First, a word to our vegan friends: I’m in awe of you. It’s tough enough to be a vegetarian, but vegans have to summon the discipline to say “no” to butter, eggs and cheese, some of the staples of Mediterranean cuisine.
While that makes it a brain-teaser for vegans to order Italian and Greek food, options are still available that go beyond salad greens. So, for both our veg and vegan readers, here are some guilt-free dishes at Downtown eateries:
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant – Everything at this Arizona Center restaurant is big, including the portions and the menu. So here’s a quick rundown: Vegetarians can choose from two appetizers, three different pizzas, and four yummy pita-bread dips, including Baba Ganoush and Tzatziki, which is also vegan-friendly. Everyone can order the Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables, and vegetarians can dive into two classic Greek dishes, Spanakopita and Tyropita.
PastaBAR – Critics and diners alike have had a fairly ecstatic reaction to PastaBAR, owned by Wade Moises, who put in his time working for superstar chef Mario Batali. (Note: Chef Wade, left, also has a heavy hand in the outstanding menu at Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery & Wine Bar.) With the restaurant’s emphasis on organic and locally grown produce, vegetarians and vegans will love the Local Farm Vegetables. The pasta is homemade, including the Bavette al Cedro, a simple, satisfying dish made with lemon, Italian butter and Parmigiano.
Crust Italian American Fusion – Order your favorite pie at this casual, open-kitchen pizza spot, located in the Convention Center. Their Sicilian-style pizzas include several vegetarian-friendly choices, and vegans can go for the “Create Your Own Pie” option.
Focaccia Fiorentina – This friendly, family-owned eatery has twice been named “Best Downtown Lunch” by Phoenix New Times. Try the Giardiniere sandwich, made with grilled zucchini, mozzarella, tomato and olive oil or any of 10 hand-stretched pizzas that are veg-friendly. Nearly all the pastas, including the Penne alla Vodka – be still my heart – are made without meat, chicken or fish. Vegans can order the Plain Pasta, which is anything but.
Pizzeria Bianco – Waiting in line at this acclaimed eatery is like standing at the Gates of Heaven: the wait is long and you may not get in, but if you do, your envious friends will give you hell. The Rosa, made with red onion, Parmigiano and pistachios is a slice of…well, you know. The Margherita pizza passes the veg test, too, and the Marinara, made without cheese, should be fine for vegans.
Cibo – I love this charming spot, a converted bungalow from 1913, and its varied, excellent menu. Try the wonderful Pear Salad, made with arugula, pears, pecorino cheese, honey and toasted almonds, or any of seven veg-approved pizzas. Vegans will go for the Mixed Vegetables dish, which includes roasted red peppers, zucchini and sweet potatoes, an unexpected touch.
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This week is 
11 Things To Do In 2011
Tuesday, January 18th, 20112010 was awesome. I got to ring in the New Year with Joel McHale, listen to the Phoenix Symphony rock out to the Music of Led Zeppelin, cheer for exciting pro athletes like Justin Upton, Steve Nash and Diana Taurasi, watch contestants from Top Chef cook live at Phoenix Public Market, eat amazing food at restaurants like District American Kitchen and Thai Elephant, and sip $5 martinis at Hanny’s.
It was an unbelievable year. But I know I can do more in 2011.
With the arrival of a New Year comes a new surplus of fun and exciting things to do Downtown. Here are 11 things I plan on doing in 2011:
LMAO - Stand Up Live! debuts at CityScape March 3 with comedians Jay Mohr (personal fave), Billy Cardell, Christopher Titus and the Wayans (!!!!) already on the books.
Get Into the Swing – Every Monday is Savoy Night at Ghost Lounge and your chance to learn how to swing dance for the bargain basement price of $8. Ghost Lounge has quickly become one of Downtown’s hottest hangouts and Savoy Night is always hopping. Har.
Showing Some Skin: Gus von Hagens’ Body Worlds and the Brain returns to Arizona Science Center this Friday, Jan. 21, for a limited engagement. I missed this exhibit last year but won’t make that same mistake twice.
Top Shelf at Seamus – Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, recently named 2010 Best of Downtown Happy Hour, has one of the greatest selections of Irish Whiskey and Scotch in the city and this year I’m vowing to buy couple of fingers of Aberfeldy 21 just to say I drank a glass of Scotch nearly as old as Scottsdale-born actress and Valley Youth Theatre alum Emma Stone.
Get Your Geek On - Dubbed the “signature pop culture event of the Southwest” for good reason, Phoenix Comicon returns to Downtown this Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-29, at Phoenix Convention Center’s North Building. Comicon is the Super Bowl of superheroes and a people-watching event like no other.
Eat at Nobuo – Did you know that Downtown Phoenix is home to two James Beard Award-winning chefs who work less than 50 yards apart? Pizzeria Bianco’s Chris Bianco and Nobuo at Teeter House’s Nobuo Fukuda are wowing diners daily over at Heritage Square and Nobuo was the recent recipient of this gushing five-star review by ace Arizona Republic food critic Howard Seftel. Insert drool here.
Race to the Finish – The Great Urban Race returns to Downtown March 12 and features costumed teams racing against one another to solve 12 clues while experiencing the essence of the Central City.
Star Gaze - Chase Field will host the 2011 MLB All-Star Game July 12, with the fan-favorite Home Run Derby scheduled for July 11 with MLB FanFest invading Downtown all week long.
Pretend That We’re (Un)Dead – In just two years the Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors’ Zombie Walk (photo, left) has grown from 200 brain-eaters to well over 2,000. How many Zombies will walk, er, limp in 2011? Bring your appetite for human flesh down to Heritage Square Oct. 29 and find out for yourself. Victims are also welcome!
These are just a few of the items on my Bucket List. What’s on yours?
Tags: Arizona Science Center, body worlds and the brain, Ghost Lounge, Hanny's, Nobuo at Teeter House, Phoenix Comicon, phoenix public market, Pizzeria Bianco, rush, seamus mccaffrey's, St. Mary's Basilica, Top Chef, US Airways Center, Valley Youth Theatre, Zombie Walk
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