NYC Vegetarian Restaurants ... now including the BWW List

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:08am

Ever in search of restaurants that are at least vegetarian-friendly, I thought I would share what has arguably been my best discovery ever. We ate at a place called Candle 79 (E. 79th east of Lexington) the other night and it was shockingly terrific, especially for a vegan establishment. They specialize in tempeh, but have lots of other things. Everything we tried was outstanding, and was normal enough that I would take my carnivorous kids there for a special meal without hesitation. It's classy, comfortable, and has a great wine list.

There is also a less pricey Candle Cafe on E. 74th, but I haven't had a chance to go there yet.

Updated On: 7/22/06 at 11:08 AM

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:09am

Iflit, head down to the East Village and give Counter a try. It's actually Vegan but they sort of disguise that fact.
They have a wonderful wine list too, all small organic vineyards.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:25am

I checked out Counter's website and it does, indeed, look good. I'll be checking it out soon.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:34am

I have a whole list of them, Addy. one of the (perks?) of dating a vegetarian.
Also incredibly close to Counter is Caravan of Dreams, where I had possibly the best vegetarian dish I've ever had. The East Village also has Angelika's Kitchen.
The West Village has a fun little place called Sacred Chow that is very good and there's even a vegetarian sandwich shop called 'Snice. Those sandwiches are damn impressive.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:53am

Though not exclusively vegetarian, Saigon Grill has tons of vegetarian dishes and is the neighborhood favorite restaurant, very reasonably priced, in the Upper West Side. Two locations:

Upper West Side
W. 90th Street at 620 Amsterdam Avenue

Upper East Side
E. 88th Street at 1700 Second Avenue

All kinds of fun veggies plus some unusual ones like lotus root, okra, little eggplants.

Some dishes are spicy but they will make it to order without spices or without anything you don't like in it like without garlic, basil, peanuts, baby corn, whatever. If you want a veggie added they will give it to you for a small charge. They let you add tofu to a dish for like one dollar. You can order a dish made in a different sauce if you like, tamarind.

[If you eat seafood they have great Bouillabaisses and seafood dishes. I like their shrimp wanton soup and get it "not spicy." They have wonderful spare ribs and a tender steak dish called "Bo Luc Lac." Also chicken and pork so a vegetarian can go there with anyone and everyone will be happy.]

If you get their (coconut) sticky rice, make sure to get them to bring you some dumpling sauce on the side to pour over it (no charge). That makes it a tastebud dazzler! Updated On: 7/19/06 at 11:53 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 12:06pm

I can't wait for the Candle 79 video piece on Iflit's Picks!

[RobbO]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 12:20pm

you'll have to wait. i hear TGIFriday's is next as it is the #3 tourist destination in NYC.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 12:25pm

can i get bacon wrapped chicken fried steak stuffed with chicken ate any of these places?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 12:26pm

Have you tried the potato skins? A flash fried goat zygote still in its amniotic sac "watches" you enjoying them from the edge of your plate. MMmmmmm, yum.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 12:28pm

oh god, goat zygote. i am a drooly mess right now, thanks to you namo.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 4:30pm

Zen Palate on 16th has delicious and affordable vegetarian fare.
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/listings/restaurant/zen-palate01/

[orion59]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 7:21pm

Oh Papa, have I got a recipe for you.

French Fry Spam Casserole

Recipe By : The Great Taste of Spam
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Casserole

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
32 ozs frozen french fried potatoes -- thawed
2 c fat-free cheddar cheese -- shredded
2 c fat-free sour cream
10 3/4 ozs low-fat cream of mushroom soup
12 ozs Spam® Lite luncheon meat -- cubed
1/2 c bell peppers -- chopped
1/2 c onions -- chopped
1 c white bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a 13 x 9" pan with cooking spray; set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine potatoes, cheese, sour cream, soup, luncheon
meat, bell peppers, and onions. Mix well. Spoon into prepared pan. Sprinkle
with crumbs. Bake for 40 minutes, or until heated through.

