The one season I miss the most having grown up in New York but having lived In Florida for 20 years is Fall. Some prefer to call it by it’s proper name autumn, but I’ve always called it fall and I miss the colorful leaves, the smell of burning fires and apple picking. I try every few years to get to North Carolina to experience it first hand and this year planned a trip to one of my favorite spots and small vegan Mecca Asheville.
It’s about a 10 hour drive from my part of the sunshine state so we broke it up by staying near Atlanta on the way there then planned to swing by Charleston and Savannah on the way home.
First stop was Revolution Donuts in Atlanta because they have a bevy of vegan options. The flavors rotate somewhat daily but I saw the day I went that they would have the vegan pumpkin pie donut so of course that was my first choice. Their donuts are pretty tasty and I saw pumpkin cake donut holes were also vegan so I had to get those too especially since I found out they could be included in the half dozen special!
With so many options, I’m sure you’ll find something to please.
Next up was the first Whole Foods 365 store I’ve ever shopped. It’s a concept originally started to combat the high priced perception of the chain but as soon as Amazon bought the company they found it was no longer needed as they brought with them Prime deals and offers to seem more value priced. I’ve heard they’re eventually converting the 365 stores to regular Whole Foods Market stores soon.
Heading into Asheville we stopped at an orchard where I saw a squash that was as big as a small Fiat.
There are so many good places for vegan eats in Asheville but the premier restaurant has to be Plant. It’s a small place so reservations are recommended and we made two to make sure we’d not miss it. We were hoping their fall menu would be available because they make a risotto that’s incredible but alas, it was not meant to be. We had to suffer though some other amazing eats (don’t you feel badly for us?).
The curry dish was amazing. Each bite was a new experience of flavor. I highly recommend it.
The Saturday farmers market at the college in Asheville is small but packed with a lot of vendors. It was hard not to buy everything in sight, but we managed to control ourselves.
Lunch was at a place we’d been meaning to try for years. BimBeriBon. I had high hopes as the food is very pretty and the setting is lovely. I found the meal a little bland. Not bad, just a little lackluster.
More donuts? Yes please! Vortex donuts is not exclusively vegan but they do have a number of options.
Another day, another pumpkin donut. This one though. It was like the best glazed donut bursting with pumpkin spice goodness.
Saw a cute drive thru taco joint and had to try them of course.
Lots of vegan options but the BBQ was my fave by far.
Last day in Asheville meant a trip to a place that’s been serving vegan and vegetarian food for a long time. Laughing Seed Cafe.
We went for brunch since it was Sunday and of course I scanned the menu intently before going and surprisingly chose an item I normally might not have. It was carrot vegan lox on a homemade everything bagel. I went for the side of avocado which I highly recommend.
It was delicious and I also got to taste the blue plate special which included a house made sweet potato sausage.
We left Asheville and headed for South Carolina. We were stopping in Charleston for one night to visit family and we had heard about an artisanal ice cream shop there and of course had to go. Off Track Ice Cream.
I was overwhelmed by the vegan choices here! They even take the time to tell you how each ice cream is made. The pistachio has a pistachio milk base for example.
The vegan brownies are even House made and are delicious. I commend them for such a great selection and delicious treats!
On the way back to Florida we took a small detour into Savannah to visit a vegan restaurant we’ve heard a lot about Fox & Fig.
It was a perfect day and we got there right around lunch time but there was no wait for a table outside overlooking a beautiful tree lined square. Again, I looked at the menu prior to going and knew I wanted the special pumpkin pie shake and their burger.
worth it.
The shake tasted like an amazing pumpkin pie. It was so good but I took half to go and later added an espresso shot to make an awesome pumpkin latte.
The burger. The bun. All incredible. We also got their Mac and cheese with shrooms that was off the charts good.
We took a peek inside at their bakery case and got croissants and an espresso cookie butter truffle to go for later.
What a great fall trip but I was glad to be home with my dogs in sunny warm Florida. Until we meet again autumn.