Pink Herring completely lives as much as expectations of hipness
It’s the final week to go to Pink Herring earlier than the restaurant closes for the summer time, and there’s something about strolling downstairs to get to a restaurant that has at all times felt cool to me. Like, you’re in on the key, a part of the membership. You don’t want obviously apparent street-level doorways. You simply know.
The Pink Herring Vegetarian Restaurant completely lives as much as these expectations of hipness. From the second you step down the steps and thru their door, the welcoming environment mixed with the scrumptious, freshly ready meals will depart you feeling excited to discover the menu.
This time, I accompanied a good friend on their inaugural go to. Coming from a city with none vegan eating places, they had been excited to attempt one thing new. Initially, I had deliberate on attempting a few of the new menu objects — you, seitan gyro — however within the second, I fell to the siren tune of the toasty hexwrap ($12) and a guava Jarritos ($2).
After grabbing a lemon Spindrift ($1.50), my good friend wavered between the macro-conscience Pink’s salad ($12) and the extra hedonistic Philly cheeze ($12) however determined to affix me on the consolation meals aspect. Don’t get me incorrect, I like a great salad, however I additionally like folks to see that vegan meals is extra than simply salads or chopped veggies. It may be downright decadent.
After putting our orders on the entrance, we grabbed a sales space and loved the dwell music. The pleasant mélange of colours, muraled help beams, and paintings present a welcomed variation from the present decor development of modern minimalism. For basement degree seating, there’s a stunning quantity of pure gentle afforded by the egress home windows which added to the inviting ambiance of the house.
The toasty hexwrap could ring some bells for folks, however the place this model actually exceled compared to its drive-through counterpart was style. All the components had been in good proportion to one another; the cashew crema and nacho cheeze sauce had been complemented by a pleasant kick from the chile sauce. Crisp lettuce and diced tomatoes balanced scrumptious refried beans. I often take footage of the meals after a few bites, however didn’t get the possibility as I ravenously devoured passionately ate my meal. I’m positive it was a sight to see.
On the opposite aspect of the desk, my good friend loved their Philly cheeze, which was served with a beautiful pasta and bean salad. For this sandwich, a toasted hoagie was filled with marinated seitan, sautéed peppers and onions, and slathered with melty cashew cheeze. It was hearty, scrumptious, and simply the factor to energy by the remainder of our gray afternoon.
I additionally bought an oatmeal cream pie ($5), which I saved for later that day. It held up fairly nicely for being tossed in my bag moderately unceremoniously, and the dessert offered an pleasurable addition to my Earl Gray tea. The cookie portion was tender and ever-so-slightly chewy whereas the cream was wealthy and candy with a clear mouthfeel — none of that waxy-coating feeling I get from packaged snacks. It was fairly candy, so I do suggest having a robust tea or espresso together with it for the proper afternoon deal with.
Don’t wait until subsequent fall to do that vegan campus favourite as a result of that is the final week to go to Pink Herring earlier than the shut for the summer time. They’ll additionally host their Spring Jubilee on Friday, Might twelfth from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that includes music, raffles, and naturally, scrumptious meals.
Pink Herring Vegetarian Restaurant
1209 W Oregon St
Urbana
M-F 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
