Tuesdays at Woodbridge Pub

I love Tuesdays!  Since January it's been my favorite night of the week.  Why Tuesday, you ask?  Two words: Afternoon Delight*.  (Woodbridge's name for Happy Hour.)  From 5-8pm you can get THE best hand-crafted cocktails for only $5.  I'm talking creative, high-quality drinks made with top shelf liquor.  I recently went to Two James and I can easily say the drinks at Woodbridge rival those I had at Two James.  And at half the price on Tuesdays?  Yes please!  There's a main menu, plus a special each week.  Here's a look at the menu:

My favorite is the Booze Hound, followed closely by Xoloizxuintle.  The latter I refer to as "the shrub" because it's made with a pineapple basil habanero shrub, which the bartender, Rob, makes himself.  Also it's easier to call it that than it's actual name. 

As if things weren't already fantastic, Woodbridge has upped the ante with the addition of Taco Tuesdays.  There is both a pork and vegetarian version, made with soy protein. Rob checked and the vegetarian ones could be made vegan!  There was some kind of sour cream sauce that just needed to be left off.  They were delicious and everything about them was fresh.  You get three for $6.

Anywhere you sit at Woodbridge is great - table, booth, even outside on the picnic tables now that the weather is so nice.  Our favorite spot, however, is the bar.  We love to talk to Rob and the others at the bar.  Some are regulars from the neighborhood; many are stopping in for the first time.  

Check out their website, find them on Facebook, or just stop in and order a drink.  If it's a Tuesday you'll probably see me there!

*I honestly can't NOT think of that episode of "Arrested Development"!  (wink wink)

What's your favorite Happy Hour spot in the Detroit area?

Woodbridge Pub - Summer Menu 2012

Woodbridge Pub recently introduced their summer menu and Brian and I stopped in last weekend to check it out.  As usual, there are quite a few vegan options.

Appetizers: Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Grilled Vegetables
Soup: Gazpacho
Sandwiches: Stever McFever, White Bean Burger (both menu mainstays)
Entree: Ratatouille
Sides: Sweet Corn Salad, Cilantro Rice, Summer Vegetable Saute 

I wanted to try a few things (um, everything) so I ordered an appetizer, soup, and a side.  Our server was SO excited that I was getting three things.  He said, "I see what you're doing . . . and I LIKE it!"  Then he called me a rock star!  And when he brought me all my food out at once, I sure felt like one.  Or a food critic.  But I like rock star better.

Okay, so I went with the gazpacho, the grilled vegetables, and the sweet corn salad.  All of them were delicious, all of them are highly recommended, and all of them I would get again.  My favorite was by far the gazpacho.  So let's start with that.

Gazpacho - $3.50 (cup), $4.50 (bowl)

I've never really given gazpacho much of a chance.  Mostly because it's cold and to me cold soup just doesn't seem natural.  But on a 90 degree day, it really hit the spot!  The fresh tomatoes, basil, melon, and lime were a perfect flavor combination and it had just the right amount of spice to it.  I could have easily eaten more than one bowl of this!

Grilled Vegetables - $9.00

The grilled vegetable appetizer made a great mini-meal for one.  The zucchini, peppers, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, and yellow squash were grilled in olive oil and salt and came with some sort of oil and vinegar on the side for dipping and/or drizzling (I didn't try it, though).  There was also a baguette on the side.  The bread was good and I dipped it in my soup but it had a lot of oil on it.  Next time I will ask for it without any oil.  (I gave half of the slices to Brian to go with his pasta.)

Sweet Corn Salad - $4.00

While the sweet corn salad side dish didn't exactly go with my soup and vegetables, it did taste amazing!  Fresh, crisp corn mixed with peppers and cilantro and some kind of light dressing.  This would go well with the guacamole or pico de gallo and the Stever McFever black bean burger.   

I'm looking forward to going back to try the ratatouille and the other side dishes.  If I can get myself to order more than just the gazpacho, that is!

Woodbridge Pub is located at 5169 Trumbull in Detroit

Woodbridge Pub - Spring Menu 2012

Spring has sprung at Woodbridge Pub!  The new menu has been out for a few weeks but Brian and I have been so busy that we didn't make it over there until this weekend.

I'm quite pleased with the variety of vegan offerings this time around and wanted to try everything!  (Then I remembered how often we go there and knew we'd be back soon, so I restrained myself.)

