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One of the things I love most about living in Albany is that we are just 1 to 4 hours from every amazing city in the Northeast. That makes gigging and vacationing a lot easier. Boston is one of those amazing cities. Just 3 hours away from Albany, it is the perfect place for a vegan family to visit, especially in February when new options for indoor fun and dining are running slim. So off we went for a weekend winter vacation, and an unexpected (but happily welcomed) performance.
T
he first place we hit was the Children’s Museum of Boston, which is free on Friday nights. Though I love that in theory, it was so packed we could barely breath, so we decided to return again the next day. The following day Caona and I met friends there while Gaetano and Yabisi went to see a traveling circus from Australia. I was super excited to see our friends Evan and Erin and their child Saorsie. They are a vegan, musician, queer, activist family, just like us. (Check out Evan Greer’s moving music and activist work here!) 
While Saorsie and Caona ran around in the enclosed toddler room, I had a rare chance to connect with Evan and Erin about music, movement work and parenting.
Afterwards, we went out to eat in Chinatown, and though it was satisfying, what I really want to write about is where we convened for dessert. Evan and Erin introduced us to FoMu, a vegan ice cream shop in Jamaica Plain. I believe most of the ice cream is coconut milk based, which is great for anyone with soy allergies. I also think it tastes better. 
The flavors are endless, and I honestly thought my son was going to lose his mind with all the options available to him. I honestly thought I was going to as well. We got a few scoops with different flavors, and though I don’t remember the names of them, I do remember that they tasted creamy and fresh and well… hella good. 
Before going our separate ways, Evan and Erin recommended we check out Veggie Galaxy. And bright and early the next day that is exactly what we did. Veggie Galaxy is a diner and vegan bakery in Cambridge. It reminds me a lot of Paradox Cafe in Portland, OR, one of my favorite vegan friendly diners in the country. Actually, the breakfast menu had the best vegan options I’ve ever seen.
Yabisi ordered the french toast stuffed with vanilla nut vegan cream cheese, and topped with caramelized banana butter, strawberry basil sauce and maple syrup. 
Yes, you are right. It was heaven.
For Caona and I we ordered pancakes, which also came with caramelized banana butter and maple syrup. I also ordered the vegan chorizo and vegetable potato hash.
Gaetano ordered the Memorial Drive tofu omelet, with house made seitan chorizo, baby arugula, vegan cheese, pickled jalapeño, and served with toast and homefries. Straight up goodness!
They also had a case full desserts, but we were way too full to even taste them.
With bellies full and huge smiles on our faces, we went off to the Science Museum, which was a great, and very long, adventure.
Before heading home, Evan invited us to perform a couple songs at a musical benefit in support of US political prisoners. We were happy to do so, and happy to see her, and all of our activist/artist friends from Boston.
We journeyed home that night exhausted, but with well fed tummies and hearts.
