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BEST VEGAN HANGOUNTS IN NEW YORK CITY

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These places are a must visit for a voraciously vegan experience in NYC

The city of uncounted dazzling skyscrapers just had a blackout moment due to a massive power outage where the speakers fell silent at Jennifer Lopez's concert and the ever flashing Times Square went in the dark. But the New Yorkers as always were at their best. Now that the city and people are back in spirits, let us talk about another significant movement which people in this mega city are really lapping up - 'vegan lifestyle'. 

Coming a long way from its bland roots, this cuisine has evolved into a cult of sorts and to keep up with the momentum, we bring you the best places in NYC that are a part of this Revolución vegana.

Avant Garden, East Village

Arriving at a time when New York diners were hungry for more upscale meatless options, this restaurant is the brainchild of an Indian Italian restaurateur Ravi DeRossi and provides an unforgettable gastronomic experience by giving vegan food some well-deserved polish. Ideal for a romantic rendezvous, Avant Garden envisions a very much earthy and organic tone with rustic tones and dim lighting and with an endeavour to make the establishment sustainable, the restaurant has as much reconstructed furniture as possible. Boasting of a delightful Cold/Toast selectionranging from pineapple tartare with macadamia nuts and yuzu to elevated avocado toasts and butternut squash with caramelized shallots and puffed rice and a tantalizing Hot selection with scorched cauliflower with toasted garlic, fried capers, and cauliflower purée or spiralized celery root with gremolata and crispy shiitake mushrooms and many such delights, Avant Garden intends to serve an out of the world experience and we nod in cognizance.

Photo credits: The Infatuation

Kajitsu, Murray Hill

Kajitsu owner Shuichiro Kobori conceptualised an experience that went beyond honouring the art of an ancient Japanese Buddhist Cuisine-Shojin Ryori, to an edible museum of sorts, which celebrates devotion to haute Japanese food. Set in the serene neighbourhood of Murray Hill, Kajitsu, meaning “A day of Celebration” in Japanese, leaves you feeling enlightened and revitalised through its food as well as its spare décor which believes in enlightenment through asceticism. Aligned with the theme, the décor is minimal, and most pieces like the carved wood trays, the hammered metal chopstick rests and sake pitchers are handmade, replete with small chips, these vintage ceramics show signs of repair, and their age underlines transience of the seasons, using seasonal produce like porcini, morels lotus root and sansho buds and blossoms, menu is an art of both anticipating the season as well as showing off local ingredients, this Zen-like approach to food has definitely made us ardent devotees!

Photo credits: Kajitsu

Candle 79, Upper East Side

Continually rated as one of the best vegan restaurants it is at the forefront of a movement to bring elegance to vegetarian cuisine, birthed by a need for fresh, wholesome and vegetarian food, Candle 79 by Bart Potenza and Joy Pierson is like an oasis in a city built on burger, hotdogs, and pizzas. With two intimate floors for dining, this elegant and cosy restaurant is a reflection of its eloquent neighbourhood and even with the shortage of choice in select fresh produce; the restaurant churns out innovative recipes such as Chickpea Crepes, Ginger-Seitan Dumplings, Live Lasagne, Chocolate Mousse Towers, Cucumber-Basil Martinis and its signature dishes like Black Bean Pumpkin Seed Burger and Spaghetti Wheat balls are an absolute must-have! Certified as New York’s first Green Restaurant, it showcases its commitment to locally grown organic food with style and great service.

Photo credits: Eater NY

Peacefood Café, Upper West Side

Founded in 2009 by two vegan enthusiasts, Eric, an antiques dealer, and Peter, an interior designer who believed that the awareness of non-violence can be spread through feeding people with delicious vegan food, Peacefood Café has a philosophy that is as minimalistic as its name, that peace begins on your plate. A vegan spot that even has your carnivorous friends craving, Peacefood strives to serve cuisine that is “transformational, healthy and delicious; prepared and served with mindfulness, gratitude and the intention to nurture.” 

The airy and spacious setting boasts of a décor that is calm and lovely – sage green walls, soft lighting, iron baker’s racks, and wall hangings. Relaxing music adds to the vibe of the place and even when the restaurant is packed to capacity, the only word to describe it is ‘peaceful’.

Photo credits: Peacefood Café

With Veganism being the fastest growing lifestyle movements in the US, we would happily be caught at a food blackout in one of these places. What about you?



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