Dining with Vegetarians in the Big Apple

One of our favorite things about New York City is the wonderful selection of cuisines available...especially for those on specialty diets. We're vegetarians, and New York has numerous wonderful gourmet restaurants catering specifically to vegetarians, vegan, and raw-foodists. Exploring these places is a great treat for us on each trip.

One of the first strictly vegan places that we tried was the famed, Angelica Kitchen, in the East Village. Opened in 1976, this restaurant has been one of the leaders of vegetarian cuisine in the city, and is quite popular with locals and tourists alike. From dishes from Asian inspired to Indian, and meat-like substitutes like seitan, or nut blends. Most of the dishes have interesting names (and several I had to ask to be explained even past the written explanation)...but don't be afraid to ask any questions or for the waiter's recommendation. The staff was very friendly to us and seemed proud of their restaurant and happy that patrons embrace the cruelty-free way of eating.

The selection at Angelica is all fresh, organic, seasonal fare prepared each day with no preservatives, dairy, eggs, or artificial ingredients. The menu changes quite often based on season, availability, and chef's taste, but don't worry because there will always be an amazing and creative selection of dishes to choose from. Everyday there are featured specials from a soup, salad, main dish, and dessert.

A few things to remember before visiting Angelica Kitchen: they accept cash only so be sure to stop by the ATM first, they don't serve alcohol but welcome you to bring your own and won't charge a cork fee, go in with an open mind and open palette as there are many unusual dishes but they're all healthy and worth a try!

• http://www.angelicakitchen.com/
• 300 E 12th St
• Metro stops: L at First Ave or Third Ave
• Open Daily: 11:30am-10:30pm
• Cash Only
• No reservations

An excellent spot for an affordable, chic (and vegetarian) dining experience in NYC is Pukk, a veggie/thai restaurant in East Village. Before visiting the city during our last trip, I'd looked up some highly-rated vegetarian-friendly places to eat near where we were staying in the Lower East Side. Pukk came up a few times, and then after we heard rave reviews from a local, we decided to try it out.

It definitely ended up to be one of our favorite stops on the trip, as it's a fun modern atmosphere with super good food and great prices. Be sure to look hard for the sign as you will pass right by if you're blinking too long because it's a very narrow space. When you go in, the chic simplistic setting may take you by surprise, as it's not the usual decor one thinks of for Thai or a vegetarian cafe. It's very nice though and upscale feeling without the inflated prices or snobby air.

The staff was very attentive and friendly, and quickly sat us and presented us with menus. The menu is filled with plenty of options for all eaters, and we heard a lot of meat-eaters enjoy this place as well. Most of the main dishes come with an option of "chicken", "duck", tofu, egg, or vegetables (the chicken and duck being meat-substitues of course). We ordered a coconut mushroom soup, and the "indy roll" with cucumber, "duck", noodles and tamarind sauce for the starters. Then we shared the pad thai dish with vegetarian duck. It was amazing really, and the presentation was so nice as well.

For the atmosphere, fun area of town, great food, and lovely presentation, the prices were really unbelievable. Most appetizers are around $4-$5, with main dishes $7-$9. There's a full bar available with several signature cocktail mixes with thai flair. If you're a vegetarian or just looking for a fun place to eat in East Village, head over to Pukk!

• http://www.pukknyc.com/
• 75 1st Ave
• Metro stop: 2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
• Open Sun-Thu: 11:30am-10:30pm, Fri-Sat: 11:30am-11:30pm

For a nice evening out at one of New York cities hippest vegetarian restaurants, head to the East Village to Counter. This vegetarian bistro serves amazing dishes in a chic atmosphere including a full bar of organic wines and martinis. This well established spot was opened by Deborah Gavito who originally owned a greenmarket in Union Square. Now, Counter has grown to include a loyal following with a solid menu of fantastic and unique creations.

We arrived without reservations and luckily got a seat. The dining room is a cool place with close seating, nice lighting, and a bustling bar at the center of attention. We carefully read through the drink menu and finally decided on two interesting cocktails...the "Slap & Tickle" with Juniper Green gin, jalapeno, cucumber and lime, and another concoction with concord grapes, gin, and smoked paprika. All the cocktails are made with interesting infusions, complete with organic spirits.

As the menu is made up of "small plates" and "large plates" mainly arranged as a tapas type style, we just ordered a few different dishes that we shared. It was hard to make up our minds as so many of the dish combinations sounded amazing. One of my favorites was the "Local Mushroom Flatbread Pizza" which had chanterelle and porcini mushrooms with a fancy aged cheese and black truffle oil.

