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Heartbeat
The Top List of Veggie Restaurants - New York, NY
New York boasts a wealth of vegetarian eateries.
by Regine Zamor & Curtis Hagedorn
"Vegetarian" is a term that is often up for grabs. The simple "nothing with a face" requirement has given way to variations including non-ovo (no eggs), non-lacto (no dairy) and vegan (no egg or dairy.) These are further supplemented by macrobiotic (primarily "whole" foods) and organic (foods grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) Yet we all know some vegetarians who occasionally eat fish, or even chicken. A nine-year-old "vegetarian" friend of mine has carefully planned his regime to include only macaroni and cheese, bagels, "plain" pizza, French fries and candy (the eating philosophy better known in the adult world as "carbohydrate addiction.") The only thing that seems certain about vegetarian dining is that the "nutburgers" and lentil loaves of the Fifties and Sixties have given way to cuisine that offers a multitude of dining experiences to the adventurous eater. New York, naturally (pun intended), boasts a wealth of vegetarian eateries. Included here is a representative sampling from hundreds of restaurants which are strictly vegan and/or macrobiotic, restaurants which are primarily vegetarian but offer choices of the ovo and lacto variety, and restaurants which pride themselves on their vegetarian selections, or which have substantial vegetarian menus in addition to "foods with faces." This means that the savvy veggie can pretty much find an adequate, if not downright exceptional meal within a half-block radius of wherever they happen to be standing. Add to that the proliferation of "Korean" Vegetable Markets, the City's 24 Greenmarkets, and other purveyors of fruits, vegetables and health foods large and small, and you'd have to say, contrary to popular belief, that New York City fairly blooms.
WILD GINGER
380 Broome Street, New York 10013
212-966-1883
Being a Vegetarian has never been this good. Wild Ginger’s Pan-Asian Vegetarian cuisine isn’t just tasty to Herbivores; meat-eaters also dine at this innovative downtown spot consistently. The soy protein tastes just like chicken, and you’ll be delightfully surprised at the scallion pancakes. Drop in or order a lunch special to be delivered, and you can catch one of the best deals around. For about 8 dollars, a miso soup, spring roll, and full meal will leave you filled for the entire day. Each entrée comes with a pumpkin slice, brown rice, or coconut rice, laced with raisins. Vegetarian or not, Wild Ginger is easy on the palette and your wallet.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Counter
105 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
212-982-5870
Walking into this art deco and semi mod restaurant it’s almost a surprise that such a joint with a wide circular bar, and hip decoration could be Vegetarian. The décor, knowledgeable staff and auburn hue all make Counter feel like a hip wine bar, and that’s exactly what it is- a wine bar, martini bar and Vegetarian restaurant. On top of being a Vegetarian wine bar the food is definitely different from the normal health food type of place. You can grab gnocchi, a raw food napoleon, pasta, mushroom ravioli, and one of my favorite appetizers, hummus. All types of sandwiches and gourmet foods are available at Counter, along with breakfast and brunch. Experiencing the lower east side’s Counter can create a habit, but everyone in New York looking for Vegetarian chic should try it at least once.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
DRAGONFLY
47 7th Ave, New York 10014
212-255-2848
Dragonfly has something for everyone on its menu. Although not a full Vegetarian or Vegan restaurant it still incorporates one of the best Vegetarian menus. Dragonfly is awesome in a sense that its cuisine contains Filipino, Thai, Malaysian and Chinese style food. Without having to go to four different places, there are 4 different choices for the undecided and an entire section dedicated to non-meat eaters. The Soy nuggets and fries is the most basic of the dishes, but are remarkably delicious. Other Vegetarian meals include the steamed chicken served on a bed of garlic spinach, vegetable stir-fry, etc. The menu is quite as diverse as the clientele at 7th avenue’s dragonfly.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
RED BAMBOO
140 W 4th St, New York 10012
212-260-7049
The Red Bamboo is a Vegetarian Soul Café. On popular West 4th street, this eatery combines Vegetarianism with soul food and has one of the most eclectic and tasty menus in New York. Eating at the Red Bamboo almost makes you feel like you are not a Vegetarian with the soy meats that are prepared to perfection. Meals made with beef, chicken, and pork are all made of soy but have a flavor and texture that can bring you back to when you used to eat meat, except this time its not. Operated as a family business with over twelve years in the business, The Red Bamboo is a haven for Vegetarians in food preparation, flavor and style.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