The following menu items are vegan:

Appetizers: Salsa Verde, Hummus w/ Tapenade
Soup: Carrot Ginger
Salad: Moroccan Carrot
Sandwiches: Stever McFever, White Bean Burger (both menu mainstays)
Entree: Seitan w/ Rice Pilaf
Sides: Grilled Asparagus, Spring Vegetable Saute, Rice Pilaf, Roasted Red Skin Potatoes

There are also a few other vegetarian items, as well.  Well done, Woodbridge.  Well done.

After much deliberation, I decided on the seitan entree.  It came with three house-made pieces of seitan atop a large bed of rice pilaf.  The pilaf is brown basmati rice with almonds, golden raisins, and peas.  Swirled around it all was a grape and fennel sweet and sour sauce.  Overall, it was a delicious and flavorful dish.  The seitan had a nice meaty texture and the combination of ingredients in the pilaf was just right.  I also really liked the flavor of the sweet and sour sauce.  As much as I liked the pilaf, however, it seemed to be a disproportionate amount for the dish.  I would suggest serving it with about half as much rice and subbing in some grilled asparagus, instead. 

Seitan w/ Rice Pilaf - $13.00

I only had the entree but Brian ordered a cup of Carrot Ginger soup (to go with his non-vegan shepherd's pie) and he let me take the first taste.  Both of us thought it was good.  It had a strong carrot flavor but the ginger was less pronounced.  I'll order it for myself next time so I can give it a more thorough review.

Carrot Ginger Soup - $3.50 (cup), $4.50 (bowl)

Woodbridge Pub is located at 5169 Trumbull in Detroit

Winter Menu at Woodbridge

Woodbridge Pub has come out with their new Winter menu.  Based on Facebook comments, it sounds like it's a big hit with a lot of people.  From a vegan perspective, however, it's a little bit of a let down because there aren't as many options as there have been with previous menus. 

I've eaten there twice in the past month.  On the first visit I ordered items that were carry-overs from the fall menu - the white bean dip appetizer, wilted kale side, and the Stever McFever black bean burger (menu mainstay and my all-time favorite).

White Bean Dip w/ tortilla chips - $6.00

Stever McFever - $9.00, Wilted Kale - $3.00

The second time I had the soup of the day - vegan red dal - which was spicy, hearty, and really delicious.  I also ordered the beet salad, which is not vegan, but our server was really kind to help veganize it for me by asking the chef to leave off the cheese and substitute the cherry vinaigrette for the balsamic.  It was a nice light meal.

Red Dal Soup - $3.50 cup/$4.50 bowl

 Beet Salad - $7.00

The vegan entree on the menu this time Tofu Tonkatsu, so that may be something to try another time.  In addition to the kale, they also have roasted redskin potatoes but their other sides are not vegan.

Have you tried the new winter menu?

Woodbridge Pub is located at 5169 Trumbull in Detroit

Open Monday-Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - midnight; Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fall Menu and Pizza Night at Woodbridge Pub

I've been to Woodbridge a bunch of times since the fall menu started and every time I think, "I have to do a post about the new menu."  Now here we are, almost to December, and I still haven't told you about the delicious items on their current seasonal menu.  Before I know it the winter menu is going to be out so I better let you know about the fall one in case you need some motivation to get down to Woodbridge!

Here are my favorite fall menu items:

Appetizer: White Bean Dip (northern white beans, parsley, oregano, lemon, garlic) with tortilla chips - $6.00

Sides: Brussels Sprouts - $3.00

Sides: Barley and Brown Rice Pilaf - $3.00

Soup: Harvest Lentil - $3.50 (cup), $4.50 (bowl)

If you only try one of these items it must be the lentil soup.  It is amazing!  It is so hearty and has a delicious fall flavor.  You WILL order it and you WILL love it!  I've thought about ordering a cup for an appetizer and two bowls for dinner.  I don't think it would be too much, do you?

I tried the Roasted Sweet Potato Mash and the Wilted Kale sides (each $3) but wasn't all that impressed with either one.  I still want to try the Vegan Pumpkin Sausage entree but every time we've gone in I haven't been in the mood for it for one reason or another.   

