Sunday, December 4, 2011

Grayquill going VEGAN?


The windshield wipers beat steady. The HOV lane was open, and we took right to it, staying at speed limit. The progress was fantastic for driving on a rainy Seattle night at rush hour.  Something new was in store for Grayquill. It was to be Vegan Pizza at Pizza PI.

On the outset vegan pizza sounded horrible to me but what do you do when your nephew and his bride to be buy a vegan pizza joint? You support it and them, that's what you do!

They say location is everything and the location for this business seemed perfect. It is located on University Way NE, five blocks north of the University of Washington where all those weird liberal granola young people congregated.  What would they love more than vegan pizza? I can’t think of a thing.

I dropped mom and dad off at the door and rolled through the rain looking for a parking spot. With the car parked in a back in only spot, I took the two block walk up University Avenue. I had my hat so it was all good.

Upon entering the restaurant I spotted them at the far end right across from the cash register. A fifty eight year old accompanied by two eighty eight year olds must have been quite a site in such an establishment. I would say, maybe we looked odd and out of place, but then I took a look around; have you seen the way young people dress these days? Upon perusing the crowd I felt quite normal. As for the patrons, there was certainly more than one odd duck in the room. Young people these days do not know how to dress – it is just plain odd. My own nephew wore pants that reminded me of Huck Finn with his jeans torn raggedly off at mid calf.  I checked to see if he was wearing leather shoes. He wasn’t, he was being consistent to his vegan life choice. I love a man of principle! My kids have upon occasion called me both quirky and goofy; I can only imagine what words the children of this group will use to describe their parents some day.  

The menus were passed out and it wasn’t long before we had a 100% vegan pizza pie right there on our table, freshly cooked in a 615 degree oven. I could have the degrees off a bit – I only half listen sometimes. Upon taking my first bite with some fear and trepidation, my taste buds started dancing. THIS WAS GOOD! I was shocked! The medium pizza fed the three of us and I even had two pieces to take home. Yahoo!

Do you remember being a little grubber and not liking anything if a grown up told you it was good for you? I can remember a couple of those moments. Well I had a childhood flash back when it was suggested that desert be Vegan Pumpkin Pie. That just seemed like an oxymoron. I didn’t want to be rude so I accepted the large piece of pie with a big forced smile. A friend once said, “if you have to swallow a frog, don’t look at it too long.” I decided to take that advice right off. Hmmm…. This was pretty good, the crust was excellent! I would like another piece please…oh, ooops, it wasn’t offered.

With our welcome running into the overdue limit and with paying patrons standing waiting for a table we called it an evening. First of course we had to argue about the bill – them wanting to give us free food and us wanting to pay. We took our leave and I for one will be going back to the Pizza PI. If you are ever in Seattle I suggest you plan on some Vegan Pizza and have a wonderful moment to watch today’s young people. It will all be good I promise.

I give Pizza Pi two thumbs up and the way young people dress two thumbs down.

17 comments:

Sylvia K said...

A fun post as always! I haven't tried vegan pizza, but I'm certainly not opposed to it -- just don't go out much these days! Hope your Christmas season is off to a good start! Enjoy your week!

Sylvia

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Your nephew should be pleased with the kind review of his restaurant's food...maybe not so much with the review of his attire. :) I've had "veggie" pizza and liked it, but no vegan yet. Like Sylvia K, though, I wouldn't be opposed to it. I think that's the difference between (most of) us and (most of) them.

Vegans in Love said...

AWESOME!
It was so great to have you guys here. Just so you know, I was all ready to bring out 3 slices of pumpkin pie, without being asked, when Trav came back and said you all just wanted one!

<3

Amrita said...

Vegan is very popular in India

Betty said...

A couple of years ago, while we were visiting my daughter and son-in-law, they ordered pizza, and one was a veggie. I was having none of that until my daughter urged me to taste her slice. It was great! I couldn't wait to order another one on another night. It was a Papa John's take and bake. I learn from my kids all the time.

Sue said...

...vegan wouldn't bother ma a bit... my husband's
the one who wants some meat on his pizza! If I could find a good tasting gluten-free pizza (without any potato starch) I'd be a happy camper! My diet 's pretty limited these days...:(

Anita Jeyan said...

Wow gr8 2 know u liked that pizza. And I am gonna hunt here for the Vegan type !

Shrinky said...

Oooooooooh, my lil' sis' and her family would LOVE this place, they are all vegan! Good on you for being open to try something new, and it sure sounds to have surprised you, too (grin). What a sweet post, you always have me leaving with a smile.

My family are all strict carnavores, and every year I host the Christmas dinner - it takes a lot of creative thinking to serve up two completely different menus, I can tell you..!

Pat said...

First, I love the way you support your family..but am not surprised by it.
Is there a difference between a Vegan pizza and a veggie pizza? I admit to be totally ignorant aobut the subject, with pepperoni being one of my favorite foods, I havn't put much effort to learn. also, is it somothered in cheese? another favorite.
OK it's time to teach this old gal a few new tricks..I'd be willing to try one too. As for the clothes the youth wear... someboday make them pull their pants up!

Unknown said...

Vegan pizza..... I love my veges, but I must admit I love my meat better. Our mom taught us to eat our veges, and my brothers are even bigger than me because I was sent to boarding school where the food sucked.

Love your veges, but never forget the meat!

Hilary said...

They couldn't ask for a better review than from a reluctant, curmudgeony meat-eater. I very often eat vegetarian pizza but can't say I have had vegan. Something new to try.

Snowbrush said...

You dropped your mom and dad off! This means they're still alive, I hope. You'll have to pardon me because your "grayness" led me to assume that they weren't.

I sometimes wonder if I could be a vegan, but I've only made it as far as piscatarianism (not to be confused with Unitarianism or Episcopalianism).

Brig said...

Good for you to be a standup uncle and try something new. Never have gotten far from the Beef myself.

troutbirder said...

Ah... a truely open minded soul that Grayquill is... I've been there and done that with my son and daughter in law. My fake smile is now polished to acceptability. Still I must admit even chicken pizza doesn't do it for me. Pepperoni and sausage for me with an extra dollop of grease over the cheese. This way I can keep Pfizers double diget profits on Lipitor going and my spouse (The Chloresterol Policewoman) on constant alert. :)

Naomi said...

Sometimes healthy food is surprisingly tasty. That was nice of you to support the new establishment, even if it wasn't exactly the kind of place you'd ordinarily go to. Sounds like a fun food adventure.

Holly Kay said...

WOW, what a great venture (and adventure)!

Vegan is so good for so many reasons! I'm not a vegan, or even a vegetarian, yet...but I really admire that lifestyle and hope your nephew and his bride will have tons of customers!

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Well I think you are truly supportive. Now how about leaving a few copies of your book around the shop? Then it would be mutual support. But maybe they already do that?
Happy Holidays to you and your family.