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Red Bamboo

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:46:02 -0400

140 W 4st

New York, NY 10012

Vegetarian Soul Food

Dine-in($$)

(212) 260-1212

This is another post for the faux meat lovers. Red Bamboo is a small restaurant in Greenwich Village that provides a rare choice of vegetarian cuisine. They take aim at meat free soul food. The menu has a few items that contain dairy products but they are clearly labeled and the staff is happy to provide you with information on how they can present it to you vegan. Their seafood is convincing and their faux meat is both crave satisfying and inducing. The menu is asian inspired but delivers in its southern style dishes. The food was good enough to satisfy the omnivore relative that I went with. Below are some vegan food options that I had and would recommend:

Southern Fried Chicken(Ask for Vegan Version)
Crab Rangoons
Fried Shrimp

Other menu items I noticed:

Pork Chops
Popcorn Shrimp
BBQ Ribs
Chicken Parmesan
Creole Soul Chicken
Stewed Beef Medallions
Vegetarian Salmon
Milkshakes
Desserts from Vegan Treats in PA.

Green House Cafe

Thu, 09 May 2013 23:17:00 -0400

7717 3rd Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11209

Continental Cuisine

Dine-in($$)

(718)833-8200

This was a pending post from last year. I have finally been able to visit this restaurant and now I wish I had done it a very long time ago. Rooted in the heart of Bay Ridge, Green House Cafe is a restaurant that many locals visit. Being vegan, I have always walked by it without any expectation that they would have something for me to eat. My parents one day told me that they offered vegan options after dining there with their friends. This piqued my interest. I paid their website a visit where I once again thought that they would not have anything desirable for me to eat. Do not trust the website. Trust me.

The restaurant has a server that is vegan. Years ago the server started passing ideas and thoughts to the chef. These ideas have become regular dishes. Not only do they have many vegan options but they are continuously experimenting with new desserts and entrees. Vegan culinary experimentation in Bay Ridge? Yeah, it blew my mind too.

Vegan items are not on the menu.

The regular vegan entrees include:

Chicken Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan
Tofu Stuffed Pepper
Dessert of the Day (ex. Chocolate mousse pie with cookie crust)

Specials include:

Ravioli
Penne Alla Vodka (Experimental)

I look forward to seeing what else they come up with. So should you.

I'm Back

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:34:50 -0400

For good this time. I return with weekly posts and a few modifications to the blog to make it more practical. Previously, I had it planned to highlight vegan friendly locations one neighborhood at a time. Now, the locations will not be localized to one area or organized into a pattern. The posts may be localized in New York or another place entirely since I travel at times. For those who are searching for a vegan spot in a certain area, simply search #Veganyte and the area of interest(ex. #VeganyteWilliamsburg). Thanks for following. I’ll see you next week.

Return

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 01:08:58 -0400

I return on May 2nd with new reviews and vegan spots. Sorry for the delay. And thank you for following.

Hunan Delight

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:52:00 -0400

752 Union St

Chinese dine-in ($$)

1(718)789-1400

Discreetly resting on the corner of 6th avenue, finding this location proved to be a delight. Being a big fan of vegetarian meats, I was excited to see that this restaurant had not just a vegetarian selection but a complete vegetarian menu. The contents of the menu are delivered to you by fast friendly service and you have the choice of sitting cozily inside or at their street side seating. There has never been a wait or problem when dining here. Try some of these vegetarian delights found on the menu:

Soups(Veg wonton, spinach/seaweed and Bean curd,etc…)
Vegetarian Duck Appetizer
Housemade Vegetarian Meat Entrees

The V-Spot

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 15:22:10 -0400

156 5th Avenue

Vegan Latin Cuisine

Dine-in($$)

1(718)622-2275

“I do not know where to begin”. “I am speechless”. These are the words that I used when I had my first dining experience here. The V-Spot will always have a place in my heart. Whilst an up and coming vegan, V-Spot was the first completely vegan restaurant that I visited. The first visit satisfied my lingering cravings. This mattered a great deal to me because I did not yet have the will power to ignore such cravings and find full satisfaction in the vegan food that I was taking in on a daily basis. Years later, I return to V-Spot regularly not because of the cravings but because of the fantastic dining experience. Every time I return I bring family and friends that are not vegan. If there are people that believe eating vegan is not for them, this is the place to take them. I say this because after taking omnivores initially, they have wanted to return themselves because of cravings that they have for it. Omnivores craving vegan food!

