Went here a few times. Got a small and a medium box of assorted steamed dishes like steamed veggies, chickpeas in a sauce, rice and lentils, vegetables and veggie meat chunks, bbq tofu (this was my fav). Also tried a couple of the bbq veggie chicken drumsticks which were delicious. Tried samosas, lentil patty, pumpkin patty, all delicious.
Areas to improve:
- The steamed dishes overall needed a bit more salt to me, and at home I sprinkled some nutritional yeast on mine for a bit more umami.
- The menu they have online didn't really reflect the actual offerings both times I went (one time was early in the day). Menu was a little unclear, and it would have been nice to have vegan labels. I think you have to ask if what you are ordering is vegan, as I believe they serve fish some days.
- Would have been cool to have a explanation of what each steamed dish was, or maybe labels. Was very hard to hear the worker talking behind the glass and mask.
- Interior could use a little sprucing up, but nothing was offensive to me
Ignore the name of this eatery. Do not believe everything you read. With only 4 barstools at a narrow counter, this is not a restaurant, and it is NOT vegetarian. (Nor do lions dwell here.) Codfish swims in several dishes, and that cod is real fish, not mock meat. Pescatarians called themselves vegetarians 70 years ago, but not now.
Located in the North End, where most ethnically white tourists seldom visit, the café is located in a small 3-store strip mall which includes another eatery. There is no street parking here. Its own parking lot is small, narrow, and full during lunchtime, so parking is scant.
Despite the above admonitions, and with the demise of Hartford’s Fire & Spice mothership (its satellite cafe remains open), I entered the Den intent to dine on its vegan offerings. The whiteboard had some half-erased scribblings. There was a single small menu encased in plastic was perched on the very tall counter where you could not read it. So really, no printed menu.
Vegetarian or Vegan? the friendly fellow behind the tall counter asked. I answered, Vegan, and asked for the vegan sampler. Medium or Large? he asked. Medium, I answered. He did not ask, Eat-in or takeout? Styrofoam platter for all. What he dished onto the Styrofoam platter was very Large, and cost only $10. (Cash only, he advised.)
I was served 2 kinds of beans, 3 varieties of mock meats (which I usually avoid), each in its own sauce, collards garlic greens, over a bed of white rice that I wish were brown. Nothing was overly spicy, the mock meats were tender, and the sauces were flavorful. I am sure to eat here next time I am back in town, though as a white honkey that will be a long time from now.
I ate here 2 years ago, so things might have changed since then. One thing changed is my original review written 2 years ago. It attracted the ire of 3 respondents who, during the blossoming of the BLM movement, signed on to Happy Cow solely to anonymously and therefore cowardly post their calumny of me. They objected to me, as a white, discussing Rastafari, despite my reading two books on the subject, my traveling among and interviewing countless Rastas in inland Jamaica, and my writing an article, Rastafari and Vegetarianism, for which Vegetarian Times paid me handsomely. I could have requested HC to delete their personal attacks. Instead, I simply whitewashed and reposted my review, because my intention 2 years ago was to promote a café with a review where HC previously had none.
Love Fire and Spice and am a regular there. Sorry to hear when a restaurant mislabels itself as it can be confusing at best and can result in much worse if not careful.
4 Reviews
First Review by Brooksbrother
RochelleSpenser
Points +17
You won’t be disappointed! - Edit
Great food, great service and reasonable prices.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, No MSG
Cons: They are not in my town
Guest
NickTustin
Points +913
Good food - Edit
Went here a few times. Got a small and a medium box of assorted steamed dishes like steamed veggies, chickpeas in a sauce, rice and lentils, vegetables and veggie meat chunks, bbq tofu (this was my fav). Also tried a couple of the bbq veggie chicken drumsticks which were delicious. Tried samosas, lentil patty, pumpkin patty, all delicious.
Read moreAreas to improve:
- The steamed dishes overall needed a bit more salt to me, and at home I sprinkled some nutritional yeast on mine for a bit more umami.
- The menu they have online didn't really reflect the actual offerings both times I went (one time was early in the day). Menu was a little unclear, and it would have been nice to have vegan labels. I think you have to ask if what you are ordering is vegan, as I believe they serve fish some days.
- Would have been cool to have a explanation of what each steamed dish was, or maybe labels. Was very hard to hear the worker talking behind the glass and mask.
- Interior could use a little sprucing up, but nothing was offensive to me
Guest
mark m braunstein
Points +462
Not vegetarian! - Edit
Ignore the name of this eatery. Do not believe everything you read. With only 4 barstools at a narrow counter, this is not a restaurant, and it is NOT vegetarian. (Nor do lions dwell here.) Codfish swims in several dishes, and that cod is real fish, not mock meat. Pescatarians called themselves vegetarians 70 years ago, but not now.
Read moreLocated in the North End, where most ethnically white tourists seldom visit, the café is located in a small 3-store strip mall which includes another eatery. There is no street parking here. Its own parking lot is small, narrow, and full during lunchtime, so parking is scant.
Despite the above admonitions, and with the demise of Hartford’s Fire & Spice mothership (its satellite cafe remains open), I entered the Den intent to dine on its vegan offerings. The whiteboard had some half-erased scribblings. There was a single small menu encased in plastic was perched on the very tall counter where you could not read it. So really, no printed menu.
Vegetarian or Vegan? the friendly fellow behind the tall counter asked. I answered, Vegan, and asked for the vegan sampler. Medium or Large? he asked. Medium, I answered. He did not ask, Eat-in or takeout? Styrofoam platter for all. What he dished onto the Styrofoam platter was very Large, and cost only $10. (Cash only, he advised.)
I was served 2 kinds of beans, 3 varieties of mock meats (which I usually avoid), each in its own sauce, collards garlic greens, over a bed of white rice that I wish were brown. Nothing was overly spicy, the mock meats were tender, and the sauces were flavorful. I am sure to eat here next time I am back in town, though as a white honkey that will be a long time from now.
I ate here 2 years ago, so things might have changed since then. One thing changed is my original review written 2 years ago. It attracted the ire of 3 respondents who, during the blossoming of the BLM movement, signed on to Happy Cow solely to anonymously and therefore cowardly post their calumny of me. They objected to me, as a white, discussing Rastafari, despite my reading two books on the subject, my traveling among and interviewing countless Rastas in inland Jamaica, and my writing an article, Rastafari and Vegetarianism, for which Vegetarian Times paid me handsomely. I could have requested HC to delete their personal attacks. Instead, I simply whitewashed and reposted my review, because my intention 2 years ago was to promote a café with a review where HC previously had none.
Pros: inexpensive and generous servings, not too spcy
Cons: needs to change its misleading name
khhipps
Love Fire and Spice and am a regular there. Sorry to hear when a restaurant mislabels itself as it can be confusing at best and can result in much worse if not careful.
Read moreGuest
Brooksbrother
Points +115
Flavorful and friendly - Edit
Although this is clearly a local spot with a lot of regulars, the owner and all the patrons are very friendly and welcoming.
Read morePros: A lot of food for the money
Cons: Small
Guest
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