Harvest Beat
Vegan restaurant · Wallingford ·
Gourmet vegan tasting menu with garden-to-table philosophy
Gourmet vegan tasting menu with garden-to-table philosophy
"If you need a vegan spot for a special occasion, this is the place. Harvest Beat serves a five-course tasting menu for $112 a head including wine pairings, and there’s only one 7pm seating per night (Wednesday to Sunday). At the beginning of dinner, the chef rings a ceremonial gong, monologues about the menu, and mentions the purveyors and foragers who helped supply the ingredients. Then you’re off on your fancy vegetable journey involving things like roasted hasselback butternut squash over purple carrot risotto with fried sunchokes." - aimee rizzo
"Meat, seafood, and butter seem to suck up all the special occasion attention. But if you’re looking for a vegan option that’s event-worthy, head to this tasting menu spot that serves one 7pm seating per night for $135. The meal begins with the chef ringing a ceremonial gong to monologue about the farmers and foragers who supplied ingredients that went into the silky carrot ginger bisque, or the spongy cashew paneer-style loaf. It typically ends with at least five birthday candles jabbed into the trailing berry bread pudding. There’s a wine pairing included, but you can also choose an “elixir” pairing involving fresh-pressed fruits, vegetables, and herbs—a refreshing change of pace from Champagne. Yeah, it all sounds like a Portlandia episode, but it’s lovely." - aimee rizzo
"Meat, seafood, and butter seem to suck up all the special occasion attention. Not at Harvest Beat in Wallingford—a vegan tasting menu spot that serves one 7pm seating per night for $135. The meal begins with the chef ringing a ceremonial gong and a monologue about the farmers and foragers who supplied ingredients that went into the silky carrot ginger bisque, or the spongy cashew paneer-style loaf. It typically ends with at least five birthday candles jabbed into the trailing berry bread pudding. There’s a wine pairing included, but you can also choose an “elixir” pairing involving fresh-pressed fruits, vegetables, and herbs—a refreshing change of pace from champagne. Yeah, it all sounds like a Portlandia episode, but it’s lovely." - aimee rizzo
"Fine dining for vegans often means trying to find the one item on the menu that might work. Harvest Beat is the opposite of that, offering an multi-course vegan dining experience that features ingredients sourced from local farms and foragers. The menus at this gourmet vegan restaurant are seasonal, and every gorgeous presentation comes with a presentation by the chefs who prepare it. Each meal includes wine or non-alcoholic drink pairings, the latter of which is as unique and vibrant as the dishes." - Sean Keeley
"Harvest Beat is an excellent option for vegans or just someone who loves vegetables. This Wallingford spot serves a seven-course NYE dinner with one 6pm seating. While there is no menu listed yet, we'd make an educated guess that there will be lots of mushrooms involved and a juice or two." - kayla sager riley