invoke at 2nd Street Market

Autumn flavors take center stage in the latest menu offerings at invoke.

I finally stopped back in to the 2nd Street Market for another taste of  the utterly forgettable invoke. I had only been once last January and my busy schedule recently granted me a chance to eat there again-- the hours are Thursdays and Fridays 11am-3pm and Saturdays 8-3PM. I will be having my Thursdays off for a bit.

I ran into a local celeb, Mama Nozipo. I interviewed her years ago during my Dayton City Paper coverage of the Black Cultural Festival. So happy that she is still out and about in the city, continuing to be an RTA ambassador and a wonderful, inspiring elder for the young people. 

Circa 2019, the basil mayo drenched invoke zucchini basil sammie and raw Dayton Style Cheezcake. The latte was at Press Coffee.

I came to have the zucchini basil sammie again. However, it was gone, off the menu. Instead, in its place, the choice of a butternut squash sammie topped with caramelized onions, arugula, and almond cheez. Even with the carrot dawg tempting me (applewood smoked carrot "sausage" with lettuce, pickled onion, and romesco), the mood was on for the butternut squash. The brotherly owners, Larry and Lester Gates, are real sweethearts, having great conversations with customers whilst grilling fresh quality ingredients right in front of you. The food is excellent. Just humble, full of flavor, and natural.

A generous helping on top of yummy flatbread. 

I gifted the scrumptious Dayton Style Cheezcake with my mom and had the Pumpkin Cheezcake. The chocolate sauce froze en route, but tasted delicious as "candy."

I absolutely enjoy the incredible food here and will be back-- much sooner than later.

Riverdel Hits The Spot in Brooklyn

After my wonderful Chelsea morning of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye at Jack Shainman and Charles White at David Zwirner, I headed to the Brooklyn area with timed tickets to the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. Beforehand, I thought to try lunch at Riverdel just minutes away.
Riverdel is a lovely small eatery and grocery with plenty of vegan cheese options. They serve breakfast all day and have sweets galore at the register. Decision making is difficult in a place like this, but it brings a big smile to my face knowing that veganism is so much more than what people perceive it to be. The food creativity is endless for us.

While I waited for my food, I received a horrible rejection letter on Single Awareness Day of all days. It destroyed a little hope, a little dream of making art and cooking from the herb garden for three whole weeks in Vermont-- a state never visited. When my Riverdel order arrived on its light wooden tray, a thick croissant sandwich stuffed with vegan bacon, tofu, cheddar, tomatoes, and arugula, my sadness melted. The first bite was incredible, hot and flavorful. Rejection be damned by the delight of delicious comfort food. Afterwards, I had the lightest, scrumptious macarons-- matcha and lemon. They were sweet, airy treats that concluded lunch perfectly.

Riverdel is definitely a fine place to fill spirits. Whether in a good mood or in dismal disposition, this joint in Brooklyn has all the joys required to make anybody's day-- vegan or not. The food is amazing and the workers are very kind. I wish every restaurant in New York City was just as sweet.

Pot Meet "The Kettle Black"

Established last year, The Kettle Black is spreading love and creativity in baking and drinks department. Don't expect an ordinary kind of bliss.

I made a desperate stop in the Northern Liberties area, an integral part of my hour + walking journey to work, just to visit The Kettle Black on N. 2nd Street. For weeks, some great Instagram accounts have been singing the praises of this indie spirited coffee and bread joint, a nod to France with its boulangerie playing the right notes. Serving up breads and pastries, on occasion specials have included vegan cinnamon rolls, vegan cruffins (crumpet and muffin?), and vegan funfetti croissants.

I am anxious to try the vanilla rose latte! Vanilla rose simple syrup (house made) sounds too good to be true.

When inside the space, warm, pleasant relaxation come to mind, the environment, although small, beckons one to stay and write, chat, linger a while longer. Muted colors on the walls, large windows letting the sun shine in, and clean, clear display case full of beautiful, browned pastries designed to tease hungry revelers on their way to 9-5. A few people can afford the dalliance to sit on tall stools facing the spring blossomed trees, their phones and mini laptops on fitting effortlessly on narrow wooden alignment.

