I love to travel and to spend time with friends in different places, but when your old college roommate lives in Memphis, TN and you live in NY, it's not like you can just meet midway for an afternoon over a cup of coffee and go home again.
However, if she comes to Phillie to visit family, on the same weekend you happen to be there to celebrate your sister-in-law's 50th birthday party, it gets easier.Did I mention meeting a vegan during Passover on Easter Sunday for breakfast, however, makes it a bit more difficult?
One of my favorite places to wander in the Philadelphia area is the little artsy village of Manayunk. I used to love exploring their cute collectible and furniture stores, their farmer's market and so forth. My favorite restaurant there, and somewhere I have met friends many times, is Winnie's Le Bus and thankfully it was open!The challenge with Le Bus is that it is known for it's bread. I wasn't having any on Passover but it is SO good. Fresh, home-baked (restaurant-baked) loaves that seem to go perfectly with anything you order, or just to buy and enjoy at home.
This weekend I got to enjoy something in its place ~ a mandarin mimosa: absolut mandarin vodka, champagne & fresh squeezed orange juice. I know it's not quite a replacement for bread like rice or potato would be but those had butter in them and this was vegan so what's a girl to do?
Le Bus boasts tons of pancakes and salads and sandwiches and eggs that might accompany this refreshing cocktail, most of which are not vegan, but they were very good at adapting to my needs. I had plenty of soy milk for my coffee, brought to me by our friendly vegetarian server, and an omelet with mushrooms, tomato, onion, squash (hold the eggs and cheese) and a side of guacamole, salsa and some fresh fruit. Of course, catching up in person instead of by text or phone was the best part, but if you are ever in Philadelphia give this a try (and be sure to take a loaf of bread with you when you go!)
