21 Oak

I’m not a vegan or vegetarian by choice, but that won’t stop me from loving vegan or vegetarian food!
As the only vegetarian restaurant in Manchester, I had to try 21 Oak, the brain child of Shawn (featured on Food Network’s «Chopped») I’ve taken a number of people here for lunch and although 21 Oak looks good on paper, there have been a few disappointing re-​occurring themes. Whether it be too many diners and not enough waitstaff or new employees — service has always been scattered and spotty.
Portions are rarely consistent, especially for the pricing. Don’t get me wrong, I love that many items are made from scratch. I also really appreciate that everything is built around seasonal vegetables, nuts and legumes. But there is no way around it – the food is pricey: appetizers like chutney, hummus or roasted lentils are $ 7 to $ 9, soups are $ 4 to $ 8, salads are $ 10 to $ 13 and full meals are $ 13 to $ 15.
21 Oak has only been around since July 2015 but I really hope they have progressive plans to stick around! Despite my love affair with pork, you know we could all use more veggies in our lives!
FYI
— BYOB
— Seats only 28
Tue — Fri: 11am-​3pm and 5−8pm
Sat: 11am-​8pm
Sun — Mon: Closed

I’ve heard rave reviews of this place from my friends in CT. Honestly I was drooling over descriptions of 21 Oak’s cheese plate from the word go, so last night I was psyched to join a group of friends out to dinner at 21 Oak, to celebrate a friends birthday.
Excited that is until we encountered the restaurants (no) reservations policy. Okay, I get it, a small place has to go with who walks in the door first — but really, when I called from 10 minutes away Cam couldn’t even say how long the wait might be. Upon arrival we were informed it would be 40 min till a table was open. Yeah, if that was said on the phone we could have adjusted accordingly. On top of it Cam was pretty unprofessional, both on the phone and in person.
I’m glad this restaurant is doing well, there aren’t enough good vegan options in central ct. Although we had fine meal at a different establishment we’d all have rathered to support a fully veggie business. I’m disappointed with the lack of hospitality my friends and I were shown. I hope 21 Oak works out the kinks in this area.

# USP: Vegan fresh local organic food
I have never left a restaurant feeling so good (guilt-​free) and full yet feeling light at the same time.
The restaurant is quite small may seat 20 or so … with an open kitchen, super clean (so important).
Just because it’s vegan they don’t serve «mock meat» rather they give the vege’s and grains the spotlight that they deserve.
This was my first time eating Brussels sprouts (cant believe the chef was eliminated on «chopped» over Brussel sprouts) simply roasted with garlic and cumin… this is now going to be a staple in my diet .The sweet potato scallion cakes were excellent… although the star of the dish were the greens… they had such an elevated flavor.
The smoked pineapple with cinnamon and berry compote was good but was my least favorite of all
The berry smoothie on the other hand, not just healthy but delicious… blended with all sorts of goodness… coconut water and maple syrup.
Generous potions, priced right (avg cost is about $ 50 for 2)
ample parking at the back.
Loved this cozy establishment so much… I think I’m going vegan for a while !!!
Thankyou chef

Nom nom nom nom nom. Huge appetizers. Delicious, filling entrees. Cheesecake!
You must eat here.

I typically like to rate a place with weighting to particular areas. There’s the food, the service, the venue, etc. I usually put the emphasis on the food but here the customer service is always grabbing the spotlight. I may never get to review this based on a standard entrée as I’m like the exact opposite of a vegan. Cheese + Bacon = Love! However, I have visited 21 Oak on multiple occasions because it’s next door to my place of work and have had some really good experiences. First of all, Shawn is great. As owner of the establishment, he’s really down to earth and has no problem stepping away from the grill for a few minutes to ask about your day, make small talk, or tell you about his time on the TV series Chopped. That’s cool. And the rest of the staff is just as attentive. I’ve been quite a few times for fruit smoothies, hot chocolate, and the occasional lunch dessert, and the employees always keep an eye out making sure everything is satisfactory. And the things I have had were not a disappointment. The fruit smoothies are made fresh, not with premade purees and with coconut water and maple syrup as the sweetener. I love that they have kale too — not enough places offer green smoothies. Healthy healthy! The dark hot chocolate they had on the day I went was sourced locally from Divine Treasure and was surprisingly good. Last but not least is the vegan chocolate cake they have on a daily basis — it’s as good as it gets for healthy alternatives. Although some will disagree, the place is a very welcome replacement for the Sinnamon Shop the occupied the location before but were, let’s say, «less than sanitary,» Here’s hoping 21 Oak stays around for a long time…

