Just a Slither Left

The end of summer is a heartbreaker for teachers. So I squeezed in some commiseration with a couple of my favorite teachers in Brooklyn and Staten Island. We ate, drank and mourned the end of our total freedom.

Williamsburg’s Modern Love has these mozzarella sticks that are mind blowing, just so you know. Crispy, crunchy herbed breading on the outside, creamy house made mozzarella on the inside… sitting pretty on marinara and micro-basil.

The look before first bite like the look before a 💋…

They are thee best.

My entree, the Brooklyn Fried Tofu: crispy fried tofu chicken, mashed potatoes topped with porcini gravy with a side of coleslaw and micro mustard greens garnish. This is a fabulous vegan fried chicken that is part of my Vegan Fried Chicken Battle. It will go up against the winner of the Bao Bowl and Urban Vegan Kitchen. I know it’s going to kick ass. Sorry I cursed.

And look! Tofu and NOT weird, super-processed soy science meat.

My friend’s entree: their famous Mac & Shews: creamy red pepper cashew cheese, pecan-cornmeal crusted tofu, blackened cauliflower, sautéed kale, tomato vinaigrette, and spiced pecan.

We are Highly Effective and ready for the challenges ahead in our respective schools.

I am so glad that the me before my trip made a big batch of French toast and froze it. And she also froze the macadamia milk so I can make a batch of oatmeal for the week. She was really thinking ahead. The me now barely knows what day it is. But I do know I love figs.

A bus trip across the Narrows and I was with my “work wife” having our first team meeting. We hit Violette’s Cellar in New Dorp for some nosh and drinks. Their menu notes some veg options but totally vegan options are limited, though I appreciated the wait staff’s communication and dedication to finding out what I needed to know. In the end I had a plate of roasted cauliflower.

We hit the photobooth on the way out.

Needing more drink and food, we headed to Hop Shoppe in Stapleton. I got the only vegan-labelled thing on the menu, the Vegan Asian Stir Fry Mushrooms. Tasty but problems with form, kind of like that other place in Staten Island.

I can’t say that I’m ready, but here it comes. Happy New Year!