The Veggielante is on a mission to spread the word about places to order good, meatless grub. Check out this week's pick.
Destination: Van Goghz (3200 Shenandoah Avenue; 314-865-3345)
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East/Fox Park/Compton Heights
Cuisine: "American with a splash of Italian"
See also: The Block: A Butcher Shop Even Vegetarians Can Love
Overview: Van Goghz -- which sits smack-dab in the middle of Fox Park, Tower Grove East and Compton Heights -- is a true neighborhood gem. Owner Dani Davis' menu is as veg-friendly as possible and also serves vegan options. Every item can be made without meat or substituted with Match meat. Van Goghz takes pride in making as many things as possible in-house, including pickling its own olives and cucumbers.
Highlights: Van Goghz's "Daubigny's Garden" burger ($9) is a rare treat -- a mixed-vegetable patty made of quinoa and various veggies, topped with sauteed portabella mushrooms and Swiss cheese, all sandwiched between a wheat bun. Choose your choice of side: spaghettini or fresh slaw; substitute french fries, tater tots or sweet potato fries for just $1.50 more.
We asked Van Goghz to substitute the sausage in the stuffed portabellas ($9) with "sausage" Match meat, and it turned out beautifully. The two portabella mushroom caps, which came stuffed with a mixture of cheeses, onions, "sausage" and garlic, were delicious.
Van Goghz also serves a mean vegan biscuits and gravy ($8) for brunch: two grilled whole-grain English muffins are covered with housemade vegan sausage gravy.
See also: Table Reinvents Vegetarian with Faux Escargot and Cauliflowers Empanadas
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