I always had hopes and dreams of restaurants like this… Even if you’re not vegan, adding more vegan meals to your diet that are healthy and well spiced is great for you and the environment and your health… I am more Paleo myself but this menu fits in so well to My health plans. I was so happy to find this place on Unilocal last night in planning some meals and called this morning to get a feel for if it would work with my dietary concerns and to get a feel for the personality of those who work there. They were so pleasant and helpful and most important since I tend to be rather inquisitive, curious, and they were patient and did not make me feel like they were annoyed with my information gathering.
This chef knows what’s up! I believe he cares about health, probably the environment, healthy food, and probably sustainable resources. Just from talking to him today I believe he loves what he does and hopefully knows the positive impact he’s making on the world with feeding people healthy plant-​based cuisine. As I was ordering and chatting with them, I could feel the love for this place and these people swelling before I had even tasted anything.
I am speaking this to Siri as I am sampling everything from my gathering today. I wanted to get some food for the next couple days since they are closed. So I got the special today which is mushroom soup, and it’s quite good, I tried the chili which is nice and spicy but I do feel like I need something I just added salt but if I were at home I might add some more spices… Many chilies that I have had this situation with seem to have a darkness that I like to sweeten/​brighten up with avocado or various spices I may have around. I also try the sweet potato cakes, The lentil barley cakes, the Mezze platter, the brussels sprouts, and a smoothie with Pea protein. As I work my way through this I am more and more delighted. I switched the cashew sauce for a red sauce for the sweet potatoes and it is delightful.
I meant to get the lentil cakes meal but I didn’t communicate that clearly so got the side but I’m still very happy and will go back and try the full meal some other time. As I work my way through my sampling I just am happier and happier. The brussels sprouts are pretty good but a little burnt and some pieces need more sauce. The ones that have the sauce are quite delightful and nicely cooked because when I make Brussels sprouts they still end up too tough often.
Oh my GOSH. This Mezze plate!!! The beets are unlike any other concoction of beets I’ve ever had and I am busting Jerry I’m just busting (haha)
And the caponata! I am reaching my limit of being able to handle this ecstasy!
Chef: PLEASE make a cook book!!!
Ok I’m just going to say it. I’ve created this phrase long ago, avoid using it needlessly. But when I do here I am so very serious. Nutritional orgasm. For real. Please eat here and be healthy. The energy here is unbeatable.
I’m coming back the next chance I get !!!
And the smoothies oh my gosh the way a smoothie is actually supposed to be made! No inflammation causing whey protein and dairy. Coconut water and maple syrup… Perfection
In the words of the youngins
«This place gives me all the feels».

Entering 21 Oak is like stepping back into the past, namely 25 years ago into It’s Only Natural. I mean this as a very good thing. Think back to 1990, when Ken Bergeron was still the head chef and owner of ION 1.0 at its original location on Main St, a block north of where ION 3.0 recently relocated. The décor was simple and yet comfortable, the vegan food wholesome and appealing (Ken, along with most of his faithful customers, had transitioned out of macrobiotics), the portions generous, and the prices just right. Likewise now for 21 Oak. Eerily, Shawn the head chef and owner of 21 Oak even bears a very striking resemblance to Ken both in looks and in peaceful demeanor.
While Manchester may be out of the way, once within Manchester 21 Oak is easy to find, a half a block off Main St in the center of downtown. The restaurant is small (seats 26), hence the menu is short, but covers the breadth of American vegan eclectic cuisine. No mock meats here, which only make a mockery of vegetarianism. Instead vegetables and grains take the center stage that they deserve. My only complaint is something served but not made here, the flatbread made of white flour, which however can be substituted with whole grain and oil-​free Mary’s Gone Crackers, so do ask instead for the crackers. Among the appetizers I highly recommend the Brussels sprouts and the beet chutney, among the sides the sweet potato mash (only $ 3!), and among the entrees the barley cakes.
While desserts vary daily, I recommend the raw vegan cheesecake, which in January 2016 cost only $ 6. For the same quality and same quantity, compare that with $ 15 charged at G-​Zen. As G-​Zen costs an arm and an leg, 21 Oak costs only a finger and a toe. While G-​Zen is the best veg restaurant in CT and RI, that does not mean I rate G-​Zen as my favorite. Instead I rate 21 Oak as my favorite veg restaurant in all of CT and RI. I wish only that Manchester were not so far from me.