The associate was friendly, giving me a few seconds to look over the entire place. I watched people order their straight coffees and espressos before deciding on trying the vegan croissants.

Humble bread loaves and a mountain of fresh bagels.

The makings of a splendid day cast in golden light to rival the sunshine.

Vegan croissants to go.

After warmed up, this impressive croissant is incredibly flaky, pillowy soft, and full of rich, fattening, "buttery" flavor. It's definitely worth the pit stop.

The first two rolls are usually vegan. 

The current featured artwork fits in quite nicely. These three evenly spaced compositions of intricate line details are contained inside creased, oblong shapes exploring contrast with limited color palette. It's also interesting what color can convey. In the black and white, many representations come to mind such as floating fish, molecular fluidity, and impromptu beginnings of exploring pure abstraction. In a red one, the same line qualities are painted green with yellow green outlines, appearing like leaves or some rare green animal existing in a charged bloodline.

Naturally, I came back to Kettle Black the very next day for the lox sandwich on a black salt bagel. Fashionably frugal yet casual in headwrap from Eva's Headwraps (she has sadly disappeared without word on social media), Kay Unger sunglasses ($8 from Burlington Coat Factory), and a pug print blouse ($2 from Circle Thrift). 

The lox, made of tofu, is divine! I have never had real lox so thus I cannot make a proper comparison. The smoky generous pieces were a mouthful of deliciousness coated affectionately with superb vegan cream cheese-- creamy, rich, no odd after tastes. Alas, the black salt bagel is not just an aesthetically pleasing eye wonder. From its coarse salted granules at the top to the chewy, dense softness of its toasted glory, there is no surprise that it's a popular favorite. It's unique and amazing. 

Royal Tavern, Govinda's, & Dizengoff: Something New, Something Old, Something.... Pink

On Friday night, started the weekend off right with co-worker gal pals. They drank specialty beers. I gulped iced water. We discussed all the things loved and despised. Quite frankly, it felt nice letting out the steam. Plus, one of them recently had a milestone birthday (speaking of which the other co-worker's birthday is today). Hilarious coincidence right? Still, in the dark, with a few lit candles containing real fire, we ate vegan together-- they both ordered vegan cheesesteaks-- one had without onions and the other without mushrooms. I was blown away by PhillyVeganMonster's Instagram post of Royal Tavern's special of the week-- a massive chickpea burger between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Of course, apologizing to arteries in advance, I had to try it out for myself.

Served with hot skinny fries, a juicy pickle, and vegan mayo, the unique "cheeseburger" also contained tomatoes, lettuce, onion (a little too much onion), and seitan ba'con. Naturally, this colossal sandwich had to be eaten with fork and knife. It was just so massive. I believe the cheese is Violife's original version (or mozzarella as PhillyVeganMonster suggested). It has that rich, mild flavor that Daiya just doesn't have. The thick, well-seasoned chickpea burger, held together with little crumbling, was superb.

On Sunday, my roommate and I stopped by Govinda's for dinner. It was her first time there. I love the place, especially when they have an assortment of vegan donuts. I ordered my usual chik'in cheesesteak on a whole wheat roll. She tried out the chik'in burger.

One can never go wrong with a slice of Vegan Treats dessert. This carrot cake is a definite favorite. It's moist, contains a yummy balance of fine, grated carrots, and memorable spice blends from childhood and the cream cheese frosting isn't a sugary, overpowering catastrophe. My roommate enjoyed the chocolate peanut butter cake. She said something along the lines of, "I usually don't like peanut butter things, but the peanut butter flavor wasn't too extreme."

At a Saturday afternoon work function, a sweet co-worker saved me Dizengoff Hummus and pita bread inside of their trademark hot pink bag. It was an incredibly good meal-- the right balance of lemon juice and garlic flavoring the creamy, tangy whipped hummus goodness. With the soft, chewy pita bread long devoured, I've included this delicious hummus in pasta and rice dishes, experimenting to heart's desire.