THE UPTOWN JUICE BAR
54 W 125th St, New York 10027
212-987-2660
Right on 125th street in the heart of Harlem is a staple of the community and it comes in thee form of a Juice bar. The Uptown Juice Bar has been around NYC since the mid-90’s and has attracted patrons from downtown to Brooklyn looking for that hearty Vegetarian meal. Though small and informal, the Uptown Juice Bar is an all organic and West Indian eatery that also creates pastries, cakes, and famous Jamaican “coco breads”, except here they are made with veggie hot dogs, fish and bacon inside. Soy chicken stir-fry, collard greens, chickpeas and Vegetarian chili are only a few of the daily choices at this popular venue. The menu is changed everyday and for a not so hefty price, you can have yourself a healthy and hefty meal.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Open, New Years Eve-Open
ANGELICA KITCHEN - Vegetarian & Vegan
300 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-2909
Hours: Lunch and Dinner every day, 11:30 am - 10:30 pm
Mention this restaurant at your next yoga class and listen to the chorus of satisfied sighs, particularly from those annoying class members whom you thought were twenty-something who recently revealed they were in their forties. Angelica Kitchen enjoys a magical reputation among veggies, as much for its serene atmosphere and friendly staff as for its vegan/macrobiotic menu, on which nearly 100% of the selections are organic. Angelica is spacious and offers a large communal table for single diners or those whose enjoyment of nature's bounty embraces Alice Waters-y spiritual overtones. The menu itself is eclectic, with a variety of ethnic flavors and seasonal selections in addition to mainstays like Walnut Lentil Pate (served with rice crackers and tofu sour cream), Garlic Mashed Potatoes (divine, but non-veggies may miss the heavy lashings of cream and butter of conventional restaurants) and "create your own meal" platters of such mix and match basics as beans, hijiki and tofu with a variety of garnishes, sides and sauces. Other items to die for include 7-grain croquettes resting in a cloud of butternut squash, "Dragon Bowls" of tofu, greens, beans and grains, hearty sandwiches of seitan and barbecued tempeh, and an ever-changing menu of soups and salads. Everyone in your party will be able to find something to intrigue them, and to share and, best of all, Angelica's quality food, atmosphere and genuinely down to earth service comes at prices that anyone who wants a new lease on their eating life can well afford.
Estimated Cost Per Person For Dinner: $15-$20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day - Open, Valentines Day - Open, Easter - Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Closed, Christmas Day, Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
CANDLE CAFÉ - Vegan
1307 Third Avenue (between 74th and 75th)
(212) 472-0970
Hours: Lunch and Dinner every day, M-Sat: 11:30am - 10:30 pm, Sunday, 11:30 am - 9 pm.
Way up on the Upper East Side (not exactly traditional vegetarian stomping grounds) is the Candle Café, an outpost of creative vegan cuisine in the midst of gourmet chocolatiers and high-priced charcuterie. However, since vegan has its pecking order like every other cultural phenomenon, you might say Candle is where the non-dairy-crème de la non-dairy-crème of vegan society meets and greets. The menu is spectacular and 99% vegan (they admit to calcium caseinate in the soy cheese, god bless them) starting with some excellent and soul stirring juices -- Green Goddess of mixed greens, apple, lemon and ginger, and the Candle Cocktail, with carrot, celery, beet, cucumber, parsley, spinach, kale and ginger -- designed to whet the palate and clear the mind. There's also a selection of protein enhanced fruit smoothies, a citrus-y flu and cold fighter and very LA shots of wheat grass. Lunch and Dinner selections are equally cutting edge -- try the Paradise Casserole with layers of sweet potato, black beans and millet, surrounded by steamed greens and served with mushroom gravy. Or the Aztec salad -- trendy quinoa, black beans, red onions and sweet corn in a roasted tomato vinaigrette, scattered with pumpkin seeds and grilled tempeh for crunch and served over mixed field greens. There are also delectable pasta dishes in the form of Summer Vegetable Lasagna (with herbed tofu ricotta) and Penne Primavera, and a number of stir fries and steamed dishes, including the Macrobiotic Life Platter -- brown rice, daily vegetables, daily beans, steamed greens and hijiki, served with a choice of two homemade sauces. There's a fantastic salad called Living Crunchy Sprouts, and vegan variations on Asian dumplings, Middle Eastern hummus and babaganoush, and Mexican quesadillas. Start with a veggie juice, devour an entrée and finish with a melon cooler or soy cappuccino and you'll understand why savvy veggies are so willing to travel to East 75th to worship at Candle's culinary altar.
