Vegetarian's Paradise 2

Here are some more dishes from Vegetarian's Paradise 2. It's located at 144 West 4th Street. VP2 is a vegetarian (almost entirely vegan) restaurant specializing in Chinese Cuisine.

Corn Chowder Soup

Why do I love this soup so much? It's just a salty, starchy broth with bits of corn, tofu and mushrooms. There's not much to it. And yet I can't resist ordering it every time I come to VP2. I always get the small, which is plenty big enough to force me to take some of my entree home with me because I'm too full. I think this soup might not be for everyone, but I have to recommend giving it a try because I love it. -Jim

Siu Mai

Mmmm. I wish I had some of these babies right now. Lately, we’ve been ordering the Siu Mai everytime we come to VP2, and this time the outcome wasn’t any different; they were warm and delicious. They’re little dumplings with an exceptionally tender outside and an open top. Inside are soft and savory veggies and mock meat. I don’t know how else to describe them other than delicious mush with meaty surprises. They’re served with a salty-sweet dipping sauce. Did I mention YUMMMMM? -Ev

Sugar Cane Drumsticks

The Sugar Cane Drumsticks at VP2 are the mellowed-out cousin of the Buffalo Wings served at Red Bamboo. Both are made from the same mock-chicken, which has great texture and is yummy. But while the Red Bamboo wings are covered in rich, messy BBQ sauce and served with tangy dressing, the Sugar Cane Drumsticks are simply breaded and served with a chili sauce. Just because they're more mellow, though, doesn't mean they're not good. And at the core of each drumstick is a piece of Sugar Cane. The Sugar Cane doesn't actually affect the flavor of the drumstick, but it's still a neat little touch. -Jim

Coconut Shrimp

I can’t remember the fancy name for these, but you’ll be able to spot them on the appetizer menu. I always get nervous trying veggie seafood, ever since a particularly barftastic run-in with mock calamari a few years ago. These were mega-jumbo shrimp. The flavor was surprisingly shrimp-like and the texture more so. I enjoyed these, but overall I’d prefer them with a different coating. The coconut was tasty but verrry crispy and crunchy. I appreciate that they were trying something funky and different, but these would rock with the same panko coating that they use on the soul chicken. -Ev

Broccoli with Black Mushroom

This is not one of the more exciting dishes you can order at VP2. In fact, it might be the least exciting. It's just broccoli and mushrooms sauteed in a brown sauce. But after all the fancy, soy-based appetizers, we wanted something light and simple, and this fit the bill. The broccoli was fresh, not to soggy but not too crisp. I don't usually like big mushrooms in stir fry because they can be rubbery, but these were actually a good texture. The sauce was flavorful but not too heavy. If you're going to VP2 you should order the exciting mock-meat dishes, but if you ever find yourself in need of lighter fare, this is a good choice. -Jim

The Bottom Line

We thought we were long overdue for another review of Vegetarian’s Paradise 2, especially since our last one didn’t do it justice. VP2 offers consistently good food, and judging by this last visit, has expanded its menu with some more adventurous fare. In addition to new appetizers, there are some new entrees that sound fantastic. They’ve seem to have struck a nice balance of healthy/junkfoody, simple/daring dishes so you can tailor your meal to satisfy any craving. And their vanilla milkshakes are amazing! -Ev
We went all out appetizers on this visit, which I think is a great option at VP2. I feel like we each ate a pound of soy and washed it down with a soy milk shake. For the record, there are some pretty good not-so-soy-heavy options at VP2 as well, but the most exciting stuff they offer is their mock-meats. -Jim

Wild Ginger

We recently went to Wild Ginger located at 380 Broome Street in Manhattan. Wild Ginger is totally vegetarian and mostly vegan.

Pumpkin Soup w/ Sweet Potato & White beans

Holy Yum was this soup good. I was expecting a blended opaque orange concoction, but this was in fact broth-based with chunks of pumpkin, sweet potato, onion, tomato and white beans. I loved this soup. It was freezing outside and this completely did the trick. The broth was light but flavorful, without being too salty. The pumpkin and sweet potato were smooth and delicious. The beans were soft but still had some give to them. As Jim said, I won the soup round for the night. I'd go for some of this soup right now. -Ev

Seitan Skewers

This appetizer consisted of two skewers with Seitan, onion and pepper. Texture is very important to me when it comes to Seitan, and while this Seitan wasn’t the best I’ve had, it was pretty good and not rubbery like some Seitan is. The best part of the skewers was the sauce on the Seitan, which was sweet and salty and good. Everything on the skewer is lightly charred and it all went together nicely. -Jim

Tempeh Satay

I'm picky about tempeh, often finding it "footy" tasting, and yet I must've known to trust Wild Ginger because this appetizer had a good taste. These were soft tempeh cubes in a sweet-salty brown sauce. The texture of the tempeh was just chewy enough and the flavor wasn't too strong. -Ev

Malaysian Curry Stew

Wild Ginger is somehow related (same owner? Same chef? Same something) to Zen Palate and Gobo, because I’ve had a dish similar to this one at both those restaurants. At Zen Palate it’s called “Curry Supremo” and at Gobo it’s called “Slow Cooked Malaysian Curry”. I’m not complaining though, because I enjoy it at all three restaurants. This dish is soy protein, carrots, potatoes, broccoli and kabocha squash (those last two ingredients being unique to the Wild Ginger variation of this dish) in curry sauce. I really like it. The sauce is thick but not in a greasy way, and the flavor is rich but not overpowering. If I have just a tiny complaint about the broccoli and kabocha. While the potatoes, carrots and soy all work with the curry sauce and absorb it’s flavor, the broccoli and kabocha stand out in a non-stewy kind of way. But overall I really enjoyed this dish and I’d totally get it again. -Jim

Spinach Salad

This was a basic salad of spinach, pine nuts, beets, chickpeas, and sprouts. The yuzu citrus dressing was tangy and light. I wish I could say more about this dish, but each ingredient tasted like you'd expect. While it was fresh and delicious, I would probably order something a little more complicated next time.- -Ev

The Bottom Line

The bad news is that Wild Ginger is a little on the pricey side and it’s small so you might have to wait for a table. But the good news is that Wild Ginger has a big menu to choose from and it seems like everything on it is good. Also, the décor is fancy in a soothing, zen kind of way. So if you can make reservations (they take reservations for parties of three or more) and you have a few extra bucks to spend, this is a good choice. -Jim
I really enjoyed my meal here, especially the soup. For what it's worth, those Vegan-Haters also known as Time Out NY had voted this the best veggie dining spot. While not the best spot in the city, the food here was absolutely delicious. -Ev

Tiffin Wallah

We recently tried Tiffin Wallah at 127 East 28th St in Manhattan a cute and cozy Indian restaurant with plenty of vegan options.

