Food For Thought...Colonial Williamsburg...Squirrel Booty

This weekend the hubs and I are in our favorite home away from home....Colonial Williamsburg. We came here a few years ago for the first time and fell in love with the tranquility and history of the area. Since that first time, we have come quite a bit, spending our Honeymoon and anniversaries here. Only having three days on this trip, we left bright and early this morning. Not having time to cook breakfast, I opted for a simple healthy blueberry banana shake and a piece of Blueberry Breakfast Cake from Fat Free Vegan. (If you have not read her blog, go as soon as your done reading this! Amazing recipes and ideas)

Then we hit the road! Lunch was a simple hummus sandwich with veggies. Simple doesn't have to lack flavor though and hubs was a happy lunching man!

Recipes at bottom, you are gonna want to try this one!

Colonial Williamsburg is such a beautiful place. Each time we visit, we find something new we adore and have built quite a cache of memories and photos. We joined the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and like to stay in the Colonial Houses, a different one each time. The simplicity of life in the colonial village blended with the artisan shops of Merchant's Square create a perfect haven for us. Our favorite thing to do after we check in is go walking and take photos. 

Colonial Squirrel Butt

This time is our first coming to Williamsburg as vegans. We knew it would be a challenge as traditional Colonial and Virginian fare is usually Virginia Ham, Oysters, Pork, Welsh Rarebit, and delicious dairy-filled desserts. But we have eaten the world, and seen our shortcomings, and have come with a new attitude of compassion and health.

As a vegan, it is important to do a little research when traveling. Whenever I googled for vegan restaurants in Williamsburg, one kept coming up. Food For Thought Restaurant had vegetarian and veganizable options. There was even an article on the Peta website for this restaurant. Keep in mind...they are not a vegan restaurant, but do offer options.

"One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything every night before you go to bed."-- Ann Landers

With a casual, thought-provoking ambiance complete with quotes on the walls and trivia cards on the table, Food For Thought is an eclectic eatery for friends, couples, or families.  Owned by Howard Hopkins, a very gracious, knowledgeable, vegetarian by marriage, he really understands the healthy benefits of a plant-based diet. Whitney, our server was very friendly and accommodating. (I mean let's be honest vegans, we walk into a non-vegan restaurant and say the "V" word and most waitstaff get that deer in headlights look then slink away, hoping someone else will take the table.)  

Full disclosure, I did introduce myself as a vegan food blogger, and met Howard, the owner. He expressed his desire to serve healthy, vegan/vegetarian options on his menu, especially after reading The Conscious Cook By Tal Ronnen. Howard went through the menu with us, explaining what can be veganized, even offering a vegan chick'n option. And he would do it for you too!

Starting off with a beer flight and sample of the creamiest (non-dairy) vegetable bisque I've ever had:

We might go back for a bowl of this for lunch tomorrow!

Williamsburg Alewerks Pumpkin Ale ranked Top 5 Pumpkin Ales in the Country! And yeah...it was THAT good that I ordered a full pint!

Hubs ordered the Jamaican Jerk Chicken but the Chicken was actually  Gardein chick'n. I had the Pad Thai with grilled chick'n. Both dishes were amazing!

We finished off dinner with a delicious vegan brownie that had dried cherries and walnuts in it.

(Hubs couldn't wait to dig in!)

If you are ever in the Williamsburg area, vegan or not, you MUST go to Food For Thought and enjoy! Go visit Howard and Whitney, you will not be disappointed! We will certainly be back for more.

Hummus Sandwich Recipe

** You can use your favorite type of Hummus, I prefer to make my own.

For Hummus:

Ingredients:

2 Cups Chickpeas

2 Tbsp Tahini

Juice of 1 Lemon

1 Tsp salt

3 Cloves Garlic, Smashed

Water

Instructions:

Put in food processor and puree, adding water as need to reach perfect consistency. I like mine a little thicker for sandwiches to spread on bread.

For Veggies:

Ingredients:

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, chopped

1/4 Cup Sweet Roasted Peppers, chopped

Pinch of Salt

Sandwich Instructions:

Get your favorite bread, we love Fitness Bread. Spread hummus and put veggie mix on top. Top with another slice of bread and enjoy.

If you like that garlic, lemony, vinegary, creamy blend of deliciousness...this sandwich has your name on it!

Stay tuned for more culinary finds from the colonial heartland!