USA
Vegan? Yes Please!
A peak into St. Peterburg’s hottest new restaurant
by Daniel Smajovits
It’s not every day that a former bodybuilder, turned Emergency Medical Technician, with no classical culinary training, can transform an idea borne out of necessity into one of St. Petersburg, Florida’s hottest new restaurants – but owner and chef Thalia Tatham has done just that.
Opened in March 2022, House of Vegano has taken the Tampa Bay area by storm, delighting vegans and non-vegans alike with its unique take on Asian cuisine. Located in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District, each menu item is entirely plant-based, ranging from their signature sushi rolls to dumplings, ramen and even poke bowls.
With an equally unique décor, including a floor made entirely of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, diners are in for an incredible culinary and visual experience, one that will have them returning for more.
A short 15-minute drive from the spectacular beaches of St. Petersburg, House of Vegano is an absolute delight for patrons, offering up light and delicious options, using a variety of mushrooms as the foundation for most of its dishes and rolls. Tatham provides a masterclass in Vegan cuisine with each bite – transforming mundane vegetables and fruit into five-star delicacies.
On our visit, we had a sampling of rolls, including the Spicy Toona, which featured marinated tomato, avocado and cucumber, the Still I Rise, anchored by spicy krab (king oyster mushroom) and the unique Burg, named after St. Petersburg and featuring both lion’s mane and king oyster mushrooms. Complementing these rolls were hearty dumplings filled with soy protein and portobello mushrooms as well as a range of juices and kombucha which paired perfectly with our meal.
Truth be told, we were far from the only non-Vegans dining that evening, as seemingly every other table remarked how their meal tasted identical – or even better than – the real thing. While undoubtedly a gem for all those customers whom follow a Vegan or Kosher lifestyle, House of Vegano will become a go-to for locals and tourists, regardless of diet.
The inspiration for House of Vegano stemmed from Tatham’s personal challenges. After being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Lupus in 2007, she lived with in pain until the pandemic, where she began to experiment with a plant-based diet. Almost immediately, her life changed for the better and within a few months a new Thalia – and restaurant blossomed.
A must-visit for all tourists, House of Vegano is located at 1990 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg. Reservations are recommended. Should you not have access to a car, delivery is also available.