Small plates range from $7-$15, and large plates $14-$18. Cocktails are mostly around $12 - $15. You can also enjoy brunch here, or just stop in for a dessert and drink. There is a kid's menu as well, although it seemed more of an adult crowd during our Saturday night stop. Watch out on ordering these small plates and multiple drinks as your bill can really add up, but it's a great place to try out and I'd definitely recommend it.

• http://www.counternyc.com/
• 105 1st Ave (at 6th Ave)
• Reservation number: (212) 982-5870
• Open: Mon-Thu: 5pm-12am, Fri: 5pm-1am, Sat: 11am-1am, Sun: 11am-12am

It's not often that I eat at chain restaurants, but I do make an exception for Le Pain Quotidien, a Belgium bakery and cafe that offers such tasty and fresh items. Begun in Belguim and now opened in countries around the world, there are almost 20 locations in New York City alone, and so it's an easy go-to place for a quick coffee or lunch while visiting the city.

I've been to a few locations in Manhattan, but one of my favorites in the one just off Central Park on 7th Ave and 58th Street. It's usually quite buys, but one normally doesn't have to wait too long for a table, if at all. The bakery section is the first part you'll see when you enter the front door. Many goodies are here to tempt you like freshly baked breads, pastries, and belgium waffles with crunchy bits of sugar baked inside. If you just want something to-go, pick a drink from their bakery menu from coffees to teas, and even organic mint lemonade, and grab one of the breads.

If you choose to sit and stay for a meal, you'll be sat at "communal seating" with long wooden tables where parties sit side by side like a cafeteria. There are also smaller private tables scattered throughout as well. Browse the menu which includes sandwiches, soups, salads, and open-faced sandwiches called "tartines".

Although this place isn't strictly vegetarian, there are a few veggie-friendly options which are very tasty. Plus, the ingredients are very fresh, and some are organic and most of the dishes include a specialty ingredients or some less popular in other chain restaurants. So if you're looking for a good stand-in place you know will be easy to find no matter what section of the city you're in, look for a Le Pain Quotidien, it will be well worth a stop.


• http://www.lepainquotidien.com/
• 922 Seventh Ave (at 58th St) - (Multiple locations in NYC, see website for more addresses)
• Metro stop N, R
• Open 7am - 9pm daily

If you want to get out of Manhattan during a trip to New York City, take a ride to the borough across the harbor. The neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn has quickly become one of the creative hubs of the city, and is filled with plenty to do, see, shop, and eat!

We were recommended to Marlow & Sons by a local Brooklynite who said it was their frist recommendation to give anyone on where to eat. Although we're vegetarians, and this place is known for their meat plates and oysters, she said we'd have a few things to choose from. And even though the menu isn't too large, there were 2 items that were vegetarian-friendly, and they were completely worth the stop! If you're looking for a veggie-friendly menu with los of fun selections like tofu or veggie-stock based soups, you won't find it here, but the few dishes they do offer that are meat-free are incredibly fresh and tasty.

We took the subway from the city to the Bedford stop in Williamsburg, then walked past all the art galleries, vintage shops, and cute cafes, until we reached Marlow & Sons several blocks away. We found it sitting next to a cute Diner restaurant which is owned by the same, and both restaurants share a wonderful outdoor deck area with a handful of seats. Inside, there's a cute little market with fresh bread, cookies, and some packaged natural foodie items. There's a daily special board on the wall, and if you want to sit down for a meal, you'll be lead in the cozy room in the back. Here it feels a bit rustic, fishing-village, but still chic.

The staff was very friendly and attentive, and our waiter explained everything on the menu to us in detail, plus helped us with the veggie dishes. I had their gourmet grilled cheese with several cheeses (that I can't even pronounce), mixed with thyme and melted on hearty sliced of a walnut and cranberry bread. It was served with a garden fresh organic arugula and mixed greens salad with a simple vinaigrette. There's a full bar, great wine list, and a wonderful assortment of carefully selected cheeses, meats, and sandwiches.

• http://marlowandsons.com/
• 81 Broadway (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
• Metro stops L at Bedford Ave.; J, M, Z at Marcy Ave.
• (718) 384-1441
• Open: Breakfast (daily) 8am-12pm, Lunch( Mon - Fri) 12pm-4pm / Brunch (Sat & Sun) 12pm-4pm, Dinner (daily) 5pm-midnight