Holy Heckeroni!!! I found Veggie Paradise!!!! Brace yourself!!
Ironically, located next to McMeaty Paradise over yonder.
The restaurant was decked out in everything sunflower–like you wouldn’t believe. Anything sunflower-related, they had. Too bad I didn’t have my sunflower mug with me…maybe they would have offered me a job 
The menu was absolutely overwhelmingly veggie-crazy. Even if you don’t live in the area, take a look at the menu, it is so awesome just to LOOK at. I couldn’t believe how much a little restaurant had to offer. Talk about hole-in-the-wall places. I have driven by this restaurant at least 200 times throughout the years.
Sorry for the flash photos! Notice how it was light when we arrived and dark by the time we got our food. It took about 30 min. for me to decide on what to order. You think I’m kidding….
For a starter, I got Teriyaki Mock Sesame Eel.
For my main course, I got the Macro Plate: Steamed Kabocha, root vegetables and hijiki, burdock, organic tofu over steamed mixed grain rice. Curry sauce on the side.
The menu description missed the massive layer of fluffy kale but I was more than happy to see some leafy greens.
Here’s a shot of the mixed grain rice. It had all sorts of beans nestled in there. And okay, hello kabocha squash!!!
I need to go back! There were so many other items I wanted to try such as Adventure of Tempeh Land This restaurant serves and cooks with filtered water too. So cool!!
I would like to give a big shout out to my best friend, Katherine, for being a good sport. The first thing she told me upon sitting down was “I don’t eat vegetables.” My facial expression in response was similar to that of when I am foam rolling. She made it out of veggie paradise alive though–she even liked the food!! Wahoo!
Afterwards we stopped by a humongous Whole Foods in the neighborhood (it keeps getting better) and I picked up some bulk items. One of which was Vegan Carob Banana Chunks. After one chunk sample jumped in my mouth, I was sold. See? Samples do work!!
Lastly, we headed back to her house and broke out the Pumpkin Walnut Streusel Bread I baked for her and her Momma. I finally got to try my own creation. It was mighty delicious if I do say so myself.
I would like to note that the weather forecast for tonight is SNOW and tomorrow? HEAVY SNOW! 6-10 inches. YEEHAW!!!
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I am praying for 6-10 inches too!!! I hope we get it!!!
I just want to get my 10 miler done. . . then I can sit back and enjoy the snow! That veggie plate looks gorgeous, and I love the location next to Mickey D’s haha!
OMG.. what a fabulous restaurant. Looks delish.. good choice on the entry! Its snowing in NC.. everyone is freaking out.. its like a dusting..ha.
Oohhh man i’m totally seeing the LOVE with this place!! Any giant plate full of veggies that are adorned with kabocha makes my heart go pitter patter. I definitely love your home made bread though…YUM! That would definitely be a little too hard to beat!
That restaurant looks like such a great place! I love being able to go somewhere and get a really healthy and tasty dish like the one you had. Beautiful kale and kabocha!
What I wouldn’t give to have a restaurant like that around here! Like Meghan, I think it’s hysterical that it’s next to McDonald’s!
Dude, Matt and I love that place! We’ve been to Sunflower a few times. Try the Soba Noodles and the Mock Duck next time. Keeps me coming back!
Oh man, if your facial expression is anything like mine when I roll, then I feel terribly sorry for your friend
Have fun in the snow! I saw a few flurries so far which already caused a traffic jam on my way back to work from lunch. Durham drivers….ugh.
HAHA. I love that McDonald’s is located next door to a vegetarian restaurant. Life cracks me up sometimes.
Your macro plate looks delish! I must admit though, I still haven’t tried kabocha for myself! Perhaps I can sneak it into the cart next time I go to the grocery with the parentals…
I’m still waiting for our snow! They keep pushing it back day after day and lessening the inches. Boooo I want a white Christmas!
haha How on EARTH does a body function w/o vegetables?
