Café Corazón owner Wendy Mireles. Photo courtesy Café Corazón.
Since the word “vegan” was coined in 1944, the dietary practice has exploded throughout popular culture. So much so that November is celebrated as National Vegan Month across the nation, and more recently, in Milwaukee.
Last year, a team of 30 restaurants launched a grassroots effort to host inaugural Milwaukee Vegan Restaurant Week. Led by Café Corazón owner Wendy Mireles, the idea was to spotlight vegan options at small businesses throughout the city.
As this November approaches, Café Corazón announced Thursday that Visit Milwaukee is officially sponsoring the second annual Milwaukee Vegan Restaurant Week. Five new businesses have joined the effort to celebrate local restaurants that offer plant-based menus and items, honor veganism and spread awareness to those who might be vegan-curious.
“My original dream was an annual tradition that continues to expand and evolve each year. To have 35 different local businesses sign up again this year is a testament to Milwaukee,” Mireles said in a statement.
Partnering bakeries and distillers, pizzerias and taquerias, delis and cafes throughout the city will host events, offer specials and launch new menu items during the week, which runs from Nov. 2-8.
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Café Corazón is set to launch cauliflower ceviche, a vegan take on the traditional, zesty seafood dish. The cafe is also set to host a $10 “Vegan 101” meet-up and menu tasting at its Riverwest location, 3129 N. Bremen St., to support Sauce Milwaukee, a nonprofit that delivers meals by bicycle to Milwaukeeans facing food insecurity.
Classic Slice, 2797 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., plans to offer $1 off vegan slices and $2 off all vegan 16- and 20-inch pies.
Cloud Red, 4488 N. Oakland Ave., is preparing to bring back its Wonder Burger, a whole grain and veggie burger with Tajín-grilled pineapple, guacamole, baked jalapeño poppers, pickled onion and cabbage.
Honeypie Cafe, 2569 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., plans to offer four limited-time vegan specials for the week: vegan French dip, chicken and waffles, Honeypie Famous Bowl and local nondairy vanilla ice cream.
Screaming Tuna, 106 S. Seeboth St., will offer its “Vegan for Two” sushi platter throughout the week, which is typically only available at its Mequon location.
La Cocina Del Sur, 701 E. Keefe Ave., is set to offer two limited-time vegan specials: a roasted corn and arugula salad and “Patacon Pisado,” double-fried plantain medallions topped with black beans, slaw, chimichurri sauce, pickled onions and cilantro.
Additional Milwaukee Vegan Restaurant Week specials, events and offers will be released on its Instagram account leading up to the Nov. 2 launch.
Restaurants that are interested in partnering still have time. Reach out to Stephanie Vienonen, Cafe Corazon’s vegan community ambassador, at steph@corazonmilwaukee.com.
Honeypie Cafe’s vegan chicken and waffles. Photo courtesty Café Corazón.
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Dining and Cooking