Assorted Tiffins for Two

We had a bunch of friends with us on our trip to Tiffin Wallah, so we decided to get the Assorted Tiffins. This large appetizer consisted of a Vegetable Cutlet, a Samosa, and various Pakora and Bajjia. Or, to state it more generally, it consisted of a whole lot of deep-fried stuff. Now I'm all for deep-fried snacks, but this was the least impressive part of my meal at Tiffin Wallah. The Samosa was good. The cutlet was ok but a little too fried for my taste. The Pakora and Bajjia were a little bland. I'm not saying the Assorted Tiiffin was bad, it was just underwhelming. I'd probably go for the Idli or Batata Vada next time we want appetizers at Tiffin Wallah as Southern Indian cuisine seems to be their specialty. I should mention that a friend of ours ordered the Masala Spiced Cashew Nuts and they were great! -Jim
Mmmmm yeah. Those nuts were nuts! The samosa had a nice flaky outside but actually part of it was weirdly cold. The flavor was good though. The veggie cutlet was spicy and savory. The pakora were the best part. -Ev

Mulligatawny Soup

Ever since the Dosa Diner closed down I've been extra critical of Mulligatawny soups. Few places could match the unpredictable spiciness and bold flavor that DD had. The soup here, while tasty, was the furthest from any mulligatawny soup I've ever tasted. It actually tasted like pumpkin or butternut squash soup. It was a thinnish, orange concoction with a very mellow flavor. It was good, but don't go in expecting any lentil flavor. I should also mention the portion was pretty large. -Ev

Onion Rava Masala Dosa

We've been eating a LOT of dosas lately, but it's been a while since I've had a Rava Dosa, so that's what I chose here. It was good, but it was a little greasy and a little too crispy. Evelyn's dosa didn't have those issues, so I think next time I won't order the Rava Dosa. Besides that it was a good dosa experience though. Tiffin Wallah has Dosa Podi and Achar, two accompaniments that we discovered at (the now tragically closed) Dosa Diner in Jackson Heights. You have to order them seperately for a few extra bucks, but it's definitely worth it! Dosa Podi is a paste of delicious chili ground up in oil, and Achar is ultra-pickley Indian pickles. The potato filling in the dosas at Tiffin Wallah has peas in it, which I'm not a huge fan of, but other than that it's very tasty. -Jim

Mysore Masala Dosa

I've said it a dozen times, but to know me is to know I've never met a dosa I didn't like. However, this was a dosa first for me. The dosa was spiced and cooked to perfection. The texture was so perfect (not greasy) and the flavor was amazing. So much so that I, in fact, would get this Dosa without the potato filling the next time. The potatoes were moist to the point of being watery, and while they were tasty, they didn't mesh well with the dosa and actually took away from its perfection. Who knew this day would come? -Ev

The Bottom Line

Even though some of the items we ordered weren’t so great, I feel like Tiffin Wallah still has plenty of potential. Their (non-Rava) Dosas are good. The décor is nice. The prices are decent. They have all our favorite Dosa accompaniments. And there are a lot of items on the menu that we didn’t try that I would like to try. We’ll be coming here again. And we’ll let you know how it goes! -Jim
The amazingness of the mysore dosa was enough to get me coming back (sans potatoes). I agree that Tiffin has untapped potential and I am up for the tapping. -Ev

Counter Brunch

We finally checked out Counter located at 105 1st Ave in Manhattan. Counter describes itself as an Organic Wine and Martini Bar / Vegetarian Bistro. We went on a Saturday afternoon so we got a taste of their Brunch menu.

Housemade Bakery Goodies

This dish consisted of a basket of muffins and loaf cake and a selection of spreads to adorn said muffins and loaf cake. It was a really fantastic way to start our brunch. We had Apple Muffins and Poppy Muffins and Banana Loaf, but the stars of this dish weren’t the baked goods but the spreads: Strawberry Butter, Sangria Marmalade and Housemade Nutella. My favorite was the Strawberry Butter, which was sooo creamy and delicious and was great on the muffins. But also fantastic was the nutella spread on the banana loaf, which came dangerously close to being more like a dessert than a breakfast. The best part is that this basket of goodies was only eight bucks, but it was more than enough to satisfactorily start the meal for our party of five. -jim
Word. I think it may have been raspberry butter, but nevertheless, it was tasty and deeelicious. The nutella was incredible. All of it was incredible. Yay food! -ev

Country Breakfast

Ever since the fateful day in Austin when we stumbled into Bouldin Creek, brunches in NY have seemed a little lackluster. But lo! My meal at Counter, while texturally different from BC, had the same fabulous brunch star-quality and scrumptious flavor. The tofu scramble was soft without being a personality-less mush. It was seasoned and salted to perfection. The home fries were sizable and had a great fresh flavor. They were hearty and browned on the outside, soft and moist on the inside. The Merguez soy sausage came curiously on skewers, and while mine were a little mashed, they tasted great. In addition to a nice palate-cleansing side of mesclun, there were thicker-than-average slices of whole wheat toast and (mmmm) more of that soy butter. -Ev

Frittata alla Fiorentina

Ok, so Evelyn just told you all about the Scrambled Tofu and how good it was in her Country Breakfast, right? So imagine this: take that scrambled tofu and put it on top of a bed of spinach and then put those on top of a muffin and then cover it all with a fantastic mushroom hollandaise sauce. Sounds good right? Well my description doesn’t do it justice. This was definitely in my top five, nay, top three vegan brunches of all time. The spinach and muffin gave it a hearty foundation. The tofu scramble was great (as Evelyn explained above). And the hollaindaise sauce was just divine: sharp and rich but not too heavy or overpowering. Also, the presentation was great (I always feel so fancy eating ring-molded food), and the home fries were a nice balance to the richness of the Frittata. This is definitely not the last time I’ll be eating this dish. -Jim

The Bottom Line

After months of friends and veganfriendliers suggesting that we try Counter, I have to say I am very happy we finally did it! Not only was the food delicious but the staff was totally nice (and wonderfully mustachioed). It was really affordable too, considering the quality of the food we got to eat (the entrees were around $9). I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes our regular weekend brunch haunt. Count on Counter for a delicous brunch! -Ev
Counter is a rather fancy, expensive restaurant, so I was ready to drop a fair amount of cash on this meal. But, as Evelyn said, it was only about 9 bucks per dish. And the quality of the food really made it a steal. Also, we don’t know how crowded it is on a Sunday (when most people go out for brunch), but on Saturday afternoon it was nearly empty so we had no trouble getting a table and enjoying a nice, relaxing meal. Great prices + great food + no wait = excitement about getting brunch at Counter more often! -Jim

Better Burger

We recently checked out Better Burger located at 587 9th Ave (they also have two other locations in Manhattan). Better Burger is health-conscious fast food joint with a decent selection of vegetarian and vegan options.

