Wednesday, August 22, 2012

hip city veg ::
friend to philly's kitchenless

Kitchenless in Philly? HipCityVeg to the rescue!

I'm still in the throes of my kitchen remodeling. After 3 weeks without a functioning stove or dishwasher, the novelty and excitement of living in a construction zone has worn off. I don't have many possessions. But I live in an open-floor plan loft, and everything I own is either shoved in corners, on display on the dining room table, or squirreled into my precious few nooks and crannies of shelf space. Maneuvering around my place these days is challenging. I've stubbed more toes and have earned more black and blue marks from bumping into things than I ever thought possible. I feel like I living on the set of "Hoarders."I'm all for living in the present, but I could do with the past tense here.

[Gratitude break: What a bourgeois problem to have, right? I am fortunate to be able to remodel my kitchen.]

Crispy HipCity Ranch Sandwich: Look out Mickey D's

Of course, it goes without saying that I am sick to death of microwave meals and salads for dinner. The idea of a yet-another nuked Tofurky Sausage and microwaved asparagus just wasn't doing it for me tonight. HipCityVeg all-vegan delivery to the rescue! Over the past 3 weeks, I must have consumed about 40 pounds worth of salad, so tonight I felt like sinning a little. I ordered the Crispy HipCity Ranch Sandwich: fried and battered vegan "chicken," lettuce, tomato, red onions, pickles and peppercorn ranch on a bun. Messy but so satisfying.

Vegan Vanilla Bean Cupcake

Dessert: a vanilla bean cupcake. It was respectable, but not great – tasted like a vegan cupcake that your niece's-hipster-roommate-PhD candidate-from-Brooklyn might have made. HipCity's strength is definitely its savory dishes: salads, sandwiches, and the Groothie: a green smoothie made with kale and bananas.

Let's return to the construction zone...
The end is in sight. The plumber is coming next week to rejigger some things, and after that it should go rather quickly. I picked out my granite countertop and tile. What can I say? It's a linear process, and the only way out is through.

Although I an weary of living in a labyrinth of half-assembled cupboards, rogue, unhooked-up appliances and cardboard boxes, the kitties think it's the coolest thing since Meowie Wowie Catnip.



Pablo likes playing with his toy mouse on the cardboard, behind the "Iron Curtain" while a dignified Bossa Nova looks on...


 Buttons likes snoozing on this particular cardboard box...
While Bossa Nova supervises from this vista.

All that playing and supervising sure does make you sleepy. Zzzzzzzz.....




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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

that cupcake looks so delicious! i hope you get your kitchen back soon! :)

urban vegan said...

Thanks GFHT! I cannot wait. But the kitties will be sad to see their playground/spa dismantled ;)

helpmedie said...

My big Hip City gripe is that all of their sandwiches are just Gardein products. I'm not really into the idea of paying $9 with tax for a small sandwich made with ingredients I can buy at Target.

urban vegan said...

I hear ya, Help! But in a pinch, HCV is great, and many of their dishes (salads, bella burgers) are fake meat free. And besides, even tho' I do buy Gardein products, there's no way I will batter and fry them – I'm too lazy ;)

Bobbie {thevegancrew} said...

Oh, the kitchen is going to be so fantastic when it's finished! We spent time in Pennsylvania earlier this summer and planned two days in Philly. Unfortunately our car broke down on the second day, when we were hoping to hit up HCV. I heard they have fantastic shakes (among other things). I was kinda bummed, but I'm looking forward to stopping by on our next trip, whenever that is.

Zoe said...

I will have to visit here when I come to Philly! If you know of any other cool places to visit in Philly, please let me know: Life of a Vegetarian Girl

Matt said...

There is so much that I want to say about this post... the sandwich looks great! very jealous.

you made me laugh with the comment re vegan cupcakes (where are people's standards?! it seems to be way more about the fact it's hipsterly vegan than the taste) and the kitties are gorgeous as always.. wishing you luck with your continuing renovations!! matt

FoodandLoathing said...

They sell Gardein at Target? I've never had it but always wanted to try...

Joselle said...

I actually love their cupcakes...if you accept that they taste more like corn muffins than cupcakes! Something about that crumbliness and not too-sweetness is great.

Sophie said...

I had that sandwich! I liked it although they double charged my cc. :( anyway it got resolved.