Serve in a martini glass. Baby octopus garnish is optional.

They serve this at restaurant here in Boston which is the number one tourist attraction in the city. People come from all over New England to sample the Nouvelle Cuisine Spam dishes.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 7:43pm

my favorite vegetarian place in the city is chennai garden on 27th & lexington. its not a neighborhood i am usually in, but its worth the special trip for their giant mushroom masala dosa!!!!!!

its really fun to bring someone there for the first time to see their eyes go BOIIIIIIIIIIING when the dosa is brought to the table!!!

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:07pm

Its more of like a stop by cafe sort of place - there are a bunch of them throughout the City - PAX..it has really good vegetarian options, although there aren't THAT many options..but I lean toward the vegetarian side and don't mind eating there AT ALL! :)

btw, this is a great thread - I'm learning some new places to go for the next time I'm in the City :)

[courtnyj]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:13pm

Anything near the theatre district? Something "sit-down" preferably. My family's coming to town in November. They're gonna see thier first Broadway show and I'd like to treat them to a nice dinner and we're a vegetarian family.

And thanks for all the ideas mentioned above I'm excited to check those places out!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:57pm

another great place is RISOTTERIA!!!
their specialty is gluten-free options (i am allergic to wheat)...everything @ Risotteria is blissfully gorgeously wonderful...except for the seating...theres usually a wait...but its soooooo worth it!!!!

i cant say enough about the orgasmicness of the porcini, sweet corn & white truffle oil risotto!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RISOTTERIA's site w/ online menu (they need some better web design!)

[wexy]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:10pm

Zen Palate in Union Square is pretty good.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:05pm

iflitifloat, that's funny! I live right on 79th street, just a 2 second walk from Candle 79! It is my absolute favorite restaurant. I used to go there 5 times a week, alternating with Il Riccio right next door.

Candle Cafe is good too, but it's more of a salad/lunch place than a dinner place. Still amazingly good.

I am obsessed with those restaurants, and I'm so glad you like it too!


There is a great vegetarian restaurant on 48th between 8 and 9 called ZENITH that is wonderful - the best mock meat you'll ever have.

Zen Palate in Union Square is good as well - much better than the one in Hell's Kitchen.

The Life Cafe is decent, though they used to have some really bizarre, fantastic dishes, they have dropped them for more popular non-vegetarian favorites.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 7:31am

Courtnyj, there are a couple of options. I don't know the one Munk mentioned (Zenith) but there is also a Zen Palate on 9th Avenue (sit in the "bar" area, the food is better than the sit-down area) and somewhere around 46th st. Also, if you like Ethiopian, there's a GREAT place called Queen of Sheba on 10th avenue between 45th and 46th. It's absolutely amazing. Get the (I'm blanking on the name, sorry) big piece of bread that has small portions of all the vegetarian options. So very good.

[marlomanners]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 8:51am

There is a new organic vegan restaurant on 9th Ave. in Chelsea called Blossom that has some of the best food I have ever tasted. It was really incredible.

I ate at Counter three years ago and never went back. It was over-priced, the portions were small, and the food was mediocre. Maybe they had an off night, but I have not had any desire to return.

Red Bamboo on West 4th has great food, especially if you ever miss comfort-food stuff like fried chicken - they have the best fake-meat-type food, although it can be a little too close to the real thing sometimes.

If you like Indian food, Vatan is quite an experience and has wonderful food. And all you can eat.

[Corine2]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 10:11am

I love the Cottage Chinese restaurant. They have a large vegetarian selection and will make any dish you want.
I love Stringbeans, Snowpeas in spicy brown sauce.

There are a few locations:
Irving Place- Close the the Vineyard or DR2
Upper West- Close to the Promenade

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 10:21am

I think Zen Palate is overrated. lots of scratch for a tiny plate of food.

