Borough Vegetarian

Dirt Candy - The Mecca

Dirt Candy is the best restaurant in New York City.  And it may be the best restaurant in the world.  

Think I am nuts?  Hopefully this post will help convince you that I am on to something, even if you don't reach the exact conclusion that I have.

Dirt Candy is a cutting-edge, all vegetarian restaurant now in Manhattan's Lower East Side after many wonderful years in a super-tiny space in the East Village.  We had dined once at the original location, having tried to get a reservation for months, for what was then I believe was a four-table restaurant.  The wait and anticipation were definitely worth it - in addition to me loving all three of my vegetable-based courses, my husband also loved his meal despite the lack of meat or common meat substitutes.  

Dirt Candy's offerings, as you are about to see, are like no other vegetarian restaurant or really no other restaurant I have ever been to.  Vegetables are the star of each dish, and you can really, really taste them with amazing herbs, sauce, and other-vegetable accompaniments.   And unlike too many vegetarian restaurants, you don't leave feeling either hungry from the lack of hearty food or disgusted by the amount of fat and grease used to flavor the dishes.

Ok, to the food.  Our recent visit to the bright, new-ish Lower East Side location started with a serving of bread - which like everything Dirt Candy does, was unique and super delicious.

Yes!  This multi-colored, moist bread is infused with vegetables - beet, carrot, and greens - and served with a room temperature savory whipped butter.  Already, this feels like it's going to be the best meal ever.

I also ordered the Poolside Breeze cocktail, which was a perfect blend of cucumber and alcohol - such that my husband ordered one after I did because he liked it so much.

Our first ordered dish to come was the Korean Fried Broccoli, which was very spicy and complex with the sesame seeds, scallions, and cream on top of the barbecue sauce.  The broccoli was also a perfect base because it retained its crunch despite being breaded and fried.  I could eat five orders of this appetizer.

Our next small plate to come were the Curried Fries, which while being perhaps the least amazing dish we were served, were also pretty darn tasty.  The "curry" flavor was sweeter and more cohesive than many I have had at Indian restaurants, and the fries were somehow really great with the fresh paneer (cheese).  Both the crisp and soggy parts had enough flavor to make the texture ultimately irrelevant - hard to achieve with any french fry dish!

Now, to the larger plates, starting with the Eggplant, which was described as "mapo eggplant" with baby bok choi, pea shoots, and "eggplant sformata."  Not really knowing what the last item is, this dish also blew us away, despite our well-documented love of Sichuan food.  The pea shoots added a crunch and lightness to the eggplant, which was cooked multiple ways, including very lightly fried.  The dish could have perhaps been slightly spicier, but again, really well done with the textures and Chinese flavors.

Our final main course were the brussels sprout tacos, which were recommended "to share."  The brussels sprouts were prepared two ways and served on a sizzling stone, which kept them hot throughout our eating.  Accompanying the tacos were not only the condiments you'd expect at most traditional Mexican restaurant - jalapeños, crema, queso fresco, radishes, tomatillo salsa, and limes, but also the quirk of thin tortilla strips to add into the lettuce wrap tacos.  In addition, while I described the condiments as being what you would expect at other restaurants, what you wouldn't expect is the superb quality within each and every one of these tiny bowls.  The onions were perfectly pickled, the crema was perfectly tangy, the queso perfectly smooth, and the salsa - oh my.  How does Amanda Cohen do it??  So far, she has outdone Korean, Indian, Chinese AND Mexican restaurants.

Now to the dessert - "onion" which was comprised of a light and creamy chocolate tart with multiple forms of onion - pureed sweet onion within the tart, charred onion on the side, and I'm sure other variations of onion that I couldn't perceive!  Also really well done, though the crispy onions had a slightly gummy texture that I didn't fully enjoy.

Go to Dirt Candy as soon as you can.  Write a comment below.  But more importantly, enjoy one of the most unique restaurants in New York City!

Dirt Candy

86 Allen Street, btwn. Grand and Broome

Lower East Side, Manhattan

4 - 5 blocks from the F train at Delancey, and the J/M/Z at Essex St.  Approx. 4 blocks from the B/D trains at Grand Street as well.

Hillstone - Chain Restaurant with a Great Veggie Burger

When you read a description of the chain restaurant Hillstone, whose website boasts sushi and steaks, a great veggie burger is definitely what would NOT come to mind.  Like too many chain restaurants, I would have imagined that Hillstone would treat vegetarians as either an anomaly or an annoyance.  