V-Spot was built up in every way by young brothers Alex and Daniel along with their father. Their hard work and obvious talents are no doubt the reason why they have seen such success. Supplying pre made food to cafes, festivals and even Fresh Direct, V-Spot is a flower that will keep on blooming rapidly. Visit. Bring Your appetite. Bring your friends. Bring your cravings. I am confident V-Spot will become a favorite of yours too.

Highlights from the menu(all homemade):

Empanadas(Various Kinds)
Nachos
Burritos
Philly “Cheesesteak”
BLT
Lasagna
Buffalo Wings
Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

Incredible Desserts, Shakes, Juices and Drinks are available.

Also, be sure to check out their brunch on weekends, special events such as pizza parties and comedy shows. For more details, message me or “like” The V-Spot on Facebook.

Song

Thu, 31 May 2012 09:51:09 -0400

295 5th Avenue

Thai Cusine

Dine-in($)

1(718)965-1108

Advertising itself only with blue spot lights at its entrance, Song is a popular place to dine in the Park Slope area. Attracting people with their low prices, quality ingredients and modern interior, Song has become a regular spot for locals as well as my friends and family. Becoming Vegan required that I look at the familiar menu differently. In the past I ordered a Tofu dish and on two occasions I found CHICKEN in my food. A few free meals and discussions with the manager later, this problem has not reoccured in years. Over the course of time they have started serving brown rice, vegetarian specials on occasions and now even serve vegetarian duck. Avoid weekends to avoid the crowd.

Some menu times to consider:

Summer Rolls(specify vegetarian)
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Tofu Pad See Yu(Specify no egg)
Various Tofu noodle dishes
Tofu and Chinese Broccoli-Favorite(change from oyster sauce to other)
Vegetarian Duck

Vegan Friendly Bagel Shops in Park Slope

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:32:22 -0400

Freshly baked hand rolled New York Bagels cannot be beaten. The only other thing to ask for is a dairy free cream cheese option. Ask no more! The locations below have variations of tofu “cream cheese”.

Bagel World

339 5th street

1(718)499-1143

La Bagel Delight

284 7th avenue

1(718)768-6107

'sNice

Tue, 08 May 2012 22:39:00 -0400

315 5th avenue

Cafe/Sandwich Shop($$)

1(718)788-2121

Saying it ‘snice is an understatement. The interior (or exterior if it’s warm) is comfortable for a naturally brightly lit cafe and the service is quick and competent. This one was found not by me but by my mother some time ago. Knowing I am in the habit of collecting menus, she brought it home to me one day after walking by. I was excited to see the list of Wraps, Heroes, Soups, Salads and Beverages that they offered. My excitement only grew when I went there personally and saw their vast selection of Vegan treats. All menu items are Vegetarian and most of them can be made Vegan. Below are a few of the many examples. I highly recommend paying ‘sNice a visit. It is one of my favorite places to get a quick healthy lunch and sometimes an indulgent snack.

“Meatball” Parm Hero -Favorite
Sesame “Chicken” Wrap-Favorite
Tofu Triple Decker
Curried Cauliflower Wrap
Tempeh Reuben
Cuban Panini
Philly Cheese “Steak”
Thai Salad
Autumn Salad
Breakfast Burrito
Assorted Homemade Desserts
Almond/Soy Milk Shakes

Pizza Plus

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:02:48 -0400

359 7th Avenue

Dine-in($-$$)/Take Out($-$$)

1(718)768-5327

I know you crave New York Pizza. I did too, until I found Pizza Plus. I have tried many vegan pizzas from various locations that I have yet to write about. However, It was not until I ate at Pizza Plus that the search for New York Vegan pizza ended. The combination of the homemade dough and sauce with daiya cheese surfaced a comfort that satisfied my nostalgia. Even, to my surprise, the whole wheat dough provides the unique New York pizza experience. I have eaten here many times with my best omnivore friends and we have always left happy. We each ordered our own customized pizza. I firmly suggest paying Pizza Plus a visit. The interior is comfortable and the delivery is pretty fast. Below are some highlights from the menu:

Vegan Cheese Pizza
Whole Wheat/Gluten Free crust optons
Vegan toppings(pepperoni, sausage,vegetables, etc…)
Vegan Soup of the Day
Vegan Rolls(Broccoli Roll, Pepperoni Roll, Spinach Roll, etc…)
Assorted Salads

Next Area Of Focus: Park Slope

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:30:00 -0400

Thursday. 10am.

