Chow Baby! Party Wrapup

(I wrote this on Sunday, but I didn't get a chance to post it until now... sorry!)

I just left the Chow Baby! first anniversary party, and I'm stuffed. Jen and Reyna made a pile of delicious vegetarian party food, ranging from a wasabi, miso, and ginger bite on a rice cracker to watermelon and basil salad. The real hit with me was the tandori tofu squares, savory and perfect for skewering with a toothpick and popping in your mouth. They also had plenty of Steaz beverages, a green tea-based soda available in half-a-dozen flavors. The crowd was friendly, a mix of Chow Baby! customers and friends., and I really liked the kiddie area they'd setup, where they had carrots, radishes, and celery available for both consumption and sculpture.

I got to talk with Jen and Reyna briefly while they were running around, topping off the food and meeting with guests. The first year for Chow Baby! has seen them gain a lot of customers and revise their menu strategy. When I last wrote about them, they had a fixed menu; you'd pick what meals you wanted and they would be delivered on Wednesday and Friday. They've revised their delivery schedule to be Tuesday and Thursday, and they've introduced some set items that are always available, like their yummy veggie sushi and garlic long beans. They still have a few unique dishes every week, but you can pick when you get them. They are still using recyclable and compostable containers, but items are packed individually, rather than the older paperboard split containers. July's menu is still in progress, but they hinted that we'd been seeing poblano enchiladas soon.

I do miss a few of the small things from the old way; I've got a stack of the colorful cards that came with each meal talking about what's in it and how it was made, and they always packed in some little candy to complement the meal. There's also a minimum delivery amount of $15 plus a $2 delivery charge, so you'll need to order several meals. However, the added flexibility of the new menu makes up for that, and if you're near their kitchen, you can pick up food yourself to save some money.

I really like the Chow Baby! concept -- good gourmet vegetarian and vegan food made from fresh ingredients and delivered to your home or work in a sustainable fashion. It's a great alternative to going out to eat for busy people like me. Jen and Reyna also are available to cater events; if I ever have a Veg Out! party, I know who I'll call.