Discount profiles

Discount Profile: Vidya’s Veggie Gourmet

You may think good vegetarian options are few and far between in small towns north of the city, but Vidya’s Veggie Gourmet proves that simply isn’t the case. Situated in an historical old home on the main street of Thornton (near Barrie), I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this fantastic restaurant more than once. If you live in or near Barrie, it’s great to have a place to go when you want a nice meal out on the town. And if you live in Toronto, trust me when I say it’s worth the drive! The menu is wide and varied, offering dishes with Asian, Italian, American and Indian influence. There is truly something for everyone! On a recent trip with my mom we shared the kale salad, which came topped with sweet apple, tart pomegranate seeds, and a delicious, creamy maple and tahini dressing. The combination of flavours was divine. They are not lying when they say they are bountiful salads! The portion was nice and hefty enough for us to share as an appetizer. My mom enjoyed a hearty serving of chana masala which was beautifully plated atop a heaping portion of brown basmati… Read More

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Vegetarian Discounts Around the GTA

TVA’s Toronto Veg Card gives Toronto Vegetarian Association members discounts at over 100 vegetarian and veg-friendly businesses across the GTA. Many are located downtown but there is also an ever-expanding list of places in the suburbs and beyond that offer discounts to TVA members. Check out some highlights below! West of Toronto Brar’s Bakery in Mississauga and Brar’s Indian Buffet in Brampton Arvinda’s Indian Cooking Classes in Mississauga Veggie Paradise in Mississauga Zen Gardens’ locations in London, Missisauga, Guelph and Cambridge North of Toronto Tenon Vegetarian Cuisine in Markham The Vegan Danish Bakery in Thornhill Wu Tai Vegetarian Restaurant in Markham Gourmet Vegetarian Restaurant in Richmond Hill The Bleeding Carrot in Owen Sound East of Toronto Nourished on the Go in Oshawa… Read More

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Discount Profile: Vegetarian Haven

Care of Barbi Lazarus, Donor and Volunteer Resources Coordinator Since Grasslands closed last month, we have been getting many inquiries about where people can go for a nice vegetarian dinner with candlelight. Fear not! Vegetarian Haven checks all the boxes and then some. You can come by Vegetarian Haven for lunch Tuesday to Friday from 12-3 for a delicious and casual meal. But you can also come by for dinner Tuesday-Sunday from 5 pm onward when the lights are dimmed and the candles are lit. The atmosphere and decor is sleek enough for a romantic dinner or night on the town without being pretentious. Having worked at TVA, whose office is actually above Vegetarian Haven, for many years, I’ve had the joy of trying almost every dish on the menu such as the Singapore Seitan, the Curry Pad Thai, and their famous drumstick appetizer. But during my two most recent visits I discovered new favourites. The Toronto Veg Team who fundraised for TVA at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon recently met for the team’s post-run dinner. That evening I tried the Spicy Bali Stir-fried Rice Noodles and was blown away. There was a creamy sauce thickened with coconut… Read More

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Discount Profile: Urban Acorn Market

Care of Andrea De Vries Urban Acorn Market is a fine foods market that sets itself apart from other food markets. First of all, it’s in an unexpected neighbourhood. Located in the Junction Triangle on Dupont Street just west of Symington, Urban Acorn aims to serve the community by supporting local farmers, vendors, and food artisans, and by providing vibrant, healthy options to an otherwise under-served neighbourhood. I also noticed some other pleasant differences as soon as I walked into Urban Acorn Market. The first thing was it’s cozy size. It’s a small, yet beautifully decorated shop, and the owner (and mastermind behind Urban Acorn Catering), Marie Fitrion is there at the counter to greet you with a friendly smile. While the space may be small, the shelves and cases are stocked with specialty items that are often hard to find elsewhere. For example, you can find just about any kind of vegan cheese you could ever want all in one place. The selection goes way beyond Daiya (which they also carry, including new Daiya cheesecakes!) to offer Wood & Water, Field Roast Chao, Pleasantville Creamery fresh Mozzarella, and more. They also carry a selection of fresh, local produce. One… Read More

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Discount Profile: Nourished on the Go

Care of Sally Grande Nourished on the Go is the only all-vegan restaurant in the Durham Region, which covers everything about an hour east of Toronto. Located in a prime spot in downtown Oshawa, Nourished on the Go caters to a business and student crowd. While the current restaurant is geared to takeout, with 100% recyclable containers, it does have a few tables. Owners, vegan chef Gabriella and her husband, Brian, are dedicated to healthy, responsible and compassionate food. Red Seal Chef Gabriella also teaches vegan cooking classes, either private lessons or for small groups. Her unique soups, including the Cashew Cream of Mushroom, Moroccan Peanut Soup or the Thai Coconut Green Curry Soup, are popular and range from $5.50 to $8.00. The wraps ($7) include a “No-Chicken Club” and a “No-Chicken Souvlaki” and both use analog products doctored with Chef Gabriella’s secret seasonings. The Scrambled Tofu Wrap is a unique breakfast offering and is gluten-free as are many of the menu items. The pastas include a unique Basil Pesto and range from $5 to $7. There are also hearty stews and chilies, and a range of desserts and smoothies. Discount: 10% off Veg Status: All vegan Where:… Read More