Homemade Veggie Burger and Smashed Potatoes

I think most vegans and vegetarians will agree that there are two types of veggie burgers out there. There’s the mock meat veggie burger which is usually pure soy and made to resemble an actual meat burger in appearance, taste and texture. And then there’s what I like to call the “health food” veggie burger, which is shaped like a burger and you eat it on a bun, but the texture and flavor and appearance are determined by whatever grains and veggies and other stuff that were used in it’s creation. I wish restaurants would specify which type they serve, as I’m often in the mood for one and I end up getting the other. At Better Burger, they offer both. From what I understand, the Savory Soy Burger is a mock meat burger and the HomemadeVeggie Burger is a health food burger. I ordered the latter. Health food burgers are often too mushy for me, but this one had a pretty decent texture. It was loaded with lettuce, tomato and onion and I applied some mustard and “cajun ketchup” from Better Burger’s extensive condiment selection. The flavor was savory and salty enough for my satisfaction. The Smashed Potatoes were good and creamy. The only thing I didn’t like about them was that the flavor had a hint of sweetness, which was a little weird. -Jim

Jumbo Soy Dogs (NYC Style) and Baked Fries

I was starving when I got to BB, and way full when I left. I ordered 2 Jumbo Soy Dogs topped with BBQ onions and sauerkraut (aka NYC style) and the Baked Fries. I loved the Soy Dogs, because they were indeed jumbo, and they sliced and grilled them so there was no rubbery quality. You can also order your dog Classic Style which comes with sauerkraut and relish, or even "Double the Dog" which gives you twice the dog on one bun. Like I said these were really filling, so I was glad that Jim had half of one. The Baked Fries, as oxymoronic as they sound, were decent alternatives to the fried fries of other places. I think they were best when hot, but when they cooled off they tasted like pure potato sticks and not so much like fries, and thus a little magic was lost. I prefer the smashed potatoes and will get those instead next time. -Ev

The Bottom Line

Eating vegan in the West 40’s isn’t too hard. Zen Palate, Zenith and Meskerem are all decent options. But if you have time constraints or financial restraints, consider Better Burger! My very filling burger and potatoes were less than ten bucks and I got them about five minutes after I ordered. Also, BB has a cute, fast food atmosphere but the food struck me as healthy and homemade. To complete the fast food vibe, you can order a soy milkshake. I can’t vouch for it because I didn’t try it, but I definitely will give it a try next time. -Jim
Better Burger was a delicious delivery treat when I worked in the vegan wasteland known as mid-town. I love their food and their mission. They also have great salad options with tofu or orzo, and usually have some kind of vegan dessert (packaged cookies or brownies). Like Jim, I look forward to trying their milkshakes! I can see what Jim says about the Smashed Potatoes being a tiny bit sweet but they are deeeelicous! -Ev

Dosa Diner

We reviewed Dosa Diner (located at 3566 73rd St in Jackson Heights, Queens) a while back and had some not-so-great things to say about it. But since then we’ve gone back many times and it’s actually become one of our favorite restaurants! I know, it’s shocking. But read on and we’ll reveal the reasons we changed our mind.

Mulligitawny Soup

This is a great soup to have on a cold day, or when you're coming down with something. Why? Because it is usually supremely spicy and will knock whatever chill or ickiness you're experiencing right out of your system. The level of spice varies from "ooh spicy" to "Womigod that's spicy", as does the amount of rice at the bottom (usually none). Jim and I usually share a soup, not because it's a huge portion, but because it's so spicy and filling and we want to save room for the Dosas. -Ev

Chutneys and Sauces

You might think it’s weird that we’re writing a separate review of the sauces and chutneys, but there’s a reason we’re doing it. And that reason is because they are AMAZING. The discovery of the chutneys and sauces is one of the biggest reasons that Dosa Diner has recently been upgraded from a restaurant that we weren't too thrilled with to one of our favorite restaurants. Ok, let’s start with the dark red sauce. We asked what it’s called and we were told it’s “Malakopita”, but I’m quite certain I’m spelling that wrong. Anyway, we were afraid to try it at first because it looks really spicey, but it’s actually not so much hot as extremely flavorful and rich. It’s chili-ey and salty and hard to describe but really good. Okay, on to the Mango Pickles (the chunkiest one). The Mango Pickles are bits of mango and vegetables that have been pickled so that they have a super-strong pickley flavor. They are so strong that we can only eat a little bit at a time, but we love them! I believe the orangey sauce is Garlic Chutney, because it’s very garlicky. It’s reminiscent of pizza sauce, though that’s a bit ethnocentric of me as I suppose an Indian person might say pizza sauce is reminiscent of Garlic Chutney. I’m not sure what the green chutney is, but I’m pretty sure the main ingredient is cilantro as it’s very tangy. These sauces, combined with the standard Coconut Chutney and Sambar that come with all Dosas, make your dosa experience a super-rich, ultra-flavorful roller coaster ride of deliciousness. My ideal bite of Dosa involves Dosa, Sambar, Coconut Chutney, Malakopita (sp?) and a little but of Mango Pickle. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but oh my god it’s full of flavors! Make sure you ask for the chutneys. We got lucky the fourth or fifth time we went to DD when they brought them out without us asking and we were like, “What is this stuff?”. We’ve been asking ever since! -Jim

Masala Dosa

Mmmm. The good ol' delicious Dosa standby. The Dosa itself is usually crunchy on the outside and slightly more tender in the middle. I find that the varieties of dosas also come folded in a variety of ways. The Masala Dosa usually comes as a large tube or a large triangle. The amount of potato may seem a little small, but it is very filling. The potatoes themselves are smooth and creamy. And of course you get lentil Sambar and Coconut Chutney on the side. Mmmmmm again! -Ev

Mysore Masala Dosa

The Mysore Masala Dosa is very similar to the Masala Dosa, which Ev just told you all about. So I’ll just tell you what makes the Mysore Masala Dosa different: spicey red chutney! The inside of this Dosa is coated in it. It’s actually similar in flavor to the Malakopita (sp?) I described earlier. Or rather the Malakopita that I didn’t describe earlier because it’s hard to describe. It’s a very rich, strong flavor and I love it. I generally order the Mysore rather than the Masala because The Mysore Masala Dosa is like a Masala Dosa only better. A +1 Masala Dosa, if you will. -Jim

The Bottom Line

We figured that since we go to the Dosa Diner almost every Sunday now, we owed it another review to show our love. Our first review was less than stellar owing to slow service and some bathroom issues, but all of that has been resolved. The guests at your table may get their dishes at different times, rather than all at once, but service tends to be fast enough and the food is really really good. Addictive, one might say. Especially with all of those delicious chutneys! See you there Sunday! -Ev
Yeah we’ve had a total change of heart about Dosa Diner. The service still isn’t great and the bathrooms can still be a little bit icky sometimes, but we are utterly addicted to the food. We literally go about once a week. In fact we’re probably going tomorrow afternoon, and I can’t wait! -Jim

Knish Nosh

Knish Nosh is a famous Queens Knishery located at 100-30 Queens Blvd in Forest Hills. All the Knishes contain no dairy or eggs, so any non-meat Knish is vegan.

