan.

The next day I took my family for lunch and here is a quick review of the delicious and well prepared meal we enjoyed.

My company eating at SOGO. — Lucy and Daniela ready to try SOGO.

Fast Service with a Smile

We got there during the lunch hour rush which seemed pretty packed. As the patrons left to get back to their duties, we sat and enjoyed the rest of our meal.

That said if you want a good meal at a great value and don’t have more than an hour for a lunch break, the food is served in a very timely manner.

Kahoo Yu - Owner of Sogo — Kahoo Yu, Owner, always smiling.

Vegan Asian Appetizers

We started our meal when the owner Kahoo, (a good friend of mine) recommended ordering sautéed vegetables as a side and some spring rolls. They were both great options.

We also started off with some Jasmine tea to set a relaxing tone to our lunch.

Vegan Options in San Juan, Puerto Rico — Vegetable Spring Rolls

Vegan Appetizer - Veggies — Mix of Sautéed Vegetables

Vegan Asian Entrees

When I visit a restaurant with Vegan options, I usually ask for as many vegan food items as I can fit in my stomach (I hope my personal trainer is not reading this).

I ordered a bento box which included the following:

Salad with Ginger Dressing
Fried Vegetable Rice
Sautéed Vegetables
Veggie Sushi Roll

Part of my Huge Bento Box — Vegan Bento Box

For my daughter (and me) I ordered fried tofu with black mushrooms and Lucy ordered a few sushi vegetable rolls that where all delicious.

Fried Tofu, Black Mushrooms and Vegetables

Vegan Dessert

After our entrees, we had dessert which were Lychee Fruit in a cute martini glass.

Overall the meal was great and very tasty; something difficult for many regular restaurants when they prepare vegan options.

I am so thankful for Kahoo and how he went the extra mile to cater to our lifestyle, the attention to detail he paid to Daniela, so we could have one of the best meals in a long time.

If you are near San Juan and you’re seeking some vegan eats with an Asian, twist feel free to stop by SOGO Asian Bistro.

More About SOGO Asian Bistro

SOGO Asian Bistro

Centro Comercial San Francisco
San Juan, Puerto Rico

(787) 766-0111

On Yelp
Directions to SOGO on Google Maps

Peace N Loaf Vegetarian/Vegan Pizzeria

August 9, 2012 by Lucymfel

We have known about Peace N Loaf’s Pizzeria since they opened but could not align with their time schedule when in the San Juan Metro Area. We usually visit San Juan early in the day and Peace n Loaf thankfully is open when most other vegan and vegetarian friendly places are closed. We have already mentioned consuming Isa and Stephanie’s artisanal bread at the local Organic Market In La Placita de la Roosevelt many times. Since we moved to the metro area about two weeks ago, we decided to go and have dinner at the first and only vegetarian/vegan friendly pizzeria.

The Atmosphere and Menu

When we visited the restaurant, the ladies were just coming back from vacation/business trip out in the states where Stephanie mentioned that they would be opening up another Peace N Loaf in her home town in Ohio. Raul and I loved the decoration and homey feel of the place. The menu was on the wall with their specials, appetizers, and creative use of space. The wall serves as a chalk board (with chalk board paint) and eliminates paper menus and reduces the printing of new menus if something changes.

The Food and Drinks

Raul and I have said this many times; Stephanie is a master at selling her bread at the market and so it was no surprise to us that the same service we get at the market was the same service we got at the pizzeria; Excellent! She explained the cheese options which were either vegan or regular mozzarrella. A majority of the ingredients used at the pizzeria are local organics and the best thing is that if you have any type of allergy, you can let them know in advance.

We ordered the Super Veggie (mushrooms, sun dried tomato, vegan cheese, black olives, green peppers, onions and red peppers) and hummus with bread and vegan jalapeño cheese. The hummus was so creamy that our daughter had a blast dipping away and eating. We did not let the hummus go to waste and ask for more bread. The drink options we chose were watermelon and parcha juice made in-house. Don’t expect to be served in paper plates or cups. No straws are kept in the restaurant. Stephanie has commented to us in previous discussions that straws need to be eliminated everywhere. The ladies have really made the restaurant as eco-friendly as they possibly can.

Once the pizza came out, it was delicious. The crust they use is free of potassium bromate and at times they do have gluten free pizza crust (Corrected below thanks to Stephanie). I like a thin crust with an even amount of cheese and sauce. The pizza was just the way I like it and our daughter enjoyed eating at the restaurant. If you don’t want pizza, you can order a melt. You can even buy a loaf of bread and take a piece of the pizzeria home. At the end of our meal we finally got to meet Isa, after so many years of interacting with her via Twitter.

