Hello Everyone,
It has been FAR, FAR too long since I have written a piece or posted photos. Whirlwind life! I suppose as John Lennon once said–please excuse the over-quote–“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans”. Thanks for your patience and still coming to my blog, despite my absence. I hope for a revitalization, and I would like to kick it off with some photos from our–my love and I–trip to New York in October. I didn’t get as many pics of food as I would have liked mostly because I was so entranced in the experience–many scrumptious things will be left out in the photo bomb below–so hopefully you all will understand. Also, the photo quality is not quite where I would prefer it to be, but when you are ready to chow down on something delicious, spending too much time taking photos takes away from the experience.
We had an incredible time to say the very least and woah did we ever gormandize the hell out of some food. New York definitely lends itself as a food conscious city, as does Brooklyn. We experienced many delicious meals, enticing desserts, enchanting teas, and some that didn’t really shoot us over the moon.
Welcome to a little taste of our New York dining experience.
We stayed in a sweet neighborhood in Harlem–in a brownstone that was over 100 years old–and a just around the corner was the most amazing tea and spice shop. This was, besides dropping off our bags, the first place we visited and one of the last. As soon as you pass under the threshold of the shop, you’re transported to another world. The baristas were serving mainly tea–you can see the selection of just SOME of the teas behind the young woman below–but my love ordered coffee all THREE times we went, and said it was the best coffee he had ever tasted. Not only do the workers in this shop put great care into every drink they prepare, they have the most open, and caring dispositions. We sat at their bar and chatted with them about New York, and a myriad of other things, their product knowledge was impressively extensive. They offered numerous samples and challenged our pallets with things we had never tried before. Oh, Serengeti, I miss you so! If you’re ever in New York, hop on the sub-way over to this shop, you won’t regret it!
On our wedding anniversary, I was happily surprised with an entire day planned out of wonderful excursions and yummy eats. This was where we had lunch, and it was delectable! All vegan menu, and I added biscuits to my order both times we went–yes, we went twice– because I adore biscuits. The meals we ordered were ‘breakfast’ in theme and I love that they placed water on the table–in large glass bottles with clamping lids–so you could serve yourself when you got thirsty. Below is my love, chowin’ down! I would recommend this place to anyone visiting New York, and in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. Many of the menu items can be altered to food intolerances, sensitivities, allergies or personal choices. This neighborhood has such eccentric character and beautiful architecture, a dreamy scene for sure.
On the evening of our anniversary, we dined in a plant-based, elegant dining restaurant in upper-east Manhattan. Candle 79’s menu displayed a range of items that are locally sourced and sustainably made with attention to organic fare, and doesn’t bock at ingredient opt outs, like soy and wheat. There is also a Candle 79 cookbook , that is highly rated and I’m looking forward to scouring through it. Back to our experience. We were able to get to know the manager of Candle 79, and chat with her about the restaurant and spots in New York to check out, and our server was very pleasant and helpful. After an appetizer and delicious entree–which we ended up trading–we moved onto an astronomical dessert, that left little want for MORE chocolate. We are very fortunate and happy to have experienced such a divine dining experience.
A doughnut shop that teleports you to another time. All I can say is I am not a doughnut person, but these were pretty yummy. Beautifully presented, creative venue with a decent tea selection–earned points for presentation of tea display and in the cup–and had mini cake doughnuts we could take to-go. Williamsburg, Brooklyn has another gem in their midst.
We wrestled up a very hedonistic meal one afternoon, very bumpin’ place.
As with any trip or outing, I must partake in tea time and this trip was filled with tea stops galore. While at Alice’s Tea Cup–a cute and eclectic stop in the upper east side–we had yummy scones and I enjoyed a cleansing herbal tea.
Enlightening plant-based menu, happy lunch stop on a museum day.
Tiny shop in Brooklyn, how you stole my heart. I anticipated this bakery for quite sometime before our departure to New York, and my expectations were exonerated with happy smiles and pleased taste buds. This was easily, one of the tastiest doughnuts I’ve ever had, and my love felt the same way, and he’s a doughnut guru. We ordered the nomnoms you see below, with a couple of things to-go because we couldn’t resist. Babycakes represents another food-sensitivity conscious bakery that are becoming ever so popular, and to my happy surprise, they were flourishing with business. If you’re in the lower-east side near China town, don’t miss this place!
Known for serving the first cappuccino in all the US, this dark and broody caffè was a wonderful place to write a postcard or letter–which I did! While sipping on some hot apple cider, and a pumpkin latte for the mr., we enjoyed the sounds and chatter of Greenwich village in a place that felt timeless. Our energetic and Italian barista was a joy to be around and took some very lovely photos of us–with what seemed to be a family member–before we departed. Ciao!
Located in East Village, this was our kind of New York Pizza, covered in mushrooms, onions, garlic and so much more, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Wonderful variety of pizza, mostly plant-based, some with diary, and a couple of gluten-free. Fantastic!
Bhatti Indian Grill
This exquisite Indian restaurant was an accidental find on our way to a planned-out dinner excursion. I’m glad we stumbled upon this place amongst the other fine Indian cuisine restaurants in this neighborhood. We enjoyed a range of items from the menu and left not surprisingly stuffed, which I normally would never recommend, but in this place, you can’t resist!
No. Sleep. Till Brooklyn
Before Beyond Sushi , I can’t remember the last time I had a beautiful, fresh and yummy sushi roll. These were completely plant-based and out of this world, delicious. Very aesthetically pleasing and packed with veggie sauces and pastes that help boost their nutrient content. Although this place is like many eateries in New York, small and intimate, the service was wonderful and we lucked out with a table. A must try place!
My husband and I shared our last meal at Pure Food and Wine and I’m so pleased we did. Masterfully put together raw dishes, fresh, on-tap kombucha, and a tower of chocolate–literally. This is another extension restaurant–which seems to be very popular in New York–and Pure Food and Wine is represented by two books.
There are a number of other amazing plant-based places to get your gormandize on while in New York, but I won’t list them all. Send me an email or comment below if you’d like more insight on the places I’ve talked about in this post or want more ideas for other places to check-out. Our list is pretty extensive. ^____^
Overall, our New York consumption was incredible. When I was in doubt, I turned to my kombuchas, raw slaw, and power snacks by Navitas. This trip taught me so much about the inner-connections of the food community and the awareness of some and necessity of others to challenge their daily thoughts about what they’re eating and how we really can make a difference if we have the resources. How did this trip teach me this? While in New York, I was able to come in close contact with many individuals in the food realm that showed genuine and true passion for what they were doing. They were well versed on their trade or a topic of their trade and most swelled with a deep since of pride. It was contagious and electrifying! Upon departure from New York, I am more inspired than ever to continue down my path of becoming more connected to the food world in whatever way I’m able to. I gained a confidence in my abilities to communicate with others either in writing, service to the community or in the preparation of meals. And best of all, my husband and best friend has been by my side to charge my mind and heart with positivity. <3
Looking back through all of our many photos and videos, I realized how this trip not only taught me to open up my mind even more, but it implored an even deeper feeling of humility and graciousness in my heart.
On that note, I would like to come to a close by thanking all of those working hard in the food world or trying to get their feet wet in the food world. None of us would be here without you, and we certainly wouldn’t be as well-informed or well nourished. You all are phenomenal.
And remember…bite responsibly!
With love, gratitude and in health,
RAM