Today, Colleen, Angelina and I (John) welcome Liam to the podcast. He has a lot to offer to today's show, including his restaurant visits in New York City and his story about why he went vegetarian/vegan. We discuss some of our favourite places in New York including: Tiengarden Vegan Restaurant, Mooshoes and Candle 79 where Liam had the Porcini Crusted Tofu on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes.

There is some discussion about a couple of guests who recently visited our Resource Centre. Rose is a teacher who came in last week to get resources for some vegetarian students who want to start an animal rights club. We also had a visitor who went vegetarian after visiting a TVA table at an outreach event.

Colleen provides this week's question of the week: What's your favourite non-vegetarian Toronto restaurant to get a vegetarian/vegan meal?

Our picks included almost any Ethiopian restaurant, but especially Rendez Vous, India Palace because of their friendly waitstaff and $11 veg thali (ask for non-dairy if you are vegan), Sultan's Tent for their great atmosphere and couscous dish, and Prince of Egypt near the Big Carrot for their roasted-veggies-stuffed-with-rice dish.

There was also some fan mail from Mindy. Mindy likes the show and all, but misses Lisa. Lisa has participated in the podcast a few times, and she will be back on the night of November the 27th to join Colleen podcasting from the TVA Annual General Meeting.

Angelina talks about her favourite places in Toronto to get tabbouleh (also spelt tabouleh or tabouli). She has gone so far as to rank her top 10 places! Here they are:

1. Jasmine Shawarma (now closed) that was near Yonge and Wellesley.

2. Naz's Falafel House at 118 John St near Queen, 416-593-7386. "Super tasty."

3. Ghazale at 504 Bloor St (east of Bathurst) and 661 College St.

4. Sarah's Shawarma & Falafal at 487 Bloor St.

5. Falafel House at 760 Yonge St.

6. RABBA 24 Hours (inside deli) at 24 Wellesley. "Super fresh taste."

7. Laila at 553 Bloor St (east of Bathurst). Part of our vegetarian discount card program.

8. Atlas One Cafe at 820 St Clair West, 416-656-4817. "Tomato dominant."

9. Jerusalem at 955 Eglinton West, 416-783-6494.

10. Wrap & Grab at 618 Yonge St, 416-598-0505. "Large bulgar and distinct flavour."

Tabbouleh can also be made at home. Here are some recipes, but Angelina says it is a lot of work removing the parsley stems and it is difficult to get an authentic taste.

Angelina may be excited about tabbouleh, but Colleen is happy to hear that smoked tofu is back in Toronto. After a brief hiatus due to Canada's smoked tofu producers changing plants, it is now back in stores. Smoked tofu lovers, rejoice!

Lastly, Kelly wrote in with regards to last week's questions about how to make the 25th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair in September 2009 an unforgettable event. Her reply won her the grand prize (truth belt wrist band, a t-shirt, and gluten free crackers).

This podcast is a tabbouleh-licious 33 minutes.

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