The Next Bite: Pingala Cafe

Slight disclaimer before I begin, I've actually gone to this restaurant twice now, and may or may not have ordered the exact same thing because it was so good. Besides being delicious, an added bonus to this particular cafe is that it's also completely vegan! Named after the Sanskrit word for sun energy and life force, Pingala Cafe is a delicious food truck inspired restaurant located on the edge of Winooski and Burlington, Vermont.

Attached to a yoga studio near an old mill on the side of the Winooksi river, Pingala cafe has an overall calming sense of zen. A metal statue by the side of the river depicts a woman balancing in natarjasana or 'dancer' pose. Inside the restaurant, a beautiful mural of farmland adorns on one wall and plants are scattered throughout, adding an extra layer of vibrance to the restaurant. Sitting at a little table by the window, you can just hear the rushing sounds of water over rock as the river flows a few yards beyond the glass panes.

The menu is completely vegan, including brunch, sandwiches with eggplant bacon, dairy free grilled cheese, salads, buddha bowls, smoothies, and desserts. I am a fairly predictable human being, at least when it comes to food, so of course I couldn't resist ordering a the Buddha-ful Bowl. Balanced and beautiful, this meal was composed of steamed rice with kale, roasted broccoli, pureed sweet potato, and pickled vegetables. Buried within the salad were scrumptious bites of seasoned tempeh for extra protein. The whole bowl was topped with a peanut sauce, sunflower seeds, and a dash of nutritional yeast. Sooo good! I'm a sucker for good tempeh, which I've found to be my favorite alternative meat product thus far. Tofu is of course, a classic and veritable ingredient but tempeh is tofu's cooler (fermented) cousin. Seitan is also good, and is made with wheat instead of soy like tofu is. All three of these products should definitely be seasoned properly and normally are cooked before consumption, but I feel like that is true for most foods.

Also depicted in the picture above is the Tex-Mex bowl, with chips instead of rice. I managed to snag a piece of an can confirm that it is also a tasty choice. Within the bowl was a house made chili, avocado, sweet potatoes, tofu, and cashew queso. Of course all the toppings were included as well. The second time I visited Pingala cafe with some friends, one person ordered the kale Caesar salad with a vegan dressing and another got the E.L.T., which is an eggplant bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. Both reported good things about their meal choices and I've yet to hear about anything that doesn't taste good.

If you ever pass through Burlington or Winooski, Pingala is a popular spot for vegans and non-vegans alike and I would highly recommend it to anyone in search of a good meal that is both delicious and animal-free. You can chose healthier options or go for the vegan French toast which I have yet to try, but I will definitely be going back (again) in the future.

Until the next meal!