Melanie's Vegan Eden102 Ives St.Providence228.6700
Melanie's Vegan Eden may be the only vegan restaurant in Rhode Island, but this place doesn't get its spot at the top merely by default.
A constantly varying menu, reliably friendly staff and unforgettable lime green and pink walls make Melanie's a haven for people of all dietary persuasions. This cozy five-table restaurant just off Wickenden Street dishes up tasty animal-free food at a pleasant price.
An appetizer of chicken nuggets with barbecue sauce ($4.50) might sound out of place at a vegan restaurant, but this poultry - like everything here - is made without animal products. Using imitation meats and soy-based cheeses, Melanie works in the open kitchen to create her own versions of comfort-food dishes with nicknames - think "Jello Runs for Office" or "Bonnie and Clyde" - funky enough to match the décor. Though the menu changes often, you're liable to find dishes like macaroni and cheese ($8), quesadillas ($8) and a bacon and turkey club sandwich ($6.50). Entrees come with delicious sides like smashed potatoes, tomatoes pan-seared with garlic and mozzarella cheese or pine nut and tomato salad.
And there's usually a dish available that requires no veganification, like bowtie pasta with walnut and basil pesto ($8). At Melanie's, deciding to eat vegan doesn't leave you with a drab plate of tofu and steamed vegetables, though the tableware itself is so lovely you wouldn't mind. And with a video arcade game from the 80s converted into a table for two, if you're lucky, you can challenge your partner to a game of Arkanoid while waiting for your meal without even leaving your seat.
Melanie and company also produce vegan after-dinner treats worth sticking around for, or ordering to go and savoring later. The brownies, pastries and ice cream sundaes are all marvels of modern vegan cuisine. The cheesecake alone is reason enough to make the trip to Melanie's.
If you're looking for a relaxed-but-hip atmosphere, a unique dining experience, or some exciting vegan fare, Melanie's Vegan Eden is worth a visit. It's not just the best, it's one of a kind.
