Sarah J. Blige

Serving up scrumptious vegan fare, old skool gangsta rap and inspiring socially conscious quotes, The Foundation is my all-time favorite restaurant – vegetarian or not.

Mood: Nestled on the corner of Main and East 7th (two blocks north of Broadway), The Foundation is a funky spot with a very laid-back vibe. There is no ceiling lighting; the retro tables are candlelit and string lights are hung sparingly around the space. Hipsters congregate and discuss  politics and religion skinny jeans over pints of Red Devil Pale Ale (which is brewed only three blocks away). You’re likely to hear Dr. Dre, Snoop or N.W.A on the speakers, and when they’re not playing it obscenely loud, the unexpectedness of hearing old school rap at a vegetarian restaurant is actually quite appealing. If you’ve found yourself in the misfortune of being stuck here with a really boring date, at least you can entertain yourself by reading the quotes they’ve painted on the walls by the likes of Margaret Mead, Malcolm X and Mahatma Gandhi.

‘Tude: The Foundation has a reputation for providing poor service, but I’ve eaten there at least a dozen times and have never had an issue.  The food always comes out really quickly, even when the restaurant is packed (which it happens to be most of the time).  The staff is not irritatingly perky; just friendly enough and efficient, which may come off as rude or inattentive to those more accustomed to an Earl’s-type atmosphere. True, they almost never come to check on you after you’ve been served your food, but there are usually several servers wandering around so you can get someone’s attention easily enough if you need something.

Food: This is the BEST part about The Foundation, just as it should be with all restaurants. What makes it even better is that the food is delicious to meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. I’ve taken five or six omnivores to Foundation and all have loved the (mostly) vegan food. The nachos do have real cheddar cheese, and I hear they’re amazing, though I haven’t tried them myself. A personal favorite is the satay salad, which throws a party in your mouth for only $7.  The katered affair is a diverse appy platter that boasts garlicy hummus, tangy yam dip, spicy broccoli and tofu, and sweet salads, accompanied by slices of toasted Iranian flatbread and tri-color tortilla chips. The lunch menu differs from the dinner menu, so be sure to stop by for some noontime deliciousness as well.

Katered Affair

If you’re looking for food that’s both healthy and tasty, this unconventional dining spot offers plenty of interesting menu items.  Take your meat-eating friends to The Foundation to show them that vegan food can actually taste good – really good.