Sustainable and vegetarian cuisine is on show in Sin City

Grist Magazine | Main Dish

Delights the for the Los Vegan vegan... or visitors:

Most of the city's green-dining establishments are "off-Strip," springing up in neighborhoods that, given Vegas' unprecedented growth in the past few years, are increasingly diverse and ethnically vibrant. Paul Hartgen, president of the Nevada Restaurant Association, says chefs and owners at these smaller locations focus on creating food that's as authentic as possible -- and in the case of many Asian cultures, "authentic" means "vegetarian." Last year, for example, Iris Lee opened Veggie Delight in Vegas' Chinatown, with a menu that features both vegan and vegetarian options from the traditional cuisine of Vietnam, where she was born, and Taiwan, where she was raised. Lee says she wanted to offer something "convenient for vegetarians, because most of the time they couldn't find a place to sit down and eat."

Unless they were in the mood for doughnuts, that is. Since Ronald's Donuts opened nearly 14 years ago, it's been quietly offering vegan varieties of its treats. No sign advertises the option, but even without the hype, word's gotten around: owner Henry Kang says he and his family enjoy a loyal customer base of vegan-oriented locals, as well as tourists from cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Salt Lake. As for the doughnuts, they look and taste like the regular variety -- only better. The glazed concoctions are two very airy inches high, with a crispy, sweet crust that starts melting as soon as it hits your fingers.

The article goes on to highlight Go Raw Café, whose two locations in the Vegas valley opened three years ago.

Last time I was in Vegas, I don't believe they were open, though there was one raw foods place that was in the process of moving locations. I certainly don't remember a donut shop, though I did eat at some asian vegetarian-friendly restaurant in a strip mall somewhere well off the Strip.

Sounds like the situation is improving for Las Vegans.

Tags: dining