Greenhouse Cafe

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:27:25 -0400

7717 3rd Avenue

1(718)833-8200

Stay tuned for more information on this location. I was told by the staff that they have Vegan chefs but have been unable to dine here to experience it for myself.

Chopstix

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:20:00 -0400

8405 5th Avenue

Sit-in/Take Out/Carry Out($-$$)

1(718)238-1300

Chopstix is a local Chinese restaurant that I have visited regularly since I was younger. The interior is kept modern, service pleasant and the food was always very tasty. After becoming Vegan, it took me a few visits to realize the options they had for me. Usually getting tofu and broccoli, I then realized that they had more to offer me. Below are some of these items. These items are spread throughout the menu and not under any certain category. Chopstix will not disappoint you or your omnivore friends. Check out the lunch specials if you are there from 11am-4pm.

Appetizers

Vegetable Spring Rolls
Vegetable Dumplings
Scallion Pancake
Endamame
Mock Eel(Braised Shiitake Mushroom)

Entree

Mock Chicken-Favorite(Braised Wheat Protein)
Sizzling Tofu Dish
Country Style Vegetables

Sushi

Avocado Roll/Cucumber Roll
Inari Sushi

The Owl's Head

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:00:00 -0400

479 74th Street

Wine Bar($-$$$)

1(718)680-2436

New to myself and Bay Ridge, this wine bar feels as if it belongs in Williamsburg. Being that I love Williamsburg and Williamsburg loves vegans, I felt very comfortable at this establishment. My friends and I were able to choose from a variety of Wines and Six Point Beers. Immediately after finding out I was vegan they made known to me the many vegan options that they had. This included Chocolate and a plate of assorted raw macaroons. Meanwhile, my friends shared a cheese plate. Everyone was content. With a warm interior and a menu that will comfort any diet in several ways, The Owl’s Head is worth a visit.

Dragon China

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:52:32 -0400

7917 3rd Avenue

Take Out/Carry Out/Sit-in($-$$)

1(718)238-2202

Dragon China is a fairly new and surprising discovery of mine. I have a habit of picking up menus everywhere I go. One day I was walking to Apple Tree(see previous posts) and I swiped a menu while passing by Dragon China which so happens to be next door. From the outward and inward appearance of the place, I expected it to offer the basics of the average take out Chinese restaurant. Instead, I found an entire section dedicated to vegetarians. They offer vegetarian soups and a variety of faux meat dishes. Eating inside is not at all glamourous but the food is worth a try. Especially for the pricing. Below are some of the options that they offer. The vegetarian meats are infused into many dishes. If you decide to go, take a gander at the lunch specials.

Sliced Vegetarian Beef and Chicken
Vegetarian General Tso Chicken(Homemade fried balls of soy protein, wheat protein and ground vegetables)
Triple Delight(Plate of every Vegetarian meat with Vegetables)
Vegan Soups(Tofu Vegetable, Veg Wonton, Miso and Tofu Seaweed)

Great Wall Supermarket Group

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:02:00 -0400

6720 Fort Hamilton Parkway

Shopping($)

Warning: This supermarket has tanks and barrels full of living beings that they sell by the pound for food. They also feature a large selection of Meat. It is hard to avoid seeing this while there. If seeing this would bother you, I would suggest you avoid shopping here. Previously a movie theater, Great Wall is a large authentic Chinese market for food. Located in the vicinity of China town, local residents are constantly in there shopping. As you have no doubt noticed while dining out, Asian restaurants are great places to find a satisfying meal. Great Wall, following that truth, turns out to be a hotspot for fresh and semi-prepared vegan food. The prices are very cheap and the ingredients are often natural and simple. Below is a list of some things I found. This list barely scratches the surface.