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Discount Profile: Bloomer’s

Care of Christina Vani Bloomer’s. Aaaahhh. Just writing their name makes me feel like all is right in the world. Bloomer’s have been sharing their baked goods at the Veg Food Fest for years, in addition to making desserts to order. Their relatively recent expansion into a full-service vegan restaurant had loyal patrons singing their praises even louder than before, since Toronto finally had a 100%-vegan café that is also a restaurant. And now, Bloomer’s has another reason to attract new and regular customers: TVA discount-card holders receive 10% off their order! Friendly, attentive service is a constant, and although Bloomer’s is usually packed by noon, each customer is treated as though he or she is a guest in the Bloomer’s home. Bloomer’s is community; Bloomer’s is fresh; Bloomer’s is cruelty-free; Bloomer’s is home. It’s pretty stellar when one has a home whose cooks consistently create delicious, wholesome vegan meals. Their tempeh-wing sandwich is served between buns made in-house (be armed with napkins, because Bloomer’s does not skimp on the number of wings in this succulent sandwich). Newer additions to their menu include the mac and cheese appetizer, onion rings, deep-fried pickles, and the jackfruit sandwich. Read More

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Discount Profile: D-Beatsro

Care of Sarah Brebner Nestled in the western edge of Bloordale you’ll find newcomer D-Beatstro. A vegan cafe, D-Beatstro is a great place to grab a coffee or tea, and try one of their many baked goods. Their selection varies daily, so it might be worth more than one trip to enjoy everything they have to offer. If you’re looking for something savoury, you can try their rosemary “bacon” and “cheddar” scones, made with Magic Vegan Bacon Grease. And if you’re craving something sweet, they’ve always got something tempting on display (and you’ll get 10% off if you’re a TVA member!). Cupcakes with sweet creamy icing, whoopie pies and, for special occasions, the most epic slices of Nanaimo bars. I’ve also tried their chocolate peanut butter squares which, when allowed to sit at room temp for a little bit, become melt-in-your-mouth soft and satisfying. They also serve tasty vegan breakfast sandwiches, which are best with ketchup. An assortment of other sandwiches and lunch staples are on the menu as well. D-Beatstro is a welcoming space with friendly staff. Seating is limited, but it’s a bright open space and is the perfect spot for noshing on some baked goodies. Depending on… Read More

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Discount Profile: Rashmi’s Bakery

Care of Patti Organ-Blersch Let Them Eat (Vegan) Cake! If Marie Antoinette was around today she would buy – at least some – of her cakes from Rashmi’s Bakery. Decadent, delicious and deftly priced, you can’t make a wrong choice here. I had the immense pleasure of having TWO baby shower cakes from Rashmi’s and both were immediately devoured by vegans and non-vegans alike. For both cakes we chose half chocolate and half vanilla, with whipped topping and raspberry filling. The filling is really just layered, along with their incredible whipped topping throughout the cake. Being eight million months pregnant, I decided to save a few pieces of the cake in the freezer for those middle of the night cravings. I can tell you the cake is as delicious frozen as it is room temperature. Vegan or otherwise, Rashmi’s cakes please the masses.  From topping, cake and filling choices to the beautiful designs, these sumptuous cakes are not to be missed! Discount: 10% off Veg Status: All vegetarian, vegan options available Where: 2 locations in Brampton and Mississauga… Read More

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Discount Profile: Cooking Classes from Marni Wasserman

Care of John Graber I attended a Marni Wasserman cooking class a couple of years back and it changed my dietary habits for the better.  I was already eating a healthy vegan diet with an emphasis on whole and raw foods, but she took me to the next level with her inspiring presentation.  She helped me wrap my head around using more super foods which previously I had been a little intimidated to try. Marni’s cooking classes are fun and non-judgemental.  She does a great job of sharing her vast knowledge of vegan nutrition through her presentation.  Questions are encouraged and Marni replies honestly. On top of this, you’re going to leave Marni’s feeling satisfied and full of a wide variety of healthy vegan food which you helped to prepare through her hands-on educational techniques. And if you’re a TVA member, you get a very generous 20% off the price of each class! I highly doubt there’s a better way to learn some new vegan cooking techniques. Discount: 20% off Veg Status: All vegan Where: Marni Wasserman’s Food Studio & Lifestyle Shop at 510 Eglinton Ave. West… Read More

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Discount Profile: Live Organic Food Bar

From an anonymous office worker Imagine my delight when I found out that Order It, the food delivery service my office uses, was starting to deliver from Live Organic Food Bar, an all-vegan restaurant. I now have the pleasure of getting lunch from them almost weekly. My favourite two things to order from Live are the Seoul Bowl and the Big Bowl. The Seoul Bowl has a range of delicious flavors with a citrus dressing, kimchi, pickles and marinated portabello mushroom caps. It also comes with a hefty amount of pulled burdock, quinoa and a piece of lightly seared tofu that make the dish quite hearty and filling. It will keep you satiated until dinner time that’s for sure! The Big Bowl is more of a salad and comes with a healthy amount of kale and greens. However, along with it you get a scoop of sunflower hummus that I enjoy to mix in with my fork of greens, and this makes it a satisfying and filling lunch on its own. You get to choose your dressing (I like to go with their ceasar which isn’t exactly the same as a traditional ceasar but… Read More

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