And I love those carob chunks, too! So packed w/ energy!
wow! this looks sooo good and healthy!
hey!!!!!!!!!! omg I have been dying to go to Sunflower!!! Since I moved to the area I researched Vegan Places and I found that one but never got to go yet!!! As soon as I saw their menu online I was like I must go but um yeah my fiance and son will not eat there, and I really dont have alot of friends here, I just moved here, and I think if I would ask some of the people I met to go they might not talk to me anymore, lol!!! So lucky!! I need to go there, glad to hear it was awesome!!!!! Have a great night!!!!! xoxoxo
Wow that place looks cool! I’m not a vegetarian, but am really interested in finding “veggie” places to eat. Your friend does sound like a good sport!
Wow that bread you made looks fantastic.
I love that macro plate!!! I need to go that place when I go back, sounds like my kind of restaurant!
That restaurant looks amazing! I just stared at the special for 15 minutes… I think I would keep my company waiting a LONG time before I made up my mind
Hope you go back and try more stuff- I will live vicariously through you since my vegetarian restaurants serve…pizza, veggie haggis or really exciting beans in tomato sauce 
take me with you next time you go. i am down with some sunflowers! looks awesomeee.
I hope you get your snow! I love, love, love snow – but you’ve probably already figured that one out!
You haven’t entered my giveaway yet!
I know hard to believe it is going to snow here!
Thanks for the great review of the restaurant. I had no idea that place existed! Looks good 
Tasty tasty sounds like lots of fun, I want to visit the US just for wholefoods that I hear about in blog world all the time, jealous! x x
ahh YAY! Today I also found a new 100% vegetarian place here in San Antonio. My mom and I went there for lunch. I got a plate with an eerily similar name (and ingredients) to what you ordered: “The Macrobiotics Plate”. mmmm so yummy, but yours looks amazing because of the kabocha–I’ve never tried it, is it good?
That place looks amazing!! I wish I was a little bit closer
I’m excited for the snow too! But up here near Baltimore we’re forecasted to get almost up to 15 inches … yikes!
That restaurant looks divine! Glad you’re enjoying your break!!
This place looks and sounds like heaven on earth. Wow, never have I ever seen a restaurant that creates as eccentric and weird creations as I do!
I think I am coming to visit you!
omg that looks amazing!! the menu is so expansive.
xoox
shelley
I love eel, but mock eel?! never heard such a thing. Lucky you have such a cool vegetarian resturant that has good eats, the meal looks amazing.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm that veggie-full meal looks delicious!! love the dichotomy between mc-ds and veg-paradise!
oh my gosh I’ve totally been here! glad you loved it!
Looks like you’ve found a great restaurant!
We are supposed to get 6-10 inches of snow tomorrow night. I wish it was on Monday though – snow days are fun!
Wow that restaurant looks awesome!!! i love that your friend doesn’t eat veggies….I used to be the same way!
soo jelous of your SNOW!! and that restaurant..seriously looks amazing
Way to go Allie…I see you worked on Holiday Goal #2 today fixing up your blog. Can’t see what all you have up your sleeve : )
That restaurant is (kind of) nearby! I want to go there so badly, but I doubt anyone will want to come with me.
It’s no fun eating out alone… but OMG, your dish looks so yummy! What did the mock eel actually taste like?
Carob banana chunks look amazing. I wonder if I could make it at home? I have too many sweets in the house as is, haha!
And nooo, snow this early is BAD!
That means school’s still in. Ughh.
Nice work on getting a non-veggie friend to go with you…must be a good friend! I’m not sure James would go…it’d take some convincing!
That restaurant sounds fabulous! And YAY for your friend being brave and trying something different.
Those vegan bite jobbies look freaking awesome! I’m going to go check Noah’s hockey schedule to see when he plays in the town where our WF is. I hope they carry them!
Looks like all good stuff! Wow, you are an incredible baker also, looks great. Hope you survive the snow. Stay in and just do …nothing
Sounds like a great restaurant! I love when you can actually get macro food out. Plus, I love sunflowers!!
Hahah Allie I love what you said about your expression similar to when foam rolling. Your bread looks amazing!! Costco’s samples were awesome today-mangoes, hummus, oh and BLENDTEC was there and made peanut butter, tortilla soup, ice cream, and a green juice!!! Ahh it was all so good and you’re right-samples (and demos by Blendtec) totally win me over!!
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