We’ve all heard of the Impossible Burger, the veggie burger that bleeds like real meat. Available at thousands of restaurants in the US, its existence is hardly news. What is new is what chefs are doing with Impossible Meat. Chefs around D.C. are using Impossible Meat to come up with some seriously innovative dishes, everything from dumplings to cheesesteaks to meatballs. I went and tried as many impossible meat dishes as I could find in the city and I am full – literally full, but also full of recommendations.
The Source’s Impossible Dumplings
When I first ate these dumplings I told Chef Scott Russell he should patent them. Chef doesn’t mess around; he stuffs the dumplings with just seasoned Impossible Meat, no veggies, no fillers. The result is a super dense, meaty dumpling. The wrapper is crispy and savory, and the filling has just the right amount of umami. If you only try one Impossible Meat dish, this is the one to go for. The dish is available at lunch, brunch and dinner.
Look out for Chef’s Impossible dan dan noodles too, where noodles come swirled in a spicy sauce and topped with impossible meat.
American Son’s Impossible Hash
As a frequent traveler, I am always irritated by hotel breakfasts offerings. It’s always pancakes, fruit and breakfast pastries. Can I get some variety? Something with vegetarian protein? Eaton Hotel must have heard the thoughts I was putting into the universe, because America Son, located in the Eaton Hotel, is serving up a dynamite impossible hash, available through room service or at breakfast/brunch in the restaurant. It can come with or without an egg, but it includes Impossible Meat, potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions, cooked together and topped with fresh herbs. It is comforting and satisfying, an ideal vegetarian breakfast dish. The Eaton Hotel is also serving impossible chili on their rooftop bar, Wild Days, which comes complete with vegan chicharrones and queso.
Farmers & Distillers’ Impossible Meatloaf   Â
I have never had meatloaf before. As the child of Indian immigrants, meatloaf was one of those American dishes that my parents thought was weird, and not something we ever had at home. As an adult, I became a vegetarian and so the time to have tried meatloaf was gone. Until now. Farmers & Distillers is a proud server of the Impossible Burger, and it looks like they decided to get creative with their Impossible Meat. The dish is what it sounds like: Impossible Meat is molded into meatloaf, smothered in tomato sauce and served with a side of green beans and mashed potatoes. It’s not my favorite preparation of Impossible Meat. It’s heavy and dense, and the sweet tomato sauce is kind of overpowering. You would be better off just ordering the Impossible Burger, which is crispy, meaty and delicious.
Call Your Mother’s Impossible Cheesesteak
Call Your Mother is currently the most popular spot in town. On weekends, people line up for their freshly made bagels. If can go on a weekday, or are willing to wait in line on the weekend, and you don’t feel like one of their delicious bagels, I highly recommend the Landsman sandwich, essentially a vegetarian cheesesteak. Impossible Meat is cooked with heaps of peppers and cheese, served in a warm, housemade challah roll with chips and a pickle. It is rich and decadent and buttery and cheesy and divine. It is the best hangover dish I have ever had. I was actually a little hungover when I had it, and I have never been so satiated.
Radiator’s Impossible Meatballs
In my quest to sample all the different Impossible Meat – centric dishes around, I came across these meatballs and it was one of my favorite uses of the Impossible Meat. Pasta comes swirled in a creamy tomato sauce and topped with three hefty, herb-infused impossible meat meatballs, crowned with pillowy flakes parmesan cheese. The meatballs add just the right amount of beefy heartiness to the dish.
