Plants are on the plate Nov. 1-7

The first PVD Vegan Restaurant Week for Rhode Island starts on Friday, Nov. 1, which is World Vegan Day. Twenty restaurants — most in Providence but others in Cranston, Pawtucket, Coventry and Narragansett — have signed on to participate. The dining deals will extend through Thursday, Nov. 7.

It has been organized by Chris Belanger, a co-owner of Like No Udder. the vegan ice cream shop in Providence which also operates a food truck. 

While most menus haven't yet been finalized, the concept is clear — to shine the light on abstaining from animal products.

"A vegan diet is good for your health, good for the environment and good for the animals," said Belanger, a longtime vegan along with wife, Karen Krinsky, co-owner of Like No Udder.

"It's really caught on and people understand the benefits many of us have been touting all along," he said.

His goal was to get restaurants that aren't exclusively vegan to participate so diners can see what they can do to create vegan dishes. Belanger was inspired by vegan restaurant weeks in cities including Philadelpia and Colorado Springs.

He said participating restaurants will either offer two to three plant-based specials or a three-course fixed price menu.

The first to sign on was Sanjiv Dhar of Rasoi Restaurant, which offers the regional cuisines of India, in Pawtucket. Dhar, who also owns Kabob and Curry in Providence and Rasa in East Greenwich, has long offered vegetarian dishes and vegan buffets.

Participants include:

Alleppo Sweets,107 Ives St., Providence,  will offer a vegan Fatayer all week. It’s a soft baked bread pinched into the shape of a boat and filled with toppings. It's Syrian street food eaten on the go. It will also offer vegan baklava all week, not just the two days a week it does normally.

Angelo’s Civita Farnese, 141 Atwells Ave., Providence, will have bean salad and Emilio’s Special, cavatelli pasta served with sliced black olives and broccoli florets.

AS220 Food and Drink (featured this issue in a story on its new menu and space) at 115 Empire St., Providence.

Crazy Burger, 144 Boon St., Narragansett, will offer White Vegan Lasagna, a Bean Street Burger, Chana Masala, Vegan Pakora and Autumnal Salad. Belanger said they normally do meat-based specials and will do vegan specials for the week.

By Chloe, 223 Thayer St., Providence, will be offering a $5 menu for the week, with $5 for a Classic Burger and $5 for a Kale Caesar Salad.

Rebelle Artisan Bagels, 110 Doyle Ave., Providence, will have two vegan sandwiches for the week and a vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Cake. The Smashing Pumpkin sandwich has kabocha squash, caramelized onions, greens, tomato jam and an herb drizzle. Housemade falafel is in a sandwich with red cabbage slaw, tomato, cucumber, onion, and spicy harissa and tahini sauce.

Fully Rooted, 159 Weybosset St., Providence, will have a chickpea wrap, Vanilla Bean Raw Donut Holes with Vermont Maple Syrup, and cold-pressed juice on tap.

Glow Café, 389 Admiral St., Providence, will have a fruit smoothie and Jamaican Patty combo. The patty flavors include lentil, kale and Curry Chik’n.

Like No Udder, 170 Ives St., Providence, has daily specials: On Nov. 1, free toppings; Nov. 2, pumpkin bundt cake sundaes; Nov. 3, chocolate cake doughnut sundaes with Knead Doughnuts; Nov. 6, baklava sundaes with Aleppo Sweets; and Nov. 7, Bubble Waffle cone.

Plant City, the vegan food hall at 334 South Water St., Providence.

Rasoi Restaurant, 727 East Ave., Pawtucket.

Roma Capoccia, 468 Wickenden St., Providence, will offer vegan pizza by the slice. Choices include roasted butternut squash, kale and cashew cream; or Agrodulce Cauliflower with fried capers, Kalamata olives and roasted almonds.

Twelve Plants is a pop-up restaurant open Mondays at Vinya Test Kitchen at 225 Westminster St., Providence, and the creation of chef Pete Carvelli. He offers 3-, 5-, and 7-course plant-based tasting dinners.

Veggie Fun, a Pan-Asian vegan kosher restaurant at 123 Dorrance St., Providence.

Wara Wara, serving Asian noodles and more at 776 Hope St., Providence.

Also participating are: Black Sheep, 397 Westminster St., Providence; Good Game Grill, 53 Weybosset St., Providence; Morse Tavern, 446 Tiogue Ave., Coventry; Revival Brewing Tasty Room, 505 Atwood Ave., Cranston; and India Restaurant, 1060 Hope St., Providence.  

Check in at vegrestaurantweek.com to see menus as they are posted.

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