BRANFORD, CT — The Food Network named G-Zen one of the best vegan restaurants in the nation.
In its recent story, the TV network shared 30 of the best of the best across the U.S. and G-Zen made that list.
Here’s what they wrote:
“Husband and wife Mark and Ami Beach Shadle are “determined to change what people think about vegetarian food.”
“Together they serve high-quality plant-based dishes made from local ingredients. Everything is organic, and whatever isn’t local is fair-trade. Symbols on the menu indicate which dishes are raw as well as wheat-, gluten- and nut-free. The international dishes include spinach and potato pierogis, an artisan cheese plate (with cashew cheese), Portabella Tofu Napoleon and Kama Sutra (sweet potato, broccoli and vegetables simmered in coconut curry with local “Bridge tofu,” tomatoes, lemongrass and cashews over brown rice). Desserts are strong and forgo processed sugar. Think Raw Lemon Lavender Cheesecake and Traditional Spiced Carrot Cake.”
Patch Neighbor Laura Rose posted, “G-Zen puts Branford on the national map! The restaurant has just been named one of the top 20 vegan restaurants in the country!”
Another Patch Neighbor wrote: “G-Zen is inventive, innovative, delicious, environmentally in tune and on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement. Over the past 20+ years we have happily introduced many non-vegetarians to the vision and flavors of Chef Shadle’s, vegan food, and all have been wowed, satisfied and gone back. G-Zen’s offerings by Mark and Ami, are of the caliber that have won medals at the International Culinary Olympics. Mark was in fact, a member of the teams that won the first ever gold medal for vegan cuisine in non-vegetarian categories in 1992, and again won gold and bronze medals in 1996. G-Zen is rightfully a national dining experience destination.”
G-Zen was already a multi-award winning vegan restaurant. On its Facebook page, it tells its story starting with the origins of its name.
“G ~ Stands for our Green Business ethics and Plant-based cuisine. Zen ~ Living Mindfully. To be in a state of peace and balance in one’s body.”
G-Zen explains that husband and wife chefs Mark and Ami Beach Shadle took the “concept of ‘Farm to Table’ to a whole other level, by growing the organic ingredients, serving them fresh at the restaurant and then composting everything at their sustainable farm.”
The couple and their family are strong advocates of a plant-based diet.
From their Facebbok page: “The menu changes daily and the most inspired chef’s creations find their way on to the large handwritten chalkboards. The wine list presents many select wines from small family owned vineyards, many of them using organically grown grapes and sustainable practices.G-Zen is considered a zero waste restaurant and composts 100 percent of the food waste material & biodegradable take out containers at the owners farm in Durham CT called Shadle Farm. All glass, batteries & other materials are completely recycled.”
Among its accolades are:
In 2011, it was named “Top Ten Upscale Vegan Restaurants in America” by SHAPE magazine.
In 2013 G-Zen was featured in Travel + Leisure magazine’s “Best Vegetarian Restaurants in USA.”
In 2015 G-Zen was named in The Happy Cow International Cook book as one the “Top Vegan Restaurants in the World.”
In 2013 G-Zen received the impressive “Natures Plate Award” from the Natures Conservancy and was named “Connecticut’s most sustainable restaurant” in honor of all of their sustainable business ethics, commitment to serving organic ingredients, supporting local farmers and composting programs.
Chef Mark Shadle is described as “one of the most celebrated vegan
chefs working today and a Pioneer of organic, environmentally conscious cuisine both locally and internationally.” The restaurant says that in 2010, Shadle “had the high honor of being invited to the White House by First-Lady Michelle Obama and is currently involved with the ‘Chefs Move to School’ initiative that involves working directly with schools and helping to bring awareness to healthier food choices for the children. His vision is to give children and adults an interactive and thought provoking way to educate about the importance of healthy foods & organic farming.”
Read more about his storied career here.
G-Zen is located at 2 E. Main St. in downtown Branford. For more information, visit their Facebook page and website.