Vegan Eats in the Rockaways, Winter Version

Visiting the Rockaways off-season you get a better sense of its lure. The folks who live in this area have created a very special community, a community that one might believe they’d need to move far from New York City to obtain. It was my privilege to spend the afternoon within it… and tasting its vegan food.

We started at Rockaway Brewery for their Brunch by Breezy’s BBQ.

As you can see there is “vegan” on the menu a couple of times.

The spread was varied and homey, like you went over a friend’s house and they pulled out all the stops–collard greens, roasted tomato and mushrooms, a pile of Great Northern beans, house-made seitan sausage, a personal quiche, and sweet vegan cornbread. My goodness!

After, a stop at Cuisine By Claudette for some of their vegan sweet treats. All of the menu items with pink borders are vegan–and there are a ton! They do this so no one shies away from trying a treat that has the word “vegan” next to it. Actually, we excitedly discussed the still-present stigma of the word “vegan,” along with concerns of processed foods, sourcing, and food waste with General Manager Yarden, one of Claudette’s sons.

It was so refreshing to listen to his ideals and how they take action in the cafe, his plans for expanding the its offerings, and, of course, feel his Rockaway pride.

Everything was absolutely delicious. Again, with that homey feeling–like baked with love and care. The Rocka-way. See what I did there?

The apple tart–c’mon just gaze upon its layered beauty.

Of course, my latest obsession–a wonderfully creamy Golden Milk Latte. Until next time, Rockaway. I am kind of starting to love you.