Pure Love: True Bistro – Somerville, MA

Aaaand we’re moving on from NYC to Boston. Ya ready? :)

Since Ethan has lived in the Boston area for nearly eleven years and I had lived there for the last four, as you can imagine, we’ve been to a number of Boston area vegan restaurants more than once. Therefore we have a few more photos than usual for some of the Boston restaurants, and might even have a bit more to say about these places. True Bistro is no exception.

True Bistro – 100% vegan

1153 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02144

I spy “Will Travel For Vegan Food was here” decals! :)

One of my favorite vegan restaurants of all time (yes, I said it), I’ve never had a meal that I didn’t love, is True Bistro. Not only is the food outstanding (seriously though, their food is crazy delicious), but of the dozen or more times that I’ve dined at True the service has always been great – warm, welcoming, and timely. I also really like the decor. Simple, elegant, clean, with local artwork for sale on the walls. For me this place is perfect for a casual lunch, a lazy Sunday brunch, or a romantic dinner date. How often does that happen? It’s pretty special.

A few months back I sat down with Linda, one of the co-owners of True Bistro, to talk about the restaurant’s beginnings and such. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to record the conversation but I will tell you that Linda and her husband Michael are an incredibly kind couple who are very passionate about bringing delicious, upscale, and affordable vegan food to Boston. And I do believe they’ve succeeded.

During our conversation I remember telling Linda how much I like the decor. I then learned that she has a background in architecture and she was inspired by a few popular vegan restaurants in NYC when it came to the look and feel of True. She also noted how much she enjoyed selecting seasonal flowers to display on the tables – adding a pop of color against the crisp white linens. I’m no photographer but I’m pretty proud of the following picture. Whenever I see it I think of Linda and her careful selection of flowers for the restaurant. :)

True Bistro’s brunch menu is out of this world. I’m pretty sure I’ve tried every single brunch item at least once (it was my favorite Sunday brunch place) and oh my word… just looking at these photos makes me want to hop in Gerty and head to Boston. It’s painfully delicious. Not only is the food wonderful but they also serve amazing mixed drinks … like, real mixed drinks… I’m talking mimosas and sangrias. You know, like you get at “regular” restaurants (they also have delicious wine, served at dinner). It hurts to be without you, Brunch At True.

These first two photos below are of the Tofu Benedict – house made biscuit (OMG THESE BISCUITS!), seared tofu, garlic spinach, with saffron bearnaise.

Waffle topped with whipped cream.

Tofu scramble – choose your flavor combo: house-made chevre and fresh herbs; or roasted button mushrooms, arugula, tomatoes, and herbs de provence; or seitan sausage, grilled onions, bell peppers, and Daiya mozzeralla.

Of course I don’t have any decent pics of my favorite brunch meals at True, so I NEED to tell you. If When you go, you MUST try the House Made Biscuit & Crumbled House Sausage with mushroom gravy, AS WELL AS the Rolled Crepes filled with bananas and chocolate-hazelnut spread, dusted with sugar. UPDATE: Found a pic of the rolled crepes! :)

I’M SO HUNGRY AND I JUST ATE.

Moving right along… the most amazing appetizer to end all appetizers: True’s Cornmeal-Crusted Oyster Mushrooms, with horseradish/dill aioli, aji/amarillo sauce. Lord. Have. Mercy.

Despite the number of times I’ve had lunch and dinner at True Bistro, I don’t have many good photos of those meals. It’s the mood lighting I tell you! ;) Okay, well there’s one decent photo here, but the others are a little rough. So below we have (my favorite lunch/dinner dish of theirs), Seitan Piccata – lemon and caper white wine sauce, roasted garlic mashed potato, with seared rapini.

Phyllo Purse – setain, roasted zucchini, fired roasted peppers, arugula, pepitas, red mole.

Crusted Tempeh – lentils and tomatoes braised in red wine, shaved leeks, heirloom carrots.

Finally, we have some photos of True Bistro’s desserts. This cinnamon roll is actually available on the brunch menu. But it is a dessert nonetheless. ;)

Coconut Pie with blood orange sauce.

Mango and macadamia nut crumble, served with vanilla ice cream.

The next time you’re in Boston, please do your taste buds a favor and eat at True Bistro. You’re welcome. ;)
PS – they have a gluten-free menu as well!