Vegetarian Eating

Caravan of Dreams 405 East 6th Street, NYC.

Funky, delightful Vegan place. Serves "Live" spaghetti (Juiliened squash and zucchini) and many other wonderful dishes. Prices are moderate, food excellent!

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Quinoa, a grain high in protein, seems to be popping upon menus more and more often.

Artscallion is correct. Also, as it sounds like you are aiming for ovo-lacto vegetarian, eggs will be a good source of protein.

If you are in NYC the Candle 79 on the UES and Candle Cafe on the UES & UWS are pretty good.

Blossom on the UWS, Chelsea and the W Village is excellent, if a bit pricey.

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Candle 79 is excellent, though not cheap. I recommend Blossom as well. My fiance's brother is completely vegan (and I was vegetarian for nearly five years), so I sympathize with trying to eat out. At most places you'll end up paying $30 for a plate of steamed vegetables and rice.

Definitely try to find restaurants that specialize in vegetarian and/or vegan cuisine specifically. Even if you're not a fan of tofu et al, these are the places where you'll find vegetarian dishes that highlight vegetables creatively prepared.

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Updated On: 7/3/12 at 03:27 PM

I've been a vegetarian since I was 12. As a teen I was always warned about the lack of iron and protein, which for me was never an issue as I'm an octo-whatever vegetarian as well (ie I eat eggs and dairy). I've never had major trouble eating out either, though obviously some restaurants will just have one or two pretty basic vegetarian options.

I don't mind tofu, but I really dislike seitan and all the attempts to create meat-free simulacra of meat dishes. If one's objection to meat is--as mine is--largely derived from reservations about the treatment of animals in industrial agriculture and the long-term non-sustainability of beef farming in it's current form, then creating meals that look and taste 'just like beef' is missing the point.

If there is no vegetarian option on the menu, you can always ask if the chef will prepare a vegetarian entree. I've rarely been refused, and sometimes--Jean Georges, for example--been floored (in a good way) by the results. (Jean Georges does get expensive as a go-to option for dining out, of course...)

You do have to get used to paying too much money for what typically is a plate of veggies with pasta or a scoop of grain.

If you can expand your definition of 'vegetarian' to include fish, however, you will find that you can enjoy eating out just as much as your carnivorous companions.

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The fake meat debate has never bugged me, though I know a lot of vegetarian friends who feel the way you do, Addison. I try to be careful with the dairy and eggs I buy--currently I buy from a local farm I know quite well (which is easy to do here in Victoria, but wasn't back in Montreal). I don't buy many faux meat options, but my reasons for being vegetarian do have to do with animal treatment and, I guess, ethical questions, so it doesn't really make sense to me why that's connected to not eating things that are like meat, but aren't--whereas if it was something to do with the taste, I would get it.

If you include seafood (which has its own issues) it certainly is easier.

I had a "vegetarian" friend who said it was ok to eat fish because they don't feel pain when they are killed. HAHAHAHAHA She just wanted to eat fish.

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Aw, at my final Chicago apartment I could walk to Chicago Diner.

I need to step in in defense of seitan. It's not a "fake meat"-it has stood on its own for centuries as a high quality source of protein. It has been a staple of Eastern diets for a long time. It wasn't created as "fake meat" for vegetarians. It was an inexpensive source of protein for people in other countries. It's delicious when prepared well.

Those slamming vegan and vegetarian options that mimic meat dishes are being argumentative. Many vegans and veggies grew up eating meat, so they enjoy the mouth feel of something hearty or chewy that feels like meat. It doesnt make them a bad person. Also, when you go to Candle 79 and Blossom and are treated to a sinfully decadent vegan meal, you feel like a king or queen as opposed to the crap that is thrown at vegetarians and vegans in most restaurants (if I see one more portabella "burger" or vegetable pasta dish I'm going to hit someone!) Chefs have no creativity.

The problem is that most restaurants treat vegetarian (they rarely offer vegan unless they are Asian or Indian) dishes as an after thought. Most restaurants see vegetarian dishes as cheese fests. Many vegetarians are quite overweight. They eat like crap.

While protein is overrated and not as necessary, it serves a purpose. It keeps you fuller longer and helps people eat less who want to lose weight and stay balanced. There are wonderful sources of non meat protein that are rarely offered in restaurants such as quinoa.

Many vegetarians eat too much cheese, bread, rice and potato. They ignore legumes, beans, ancient grains and greens. These are essential.

Whenever I go to any restaurants, I look for basics and try to build a comprehensive meal. A salad doesn't cut it for me.

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Another great place to go for veggies is Westville. The original location in the West Village is the best, but there are also cafes in the East Village and Chelsea. There's a little bit of meat on the menu, but it's mostly vegetarian. The greatest asset is the "fresh market sides" menu. It changes daily, but they offer about 25 different fresh vegetable sides prepared in creative and delicious ways. You can get a single side or a sample of 4 for $14 I believe. It's fun to go with a couple friends and try everyone's sides. So, so good!

Zen Palate is great if you need something fast (and the one in HK has lightning fast delivery). The sesame medallions are awesome.

Don't forget about fast food options like Chipotle. You can get a quick and flavorful burrito there. Hale & Hearty has a great selection of vegetarian and vegan soups. You can't trust soups in many restaurants and waiters will often not know/lie that something isn't made with chicken or beef stock.

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