Hillstone rises above its chain competitors by serving one of the most complex (and massive) veggie burgers I have ever had - not only in NYC, but around the country.  Their veggie burger combines savory and sweet with black beans, rice, beets, and a "soy glaze" to really nail a well-rounded meal (or three, based on my leftovers).  

They also don't skimp on the burger add-ons like many places can do with veggies burgers, with a good amount of jack cheese, ripe and vibrant tomatoes, onions, pickles, and shoestring fries complementing each order.  And even better for someone who suffers from nut allergies, the Hillstone veggie burger is nut-free!

They also have a number of other vegetarian options on their menu, but why bother?  The veggie burger is that good!

There are two Hillstone locations in NYC:

Hillstone - Midtown East

153 E. 53rd St. (entrance at corner of 54th / 3rd Avenue though)

1 block from the E/M at 53rd/Lexington and 2-3 blocks from the 6 train at 51st

Hillstone - Flatiron

378 Park Avenue South (at 27th)

1 block from the 6 train at 28th Street

Casa del Chef - A Gem in Woodside, Queens

Casa del Chef has made a splash on the Queens dining scene - and for good reason.  The restaurant is a great combination between a high-end, Manhattan-esque seasonal restaurant and the homey, immigrant chef-owned restaurants that otherwise populate the borough.  

And what makes Casa del Chef that much better is that the chef and his family are more than accommodating of food restrictions, including allergies and vegetarianism.  My group of friends opted for the 4-course tasting menu (includes dessert) and despite being the only vegetarian, I didn't feel like I was an oversight.  Each of my dishes was wonderfully crafted and perfectly in season with the early June crop.

Our courses started with a complementary shot of a sugar cane liquor, which wasn't overly sweet despite it's origins and instead was fairly refreshing.

My first course was a rich mushroom construction in a mushroom broth.  Despite my general aversion to mushrooms, I really enjoyed this dish because the mushroom flavor was very deep without the mushrooms themselves being too heavy (my chief complaint with mushroom dishes).

My second course was probably the most reminiscent of dining in a high-end, seasonal restaurant - an asparagus risotto which was light, completely fresh, and flavorful.

My main course was a seared tofu on top of fresh spring peas / beans.  I don't fully remember what the contrasting flavor was on top of the tofu, but my memory is definitely wanting to lick the plate - great dish, albeit maybe slightly big (is that even a proper critique?).

To close our meal, we all got the same dessert - a strawberry sorbet dish which was really fantastic, and again, perfect for the time of year.

We'll definitely be returning and our only fear is that when we arrived for our 8:30pm reservation on a Thursday night, we were the only diners in the restaurant.  Queens - don't let this gem close down!  

Casa del Chef

39-06 64th Street

Woodside, Queens

Approx. 3 - 4 blocks from the 7 train at 61st Street

North Fork Inn and Table - Good Excuse for a Trip Outside the City

This past Memorial Day, we followed in the footsteps of many other city residents by choosing to retreat to a more "peaceful" locale outside of NYC.  

In our case, we went to the North Fork of Long Island for the weekend and stayed in Mattituck, which provided us easy access to the rest of the North Fork and its many wineries and restaurants.  Although we had several good meals while on Long Island that weekend (including the great Love Lane Kitchen in Mattituck itself), our most anticipated meal, which also lived up to our expectations, was at the acclaimed North Fork Inn and Table in Southold.

We took my in-laws there to celebrate their 40th anniversary with a quiet lunch away from the rest of the family.  "Peaceful" is definitely the right word to use to describe the experience, from driving into Southold, to the quiet, simple dining room and the accommodating staff.  We started our meal with the "breakfast breads" which included a scone, muffin and sticky bun.  Each were fantastic and well-portioned.

While everyone else ordered a meat-based dish for their main course, I settled on the housemade cavatelli with mushrooms and ricotta.  It was great - the pasta was firm, and there was a good combination of savory from the mushrooms and herbs and sweet from the ricotta.  The only downside was that the health serving of ricotta may have made the dish too heavy, but I wasn't really one to complain during our relaxing, out-of-town weekend :-)

I look forward to returning during our future visits to eastern Long Island!

North Fork Inn and Table

57225 Main Road

Southold, NY

The restaurant is located 15 minutes (by foot) from the Southold LIRR station.