Kasha Knish

This was the only knish of the 3 we tried that I had dipped in mustard, although I did like its full nutty flavor. This was definitely the subtlest of the 3. It was hard to compete with the other varieties we tried, but I thought it was a nice palate cleanser, and could definitely see having one of these on a day I’d want to eat something “healthy”. I couldn’t really tell if there was any potato mixed in, or if it was just the kasha alone. The dough was also tougher than the other kinds. I would say, unless you have a pre-existing love of kasha or really want to go the plain route, you should order a different kind. -Ev

Cabbage Knish

The Cabbage Knish was the most unique of the three. First of all, the outside of this knish was more flakey and delicate than that of the other knishes. The inside, on the other hand, was the most moist and creamy of all of them. The potato was mixed with cabbage and red peppers, and the red peppers actually contributed a lot of flavor to this knish. In fact, if I had to name it, I would name it a Cabbage and Pepper Knish. Regardless, this was my favorite and I think Evelyn’s favorite, too. It was definitely the most exciting and flavorful of the bunch. The sexiest, one might say. Especially Ev since I think she has a knish fetish. -Jim

Spinach Knish

Oh YUM! This tasted like my grandma’s spinach pie (minus the sausage). The spinach was blended with potato to a salty creamy consistency. It was really rich and flavorful. The crust was tender and delicious. I’d say this was equal in awesomeness to the cabbage knish. I’m even drooling a little as I write this. Definitely try this one, it’s a winner! -Ev

The Bottom Line

It’s fun reviewing a New York City Landmark. Knish Nosh has been in business since 1952! And they definitely make the best Knishes I’ve ever had. But we did make one mistake and that was ordering three. One knish is more than enough food for one hungry person. We were super-stuffed when we were done eating. -Jim
I love Knish Nosh! I wouldn't say I have a knish fetish per se, but definitely I've been known to get knish cravings that drive me into a frenzy. I think knishes are the perfect comfort food because they're big, warm and mushy like a good hug. Also cute fact: my Mom used to go here when she was younger. I think Cabbage and Spinach are tied for first place so far, mayyyyybe Cabbage has the edge. I can't wait to go back and try the other varieties. Also, we'll have to try Yonah Schimmel for Battle of the Knishes! -Ev

Dojo

We got some dinner at Dojo at 14 W 4th St in Manhattan. Dojo is not strictly vegetarian but has several vegetarian and vegan options which, we’re told, they offered way back before NYC was the vegan paradise that it is today.

Miso Soup

Until recently I was convinced that I only like Miso Soup if the ingredients are limited to little bits of tofu, scallion and wakame. But I recently had a realization and a change of heart. The reason I prefer it with minimalist ingredients is because the broth is my favorite part and sometimes, when other ingredients are added, they overpower the broth. I’m happy to announce that this isn’t the case at Dojo. Their Miso Soup does have some extra veggie ingredients in it, but the salty, delicious broth still shines. This was the first time I ever tried the Miso Soup at Dojo and I liked it enough that I look forward to ordering it again. -Jim

Hijiki Tofu Dinner with Brown Rice

Whenever we go to Dojo I get the same thing- the Hijiki Tofu Dinner with brown rice (you can choose from fries, homefries, or rice), salad, and an extra side order of Ginger Tahini Dressing. I love this dish. It is hearty, cheap, and filling. The Hijiki Tofu patty is thick and substantial. The Asian barbeque sauce that tops it is thin, and both sweet and savory. None of the elements are overpowering, including the Hijiki. I like the texture of the patty as well; it has a thick outer crust and a crumbly but firm inside. I usually pour the entire contents of the side of dressing on top of the patty and rice, but I make sure to leave plenty of uncovered spaces too. The dressing is simply smooth, tangy and delicious. I wuv it. The rice and salad are both standard fare, but everything combines for a great meal. If you opt for the homefries instead of rice, those too are good. I don't recall ever getting the fries, but I'm sure they're good too. -Ev

Soy Burger Dinner with French Fries

Most of what Ev said about the Hijiki Tofu Dinner applies to the Soy Burger Dinner too, as they are basically the same thing except that with the Soy Burger Dinner you get (surprise surprise) a Soy Burger instead of Hijiki Tofu. There’s really nothing burger-ish about the Soy Burger. It’s just a breaded-and-fried ball of textured soy. It’s kinda mushy but just firm enough not to bother me (I’m not a big fan of mushy soy products). The burger comes pre-doused in the delicious Ginger Tahini Dressing, but I still get an extra order of the dressing on the side just like Ev, because you really can’t have enough. I also like to get avocado in the side, which I chop up and add to the salad. Oh, and I prefer the fries to the brown rice. Not the healthier choice but the yummier one in my opinion. -Jim

The Bottom Line

Dojo is one of those cheap vegetarian staples. I would advise against going there late at night and stuffing your gut, as this could lead to bellyaches, but for a quick, inexpensive meal you really can't go wrong. -Ev
Dojo is so cheap and very tasty. I like how the Soy Burger and Hijiki Dinners are 3 part meals (crisp salad, starchy fries/rice, and soy protein) all on one plate and unified by that wonderful dressing. Did we mention you should always order extra dressing? Because you should. By the way, I’m pretty sure there are other vegan-friendly options at Dojo, but you might never hear about them here because we’re so hooked on the dishes above. -Jim

Pizza Plus

We tried Pizza Plus at 359 7th Ave in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It’s an old school pizza parlor that recently started offering soy cheese and fake meat options.