Estimated Cost Per Person For Dinner: $20-$25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day - Closed, Valentines Day - Open, Easter - Open, Thanksgiving - ADM, Christmas Eve - Closed, Christmas Day, Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
HEARTBEAT - Vegetarian
W Hotel
541 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 407-2900
Hours: Lunch and Dinner every day, 11 am to 11 pm
It's well nigh impossible to write about New York restaurants without mentioning Drew Nieporent, and this article is no exception. His latest inspiration, along with rising star chef Michel Nischan, is Heartbeat, a restaurant that originally was to feature completely fat-free food, but wisely settled on its current mix of healthy and vegetarian offerings, prepared with the theatrical flair and explosion of unusual flavors that characterizes most of Mr. Nieporent's restaurant offerings. The space, located in East Midtown's W Hotel, is spacious, elegant and serene. The same could be said of the menu -- never was "health food" presented so glamorously -- again, the bill of fare does include some "face food" so when in doubt about the vegetarian provenance of a dish, ask! For lunch, try the organic vegetable consommé with sage dumplings and the roasted roots and baby green salad. A glass of mineral water and perhaps one of the restaurants myriad of teas (more about that later) and you'll feel as though you're ten years younger. There's also a heartier grilled tofu with scallions and barley miso, the perfect partner for the simple green salad with lemon herb vinaigrette. Or try the sweet onion risotto with pan roasted vegetables and mushroom syrup -- rarely has a vegetarian dish made so many diners breathless with anticipation. You can also make a lunch of the expertly prepared sides of roast vegetables, brown rice, wilted greens or onion risotto. Dinner adds an Asian pear salad with tamari pecans and maytag blue cheese to the appetizer menu, as well as a spectacular plate of grilled and roasted vegetables with texmati rice and beans. For non-vegans, both lunch and dinner have spectacular seafood choices, including chilled oysters on the half shell with osetra caviar, and steamed black bass with saffron artichoke broth and beluga lentils. Finally, a rotating assortment of both healthy and decadent desserts is supplemented by the real story -- a magnificent selection of spirit-enhancing teas (accompanied by the advice of a tea-sommelier, James Labe) including Gold-Tipped Assam, Silver Needle, Iron Goddess of Mercy and others just as obscure and of a quality that is ten heads and shoulders above your common cup of Lipton. The menu is quite extensive, and seasonal, so expect to be delighted by more creativity from the kitchen every time you return.
