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In this out & about post I’m sharing one of my favorite new places with you, Ripe Cuisine! This little food truck has a completely vegan and mostly gluten free menu with an emphasis on local, seasonal produce. The owner Stephanie is a registered dietitian so you know the food has some uber delicious and healthy vibes. I’ve been hitting it up on Saturday mornings at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market. So far I’ve only had the pleasure of eating off of the breakfast menu, but one of these days I’m going to catch them for their dinner menu.

Everything I’ve had, from the avocado toast topped with sprouts, radishes, and pepitas to the daily doughnuts have been amazing. I’ve never had anything I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. In fact, their vegan cuisine is some of my favorite in the city! It’s really great to have a place with a menu I can easily order from and be thoroughly satisfied with every time. I grow weary of “vegan friendly” restaurants with limited, sub-par options.

I really appreciate the dedication to fresh, seasonal produce in the dishes as well as the flavor pairings that Stephanie creates. Ripe offers a couple of beverage options, too. I love the seasonal fruit and herb infused waters and their lavender lemonade is amazing. I’ve heard rumors there will be vegan ice cream from Ripe this summer so I’m totally looking forward to that! Check out their weekly schedule/menu here to see where you can find them throughout the week. If you give them a try, let me know what you think!
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Have you ever walked into a place you’ve never been before and immediately felt at home? Like everything around you spoke to you and reflected your own vibe back at you? This happens every time I go to my favorite dining spot Pondicheri but it happened somewhere else recently. One of my nieces had her birthday party at what appeared to be an unassuming little pottery studio tucked away in the Heights. After I walked inside I never wanted to leave.

At first glance the building looked industrial like it had nothing special to offer. But then my eyes became attuned to each little detail as I walked closer. The front gate was enveloped in lovely overgrown foliage that lightly tickled your head as you walked by. Upon entering the gate, I noticed small hexagonal pieces of painted ceramics lovingly arranged in the cement walkway. This was probably one of my favorite little details about the place. Simple yet beautiful. There was a display immediately outside the studio space of the artist’s ceramics in beautiful hues of aqua and orange, almost like a summer sunset. If I would have had the funds, I might have purchased every single piece. The studio itself had a long, rectangular window where dappled sunlight bathed a row of more beautiful ceramics that were filled with succulents and cacti.

The studio is home Carole Smith of McCheek’s Mayhem Ceramics and McCheek’s Academy. You can sign up for adult or children ceramic classes at the studio as well as book the space for a party or gathering. More information can be found at the links above.

I’ve been trying to explore more of my hometown lately and had the idea to share some of it here with you on the blog. Enjoy the photos and please know that they don’t really do that eclectic and beautiful little studio much justice 🙂

Out & About: Ripe Cuisine

Out & About : McCheek’s Mayhem Ceramics