I'd love someone to list a good list of these, as i do have visitors from overseas sometimes who are veggies and are used to 4 star places.

[Corine2]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 10:54am

The great thing about the Cottage IFF is you can eat your veggies and your carnivor kids can have what they want.

Plus, they have free wine at the Upper West Side Location.
Personally, it is cheap nasty box wine so when my friends go there we bring our own. A great place and it is dirt cheap.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 12:18pm

I like Karen's (on Astor Place). It's not solely vegetarian, but they have a good vegetarian selection. I'm not a vegetarian but I love their vegetarian chili.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 12:27pm

This has proven to be a goldmine for me! Here's the list that we've compiled, so far:

ANGELIKA'S KITCHEN bwaysinger
300 E. 12th (b/t 1st and 2nd Aves)
http://www.angelicakitchen.com/

BLOSSOM marlomanners
187 Ninth Ave in Chelsea
http://www.blossomnyc.com/
http://www.blogchelsea.com/food-drink/blossom-for-gourmet-vegan-on-ninth-ave/

CANDLE 79 iflit; munk
154 E. 79th (near Lex)
http://www.candlecafe.comhttp://www.candlecafe.comhttp://www.candlecafe.comhttp://www.candlecafe.com
(click on the second part of the link above; then click on first picture and follow link on left to Candle 79)

CANDLE CAFE munk
1307 Third Ave at 75th
http://www.candlecafe.comhttp://www.candlecafe.comhttp://www.candlecafe.comhttp://www.candlecafe.com
(click on the second part of the link above...it's the only way I can get it to work)

CARAVAN OF DREAMS bwaysinger
405 E. 6th
http://www.caravanofdreams.net/

CHENNAI GARDEN n69n
Indian, Kosher, Vegetarian/Vegan
129 E. 27th St. (b/t Park and Lex)
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/chennai-garden/

COUNTER bwaysinger
105 First Ave (b/t 6th and 7th)
http://www.counternyc.com/

LIFE CAFE munk
343 E. 10th Street at Ave B
http://www.lifecafenyc.com/index.shtml

RED BAMBOO marlomanners
140 W. 4th
Indian, Kosher, Vegetarian/Vegan
http://www.redbamboo-nyc.com/menu.html

RISOTTERIA 270 Bleeker St. n69n
Italian / offers gluten-free menu
http://www.risotteria.com/Untitled_67.html

SACRED CHOW bwaysinger
227 Sullivan St (b/t W.3rd and Bleeker)
http://www.sacredchow.com/

'SNICE bwaysinger
sandwiches
45 8th Ave at W 4th
http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?neighborhoodid=0&restaurantid=5860

VATAN marlomanners
Indian - all you can eat
http://www.vatanny.com/

ZENITH bwaysinger
311 W. 48th (near 8th Ave)
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/7143657/h

ZEN PALATE melissa errico fan, munk, wexy
multiple locations
http://www.zenpalate.com/home.htm

Vegetarian-Friendly Places:

BURRITOVILLE iflit
multiple locations
http://www.burritoville.com/burritoville/home.htm

THE COTTAGE Corine
33 Irving Place
360 Amsterdam Ave at 77th St
http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=3056&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=18

KAREN'S on ASTOR #1 Elphie
sandwiches
1 Astor Place (b/t Bway and Lafayette)
http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?neighborhoodid=18&restaurantid=5458

PAX GirlforTartaglia
multiple locations
http://www.healthylivingnyc.com/find-it/business/866/4

QUEEN OF SHEBA bwaysinger
650 Tenth Ave (b/t 45th and 46th)
http://www.shebanyc.com/

SAIGON GRILL nomdeplume
620 Amsterdam at 90th
1700 Second Ave at 88th
http://www.saigongrill.com/

THE VINEGAR FACTORY iflit
431 East 91st Street (b/t First and York)
http://www.elismanhattan.com/vinegar.html

Updated On: 7/23/06 at 12:27 PM