So after a long hiatus, I am back for some more vegan restaurant exposure!! Did you miss me at all? :)
Recently I stopped by Caravan of Dreams and had a wonderful time, not only because of the ambiance but just the little touches like re-usable towels in a towel dispenser in the kitschy bathroom and the huge portions… ok well I am getting a bit ahead of myself. The decor was very hippie-casual and quite cozy. I also liked how the bar and kitchen were out in the open, making the whole space very organic and giving it an easy demeanor. 4.5 out of 5 carrots for interior.
Service was warm and welcoming and as always, something I appreciate is efficiency and curtness, which was certainly not lacking in this establishment. It was a bit strange to have three different waiters, but then again, as long as I am treated with courtesy, it’s all good. 4 out of 5 for service.
Now the fun part! I was absolutely famished and couldn’t resist ordering an appetizer. The Seitan Nachos I chose were delicious, packed with plenty of avocado, seitan morsels and fresh tomatoes, with a hint of spice. An ample halo of nachos lined the outer rim of my dish and the entire concoction, needless to say, was heavenly. Though I was ravenous… I still believe it was entirely savory and not to be missed if in the mood for chips and dip. 5 out of 5.
The brunch menu is one of the best values I have seen in the city in quite awhile. With it, you get a choice of freshly squeezed OJ or grapefruit juice or sangria AND pretty good coffee or tea, AND a house salad AND your entree! All for 15$!! How awesome is that? The juice was tart and had a bit of pulp, which I liked. The coffee was sweet, a little smoky and did not have a harsh aftertaste. The salad was colorful and came with sprouts, finely chopped red radish and carrots and was a pleasant side dish.
I ordered the Breakfast Burrito, which is filled with potatoes, sauteed kale, guacamole, smoked tofu and chile de arbol dipping sauce. The burrito was filling and flavorful, the tofu was meaty and seasoned perfectly and the chile complemented the savoriness of the burrito with tangy spiciness. This could easily be $15 on its own. 5 out of 5 carrots.
The Country Breakfast Platter, which comes with two berry-spelt pancakes, fresh fruit and marinated tempeh, was also quite agreeable. The pancakes were soft and pillowy and the fruit (fresh apples and strawberries) added color and sweetness to the dish. The tempeh triangles were gently fried and not at all bland. Since I like the contrast of salty and sweet, I felt this was a good companion to be served with this sweet dish. 4 out of 5 carrots.
In short, I absolutely loved dining at Caravan. It’s hard to believe it shares the same block as McDonald’s, as their food is aeons ahead of that despicable chain. COD is a must-try!! Overall score: 5 out of 5 carrots!!
