After seeing the review in the Orlando Weekly, my husband and I were excited to take a drive across town yesterday to check out this new kid in town. It’s about time Orlando gained another vegan venue!
Ethos Vegan Kitchen (1235 N. Orange Avenue) is located in a cute little niche area just north of downtown across from Lake Ivanhoe in the antiques district known as “Antique Row”, and inhabits a historic circa 1925 building. By an immediate glance at the sign and then stepping into the rustic interior, the restaurant reflects the nostalgia of the district. However, Orlando also has a prominent arts community that is clearly represented by the works for sale adorning the walls in bright colors and contemporary styles. In addition to the cozy indoor dining area, there’s a comfortable, covered garden patio.
Ethos fits the ever popular growing fast-casual restaurant concept: walk up to the counter, your food is made to order, and then brought to your table. Owners Kelly and Laina Shockley describe the menu as “hearty, home-cooked traditional and intercontinental fare”, which includes light bites, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, name-your-own pizzas, and a few main courses. There’s also a special Sunday brunch menu and an on-site bakery making various cookies, pastries, and cakes daily.
Yesterday, we shared the “Healthy Trio: Black and green olive tapenade, homemade hummus, and tomato-mango salsa served with toasted bread, tortilla chips, and fresh seasonal veggies.” ($6.95) Yummy! Especially the tomato-mango salsa and hummus.
Also impressive was the homemade creamy spinach and portabella soup ($2.95 for a cup, $3.95 for a bowl), as was the “Udon Asian Odyssey: Fresh carrots, broccoli, zucchini, squash, onions, garlic, Thai basil, and tomatoes, stir-fried in brown sauce and tossed with whole wheat Udon noodles” ($9.95, add seitan for 2.00).
Now, since Ethos opened in January, a very popular favorite has been the “What’s the Dilly, Philly?:
Sautéed marinated seitan with onions, red and green peppers, mozzarella cheeze, and veganaise” ($6.95). Hubs definitely loves his hearty sandwiches, so he was all over this one without a shred of ambiguity! Well, I knew it was something pretty awesome, because during the few times he came up for air, the only sounds that came out of his mouth besides chewing was, “Mmmm! Mmmm!” and a major look of intensity on his face. Therefore, I had to confirm this with a small bite of my own and if it weren’t for my focus on raw, I’d be all over this one too! Fabulous!
Next time I go back to Ethos which will no doubt be very soon, I’ll go a little hungrier and be sure to try their salads! Naturally I would love to see more raw items here, but hey! I’m happily proud to give my support and patronage to my vegan friends!
<3, JMK