We will be visiting Peace n Loaf more often and one of our primary places to eat since we want to support local and vegan friendly places.

We give Peace n Loaf 10 stars and recommend you stopping by the only vegetarian pizzeria in Puerto Rico.

Contact Info

Address
- 1402 Avenida Americo Miranda Caparra Terrace, PR
Phone
- +1 787-293-7773
Website
- peacenloaf.com
Map

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Vegan Friendly Casabe Restaurant

June 27, 2012 by Raul Colon

As we drove to the west coast and received the news, via a “For Rent” sign, that our favorite restaurant in Joyudas which caters to vegans and vegetarians was closed, we decided to stop by our favorite placita in Cabo Rojo to get some coffee and snacks for Grandma.

Tumba de Betances - Cabo Rojo — Plaza de Cabo Rojo

Like many other local coffee places in Puerto Rico, they did not have any Soy or milk substitute. I usually ask for my coffee with coconut milk at this particular stand and they did not even have that available on this particular afternoon. As I watched the rest of my family have their toast & coffee, my uncle decided to walk around and search for a restaurant with vegan options. My uncle stopped at Casabe and asked Gabriela, who seem to be the waitress/hostess, if there where any vegetarian or vegan options. She answered yes and explained the options and went even further by offering a dish created by the chef if the options available did not coincide with our needs.

Street of Casabe - Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico — Street of Casabe – Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

The Walk Toward the Restaurant

As I walked towards the restaurant, I was skeptical about the vegetarian and vegan options due to past disappointments. I was waiting for the moment I could prove this place was not fit for my Vegan lifestyle. After we were seated, I started asking Gabriela many questions where many others waiters would have given up on me, Gabriela very nicely explained the process of how they prepare the options I could order. As an appetizer she recommended a soup that was made of a few root vegetables I can’t recall including Yautia. They won me over when they where thoughtful enough to make a small batch without any beef or chicken stock. I have to say the soup was delicious even after the recipe modifications they made to fit my needs. We also requested some potatoes for my 18-month daughter. They made sure we got her food first confirming they are a family-oriented restaurant.

As a main course I requested the only vegan plate on the menu that made me feel like the food critic in one of my favorite Disney movies Ratatouille. I had the Ratatouille plate that was delicious. This helped Casabe seal the deal in making me a future patron.

After having a coffee and enjoying our meal I left with a big smile and wanting to return. Casabe will become my go-to restaurant in Cabo Rojo that caters to vegans like me.

Visit or Contact Casabe

Calle Barbosa #53 Esq. Baldiority Cabo Rojo, PR

Phone: (787)851-1888 | (787)851-1888

More Vegetarian Option @PFChangs San Juan

November 29, 2011 by Raul Colon

When I travel Stateside especially in the south part of the U.S. in places like Chattanooga, TN, Atlanta, GA, and Raleigh, NC and I am looking for a place to eat vegetarian PF Changs is my first option.

Over the year’s I have made PF Changs one of my favorite restaurants because of their solid vegetarian menu offering and the flexibility to turn and customize other plates on the menu into vegetarian.

New PF Changs in San Juan

I am also very happy that a PF Changs restaurant was opened in San Juan where I can drive to it when I feel like having my favorite PF Chang treats.

PF Changs open their new location at Plaza Las Americas Mall with plans to open a few more throughout the island. Experiencing PF Changs from the comfort of my island for the first time was an awesome experience.

My Favorite Vegetarian Options on the PF Chang’s Menu

I went ahead and asked for my favorite appetizers the Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps that are made out of Tofu and the Vegetable Steamed Dumplings. The preparation of both was prepared the same way or better with the many times I have had those plates in other PF Changs.

As an entree I requested the Kung Pao Tofu, which is the Kung Pao Chicken, dished modified to being vegetarian. I had been at PF Changs Boston in September and they where not able to make that plate for me. I was more than happy that the San Juan Team was able to make my favorite off the menu option and make it taste great.

Overall my experience was unique and the Vegetarian they served me where delicious.

If you are looking for an awesome vegetarian lunch or dinner in the San Juan Metro PF Changs might be one of your best options!

1st Visit to Veggie Friendy St. Germain in Old San Juan

November 13, 2011 by Raul Colon

A Month Ago while I was at ISACA Latin CACS & ISRM Conference I had the opportunity to meet a neat group of people and reconnect with old acquaintances.

While I was happy that I got a neat upgrade at the Presidential Suite of the Caribe Hilton I was deciding where I could go and eat my friend and ISACA member Lymari invited me to try out St. Germain a restaurant in old San Juan.

Is it Vegetarian Friendly?