Had a great dinner here last night. As a vegetarian and a wife who is vegan, restaurants dedicated to this lifestyle are few and far between. We decided to wait to go here for the first time so they could work out any kinks. We were not disappointed! Had the brussel sprouts for an app and those may very well be the best thing in the menu, top notch!
I had the sweet potato cakes for an entrée and that was one of the best vegan dishes I have ever had hands down. Wife had the French onion soup and she was over the moon it’s been years since she has had a vegan French onion soup. The raw chocolate hazelnut cheesecake was a perfect ending to a great meal.
The service was fantastic, only two servers but perfect for this size restaurant. Very personable experience all around, this small and very quaint restaurant plays to that kind of experience. Only thing that could be improved upon would be décor upgrades but that’s really the least of my worries anyway. Will definitely be back, it’s an instant favorite spot for us!

Food is superb! Words can’t even describe how delicious the Sweet potato scallion cakes and sauteed veggies that come with it are.

Hell yes.
Vegan and vegetarian cuisine is extremely lacking in the greater Hartford area, and I have a hard time feeling too excited about the options we do have. The dishes at 21 Oak are a creative breath of fresh air, and are diverse enough to please just about anyone’s palate, meat eaters included. I feel like I need to come back over and over just so I can try everything on the menu, because it all sounds that delicious and interesting.
My 3 friends and I ordered three different dishes, so we would be able to try multiple things. We started with the cheese plate, which was like nothing I’ve ever had before and I need more of it in my life. Per Sandra C’s recommendation, I chose the Ginger Tofu over bok choy and sweet potato mash, which was fantastic. I also picked at the Sweet Potato Cakes, French Onion Soup, Mediterranean Flatbread, and some kind of wonderful salad off of my friend’s plates. It was all very happy-​making. Bonus points for BYOB!
Its not cheap, but it is reasonable. I couldn’t afford to go here every week, as appealing a the idea is, but I absolutely felt that my money was well spent. The vibe is casual, but with the care that is taken in preparing the food, it feels like fine dining.

Soooo excited to find a vegetarian/​vegan restaurant so close! I have to admit, when I go to a new vegan place, I tend to go a little crazy because I want to try everything. Pretty awesome to have so many choices! I started off with the vegan cheese plate. It was perfect! 4 different kinds of vegan cheese, each one was delicious and served with warm fresh pita bread. Next, I had to try the vegan macaroni and cheese. It was smooth, flavorful and so comforting on a chilly fall day like today. This was a special and not on the regular menu so if you are lucky enough to be there when they have it, I would absolutely recommend getting it! I also had a side of the Balsamic Brussels Sprouts which were very good. And to top it off, I had to try the Lentil and Barley Cakes. The photos within Unilocal looked so good and it did not disappoint. I now have enough leftover for dinner, breakfast and lunch for tomorrow lol! I would recommend this place to any of my friends. Vegan, vegetarian and even non-​veggies would enjoy a great meal here. I will definitely be back!

Super kind staff, delicious food, clean place! I stopped in with my mother for lunch and we enjoyed a spinach coconut cream soup which was amazing! I had the Lentil cakes and she had the hummus platter. Everything was flavorful. The lunch service was very fast & our waiter was so kind and attentive. If I am in the area I will stop in again!,

Fresh, local and creative food is served here with a smile! We had dinner twice and have been delighted with the food, owners Shawn and Karen, and our waitress both nights, Sierra.
We’ve started with pan seared Brussels sprouts, lightly seasoned with lemon, coriander and garlic. If you’ve read my reviews you might know I rarely like Brussels sprouts, but I liked these. A huge shout out for the French onion soup (sans bread for this gluten free girl)! Hot and beautifully seasoned vegan soup, thick with onions. What a treat! Between us we’ve enjoyed the Navajo chili over sweet potatoes (yum), sweet potato/​scallion cakes with green goddess dressing (even yummier with a root veggie medley and a sticky rice/​quinoa pilaf), my hubby’s lentil/​barley cakes (his favorite, but one of the few meals with gluten).
Iced tea was good, but hot ginger tea, loose tea served by the pot wax outstanding!
We only tried one dessert (because we were too full!) which we shared with friends. I forget what they call it, but a hit banana with caramel sauce was good, but sweet for me.
It’s tiny inside which helps chef Shawn deliver made to order meals. Be aware that they lock up at 8 pm, but won’t kick you out once you’re there.

21 Oak is one of those hole in the wall hidden gems that sets a standard that other restaurants should strive for.
The restaurant staff is incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable about the food. Which, by the way, is incredible.
Between my lady and I, we had the hummus appetizer, the sweet potato scallion pancakes, and the chili potato. All of which merit a return trip.
¹¹⁄₁₀ would food again.

