Every time we're in Vancouver, we visit Heirloom Vegetarian and preferably near the beginning of our trip to help rejuvenate us after the five-hour flight from our home city of Toronto. It's not a long flight, but when you've got a squirmy toddler on your hands, it feels more like 7 or 8 hours - eek!
Our flight was mid-morning so we were all up around 5:30/6am and Vienna literally did not sleep until 30 minutes before our plane landed in Vancouver! Oy vey! She's flown more times than I can count, but this time round, she was fighting her afternoon nap. However, as I type this, she's fast asleep in dreamland.
Even though we were up at a reasonable time, I was feeling pretty exhausted from 3 days at the Toronto Yoga Show and an all-day media event on Monday. I could have used some matcha in my veins for a joyous boost! But once I tasted this thirst quenching Kale Refresher ($6), I forgot all about our long flight and the last few days of craziness.
Vienna absolutely loves the Kale Refresher too. If it was up to her, she would enjoy it all for herself. Obviously being only 19 months old, she doesn't really get the concept of "sharing" yet but I got my fair share. :)
Walker started with the Huevos Rancheros ($19.95)
It came with a house original spicy chili, white cheddar cheese, over easy free range eggs, served on corn tortillas, topped with guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, ranchero sauce, fresh cilantro, and green onion.
Walker's take on this dish: "It was mushy, decadent, flavourful and spicy, just like any good huevos rancheros should be".
I was expecting it to be a little spicier, however, it was perfect because we were able to share it with Vienna. If it was too spicy, I wouldn't have given it to her as she's not a fan of super spicy food (yet).
Even though you might be used to paying less for this dish elsewhere, it was a healthy portion. I've had huevos rancheros for about 5 bucks less a number of times before but the portion was smaller and was not as yummy as this!
I had the Slaw ($11.95). Now I wasn't trying to eat "clean" but I knew I was going to have some of Walker's dish and some of Vienna's Grilled Cheese and then possibly dessert :)
The slaw is actually really filling and again, a good portion especially considering I chose the appetizer size. There's a whole lotta fiber in that bowl. I can only imagine the whole lotta chopping that must happen in their kitchen.
It consists of a mish mash of apple cider vinaigrette (ACV), topped with organic hemp hearts. You can definitely taste the ACV in the dressing which gives it a nice zingy tangy flavour.
If you saw my insta stories, then you likely witnessed first hand my daughter's LOVE of red onion! I picked out all the onion for her to enjoy. She'll have onion breath the next morning FOR SURE.
We ordered the Grilled Cheese ($15.95) for Vienna. Now they do have a kiddie menu with grilled cheese but it's literally just cheese and bread. Vienna's palate is a little more sophisticated than that (ha ha ha) so we ordered her grilled cheese from the "adult menu"... I kid... she's not really sophisticated, I just want her to try a variety of flavours in hopes of preventing a picky eater later on!!
Her reaction was hilarious! She jumped back as if to say "WTF mama?!" and she blushed. So I took a bite right after her and realized she got a healthy mouthful of grainy dijon which has a nice kick to it.
This grilled cheese was right up our alley because it came with rennet-free aged white cheddar cheese, seasonal local apples, arugula, grainy dijon on cranberry sourdough. Sourdough is one of the better types of bread to eat because the amount of gluten in it is much lower and much much easier to digest than regular bread.
Oh by the way, Vienna did come back for seconds!
We weren't planning on having dessert, but well hey, twist my arm! Since we were there for lunch, the daytime menu only has one dessert (literally). But it's worth having... I mean, just look at that photo!!
This is "The Brownie" ($9.95) otherwise known as a beautiful work of art.
It's actually a raw brownie served with an avocado chocolate ganache. It's not overly sweet, which I appreciate so it won't send your blood sugar on a roller coaster because the raw brownie is packed with nuts which slows the releases of sugar into your blood stream.
I let Vienna try a little of the avocado ganache and boy oh boy was she giddy for about an hour afterwards. It was pretty hilarious!!! We went looking for some running shoes for me after lunch and she was running through the store like it was her job to find me some shoes. Pretty hilarious!
There you have it, my review of Heirloom Vegetarian in Vancouver. If you haven't already seen my other reviews, but sure to check out them out:
If there is anywhere in Vancouver or Toronto you want me to check, please comment below!
Have a joyous week!
Joy
I live in Vancouver, amd have recently started eating more "clean". These are a few restaurants I want to try but haven't yet: Tractor Foods, The Acorn, Meet on Main, and Tao Organics.
ReplyHey Sheryl! Thanks for the recommendations! We'll have to add those ones to the list. Thanks so much :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Chau Veggie Express and Cafe Medina in Van!
ReplyWe'll have to add those ones to the list! Thanks Carly :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
So fun that you were in Vancouver! I also second the Acorn (vegetarian), as well as Burdock
ReplySounds like this Acorn restaurant is a hit! Thanks for the recommendations Chelsea! :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
In Vancouver.... you gotta try Eternal Abundance. Really awesome.
ReplyHey Julie, Sounds amazing! We'll add it to the list :) Thanks! Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Hi Joy Thanks for the reply use we will definitely check this out. We think you will also love Vancouver "East to East". They have two locations and provide an amazing culinary tour of the Silk Road with their menu. If you book early you can reserve the cushion room for a more private intimate setting.
ReplyHey Margaret, That sounds delicious! Thanks so much for the recommendation :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
LOVE Vancouver!!!!! One of my favorites is NUBA, simple and delicious!
ReplyNote taken! Thanks for the recommendation Melanie! :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team