My first question when I get invited to eat at a new place is to ask if it is vegetarian friendly. The answer was yes and Lymary also indicated that it was probably one of the most vegetarian friendly places in Old San Juan.

We arrived at the restaurant to find a very cozy small restaurant setting with the staff smiling. When I asked my waitress what vegetarian options they had she was more than happy to go into the specifics of the many options they had she was nice enough to point out which one was her favorite entree. Most of them where sandwiches which sounded really attractive and all vegetarian.

I could Have Soup TOO

Thankfully the soup was made out of Vegetable Stock. One of the things that really won me over was the Soup that was made out of vegetable stock not sure what vegetables it had in it but the flavors where so rich and tasty I forgot to ask. Once the waitress indicated it was made out of pure vegetables I decided to trust her and after tasting the soup I sure did not regret it.

My entree came out being a delicious sandwich with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and a side salad that tasted so good I would have asked for the side salad as an entree and I have expressed how I feel about salads in the past. Something I do realize when creating this post is that I am recommending a restaurant without going into the details I was so enchanted by the staff, the flavors, and the good company I had I really did not get into the specifics of each plate which gives me another reason to go back and do a more formal review.

All Options Even the Drinks Where Amazing

I ended the night with the most delicious carrot cake I have tried in years. Being vegetarian it is very difficult for me to really enjoy each item of my complete meal as much as I did. All 4 items I ordered including the Ginger Margarita that I recommend to anyone who wants to have a refreshing cocktail where excellent.

I want to thank Daniel and Lymary for the recommendation and introducing me to these new place where I can go and have tasty and great vegetarian options in old San Juan.

We will be posting our second visit to St. Germain where they where able to offer a fully vegan option for me feel free to Subscribe to VegLatino by Email and get updates directly in your inbox.

Any other Latino/Hispanic inspired places that have excellent vegetarian options we should try out. Feel free to share in the comments area.

Vegetarian Creativity in the Pearl of the South

July 16, 2011 by Raul Colon

Last February I met a small restaurant owner and chef that operates and works in my hometown of Ponce.

One of the biggest issues you can have in Puerto Rico like I have expressed on past occasions is the lack of opportunities for vegetarians to eat out. Much less have a meal prepared by a chef that completely understands the definition of vegetarianism.

I visited Chef Creations in Ponce a place which has been in operation for over 10 years. I had never cared for visiting the place since it did not say welcome vegetarians. When chatting with my friend and also client Romy Baez , we made the decision to have lunch at Chef Creations. I had taken the invitation from the Chef many months ago and he had told me he was going to create a plate especially for me.

When I arrived I engaged in conversation with Chef Jorge (Owner of Chef Creations) on the opportunities that a restaurant on the Island has of having various vegetarian options on the menu. Before he prepared my meal, he ran me through all the important questions that re-assured me that he understood what a Vegetarian and Vegan could consume and not consume.

I felt very much at home. Most of Chef Creations clients are locals that know of the place by word of mouth.

I was very impressed on how cozy and inviting the inside looked. It was very different from the outside which does not say come in and enjoy a great meal.

We arrived when they where about to close and although they had stored everything they decided to take care of us. Chef Jorge decided to create a Vegetarian Pasta mixed with sauces and a creamy sauce.

For me it was something unique because I am not a big fan of Pasta but this Pasta was really delicious. Once I finished my plate he decided that I had not been fed enough and decided to create a salad and a mix of fruits which was something enjoyable that complemented the pasta very well. I was so enchanted by the meal I ended not leaving room for dessert.

After the meal Chef Jorge explained how he is planning to put a few vegetarian items on the menu and the only thing that was holding him back was that he wanted to offer the Vegetarian and Vegan community only the best options on the menu.

He did indicate that if you are Vegan or Vegetarian and have any special food needs you can feel free to let him and he will use his creativity, art, and culinary knowledge to create a unique plate that will go well with the experience of meeting such a talented guy. (But I would recommend calling ahead (787) 848-8384 to make sure they can meet all your diet needs).

Chef Jorge creates themes such as Hawaiian night that compliment the ambiance and food making the name of the restaurant a great fit.

When I was getting ready to leave, Chef Jorge indicated that the meal was on the house. I have planned my next visit to Chef Creations where we are planning to have a Vegetarian paella.

So if you are visiting and driving around Ponce or the southen part of Puerto Rico I can clearly say that this one of your only options of having a restaurant serving you a vegetarian meal with flavor and passion.

5 stars for Chef Creations and I will update you as soon as we experience the Vegetarian Paella stay tuned! Feel free so sign up for our Subscribe to VegLatino’s Newsletter via Email.