2011

Goodbye 2011, hello 2012! I can’t believe how fast 2011 went. In contrast to 2010, last year I felt very much like I was rooted in Ottawa. But looking back at my photos I’m realizing I did get out of town quite a bit.

Halfway through 2011 I stopped making time for blogging (see my new baby, Vegan Cuts), and forgot to tell you about some of the fun places I went and delicious food I devoured. So how about we play catch up with a photo roundup of Vegan Backpacker’s adventures in 2011…

Victoria, BC

Victoria, BC

In February I traveled to Victoria, BC and returned to some of my favorite spots, including Cafe Bliss, Green Cuisine and Wildfire Bakery.

Washington, DC

Washington, DC

In March I visited Washington, DC for the first time and had a chance to feast on Sticky Fingers baked goods, and savory eats from Cafe Green and Busboys & Poets.

New York, NY

NYC vegan

Later in March we took a road tip to New York. We went to the VegFest and continued to eat our way through some new-to-us restaurants, like Candle 79, Champs Bakery, Blossom and Cowgirl’s Baking.

Toronto, ON

Toronto Vegan

I managed to make it to Toronto three times over the course of the year. Being only a five hour drive from Ottawa, I’ve visited many times before but the city is always adding new vegan restaurants to its roster and in 2011 I had a chance to feast at The Hogtown Vegan, One Love, Hot Beans, Mylk and Uncookies and Sadie’s new Juice Bar and Ice Creem Shop.

Edmonton, AB

Padmanadi in Edmonton, AB
In June work brought me to Edmonton, AB, where I finally had a chance to try the Asian-fusion delights at Padmanadi. Now I’m wondering why it only took me two years to get there!

Montreal, QC

Montreal Vegan

Montreal, QC is only a two hour bus ride away from Ottawa, but I only made it there twice in 2011. Whenever I’m in town, I make a stop at Aux Vivre for bunch. This year I also dined at Crudessence for the first time, and visited Viva Vegan Boutique, the city’s new vegan store.

Portland, OR

Portland Vegan

Finally, I made it back to Portland! It only took two (long) years. In August we did a little west coast trip and visited during the Vida Vegan Con. I ate at some new places this time around, including  food carts like Native Bowl and Kitchen Dances. Enjoyed some donuts from Voodoo and ACME Donuts, and some delicious pub fare at Bye and Bye. So much good food, so little tummy space.

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Visited Los Angeles, CA for the first time and ate at some epic spots: Real Food Daily, Cafe Gratitude, Planet Raw and Seed.

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, CA

As part of our August west coast adventure, I was back in San Francisco, CA for the second time. Returned to Millennium, ate at Gracias Madre for the first time and devoured some cinnamon buns from Cinnaholic.

Camping Trip!

Vegan Camping Food

Went camping as an adult for the first time and enjoyed lots of traditional campfire food made vegan at Algonquin Park.

Halifax, NS

IMG_6414

Headed east to Halifax, NS twice, in November and December, to see family and eat at one of my all time favorite restaurants, the Wooden Monkey.

Mexico City

Vegan in Mexico City

In November we finally got the heck out of North America and made it to Mexico City for a week. We found a few vegetarian restaurants, the Golden Taco and Yug, as well as veg-friendly options at cafes around town.

I may not have traveled to as many new places in 2011 as I did in 2010, but I certainly ate my fair share of decadent vegan food, explored a handful of new places, made some darling new friends, and enjoyed having Ottawa as a home base. All in all, a lovely year.