After an incredible fun time last week, this week started with another Girls Night Out. As it was Monday night, I’d be right to say this meal was a love letter to Meatless Monday, as Chef Lenka Zivkovic offered four Philadelphia friends, and each a vegan chef, one of her renowned vegan tasting menus. Lenka has been cheffing at The Plough & The Stars in Old City, Philadelphia, for 10 years now. She is vegan and the restaurant is not, but Lenka creates and cooks unique and beautifully presented vegan tasting menus by request. From the first hors d’oeuvre to the deconstructed dessert, Lenka outdid herself. Watch for announcements of Lenka’s pop up dinners in Philadelphia this fall. In the meantime, call the restaurant ahead to request a vegan tasting menu, and if Lenka is there, you will have it!
Melons and beets with vegan cheese
Vegan tuna ceviche
Cucumber Dill Cheese Spread
Vegan Brisket
Buffalo Artichokes
Mango Cocktail
Vole au Vent – “Duck confit” in rich port au jus, served in a puff pastry shell, garnished with blueberry picked onion and drizzles with “goat cheese.”
Shot of Chilled Asparagus Gazpacho – garnished with roasted shiitake and scented oil.
Arugula Salad – Toasted with marinated red and golden beets, shaved feel, caramelized walnuts, and sprinkled with a crumble of soft “cheese.”
Sicilian Pasta Agrodolche – Penne tossed with cauliflower, raisins, pine nuts, and caramelized onions in a white balsamic vinegar reduction.
Dessert was deconstructed Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream with Brownies and Cassava Crumble with a shot of housemade Vegan Irish cream.
My dining companions were Dynise Balcavage from Mastering Running; Alice Leung, owner of Soy Café; and Char Nolan who is a columnist at Town Dish.
And now, it’s time to find an all white outfit, as I look forward to Thursday night’s Diner En Blanc. Philadelphia, I love you.
Thank you for sharing! I will have to check The Plough and the Stars soon. Everything looks wonderful and delicious. Excited to see what other Philly “secrets” you uncover!
Do check out Chef Lenkas’s vegan menu at Plough and Stars but call first before you reserve. Check out my previous blog posts on Vedge, and VStreet, the Vegan Philly Cheesesteak Contest. Lots of great vegan choice in Philly. SoyCafe, Miss Rachel’s, Bar Bonbon and Hip City, Blackbird, WizKid, PS & Co. are just some of my go to’s and I’ve only been here since June!
Ah……… the pictures are beautiful and I am sure the food was above the excellent mark! Wish I lived near Phil. but alas, I am on the west coast.
betsy shipley
The food was indeed above excellent!! Where on West coast are you?