Sun-dried Tomato and Pineapple Pizza

Yum! I sustained my first roof of the mouth cheese burn in 12 years eating this delicious concoction, but it was well worth it. pineapple and sun-dried tomatoes are both strong flavors, but they’re on opposite sides of the spectrum and their delicious battle is fought on your taste buds. I also tried a bite of my friend’s Sausage and Pineapple pizza- more timid of a combination, but still delicious. -Ev

Sausage, Pepper and Onion Pizza

The fake meat du jour at Pizza Plus was sausage, so we decided to go all out with a Sausage, Peppers and Onions Pizza. Everybody knows that sausage, peppers and onions go great together, and combining them atop a vegan pizza is no exception to that rule. The variety in texture was nice on this pie. And I think the sharpness of the toppings overpowered the flavor of the Follow Your Heart soy cheese a little bit, which is good, because I like the flavor of Follow Your Heart, but I don’t love it. -Jim

Broccoli Rabe and Caper Pizza

So this one was Isa’s famous combo. It’s weird because I liked it, but it was so strong I could only eat half a slice. The capers were good n’ salty and the broccoli rabe was a nice change from the other textures but it seemed the soy cheese flavor was amplified in this combo and was very heavy. It could be that this was my 3rd slice of pizza and the soyness was getting to me. Or it could be I wanted another slice of the Pineapple Pizza. Who knows? I will say this- it’s a few days later and this is the one I’m craving. Sneaky pizza. -Ev

The Bottom Line

We were dying to try Pizza Plus because we heard really good things about them. We heard that they perfected the art of a vegan cheese pizza, that they melted the cheese just right so that it wasn’t solid but it wasn’t just oily goo (any vegan who’s ever tried to make a pizza with vegan cheese knows what I’m talking about here). Well, I definitely enjoyed my pizza. The crust was good, the toppings were great and super-fresh, the place was pleasant and conveniently located and the staff was really nice. Did the cheese live up to the hype? Not really. It was a little gooey. But no big deal. It was still good and I would definitely eat here again. -Jim
I also enjoyed eating here. The staff was really nice. I think the large pies are the way to go as they are more pizza-y than the smaller ones. The smaller ones are delicious, but a liiiiittle bit thicker dough, where as the large pie had a thinner bottom and puffier crust. Also, I agree about the cheese. Our friends' table next to us got the melted perfection we had heard about. Our table got cheese that was soupier/stringier, although once it cooled off more it congealed into a better texture. All in all, it was great to stuff my face with pizza and I look forward to going back! -Ev

Kate’s Brooklyn Joint

We finally got a chance to check out Kate’s Brooklyn Joint located at 295 Berry St between 2nd and 3rd in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Kate’s Brooklyn Joint, much like it’s Manhattan ancestor, is all vegetarian and mostly vegan.

Sesame Unchicken Wings

When I go to Kate’s joint in Manhattan, I often get the Buffalo Unchicken Wings, which are basically huge slabs of tofu, fried with a crispy breading, slathered with spicy tangy buffalo sauce and served with creamy dipping sauce. I like ‘em. The Sesame Unchicken Wings we got at Kate’s Brooklyn Joint followed the same formula (dippable slabs of tofu), except that the breading was different, there was no sauce on the tofu, and the dipping sauce was different. As much as it pains me to say anything negative about Kate’s Joint, I didn’t like these so much. While the tofu was very crispy, it wasn’t very flavorful, and while the sweet and savory dipping sauce was good, it didn’t quite make up for the blandness of the tofu. Sorry, Kate’s Joint, I’m just not into this one. -Jim

Country Hearth Salad

Having always gotten the Country Salad at Kate’s Manhizzle, I ventured to new territory to celebrate Kate’s new territory and ordered the Country Hearth Salad. Holy Yum. This salad rocked because it was a delicious combination of warm and cool. Cool crunchy lettuce, warm mushrooms and roasted potatoes, artichoke hearts, some thing tofu-y thingies and maple dressing. What is not to love? Throw in an order of their Unturkey Soup and you’ve got a comfy fall meal. -Ev

Southern Fried Tofu Cutlet Sandwich

This sandwich is one of my Kate’s Joint staples at the Manhattan location, and I’m happy to announce it was just as good at their BK location. At the heart of this sandwich was a tofu cutlet. The tofu itself didn’t have too much flavor, but the breading had great flavor and texture. That cutlet, along with lettuce, tomato and tasty vegan mayo, was put on Kate’s famous focaccia bread, which I really can’t get enough of. It was a darn good sandwich. But even better than the sandwich was the mashed potatoes and gravy, which were just perfect. Here’s a trick I like to do sometimes: get an extra side of gravy, that way you can dip the sandwich in it (yum) and make sure you have plenty of extra gravy for the mashed potatoes (also yum). I’m pretty sure you can get your choice of bread, though I can’t imagine why you’d get anything but the focaccia bread, and your choice of mashed potato vs fries, but you should get the mashed potatoes. I guess what I’m saying is that you should eat this exactly like I eat it, and, more generally, you should like the same things that I like. -Jim

The Bottom Line

So the results are in: whichever borough you venture to for grub, Kate’s Joint will bring you tasty food and swell décor. And now I have a new favorite dish to order. The only factor that remains unsolved in this Manhattan vs Brooklyn battle is the how the hotness of the BK waiters compares to the near solar temperature of Kate’s Joint NYC. We had a waitress. Pretty, but she wasn’t no Jake. Sigh. -Ev
I can’t believe this is the third time we reviewed a Kate’s Joint and we have yet to review their desserts! Kate’s Joint has really good desserts, just trust me. Some day we’ll review them. Anyway, the food at Kate’s BK Joint was pretty much identical to the food at the Manhattan Kate’s Joint, which means it was pretty darn good. It’s nice to have yet another vegan option to choose from when visiting Williamsburg. -Jim

Southwest Fiesta!

We recently returned from our Southwest Vacation. We Started in Sedona, AZ, drove north to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon and then east to Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. Here are the vegan-friendly restaurants we found:

D’lish

This little gem was in Sedona, AZ. In addition to great food and sweet service, we also got to stand in line behind the local artist whose fantasy paintings decorated the restaurant (no Jeff Goldblum or Ted Danson, but still fun). Our first day at D’lish, I got a huge BBQ Seitan Sandwich that was drenched in sauce. Jim got a Tostada which was barely visible under the fixins that topped it, but was really good. Also they had a fantastic Tempeh Salad. The Hummus was OK, but we're spoiled with our NY Israeli joints. The next day we got massive Burritos. Oh, and did I mention Truffles? How do 5 Spice, Coconut, Ginger, and Curry Truffles sound? They should sound good because they, like everything we tried here, were D'lish! This was my favorite food stop of our whole trip. –Ev
Agreed! D’lish was my favorite joint out of all the joints we stopped at. I loved it. And the outdoor seating was really nice. -Jim