EMPIRE HUNAN SZECHUAN LITTLE TOKYO DRAGON WOK DELIGHT PALACE YUM YUM GARDEN, et al - Vegetarian
(New York's Chinese Restaurants)
There's one on every corner
Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, depending upon location
It would be a shame to write on article on vegetarian restaurants and not include the daily mainstays of New York's vegetarian cuisine -- the family-owned Chinese (and Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese) restaurants which abound in just about every neighborhood and, uniformly, serve reasonable quality food at reasonable prices. While menus vary, there are always a number of vegetarian appetizers available, including sesame noodles, fried vegetable rolls, spring rolls and vegetable dumplings. Vegetable entrées available at most locations include Broccoli with Garlic Sauce (it was in a NY Chinese Restaurant that I first discovered broccoli was not that brown mushy stuff my mom heated up out of a can,) Bean Curd (tofu) Szechuan Style and lots of other styles, Vegetable Fried Rice, Vegetable noodles -- fried, steamed, in soup, in sesame sauce -- and my favorite -- fantastic sautéed string beans (a great thing to bring to a pot-luck: four orders of Chinese sautéed string beans -- without meat -- dumped in a rustic bowl and topped with some scallions and toasted sesame seeds from the veggie market. People will think you're a master of Chinese cooking -- and why correct them?) Some restaurants, like my own local Hunan Delight (on the corner and 6th Avenue and Union Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn) have a complete, separate vegetarian menu, including faux favorite meat dishes like "Taro Chicken a la King," "Curry Chicken Coconut Flavor," "General Tso's Chicken" and a long list of greens -- spinach, mustard greens, bok chow -- and tofu dishes like Sesame Tofu and Tofu with Garlic Sauce. Brown rice is usually available to accompany all dishes. So the next time you're in search of vegetarian cuisine, either head to Chinatown for a head spinning number of selections, or try out the restaurant that's sure to be within eye-shot of wherever you are in New York. Chances are you'll be more than satisfied.
Estimated Cost Per Person For Dinner: $15
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day - Open, Valentines Day - Open, Easter - Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day, Open, New Year's Eve - Open
NEW YORK'S GREENMARKETS - Vegetarian
24 in all (ones dealt with here, Union Square, every day, 8 am - 6pm, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, Saturdays, 8 am- 6 pm)
For vegetarians interested in going directly to the source, scattered all over New York City are a chain of greenmarkets, large and small (for complete information on all 24 markets, go to NYC Council on the Environment website, www.cenyc.com) featuring food directly from growers and purveyors in the tri-state area. The largest, in Union Square, is a place of wonder -- at every time of year, stands featuring vegetables and fruits of the season, herbs, flowers, natural jams, jellies and honey, cheeses, milk, breads, and other natural baked goods, juices, organically grown meats, naturally dyed wools, fabrics, handcrafts and the like surround Union Square park. Come prepared with a wad of cash and a large market basket (preferable with wheels) to carry home your bounty, start and one corner and allow yourself an hour or two to make the complete rounds -- it's crowded and first come, first served, with heavy stroller and dog traffic adding to the mayhem. For a slightly calmer experience (and a great "subway vacation") train early Saturday morning to Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza (at the entrance to Prospect Park.) Here you'll find about 20-25 different growers featuring the freshest of seasonal vegetables, Bread Alone Bakeries remarkable loaves and pastries, Ronnybrook Farm Dairies milk, chocolate milk, yogurt, butter, crème fraiche and ice cream, as well as heavy cream that will hold up a spoon. There's also a huge flower and plant stand, a fruit and vegetable grower that makes their own amazing apple, pear and grape cider (and sometime mixtures like apple peach if you're there on a good day) served ice cold in pints and quarts, huge bunches of flawless basil perfume the entire air, fresh peas ready for shucking, just picked corn on the cob, organic jams, jellies, cakes, pies, foccacia for one, the list is endless. Bring a basket with plates and utensils, buy yourself an alfresco picnic and, once you've shopped, head for the wilds of Prospect Park just a few steps away to enjoy Frederic Law Olmstead's rolling hills, meadows and glades and the best of what small farmers from New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island and Upstate New York have to offer. This may well be the very best vegetarian experience of all.
Holiday Schedule: Closed on all holidays
There are so many more unique vegetarian dining experience in New York that I hope that you'll seek out the following on your own, uptown, downtown and all around City: Helianthus, Souen, Bachue, Tiffin, Vatan (with an amazing interior designed to resemble an Indian village), Veg City Diner (vegetarian meets the Diner phenomenon), Zenith, Tien Garden, Sacred Chow, Brownie's Health Foods (where Andy Warhol shopped), Quantum Leap, Brooklyn's Veggie Castle (in a renovated White Castle restaurant), Kate's Joint (another East Village institution) and the Whole Earth Bakery and Café.
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