Eco Compostable Biodegradable Shit

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and the sadness I felt when witnessing a HipCity bag blowing across the grass in Rittenhouse sealed the deal: Philly vegan eateries are wasteful. Compostable products are exciting, but how many of these products REALLY end up in a compost pile, which is the only way they will biodegrade as promised? 

Today it took me five minutes to drink my Coconut Dream Elixir at Jar Bar, and it pained me to throw away my plastic cup. All of their meals are served in plastic to-go containers. A meal at HipCity inolves at least several containers, wrappers, napkins, plastic forks, and a bag. Even eat-in salads at Blackbird are served in a to-go container, albeit a very earth-friendly sugar cane-based one.

I'm sure these businesses struggled greatly when deciding to use only disposables, and I can see how it would be difficult to deal with stacks of dirty dishes when you're primarily a to-go/eat 'n' go place. There is just something about the whole compostable/biodegradable=it's ok! mindset that really bugs me. I suppose I'd be happier if these places had a "Compostables" bin so I could at least feel like they'll end up biodegrading.

Miss Rachel's Pantry

I am so in love with Miss Rachel's adorable new all-vegan lunch cafe on West Passyunk Ave.  Miss Rachel seems to specialize in comfort food, which just happens to be my favorite kind. Today I enjoyed "The Crabbie," which is a delicate and delightfully satisfying faux-crabcake served on a roll with mayo and a slice of juicy tomato. Last week, I had the meatloaf sandwich with a flavorful mushroom gravy, also delicious. Their hearty, homemade sandwiches are appropriately priced at around $7. 

Miss Rachel's also offers baked goods from local vegan bakers, ice cream, as well as a full coffee menu and a few breakfast items. She even does a vegan egg 'n' cheese sandwich, which is good if you like daiya cheese. I'm really hoping she expands her breakfast menu because it's my favorite meal and there aren't many place in Philly to get a vegan brunch.

If you're feelin' fancy, she does a weekly reservations-only four-course Friday night Farmhouse Table Dinner. I wish I could just go for the first course this week, because a Macadamia Cheese Tartlet with Caramelized Onion sounds incredible.

http://www.missrachelspantry.com/