Plant-Based Perfection, Leaf & Lentil masters local vegan cuisine

Wow. This is vegan?!

Restaurateur Sheila Siegel often hears this question from meat eaters who first try Leaf & Lentil. The scrumptious vegetarian fare at the Sarasota locale continues to surprise them.

When Siegel first opened the spot in May 2019, her aim was “to show the world how amazing vegan food can be,” she said. She accomplishes that mission by serving reubens, chili tots, burgers, patty melts, and other marvelously meatless creations to her sometimes-skeptical clientele.

“Our food tastes great thanks to Chef Michael Schoening. He went to culinary school, trained in classical French cooking, and has cooked in both Europe and the U.S. for more than 20 years,” says Siegel, who shifted the business model to takeout-only during the pandemic. “Leaf & Lentil is our passion project. We believe you can make a positive impact on the world by choosing to eat plant-based/vegan dishes that are better for our bodies, better for the environment, and better for animals.”

To make that positive impact, Siegel believes food needs to be something everyone from all walks of life can enjoy.

“To change the world through food, it has to be accessible,” Siegel says. “So most of our dishes are around $10 or less. You can enjoy a quick meal at a price that won’t break the bank.”

Leaf & Lentil is equally mindful about packaging. The to-go boxes are made of plant-based paper fiber, and the drinks are packaged in glass or metal. The restaurant avoids plastic as much as possible, and these efforts have even been recognized by the nonprofit organization Rethinking Plastic.

A commitment to supporting other local businesses is part of the Leaf & Lentil philosophy, too. The majority of the restaurant’s beverages and market items are from local or Florida companies, including Boombacha Kombucha, Local Tea Company teas, Slow Foods Kitchen’s kale chips and Catalyst Creamery’s non-dairy cheeses.

“When you buy one of these products, you are getting something delicious and keeping your dollars in our community. We also love getting some of our produce from local organic farms like Blumenberry Farms, Honeyside Farms, and Jessica’s Organic Farm,” Siegel says. “The taste of the spinach, green onions, broccoli, or anything you get from your local farm really is a step above.”

These super-fresh ingredients find their way into Leaf & Lentil’s bestselling menu items, such as the portobello reuben (with mushrooms marinated in pastrami spices, chef-made Russian dressing, cashew cheese, and sauerkraut on grilled pumpernickel sourdough bread); the quesadilla (with black beans, corn, peppers, and chef-made chipotle sauce); and the “crab cake”–inspired artichoke burger.

Leaf & Lentil: 2801 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-413-5685; facebook.com/leafandlentil