Gramercy Tavern - Adding to the Chorus

Gramercy Tavern is a NYC dining institution, known for its seasonal fare in a beautifully decorated historic building.  I visited Gramercy Tavern for the first time this spring, and my friends who had raved to me about the restaurant were certainly not exaggerating.  Gramercy Tavern is a great restaurant for special occasions, and in a city with a plethora of vegetarian-friendly options, it remains a special treat for vegetarians as well.

The first thing I noticed upon entering the restaurant was their gorgeous flower arrangements throughout the restaurant.  I can confidently say that this experience led me to ask, for the first time in my life, "Who does their flowers?"  Stunning - I wish I had taken a picture!  

I started my meal (a lunch) with a beet salad, topped with a few light garnishes - great way to start my lunch as the beets were perfectly balanced between firm and soft, and the sweetness of the beets was nicely offset by the herbs and popcorn on the dish.

I then ordered the Emmer Pappardelle with radicchio as my main course, which also was relatively light and fresh for a pasta dish, particularly one comprised of a stronger wheat base.  The staff also expertly handled my nut allergy and omitted the walnuts that would otherwise come with the dish.

While dessert would have been a little much for lunch, I definitely look forward to returning to Gramercy Tavern for either a heavier lunch or dinner in the coming months.  Just to look at the great flowers again seems like reason enough to return!

Gramercy Tavern

42 E. 20th Street (btwn. Park and Broadway)

Flatiron, Manhattan

A short walk from the N/R at 23rd Street, or a slightly longer 7 - 10 minute walk from the 4/5/6/N/Q/R/L trains at 14th Street-Union Square, or a 10 minute walk from the M/F trains at 23rd Street.

Venturo Osteria - Surprisingly Strong Neighborhood Restaurant in Sunnyside, Queens

Venturo Osteria is one of the few restaurants in Sunnyside, Queens to have "broken out" from local attention and received recognition from citywide/national sources like the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand list.  While some restaurants are certainly befitting of such recognition, others can too often underwhelm despite the reviews.  Thankfully, Venturo fits in the former category and is a great choice, particularly for vegetarians, in western Queens.

Venturo's seasonally based menu often has a number of vegetarian appetizers, pastas and pizzas, and their brunch is a vegetarian delight with a range of sweet and savory options.  While I have sampled their dinner options a few times over the past year, what I really get drawn to over and over again is Venturo's brunch.

Their chocolate french toast is better than most I have had, as is their rich buttermilk pancake (served in a griddle), farro bowl, and brunch pizzas.  

And another great feature of Venturo's brunch or dinner experiences is that there is rarely a wait for a table, with a back patio adding space to the wood dining room during the warmer months.

Venturo Osteria and Wine Bar

44-07 Queens Blvd.

Sunnyside, Queens

A block or two away from the 7 train at 46th Street, and accessible from the Q32 and Q60 bus lines.

Telepan - Great Seasonal Restaurant for Special Occasions

Earlier this spring, I made my way with some friends to Telepan, a popular local, seasonal restaurant on the Upper West Side.  While I usually don't spend a lot of time in this neighborhood, our great weekend meal at Telepan may be reason enough to head uptown more often.

True to their marketing, the dishes I had perfectly fit the late winter/early spring eating season.  I started my meal with the seasonal homemade mozzarella dish, served on top of lentils with some delicate mushrooms:

Slightly salty and sweet - yum!  My next course was the beet gnocchi, which I was slightly skeptical of when ordering, but turned out to be great.  Light, fluffy and another great balance between savory and sweet.  

The service at Telepan was also excellent, with the waitstaff easily accommodating all of our various food allergies and preferences.  We also sampled some of their cocktails, which also featured seasonal ingredients and were really tasty.  I definitely look forward to a return visit - likely for a special occasion given how tough it can be to get a reservation during peak dining hours and the high quality of the food and service.

Telepan

72 W. 69th Street

Upper West Side, Manhattan

Easily accessible from the B/C trains at 72nd Street or the 1/2/3 trains at 72nd Street.

Dimes - A Downtown Vegetarian-Friendly Delight

Dimes is a popular downtown Manhattan restaurant that features a wide range of vegetarian-friendly dishes.  When I first went to Dimes I was struck by three, somewhat related features: one, the restaurant was incredibly small (maybe 8 - 10 tiny tables).  Two, it got incredibly packed by 6:30 or 7pm on a weeknight.  Three, the food and cocktails were actually really, really good - nice unexpected flavors that kept the dishes interesting.