So… I like vegan/​vegetarian food as much as the next gal. However, Chef Shawn may have converted me. The Brussel spouts were reminiscent of my favorite Indian dishes, the ginger tofu didn’t taste like tofu (because the flavors were so well-​developed), and the sweet potato mash was exotic, to say the least. The banana covered in a salted chocolate/​espresso ganache made me want to lick the plate. The best part? Being someone who is new to Celiac, I didn’t have to think about whether or not what I was eating was going to cause me pain later in the evening.
Seriously? I can’t recommend this place enough…

I’m not a vegetarian but since my husband is vegan I’m not adverse to trying vegan /​vegetarian food.
We visited on a Monday afternoon. Don’t let the humble surroundings fool you there is some very, very good food to be had here. The dining area is small so definitely not the place to go with a large party. Service was perfect. Timely with no hovering as had been reported by other reviewers.
We started with the brussel sprouts which arrived perfectly roasted and seasoned. The touch of lemon provided a bright counterbalance to the earthy sprouts.
I opted for the sweet potato scallion cakes with green goddess cashew crema served over greens. The potato cakes were flavorful, the crema was the perfect compliment to the sweet potato cakes. The greens were perfectly cooked, seasoned and cleaned. (I love greens but I’m fussy don’t like them too mushy, don’t like to have to pick dirt from my teeth. These were spot on)
My husband went for the baked sweet potato stuffed with Navjo chili & mixed greens. I admit to sneaking more than one mouthful. The chili had just the right amount of spice, loaded with a variety of beans. The flavor of the chili was perfect with the sweet potato so glad they did not use a white potato with this.
For me this restaurant is a very welcome addition to the underserved vegetarian /​vegan local scene.

I’m a vegetarian and my boyfriend is not, but he’s willing to eat veg with me. We visited the restaurant on a Saturday evening and came just in time to get the table right by the door. I could see into the back room where the majority of table are, and it looked spacious enough for the few tables back there. This place is small, so there could be a wait when you go. It’s BYOB, which I don’t think is advertised on the website.
We ordered appetizers to split. I got the hummus, which comes with pita and what I think were supposed to be kale chips. They weren’t crispy, but instead chewy. I just ignored those and enjoyed the hummus, which was tasty. My boyfriend ordered the navajo chili, which was very good, but spicy by the bottom. For entrees, I got the eggplant, which came with (I think) quinoa and a warm kale/​garden salad. The eggplant was good, and the sauce tasted very fresh. My boyfriend ordered a flatbread which was okay. Not my favorite thing I tried.
While we were eating, we saw the restaurant fill up. One couple came in and had to wait for about 10 minutes, but they walked around the street and the hostess called their cell when their table was ready. Another cool aspect of the restaurant was that the tables are covered in brown paper and each table has a few vegan crayons so you can color as you wait. I love that!
The highlight of the meal was the dessert special. The chef seared bananas cut in half length-​wise then poured a cinnamon caramel over it. We dipped the banana pieces in the puddle of caramel on the plate. It was so simple and delicious.
Four stars just because the wait staff kind of hovered the entire meal. I couldn’t take three bites without someone asking how it tasted. I know they’re a new restaurant, so hopefully they’ll not have to ask so frequently in the future. We will definitely be coming back.

Came here with a vegetarian friend who also happens to suffer from Celiac.
Had the ginger tofu, tahini green beans, and sweet potato mash. This was a very enjoyable entrée. Good attention to nuances of the spices, balance of flavors, and cooking of the food. Had the Brussels sprouts app. Nice spices on this, too. Very good. Like come back every week good.
I’m not a veggie but will eat it with veggie friends. If I could have this quality veggie cuisine every night, I’d be down.
Service was ham-​fisted and awkward. Waitress did this weird hovering thing all through meal and made a grab for the check before I had my card out. She also hovered at the end while we were enjoying our water and talking to the chef wanting to grab out water glasses (ugh we’re still drinking) and utensils. Waitstaff needs serious server training. Chef was totally friendly and loves to talk food.

I’m not a vegetarian, which means I’m extra critical of veg food. I’m a fatass Italian, so I’m extra critical of gluten free food, too. Having said that, this place surprised the fuck out of me with how good it was, especially considering how new it is.
I got to taste the onion soup, which was savory and silky smooth. Delicious! I’d be interested to throw down on an onion soup competition against the chef, Shawn. It would be a good fight.
For entrée, I ordered the barley and lentil cakes. The cauliflower purée beneath was light, creamy, and as smooth as the day is long. The curry was moderated well, and the kale bits were delicious enough to make me want to buy one of those «eat more kale» t-​shirts everybody’s been wearing lately.
I have a feeling that in a year’s time we’ll be hearing a lot more about this place.

Easy to get to, ample parking, friendly waitstaff and the chef/​owner was friendly as well. The soup of the day was great, the eggplant rollatini was good, and the smoothie was good too.
I am excited to go back in a few months and see how it grows.