We tried Montreal’s vegan delivery service

Vegan Rapide specializes in meat- and cheese-free sandwiches, pizzas and desserts.

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Pizza des sable

A good two hours before last Saturday’s snowstorm was due to start, I called up a newish delivery service, Vegan Rapide. The website suggested that they deliver all over the city, for a minimum of $10 in the West End and $25 elsewhere, but when I provided a Parc Ex postal code, I was shot down, first politely, then rudely by an impatient French lady (from France). I’m used to this kind of disappointment — not French rudeness (though arguably that is a thing), but a dearth of delivery options. À la Carte Express won’t deliver here, and the H3N Top Menu is a sad sight to behold (Elatos aside — that’s some quality Greek eats).

A few minutes later, I got a call back from the very same French lady saying that the driver was willing to embark on the troublesome northeast trek. They couldn’t guarantee that the food would be warm, but this wasn’t an issue for me, especially given Vegan Rapide’s three specialties: sandwiches, pizzas and desserts.

Strawberry pie
Strawberry pie

I ordered one of each. Sadly they were out of all things chocolate, which is what made the dessert section of their menu so enticing to me (and I lost my sweet teeth with my innocence a long time ago). But based on the quality of the consolation slice of strawberry pie — ripe and flavourful fruit, a rich layer of custard and a firm yet crumbly crust — I’m going to guess that their chocolate creations are the shit.

The sandwich was l’Urbain, a busy concoction of vegepate, spinach, tomato, avocado, green onions, eggplant hummus, black olives, vegan mayo, mustard and olive oil. To look at all those ingredients between the folds of a thin chapati, the whole thing flattened like a grilled panini, it was tough to identify the juicier elements of the sandwich, and just as difficult to distinguish their flavours. The hummus, vegepate, sauces and even avocado blended together into a bland mush, and while the whole package was satisfying, a touch more seasoning (a spicier mustard, perhaps) would kick it up nicely.

L'urbain
L’urbain

In the end, the item I was most worried about was the best of the lot. Of course Montrealers have famously low standards when it comes to pizza, but pizza without cheese? I’m vegetarian/pescetarian (and occasionally not even that), but I’ve never considered veganism because I’ll never give up cheese. Vegan Rapide’s “pizza des sable” surprised me, especially given my minor issues with the sandwich. The crust was atypically tender but tasty, the sauce was proper Italian, topped with mushrooms, zucchini, green olives, green onions, parsley, fine herbs and — the ingredient that really pulled it together — “grated steamed tofu.” I’m not sure what they did to this tofu to make it so toothsome, but it stood in for cheese (and even meat) just fine.

Whether you’re vegan or simply looking to limit your animal-fat intake, Vegan Rapide is worth a call. They can expect another order from the H3N. ■

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