I visited Dimes when it was located on Division Street, and it has since moved to Canal Street.  I don't know how much bigger (if it all) the restaurant may be.  So the first tip I would have is to get there early - the waits really seem to add up the later you get into the evening.

The second tip is to share dishes with your fellow diners.  I was definitely surprised by the depth of the dishes my friend and I ordered, and I would recommend trying to sample across dishes.  My meal was anchored by the "spicy quinoa" main dish, which featured an array of fresh and cooked vegetables, chickpeas, cheese, and a tangy sauce.  The dish seems to rotate vegetables and sauce based on seasonal availability, and my winter vegetable dish was really wonderful and filling.  

The third tip I have, assuming that the Canal location is similar to the Division location, is to not to expect much personal space in the restaurant.  My friend and I were seated at the only available table early evening on a weeknight, and we were definitely in very close quarters with the other diners (e.g., had to move our chairs when folks from adjoining tables were getting up).  It was still a very pleasant dining experience, but just a warning for those expecting another type of intimate dining experience!

Dimes

49 Canal Street

Chinatown, Manhattan

Closest to the F train stop at East Broadway, perhaps 10 minute walk from B/D at Grand Street, and J/M/Z at Essex

Sage General Store - No Frills, Vegetarian-Friendly Spot in Long Island City

Sage General Store is a popular casual eatery in Long Island City, Queens.  I first went to Sage General Store for a quick coffee/pastry a few years back, and have since found myself there a few times this past year as it is a great Queens weekend brunch option for folks coming in from Manhattan.  

In addition to a number of vegetarian options on the menu, the kitchen is also quite accommodating in removing meat from existing dishes when feasible.  As such, I've sampled both some of their vegetarian and made-to-vegetarian brunch fare.

My standard order is the New Mexico pizza without chicken - the crust is a little dry, but the ancho chile sauce and fresh avocado make it a great, light lunch treat.

I also unexpectedly liked the "Big Mess" sandwich without bacon (pictured above).  While it is typically served on their homemade cheddar biscuits, the afternoon some friends and I ordered it, they had run out of biscuits and served it on toast instead.  My unexpected enjoyment from the sandwich relates to the inclusion of egg in the sandwich - I am generally not a big fan of egg-based breakfast sandwiches, but this version is pretty good, albeit rich with the cheese.

And one can never go wrong with their fresh fruit salad!  

The one other brunch menu item that I have been wanting to try is their chilaquiles - hopefully they can make that without meat as well!

Sage General Store

24-20 Jackson Avenue

Long Island City, Queens

Just a few blocks from the E/M/7/G trains at Court Square, a 10-minute walk from the E/M/R trains at Queens Plaza, and a slightly longer (15 minute) walk from the N/Q/7 at Queensboro Plaza

Beecher's The Cellar in Flatiron - Insanely Amazing Cheese Meals

When I first went to Beecher's The Cellar, the underground sit-down restaurant under the NY outpost of the famed cheese shop, I didn't fully know what to expect.  Sure, I thought their range of mac and cheeses would be good, but how good could they truly be?  What resulted during my first bite was the immediate recognition that Beecher's makes the best mac and cheeses I have ever tried.

My first visit to Beechers featured both the kale/"lil peppers" and the balsamic/mushroom/fennel mac and cheeses.  I don't really like mushrooms, and balsamic in such a dish just seemed odd to me, but this mac and cheese was perfectly balanced with sweetness and cheesiness.  The kale and lil peppers (pickled Italian hot peppers) mac and cheese was also great for a heat-lover like myself and the pickled peppers added a nice vinegary-flavor to the dish as well.

And what could potentially top these amazing cheesy treats?  The marinated cheese curds!  These spicy but light cheese curds are the perfect way to snack before or during a Beecher's meal - and despite the worry I expressed to the waitress about whether getting both would be "too cheesy," the consistency of these fresh curds didn't lead to overkill at all.

I would eat at Beecher's multiple times a week if their food wasn't so obviously heart-killing.  Instead, I have to restrain myself to only a few trips a year, which each time are really wonderful.  Warning for those visiting during weeknight evenings though - there can be a wait, so grab a reservation beforehand if you can.

Beecher's The Cellar

900 Broadway (at 20th Street)

Flatiron, Manhattan

Just a few short blocks from the N/R trains at 23rd Street, and a slightly longer 10-minute walk from the F/M trains at 23rd Street