We also went to Woodbridge one Sunday for pizza.  On Sundays from 4:30-10:00 they have the Pie-Sci Guys there doing pizzas.  Here was their selection for the evening we went:

I went with the Vegan Italian Sausage with roasted red pepper and spinach.  It was really tasty.  The pizza was small enough and the crust was thin enough (and I was hungry enough!) that I could eat the whole thing myself.  The combo of the peppers and sausage was perfect and it had just the right amount of cheese, which I'm pretty sure was Daiya.

Vegan Italian Sausage with roasted red pepper and spinach

Woodbridge Pub is located at 5169 Trumbull in Detroit

Open Monday-Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - midnight; Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Have you been to Woodbridge lately?
 

Summer Menu at Woodbridge Pub

Brian and I finally made it back to Woodbridge Pub last night to try out their summer menu.  I love that when I go there, I don't have to order the lone vegan item on the menu because there are quite a few to choose from.  Here's the breakdown of vegan dishes on the summer menu - 3 starters, 1 salad, 1 soup, 2 burgers, 1 entree, and 3 sides.  (There are also 6 additional vegetarian items.)  

We started with the guacamole and tortilla chips.  I've only recently discovered the wonder that is the avocado so, believe it or not, this was actually my first time ever tasting guacamole.  That being said, I can't compare it to any other guacamole but I thought it was tasty - very creamy, flavorful, and fresh.  Brian liked it a lot, too. I wouldn't want to order it every time - mainly because I want to try the other starters - but it's definitely something I would eat again.

Guacamole with tortilla chips - $6

For my entree I ordered the Summer Strata, which is a stack of black beans, cilantro rice, squash, tomato, and red pepper emulsion.  It was delish!  The beans and rice were so flavorful and the red pepper emulsion was a nice light finishing touch.  It was filling but didn't leave me feeling weighted down.  I thought this dish paired well with the guacamole and chips...and the $10 bottle of house wine they offer on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

Summer Strata - $10

If you haven't been in to check out the new summer menu at Woodbridge, be sure to do so soon!  

Woodbridge Pub is located at 5169 Trumbull in Detroit

Open Monday-Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - midnight; Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Dinner Tonight at Woodbridge Pub

I'm super excited about tonight!  I'm going to dinner at Woodbridge Pub with my friends Katie and Tony.  Woodbridge still has their spring menu for a few days before it changes over to the summer menu.  While I'm really looking forward to seeing what's on the new menu and trying something different, my favorite burger may not be on it.  Therefore, tonight may be my last chance to have the Stever McFever for a while.  What's the Stever McFever, you ask?  Only THE best black bean burger around, that's what!  It's a flavorful, handmade patty topped with grilled onions (but I leave those off), fresh tomato, avocado creme, and the most delicious balsamic glaze I've ever tasted.  It's served on a hearty Avalon vegan bun with a side of fresh tortilla chips.  Warning: The balsamic glaze may get a little messy but it's totally worth it.  (The bathroom is really nice so you can wash your hands after.)

Stever McFever - $9.00

Last time Brian and I were there we were celebrating that I was done with the school year so we splurged a little bit.  For an appetizer we had the salsa verde, which is incredibly delicious.  It had just the right amount of heat and the onions weren't overpowering. 

Salsa Verde w/ tortilla chips - $6.00

  
We each also ordered a side to go with our burgers.  I had the Spring Vegetable Saute, which is a mix of asparagus, carrots, sweet peas, and I think strips of green onion.  Brian ordered the Vegan "Mac 'n Cheese."  It was funny when he ordered it because even though it clearly says it's vegan on the menu, the server gave him a long look and said, "You know that's vegan, right?"  Anyway, it was pretty tasty and had a surprising spiciness to it; however, it seemed a little dry to me.  I probably wouldn't order it for myself but later I wondered if you mixed it together with the spring vegetables, maybe it would be a nice combination.  Brian liked the mac 'n cheese, though, and felt it was a nice complement to his (non-vegan) Hipster Burger.

Spring Vegetable Saute - $3.00

Vegan "Mac 'n Cheese" - $3.00

As I said, the new menu will be rolled out on Tuesday for the Summer Solstice.  I won't make it to Woodbridge on Tuesday but I can guarantee it won't be very long before I go check it out.  I'll be sure to let you know what vegan dishes they come up with this season!

Woodbridge Pub is located at 5169 Trumbull in Detroit

Open Monday-Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - midnight; Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.