Br♥♥klyn: Rastafarian/Vegetarian, Part 1, Crown Heights

I once lived in the far end of south Brooklyn in the isolated residential neighborhood of Marine Park. There: Brooklyn has yards, garages, houses, a need for a car and lots of nights in. Here, in Williamsburg and by way of the G/F trains’ connections to other borough hot spots, this hip Brooklyn has bars, eateries, unique shops and galleries. But there is so much more in between these two distinct moods. A hundred cities in one, much of Brooklyn is still a mystery to me. And I want to know all of you, Brooklyn, if you would pardon my fitful grasp of your chorography.

Brooklyn used to be an independent city, as did Williamsburg back in the 1800’s. By the turn of the 19th century, Brooklyn had annexed the towns of New Lots, Flatbush, Gravesend, New Utrecht and Flatlands to create Kings County-proper, and joined Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island to become the super-city’s 5th borough. Now in century 21, Brooklyn remains a huge part of New York City’s diversity, complete with ethnic pockets from all about the world.

Thriving in Crown Heights, Brooklyn is a huge population of Rastafarian Afro-Caribbeans, as evidenced by the long list of veg-friendly eateries briefly reported on in guides, passed in buses and through word of mouth. I spent a day familiarizing myself with these eateries’ offerings in an ambitious quest to expand the knowledge-base surrounding this genre of vegan eats in New York City as well as offer other intrepid eaters replicable methods to a truly unique and satisfying meal. (Can you tell I am amidst a research project in my academic life?)

Imhotep
734 Nostrand Ave
(between Park Pl & Prospect Pl)
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(718) 493-2395

Billed as the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Brooklyn, Imhopep is both a health and herb store up front, selling affordable Caribb-veg pantry staples like bags of dehydrated soy protein, and a hot bar of succulent veg-meats and a wide variety of sides. (This seems to be the standard set-up for Brooklyn Ital.) I got their famous ribs, a shredded gluten, and let its tasty sauce invade my other three selections (delicious acorn squash, a cous cous pilaf and jerked chicken strips) completing my “small” plate for $7.50.

Punch Line Juice Bar
701 Nostrand Avenue
(Between Sterling Place and Park Place)
Brooklyn, New York 11216
(718) 856-7500

Besides a slew of inconspicuous Ital eateries, Crown Heights’ Nostrand Avenue seems to have a fresh juice bar at every corner. Punch Line Juice Bar is a great follow-up to a meal from Imhotep. I chose a fresh juice of carrot, pineapple, ginger and pear (the “Cholesterol Reducer”) and was delighted when the friendly counter man asked I specify the power of ginger I preferred! Liking a swift quick in the ass from my ginger yet unsure of the native dose, I opted for a kick above medium level. Offering a huge host of juices and sea moss tonics, as well as eight flavors of vegan ice cream and baked goods, this place rules.Still need more food?! Well, you’re in luck. The very understated Ital Shak Vegetarian Restaurant (no link found but, um, dated health inspection violations) is very close. In the same hot buffet set-up as Imhotep but with less appetizing-looking food and far less friendly service, we opted not to try one of their very affordable Jamaican patties ($2.00). The similarly named D Ital Shak (across Eastern Parkway at 989 Nostrand Ave) is also just a hotep away. Back to the north side of Eastern Parkway again, Original Vegetarian & Seafood Restaurant also serves soy patties and veggie soups.

In my travels to these off the beaten path veg destinations, I saw countless other veggie-friendly eateries, health food stores and juice bars that need will need a voice. Expect many sequels on this topic as this reporting incorporates much of why I love to report: vegan food, Brooklyn and the great unknown.