Food weeks are a conflicting time for me. On one hand I love getting to come in and eat non-stop amazing food for a week. On the other hand, have you ever consumed the same style of food for a whole week? It does things to your mind, your body and your soul. What once was a truly great love and appreciation can turn to ash in the mouth, ruining a deep passion by overindulging. Too much of a good thing, as they say. With that in mind, maybe you’re not feeling tacos and want something different. That’s why this week’s The Dish is on all things not taco.
Food For The Heart
An Hy Quan (1405 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE #4405) is truly unlike anywhere else I have ever eaten. With a diverse menu and the ability to replicate traditional Vietnamese dishes with no meat or animal byproducts, there is something intangibly wonderful about eating there. It doesn’t have that earthy, Birkenstock vibe that can be a turn-off to some when breaking out of their comfort zone while dining out, instead opting for a traditional Vietnamese vibe. I cannot overstate how much I love eating here, especially their pho, which is somehow all vegan yet tastes as good, if not better, than some pho at other places in this city. I cannot overstate how good this food is, and this is coming from arguably one of the most impassioned carnivores this side of the Mississippi. Take a moment and treat yourself to something that is so impossibly good, you’ll genuinely consider giving up meat to always eat this healthy and clean.
Two Fools Has No Fools
Jim Legans, JR
Two Fools Tavern (3211 Central Ave. NE) is a favorite of mine for a different set of reasons. Something about Irish styled food and the general theme of the tavern is so comforting. The cottage pie they serve is hefty, warm, filling and just plain wonderful. Even though I typically drink whiskey neat, I always grab one of their specialty cocktails because I know it’s made with precision and care, something worth taking a breath and enjoying. Add to that the beautiful wood decor, the fact that a game of any number of sports is usually on to keep your attention, their fireplace (a godsend in the late fall and winter), the super-friendly staff and the upbeat fun environment makes it a truly amazing place to spend an evening. You can’t have a bad time at Two Fools, and that’s worth more than damn near anything else in this world.
