A IS FOR APERITIF
AS THE YEAR’S END approaches, foodies across the country loosen their belts in preparation for all the over-the-top feasts the season has to offer.
But before digging in, try stimulating your appetite with an aperitif. The pre-meal, low-ABV bev—common throughout Italy, France, and Spain—prepares the palate and stomach for the night’s fare, ensuring you’re able to enjoy seconds and maybe even thirds. Renowned vegan mixologist Jason Eisner (of Los Angeles’ Nic’s on Beverly and Party Beer Co) shares three key tips to making the most of your aperitifs.
1“Drink with the season—as you move into fall and winter, opt for a deeper, darker, more brooding aperitif.” Jason’s pick? Rouge by Rue de Rêve, a fruity red wine infused with aromatic, medicinal California mugwort.
2 “Create a simple spritz with a dry, sparkling white wine and a heavier aperitif. The bubbles in the wine will run alcohol through your bloodstream quicker, creating a nice buzz.”
3 “Dress up your drink with the herbs already present in your aperitif. A sprig of thyme, cloves, cassia bark, and a slice of winter fruit—think oranges and grapefruits—make great garnishes this time of year.”
B IS FOR BAKERIES
WE’RE ALL IN agreement: the holidays are nothing without baked goods, right? But if you’ve got the sweet tooth with none of the baking prowess, a stop by your local vegan bakery may be the best bet. Here are five that we’re obsessed with.
1 Level V Bakery Vancouver, Canada From mochi muffins to red bean buns, Asian influence abounds at Level V. So try something new: swap pumpkin pie for matcha cheesecake, and thank us later.
2 Chaumont Vegan Beverly Hills & Santa Monica, CA Satisfy your fall flavor cravings with buttery, flaky croissants in rotating flavors like chai latte.
3 Wisdom Vegan Bakery & Cafe Spring, TX This Southern hot spot delivers on holiday flavor with its array of Spiced Rum, Gingerbread, and Chocolate Salted Caramel cupcakes.
4 Tsuchi Cafe Toronto, Canada Drop by this Japanese vegan café for a slice of Haru’s Tiramisu Tart—an espresso-soaked almond cake layered with silky chocolate ganache and fluffy whip on a glutenfree crust.
Kick off your morning with soft, syrupy pecanstudded sticky buns that
