Polenta Benedict and the Walnut Grille

My son has a lot of camp friends in the Boston suburbs, and seems to be getting invited to more and more events that bring us to that area. Thankfully my sister and some good friends of mine live there as well, so when he wants to see his friends and go on a road trip with mom, it doesn't take a lot to twist my arm and get me to say ok.  This last weekend was no exception.When we were there in October, my sister and I were googling vegan-friendly places to eat and we stumbled upon Walnut Grille in Newton Highlands. According to their website, the restaurant was created out of a desire to serve delicious vegan and vegetarian fare that would be both fancy and delicious and also leave people wanting more ~ so they'd come back of course.  We fall into that category of those who come back.
On our first visit, while we considered our breakfast options, our server brought us a blueberry banana smoothie to sip while we decided.  Not a bad way to make a first impression.  My sister ordered the breakfast quesadilla and I, the polenta benedict.  That sealed the "we'll be back" deal.  Two polenta "cakes" topped with scrambled tofu and tempeh bacon with a vegan hollandaise.  Decadent and warm and totally filling...but, of course, we had to order dessert anyway.
We shared a warm berry-fig crisp in vegan phyllo dough topped with non-dairy whipped cream.  My sister is SO not a vegan but I'm pretty sure we devoured it in equal portion!
When we went back yesterday, we both got the breakfast burrito, hers vegetarian and mine vegan, complete with yams, black beans, tempeh bacon and a side of guacamole.  It as too cold for a salad, and I almost got the pancakes made from sweet potato and dates - it was a really tough call.  Of course we ordered dessert again (it was brunch after all) and this time chose the carrot cake.  It was presented so prettily, with delicious non-dairy cream cheese frosting atop a drizzle raspberry puree. We didn't finish it but it was very good.  If you live in or visit the area, vegan or not, this is a must on your to-do list!