Mountain Oasis

Mountain Oasis was the first restaurant we hit in the college town of Flagstaff AZ. Mountain Oasis is not fully vegetarian but they are vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. It's a cute place right across the street from Heritage Square at the heart of the historical district of Flagstaff. The staff was friendly and helpful. We had the Shiitake Spring Roll appetizer and Veggie Burgers. The rolls were great! The burger was a little mushy for my taste, but I tend to be picky about veggie burger texture. Overall, Mountain Oasis seems to make quality food and there are lots of yummy-sounding dishes on the menu I wish I could have tried. -Jim
This place was really cute. The Burgers, while mushy, were really tasty. They reminded me (in a good way) of meatloaf sandwiches I'd have as a kid. They were even better eaten cold in the hotel room.-Ev

Macy’s European Coffeehouse

Macy’s European Coffeehouse had the most NYC vibe of anyplace we'd been, which is to say it was full of young, artsy, aloof people with caffeine addictions. Our first day here we arrived when the kitchen was closed so we just had some Soup. It really hit the spot! The next day we came for a Vegan Waffle breakfast ($5 and deeelicious), and lo and behold they also had massive Cinnamon Buns which we promptly devoured. We managed a third visit swinging back from the Grand Canyon en route to Santa Fe and I got the Veggie Burger and Jim got a BLT. This place was great. Great food, relaxed atmosphere, and good drinks. –Ev
If I was a college student in Flagstaff I would hang out here often. Good food. Good vibe. -Jim

Dara Thai

We stopped for Lunch at Dara Thai in Flagstaff AZ. As you know if you read this blog, I love Thai food. And Dara didn't let me down. We got Garlic Tofu lunch specials and they were super savory and salty and good. The flavor actually reminded me a bit of Rice Ave in Jackson Heights, Queens, which is one of my favorite Thai places. They had a really decent-sized vegetarian menu in addition to the standard stir-fry dishes that can be ordered with tofu or vegetables, and the staff was friendly and understanding when we told them to hold the fish sauce. -Jim
Really yummy. We also got a noodle dish here to eat later on for dinner which was like a Thai noodle/Chinese Chow Fun mix-up. YUM!-Ev

Aztec Café

Aztec Café in Santa Fe was really cute and hippydippy. We met a really nice guy bundling all kinds of sage in the outside dining area. As for the food, the Salad was really big and tasty. We also split a Pesto Sammich and Hummus Sammich. I'd never had a Pesto Sandwich before, and I really liked it. It was on rye/pumpernickel swirl bread, so how can you go wrong? –Ev
I would have liked to try this place again. They didn’t have a ton of options but I think they had a couple of other vegan items, and it had a cute, laid-back atmosphere. -Jim

Annapurna Ayurvedic Cuisine and World Café

It had been almost 2 weeks since we'd eaten Dosas when we got to Annapurna in Santa Fe NM, which is a long time for us, so we were pretty excited to go to Annmapurna. The first time we were there we ordered a dosa and some Dahl, which is an indian lentil soup. Well, it was nothing like NYC Dosas and Dahl, so that was a tiny bit disappointing, but it was still tasty. Everything seems fresh and healthy at Annapurna, and their Soy Chai is the best I've ever had (like, by far). We went back the next day (that's a good sign) and tried an Uttapam and TLT sandwich and enjoyed them. I'm guessing this might be the place to go if you're a vegan in Santa Fe since the menu is huge and all vegetarian/vegan. Also, it's a nice big space with some cool private booths where you sit on the floor on pillows. Oh, and they have some tasty vegan desserts! -Jim
They also had Masala Fries. So good! One server was not so nice (or just having 2 really bad days), but the owner was really nice. They also have another location in Albuquerque. -Ev

Flying Star

When in Albuquerque, eat all three meals at Flying Star Café. At least, that's what we did. The hours never quite lined up for us to try any other places, but we really enjoyed the food here. For lunch, and breakfast the next morning, we got the Vegecado, which was black beans, brown rice, green chiles, salsa and tofu with a soft tortilla to wrap it in. YUM! For dinner we had the fried Soy Chicken Burger on a roll with avocado and usual burger fixins. We also split the Mediterranean knosh which was hummus, olives, bread, and veggies. Although I was sad that I never got to try the vegan soft-serve at Vitality juice Bar, the Flying Star treated us well! –Ev
Albuquerque has a lot of vegan places. It’s a shame we only got to try one. Flying Star is actually a local chain and they’re not exclusively vegan or vegetarian, but they definitely had some good vegan options. -Jim

The Bottom Line

I can't help but make an unfair comparison between our Southwest vacation and our trip to Austin TX last year. We ate a lot of good food on this trip, but I wasn't quite as impressed with the food on this trip as I was with the food in Austin. But that comparison isn't fair! Why? Because we were jumping from city to city on this trip and didn't have time to explore like we did in Austin. The fact is, we found a lot of great vegan food on our trip despite the fact that we were in a constant rush. Imagine how much more we would have found if we had more time! Overall, I’d say veganism is definitely alive and well in the Southwest, and I would love to go back and find more vegan restaurants that were hiding from us. -Jim
We did a lot of hiking on this trip. I think for a few days we just lived off of Lara bars and water. I remember having an arugula salad at a hotel and thinking "AHHHH! Food with texture and moisture! YAY!" This was a very different experience for us. It was the first time we didn't have a big city as a destination but got to see many smaller ones. Also, we're probably going to make a trip back to the Grand Canyon, but that would just yield a review of Lara bars. -Ev

Madras Mahal

We got an anonymous comment on our blog a while back saying that Madras Mahal (at 104 Lexington Ave in Manhattan) has good Dosas and implying that it was more authentic Indian food than the Indian places in Jackson Heights. We decided to check it out. Madras Mahal is vegetarian with non-vegan items clearly denoted on their menu.

Katchumber

This was a fresh veggie salad made of cauliflower, cucumbers, carrots, and chickpeas. The menu said that it came with a lemon vinaigrette dressing, but there were just two lemon slices to squirt on top. While the ingredients were all very crunchy and tasty, this was more of an assembly than a dish. Unless you are craving some raw vegetables, I would skip it for something fancier. -Ev

Batata Vada

One cool thing about Madras Mahal is that, in addition to Northern and Southern Indian dishes, they have dishes from Gujurat, which is India’s western-most state. The Batata Vada was from their Gujurat appetizer menu. It was basically two deep-fried, curried mashed potato balls. By themselves they were good, but what made them great were the dipping sauces. They were served with super-tangy mint chutney and sweet date chutney. The date chutney was especially unique and tasty and we saved some to dip our Dosa in. This appetizer was small but good. -Jim

Masala Dosa

Quite possibly the best Dosa I’ve eaten. Also the most unique Dosa I’ve eaten. The Dosa itself had a nice balance of softness towards the middle, crispiness towards the edges. Inside, there were potatoes, onions, nuts and other goodies. The flavor was very savory, almost like hash browns. MMMMmmm. I loved it! Texturally too this Dosa strayed from other “mashed potato” consistencies I’ve had in the past and instead allowed the ingredients to be more true to their forms. Holy cow. I want another one right now! -Ev

