Say hello to vegan comfort food, Kansas City.
Chef-owner Heidi Van Pelt-Belle is now serving meatless tacos, lasagna and chicken-fried steak at her new West Side restaurant, Fud (813 W. 17th St.).
"Making a food that you grew up on be healthy and vegan -- that's my heart," says Van Pelt-Belle, who runs the restaurant with her partner, Jerimiah Rozzo-Belle.
When Van Pelt-Belle moved back to Kansas City in 2005, there weren't a lot of options for raw or vegan food. So she started an underground dining club, hosting parties at different houses and setting up shop in the back of Bad Seed Farm's downtown market for four months. (See my colleague Carolyn Szczepanski's 2007 feature about the fight over Van Pelt-Belle's catering and cashew cheese company, Playfood).
Drinks are simple for now -- local mint tea, fruit juice and smoothies. You can also get a glass of sunny mylk, which is made from sunflower seeds and agave nectar. While Van Pelt-Belle hasn't ruled out trying to get a beer and wine license, she has no immediate plans to apply for one. In the future, she intends to offer wheatgrass shots, tonics, and kombucha tea.
Fud has already gained some passionate fans, including Emanuelle Carter. "This is like an oasis to me," Carter said one day at the restaurant. "It's a way of life."
The space is a warm mix of exposed brick and stripes of green and orange. Rozzo-Belle made the tables from reclaimed wood.
"I'm just glad that we get to raise our son [Vox] in an environment like this," says Rozzo-Belle.
Eventually, the couple hopes to expand service beyond dinner on Friday night.
"Everyone keeps asking for brunch, but Sunday is our day off right now," says Rozzo-Belle.
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I guess the "bloody tendons" and "It's a way of life" comments in the article warrant some of the above comments, but if you choose to try this unique neighborhood restaurant, the atmosphere has none of this attitude. It is amazingly unique food in a cozy, happy atmosphere. Although all dishes are made from fruit, vegetables, and legumes, they will appeal to any eater that hasn't already made up their mind on the subject. I took my son there a couple of months ago when they were developing the Bar B Q sandwich. He didn't realize that it wasn't meat until I told him in the car. I had that sandwich today and have to say they have perfected it. It is made from jack fruit which gives it a meaty texture and look, served with mayo and onions on sour dough bread and I can't really imagine many who wouldn't like it. Served with a light salad and grilled pepper, onion, and tiny potatoes, it is fantastic. Also great: fried taco plate, nachos, tostada, tofuwich, smoothies and juices, brownies and ice cream. Besides the amazingly unique ingredients in the standard plates, the flavor is due to the amazing produce they come up with. I recommend this restaurant to everyone as their first vegetarian experience.
I'm not much into when people take a food choice and turn it almost into a religion (that goes for being ANTIvegetarian too), but I love variety and healthy food. I believe moderation and balance are the keys to most things in life. So, I'll turn a blind eye to calling it Vegan and come try it out because you say it is delicious food worth trying. And why purposely eat something unhealthy when there is a choice?
Thanks for the informative article without pushing the "lifestyle" too hard on us.
P.S. - I still like Glenn Beck though ;)
Free will and personal choice. But, making informed decisions is crucial. So, i'm a semi-vegan and i'm thrilled about the opening of this place. I cannot wait to check it out. :)
I'm not a vegan by any means, but enjoy taking breaks from the fast foods and processed foods the most of us consume daily. I've eaten at Heidi's numerous times and the food is out-of-this-world! It's a great little casual atmosphere and she's a delight to talk with as is all the staff. You can taste and see all the care she puts into her creations. So just because some people don't eat a greasy cheeseburger every once in a while or snarf an order of onion rings; doesn't give reason for others to be so hateful. If I could cook like that I'd eat it everyday too! FUD is AMAZING! Keep it up Heidi!!!!
All I can think right now is a combination of "Mmmm!" and "Ahhhhh!" I will certainly put Fud on my "want list" of KC restaurants to visit.
All I can think right now is a combination of "Mmmm!" and "Ahhhhh!" I will certainly put Fud on my "want list" of KC restaurants to visit.
I am so excited that this restaurant has finally come to fruition. I can't wait to try it! Being a vegetarian, working more and more on being vegan this is a wonderful breath of fresh air. I can't believe there are people who waste their time saying mean things on something that their opinion is useless. Enjoy your crap food, and your crap health - I'll enjoy quality living and quality Fud!!!
I had lunch at Fud last week. The food was wonderful, the owner friendly and very informative! I am new to the gluten free world and it was wonderful to find food that tasted good and was well presented.
this place looks amazing! there are more vegans in this city than we realize and it will take places like this to bring us out in the open. i'm tired of eating at home because i can't find healthy food options at restaurants in this FAT city.
this sounds good! Abe, you go on eating that BBQ guilt-free as much as you want. But don't blame anyone else when you're fat and needing heart surgery because your diet sucks.
Wow.Leave it to a winger to find a reason to bash people different than him in the comments section of an article about a restaurant.
Glenn beck would be proud of your dingy little soul.
Anyways,I'll probably try it out in a few days.
I think a nice compliment to a meat-eating diet is a nice vegetarian or even vegan meal now and again. Maybe even a couple of times a week!
It's not like we all have to live like the Fud owners choose to do. But to participate now and then...it certainly doesn't do the body harm, that's for sure. ;) Looking forward to checking this place out. I don't think I've ever had cashew cheese before, and I'm intrigued to say the least!
Yeah, it's not my thing, but I'm glad there are some options for those who want to live the lifestyle. It's hard for vegans to find places to eat.
In the home town of the "Bacon Explosion" someone is also responsible for ruddering the ship the other way. I think I'm getting a little seasick though...
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