Toronto: The Wrap Up

Survival of the fittest: Dottie's Donuts delights of two Birthday Cakes, Raspberry Swirl, Apple Fritter, an almost consumed Vanilla Glaze, and Boston Cream.

I conclude wonderful nearly one-week trip to Toronto filled with sweet, memorable highlights.
Upon entering U.S. Customs with that flat cardboard box, having left behind Philadelphia thirteen hours, I was called behind the next agent.
"What are you bringing with you besides pizza?" He asked. "Which is a smart move by the way."
"Oh, it's not pizza, it's donuts," I told him.
"Well, that's even better." He smiled. "Is that the thing? Putting donuts in a pizza box?"
"It's a Dottie's thing."
"I'll have to check them out."
He probably won't come all the way down to Philadelphia for donuts, but a little, gushing part hope that he does.
And like the previous donut half dozen, Brooklyn's Dun-well Doughnuts were the last gifted vegan batch, Dottie's had successfully made the journey with some minor frosting removed from the apple fritter.
Donuts aside, the shocking warm weather provided an enjoyable experience exploring the comfortable, favorite Toronto spots and the new, opened places.

A walk on Bloor is a promise of feel good shops. This rose gold plated asymmetrical mirror was a beautiful piece of art that would start up conversation in anyone's bathroom or hallway. I could imagine giving myself the best self talks.

Gorgeous patterned kitchen utensils like light weight handled spoons and forks with bamboo tops, rolling pins, and bowls. This is the sophisticated ware to bring out for intimate gatherings so that your friends admire the sets.

There are plenty of bike shops and bike repair centers that make the yearning to learn how to ride a bike grow more. I especially like watching people in long brown coats and smart fitted hats riding their bikes along the streets. It's such a charming transport. This sky blue bike in the window of Curbside Cycle and the three wheeler in the back with basket attachment ignited those old, bike rider dreams.

Pacha Arts is an indigenous run gift store of handmade gifts such as original paintings, jewelry, clothing, toys, and handwoven textiles.

More handwoven textiles.

Homemade hot chocolate with Camino-- very good. I was impressed. Camino also happens to be on the Food Empowerment Chocolate List. So a big "double yay!" on that note.

Rice bread toast with Field Roast Chao Cheese, black beans with avocado, and apple slices made a sound, scrumptious breakfast on a Friday morning. Yes, I recommend gaining a friend who will not only make fulfilling breakfasts, but also allow you opportunity to do the same. 

Meeting a plump black cat with elegant brown trim fur and a bell ringing red collar.

This Aaliyah comic is only a spectacular work of art, but it would make for a great issue. 

The poster advertising The Blackest Anime Night at the Black Canary Espresso Bar and Comic Shop. I wish I could come back to this charming comic book haven of many books, action figures, posters, and other geeky things.

Black History Month display of Black Panther graphic novel titles.

Read store fronts carefully, especially if a pulp mystery novel rests in the window.

After a trip to my favorite local library, I stopped by South Indian Dosa Mahal Restaurant for a bag of spinach and potato rotis. 

A nifty portrait of Homer and his donuts.

An actual self-help shop.

A pretty undergarment boutique with an eye catching, lower cased title. 

Carrot Commons has this upscale market called The Big Carrot that is a quirkier version of Whole Foods Market and reminiscent of the short lived Earthbound Market store from Dayton, Ohio and another shop from Rockland, Maine. 

I feel that that is the store to experiment with every last intriguing nut cheese available here. I wouldn't mind trying these endless varieties explored through cashews and other nuts.

Other cheeses....

Frozen macarons.

The first time I've seen organic cacao butter sold in stores and placed properly next to cacao powder.

A trip to Toronto isn't complete without Through Being Cool Vegan, the bakery and grocery shop that has stolen my heart and soul. Unfortunately, I had ordered my croissants and received two blueberry scones instead. At least, I received the correct plain Daiya Pinwheels.

Just as delicious as remembered: an ooey gooey, melty, cheesy splendor.

Glorious view of crossing the bridge that separates Ontario and the U.S. border.

The end. For now.....