Beingan Bharta

One of the reasons I love Indian food is that it’s never bland. It’s always super-flavorful and rich. But I was a little shocked when I tasted this Beingan Bharta. It did taste similar to other Beingan Bhartas I’ve had, but the flavor was more subdued. It tasted more hearty, earthy, homemade even. It was weird. But it was good! I felt like I was eating a healthier, fresher version of Indian food. It even seemed like the ingredients hadn’t been cooked so severely, and they retained some of their original texture and flavor. It was different from other Northern Indian curries I’ve had, but it was definitely satisfying -Jim

The Bottom Line

Well, thanks to a comment on our blog we have found another great Indian spot. Initially I was scared to go here because, while I knew there were vegan options on the menu, I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to pick things out. Happily, the dairy dishes had a little milk jug next to them on the menu. If this is more authentic Dosa, then I say, YUM to authenticity! I would definitely go back here. The menu is huge and I want to try all the vegan goods they have! (well, maybe not the super spicy Vindaloo.) -ev
Everything here tasted more hearty and homemade than other Indian places we’ve been to. Does that mean it’s more authentic? I don’t know. But if you’re in the mood for something a little different, give Madras Mahal a try. We’ll certainly be going back one of these days. -Jim

Vegan Treats Doughnuts at Atlas Café

Atlas Café at 73 2nd Avenue 2nd Ave in Manhattan is now carrying Vegan Treats doughnuts! So we went down there with our buddies Isa and Eppy and ate some. You can eat some too by going to Atlas on a Tuesday night. That's the day that they're delivered and, from what we understand, they're gone by Wednesday!

Boston Cream

Boston Cream was always my favorite doughnut! With sweet chocolate, tangy custard and fried dough, how can you go wrong? Well, I was nervous that the vegan version might not be the same, but my fears were unfounded. It was awesome and very authentic! They got everything just right, even the custard which seems like it would be tricky to do vegan. -Jim

Rainbow Sprinkled

Mmmmmm. Donuts. This was the simplest and my favorite of the bunch. Good enough to fool Homer Simpson. A classic, undeniably donutty flavor and texture, lightly glazed and topped with colorful sprinkles. I loved it! It even smelled like heaven. (This, of course, is based on my assumption that heaven smells like dessert.) -Ev

Coconut Cream

Ok so imagine this, you take the Boston Cream doughnuts I described above, but instead of chocolate, you put sugary sweet glaze and toasted coconut on top. The end result: an even better doughnut for a coconut lover like myself. Coconut is one of my favorite dessert flavors (as evidenced by the ChoCofCo, my brilliant contribution (ok, not so much a contribution as a suggestion) to Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World), so this doughnut was like heaven to me. The same awesome custard in the same awesome doughnut, but coconutty! Yes! -Jim

Oreo Cream

This donut was ridiculous, and that could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your stomach (I know the folks at Supervegan rated this one as their favorite). As far as the donut itself, the texture was much thicker/denser than the standard donut. Also, inside was the familiar Vegan Treats frosting that tops many of their delicious cakes, only this time oreos were blended into it. It was almost like an inside out cake that was compressed into donut size and covered with cookie crumbs. Now don't get me wrong, donuts by their very nature are delicious, but this one was a bit too much for me. It was really dense and I personally don't love frosting in donuts. So that's my take-- delicious but not my favorite kind of delicious. If it sounds like your kind of delicious, tear this shizzle up! -Ev

The Bottom Line

True Story: Years ago, the second or third time I ever got Vegan Treats cake at Atlas, I said to the guy behind the counter, "You guys should sell vegan doughnuts. That would be awesome." And now my wish has come true! Doughnuts have always been one of my favorite desserts and now Vegan Treats has brought them to my city, vegan and delicious. Thanks so much, Vegan Treats! You rule! -Jim
Word. These were really good. I can't wait to try the other kinds. I would also like to add my thanks to Vegan Treats and their unflappable commitment to making me die happily of a sugar overdose. Well folks, now we have one vegan donut maker down and one to go. That's right, Mighty O! You heard me. Get your sugary holes over here! -Ev

Buddha Bodai

We tried Buddha Bodai for the first time yesterday. Buddha Bodai is a mostly-vegan, all-vegetarian Chinese restaurant located at 5 Mott st in Chinatown, Manhattan.

Wonton Soup

This soup was very light and mellow. The wontons themselves seemed to be filled solely with spinach, though Evelyn said she detected some mushroom in there. The broth was hearty but not too strong or salty. This was a very simple soup but I enjoyed it. It actually had me expecting a light, simple meal, but it turned out that the soup was very different from the rich, heavy dishes that would follow. -Jim

BBQ Veg Meat

This was a whopping plate of wheat gluten in a sweet barbeque sauce. The strips were soft and chewy, without being gummy. For gluten enthusiasts this was a cross between the super chewy fare at House of Vegetarian, and the compact chew of seitan at Lan Café. This had a really good balance of texture and flavor. Just don't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach! -Ev
Yeah this was good but there was so much food! I'd say this appetizer would be appropriate for at least four people. Any less than that and you'll probably need to take some home for leftovers. The good news is it makes a great snack when re-heated! -Jim

Pan Fried Noodles w/ Beef and Chicken in Black Bean Sauce

This was on the “House Special” menu so I don’t know if they offer it all the time, but if they do, I would recommend it. The base of this dish was a heaping pile of crunchy fried noodles. On top of those noodles were sauteed peppers, bean sprouts, mock chicken and mock beef. The mock chicken was tasty and had good texture The beef had a softer texture and a much more savory taste. I think I preferred the chicken, but the beef was OK. All these ingredients were united by a delicious black bean sauce that was salty and a little bit sweet. Overall, I really enjoyed this dish, and then I enjoyed it again for lunch today, and I’ll enjoy it yet again for lunch tomorrow. In other words, this was a LOT of food. And I think it only cost $10, so that’s a pretty good value! -Jim

Mixed Vegetables in Taro Bowl

When you’ve had dim sum in the past, have you ever wished that you could form the dim sum into a crispy bowl and fill it with mock meat and veggies? Well, if you were wacky enough to wish such a thing your wish has come true! Like a delicious Asian cousin of the taco salad, this meal was a culinary party in a hearty, edible bowl. Where to start? There were snow peas, mushrooms, carrots, pine nuts, mock ham, mock shrimp, mock fish, mock chicken, all crammed in a delicious crunchy-on-the-outside/soft-on-the-inside taro bowl. Surrounding said bowl was steamed broccoli in a light and salty ginger sauce. The standouts in this dish were the broccoli, the bowl and the mock chicken, which was thick, savory, and delightfully peppery. This was incredibly filling and could easily be shared by 2 or 3 people. -Ev

