GLAM's Vegan Jackfruit Tacos and Cashew Cheese Mean You Won’t Miss the Meat

At GLAM, chef Todd Erickson and designer Janette Miller have joined forces to create something entirely new for midtown Miami: the most modern of spots where omnivores and vegans can sit side by side and leave equally satisfied.

Warm-hearted, friendly, and fashionable, the co-creators are clearly in sync. Their efforts are all with one mission in mind: Green living animals matter, which is what "GLAM" stands for. GLAM is more than just a clever name, though; it’s an honest commitment to a better way of eating, living, and being.

And from the matte gold tableware to the meticulously plated entrées to the house-made accoutrements, GLAM lives up to its moniker.

The menu, executed by chef de cuisine Nuno Grullon, offers an array of options with an international flair. There are snacks, soups, flatbreads, bowls, desserts, and vegan beer and wine.
On the snack side, the jackfruit "al pastor" taco ($7) is a piquant mix of barbecued jackfruit, pineapple, red cabbage, tomatillo salsa, and a silken tofu cream. The jackfruit is a serious endeavor: The staff tosses it in onions, garlic, and other spices; roasts it; and then adds it to a big pot with more spices, beer, jalapeño, and caramelized pineapple before cooking it down. The final product is satisfying, savory, and incredibly meaty.
The cashew cheese platter ($12) contains an impossibly creamy spread and ricotta paired with house-made pickled watermelon rind, chutney, and seeded crackers.
For entrées, the farro risotto ($13) is made with a roasted wild mushroom ragout, charred fennel, and white wine. A plate of spaghetti and meatless balls ($11) arrives with a hearty portion of spaghetti, chunky marinara, and uniquely nutty grain-bean "meat" balls.
A sweet and spicy chana masala ($12) is a flavorful mix of chickpeas, garam masala, mango, tomato chutney, and quinoa, all atop a crisp papadum.
For dessert, the ube pie ($6) is mildly sweet with a hint of nutmeg and spice. Made with violet-hued sweet potatoes, a gingersnap crumble, and gold flake garnish, it's a photo-worthy end to the meal. There's also a matcha tea pot de crème ($6): a smooth custard made with matcha green tea, mango, passionfruit, and coconut.

GLAM is a setting for a quick morning snack or a leisurely multicourse dinner with friends. The space is small but cozy and chic, accented in purple (Miller’s signature color) and highly Instagrammable. All foodies — carnivores and herbivores alike — would love it.

The world needs more of Erickson’s plant-strong creations. We could all do a bit more green living — and animals do matter.

GLAM. 3301 NE First Ave., Miami; 786-864-0590; glam-vegan.com. Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.