Various Chinese Green/Sea Vegetables
Vegan Mochi
Tofu Skin(3ft in Diameter)
Tofu in bulk
Variety of Vegetable Buns
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Scallion Pancakes
Mock Chicken
Shredded Tofu Noodles
Spring Roll/Vegan Sushi ingredients

Vesuvio

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:38:00 -0400

7305 3rd Avenue

Dine-In/Take Out($$)

1(718)745-0222

Like other establishments in Bay Ridge, Vesuvio has the humble beginning of a family owned restaurant. Established in 1953, the owners found delight in feeding and treating their customers as if they were family. Over five decades later, this restaurant still draws a regular flow of locals inside and is constantly sending deliveries out of its doors. Pleasant to eat at home or in the restaurant itself, Vesuvio has a taste that separates itself from the rest. This unique quality is there in part because they provide specialty pizza’s that are not found in average pizzeria’s. Additionally, the menu covers to some extent all Italian cuisine from homemade pasta to foccacia so your omnivore friends will have no difficulty in finding a satisfying meal. Your Vegan self can consider the pizza’s below. They are surprisingly satisfying even without a Vegan cheese substitute.

Bruschetta(Fresh Tomato, Basil & Garlic on Thin Crust)-Favorite
Foccacia(Plum Tomato, Olive Oil & Oregano)

Klein's Ice Cream House

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:15:00 -0400

3614 15th Avenue

Dessert($-$$)

1(718)972-0222

Yes, it exists! I had to keep repeating that to myself when I discovered this one. As an ice cream parlor for both vegans and omnivores, this location also serves as the factory and headquarters of Klein’s Ice Cream. This factory ships their one of a kind ice cream to many vegan restaurants as well as to Klein’s other small ice cream shops. Here you can find vegan ice cream along with traditional ice cream. A majority of the residents in the area have made a religious decision not to eat meat and dairy at the same time. This being the case, the dairy is dealt with carefully and is separate from the non dairy items. Klein’s is not exactly geographically proximal to the locations of my previous posts but given the weather, it would be worth the trip to get there soon. There is unfortunately no seating area but they have much to offer a person no matter what their eating preference may be. The prices are low, the ice cream is fantastic and your friends will think so too.

Below is a list of most of their stock items.

All items are available Vegan or non Vegan.

Soft Serve Ice Cream(Vanilla, Chocolate, Peanut Butter…)
Scooped Ice Cream of various flavors
Toppings(Sprinkles, Nuts, Cookies, Chocolate shells, Fudge…)
Ice Cream Cones(Waffle, Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cones…)
Ice Cream Cakes of various designs and sizes
Tubs/Cartons of Ice Cream in different sizes and flavors
Kettle Corn
Fruit Smoothies
Milk Shakes
Banana Splits/Ice Cream Sundaes

Nature's Grill

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:00:00 -0500

7417 3rd Avenue

Take Out/Carry Out($$)

1(718)680-6900

Nature’s Grill boasts itself as a “health conscious kitchen” but it disappoints in many areas. The “health foods” are actually on the brink of becoming comfort foods. For Vegetarians and Vegans the options are limited and these options are best used as a last resort because of their unsatisfying dull flavor. The only strong point at this location in the chain is their juices. The service is always slow, the wraps are undesirable but the juices are crave worthy. Most impressive is that you can watch and see the fresh vegetables being juiced right in front of you during your lengthy wait.

Wraps:

Veggie Roll
Protein Vegetarian Wrap
Sesame Tofu Wrap

Sandwiches:

Veggie burger
Tofu Sandwich
Vegetarian Pita Sandwich
Vegetarian Panini

Favorite Juices:

Iron Plus(Kale, Broccoli, Beet, Apple Carrot)
Bone Builder(Cabbage,Broccoli, Kale Celery)
Lower My Cholesterol(Ginger, Garlic, Spinach, Carrot)
Popeye(Broccoli, Celery, Parsley, Spinach)

Apple Tree Natural Market

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:02:00 -0500

8002 3rd Avenue

Shopping($-$$$)

1(718)745-5776

This store has saved a Vegan many times. Located in the heart of Bay Ridge, Apple Tree has anything you may need to be an herbivore. Although prices are slightly higher than they are at Fairway or Whole Foods, this local store has specialty items in stock that cannot be found anywhere else in the neighborhood. With friendly and personable service, the owners will gladly order anything that you may need or that they have run out of. Pay a visit to Apple Tree and support the Locals at the same time as your Lifestyle.

Items of interest:

Vegetarian meats
Daiya cheese and other Vegan cheeses
Bulk products(oatmeal, texturized vegetable protein, etc…)
Bragg’s products
Nutritional Yeast
GT’s Kombucha
Gluten-Free products
Vitamins
Vegan Sweets

The list can go grow to an unbelievable length. If you are looking for something, you can be confident that your search will end here.