Vegan Cheesecake

If you had told me that I could still have cheesecake back when I first went vegan, I would have thought you were lying. But here I am reviewing yet another vegan cheesecake. And this one, like all the rest I’ve had, was pretty good. It was a bit creamier and tangier than others, which actually made it more reminiscent of real cheesecake. I have a feeling that the syrup was just watered-down strawberry preserves, which turned me off just a little. But overall I think this was a good dessert. Not the best vegan cheesecake I’ve ever had, but still good. -Jim
Well I thought it was great! In fact, I think Pukk has competition for best cheesecake. I liked the tang, and it had a great crust. -Ev

The Bottom Line

I’m happy that we finally got to try Buddha Bodai. The menu was a little intimidating with so many dishes. (Oof. I’m writing this 3 ½ hours after dinner and I’m still ridiculously full.) There was a ton of food and it was all really good. Our doggie bag weighed as much as a neopolitan mastiff. I think next time I’ll try to pick out some lighter fare, but regardless, this meal was great! -Ev
Everything we got (with the exception of the soup) was super-rich, super-filling and came in super-large portion sizes. Is that true of everything at Buddha Bodai? It’s hard to say because, as Ev mentioned, there are tons of choices on the menu and we only tried a few things. I would say our first experience there was a positive one. -Jim

New York Magazine “Secret Kitchen” Event

So a few weeks ago New York Magazine joined forces with our good friend Isa Chandra Moskowitz and the band Man Man to throw a crazy vegan food and rock and roll party. We were there of course, and we took pictures! But the following week was hectic for us and we didn’t get a chance to write a review, and then we figured it would be lame to post a review weeks after the event so we gave up on the idea. But Isa called us up at 3 in the morning last night, yelling and screaming and telling us we’d better “post a fucking review” or else she’d “kill Jim”. And if you know Isa, you know that she doesn’t joke about murdering people, so without further ado, here’s the review:

Shiitake Tempura with Wasabi Mayo

Holy Yum. These were so good. They were crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside and salty/savory throughout. The Wasabi Mayo was amazing and should be bottled and sold. No joke. It was the perfect blend of thick and creamy with a kick. This dish was tied for my favorite of the night. -Ev
Yeah. These were super good. You really can't go wrong with crunchy, fried goodness dipped in cool, creamy goodness. -Jim

Jicama Edamame Corn Sesame Salad

I do love Edamame. I guess everybody probably does. But not everybody has had Edamame with fresh corn and shredded jicama in a tangy vinaigrette dressing. And they're missing out! This was a great salad. I think my favorite part was how the different textures played off each other. -Jim
I loved the citrus dressing on this. I agree that the texture was great, but also the freshness. This would be awesome on a really hot day. -Ev

Fresh Summer Rolls with Papaya and Avocado

A little birdie told me that these were actually an assortment of fresh summer rolls stuffed with either rice noodles, butternut squash, Thai basil and pumpkin seeds, or rice noodles, cucumber, Thai basil and peanuts, both varieties splashed with soy sauce for good measure. Both varieties were very tasty. I like how there were several different flavors and textures working together. The Thai basil was especially good and I appreciated that the soft noodles were there as a nice backdrop to all the excitement. -Ev

Udon Noodles and Peanut Sauce with Seitan

Yes, yes, yes! More please! I couldn't get enough of this dish. I think I ate more than my fair share and I hope no one at my table minded. Warm, creamy noodles, crisp veggies, crunchy peanuts, and spicy seitan all with a squeeze of lime juice. The textures and the flavors were just awesome. The seitan was just right. This was definitely my favorite dish of the night and I really wish I had some right now. -Jim
Interesting. This was my least favorite dish. It seemed like more of a tahini sauce than peanut, and while I love tahini on falafel, I often find it too bitter for me to enjoy on other things. I guess it's good that I didn't love it, seeing how Jim was all elbowing people in the face and trampling on babies to eat it. -Ev

Miso Matzoh Ball Soup

This was tied for 1st place for me. I love Miso Soup and all the different ways you can serve it. I had never had Matzoh Balls before, vegan or otherwise, but I loved it. Just a big ol' tasty ball of carbs in the middle of some delicious broth. I want to get sick just so Isa will come over and make me some. Then again, I don't want her to be so close to Jim, what with all the sharp knives in our kitchen. -Ev
The Miso vs. Matzoh contrast was pretty intense, and would probably offend Miso Soup purists or Matzoh Ball Soup purists, but I dug it. -Jim

Daikon Latkes with 5 Spice Roasted Applesauce

If there's one thing that Irish and Jewish people can agree on, it's potatoes. The only problem is that we Hibernians tend to eat our potatoes boiled and boring. I think we need to take a lesson from Jewish cuisine, and from Isa in particular. These latkes were potato perfection. Fried and flavorful, I could have eaten these plain and been very happy. But Isa accompanied them with a homemade Applesauce that was chunky and delicious. This dish wins a close 2nd place for me after the noodles. -Jim
True dat! These were awesome. I could've eaten the whole plate. And that Applesauce was incredible. Also a close 2nd place for me. -Ev

Chocolate Cupcakes

Darrrk chocolate cupcakesssss. Yeah! With choc-o-late frikkin' moo-ooo-ooousse. And a little naughty naughty blackberry, baby. Put it in my mouth. Put it in my mo-oo-outh. Oh, I'm sorry. You probably can't tell that that's an awesome R&B love jam I've written to commemorate the deliciousness that was, that is, that forever will be the Chocolate Cupcake. Now that you know, please "read" it again and think about how bad you want one. -Ev
Isa is the vegan cupcake wizard. And I'm not talking about a 1st level wizard who can only cast Light and Magic Missile. She's epic level. She regularly travels to the Elemental Plane of Cupcakes where she rules as queen. -Jim

The Bottom Line

This was a super fun event. The venue (Grand Harmony Palace in Chinatown) was very cool, the band rocked, but most importantly the meal blew me away. I never pass up a chance to eat Isa's cooking because it's always delicious. Even if she does threaten to kill me once in a while, I will never get a restraining order because then I wouldn't be able to eat her food. -Jim
Agreed. What's a little husbandacide between friends, more importantly friends who can cook? My only regret is that we can't go back to Chinatown and order some more of that Miso Matzoh Ball Soup. Achoo! Excuse me. I think I'm coming down with a cold. (Jim, hide the knives! Hide yourself!) -Ev