My Dinner with Angie
Staten Island Edition

I’ve realized that intellectual compatibility is the only way to be ushered past all my diligent guards. But beyond the gates… rewards well worth the usual frustration, hassle and disappointment of having said standards. Within these states of understanding, the exchange of thoughts and ideas is, to me, the most important form of affection. Like a hug, you’re enveloped in warmth, inspiration, and affirmation. Things like dinner plans become life-altering and heart-altering. And I am determined to never take such relationships for granted, as one often declares after a loss of someone dear to them. So a new series, My Dinner with Angie.

Good Conversation (over dinner) can serve many purposes. And when it’s at its pinnacle, the listening is just as active as the speaking–just as hungry as the need to share. Though I most enjoy going on like Andre… in My Dinner with Andre, the inspiration for this series, I also enjoy hanging on for the ride. Listening. Because only another is capable of moving you to new places, an opportunity lost when one is simply waiting for their turn to speak or shoddily translating another’s words into their own preconceived ideas. The well-intended presumption that you know how someone feels or the quick offer of a superficial understanding, is a big obstacle to real communication. So this series is in honor of authentic communication, my most potent craving.

Ok–onward to the vegan food, another powerful craving! First, Angie and I at Love Earth Cafe in the Charleston. Starting with a far too tame beet latte. It was pink, but…

I enjoy the simple, unpretentious food offerings at Love Earth Cafe. I got the Love Earth Veggie with grilled zucchini, grilled eggplant, mushrooms and roasted red peppers with a creamy pesto sauce.

It was a yummy bite with that classic taste of roasted veggies, an early vegan option I often enjoyed. I love the hearty bun, but would really love if they used a good bread and a panini press… A smear of a housemade cashew cheese then toasted, ridged and covered in olive oil? Or within focaccia? I’m drooling at the thought!

My sangria sorbet with Angie in the woodwork.

It is so nice to see Staten Island normies enjoying Love Earth Cafe. As veganism loses a bit of its “weird,” this weirdo reaps the reward.

Staten Island Wild Turkey causing a bit of a stir

Back on Staten Island for another dinner. This time a return to The Richmond in Stapleton for celebratory libations after our first week of school. Here is the drink I so enjoyed after the first time I hit this spot, The Modern Love: Gin, Elderflower Liquor, Lavender Liquor, Lemon Juice. Ah, a drink in the cool fall night in their pretty outside dining space was a nice end to a grueling week.

Happy to see their vegan burger option has evolved! Their Bloom Burger is a housemade gluten free patty made of oats & sunflower seeds, served on a whole wheat vegan bun with lettuce, tomato & special sauce. It was so scrumptious.

A good real veggie burger with fries is a craving I have often. And it’s surprisingly hard to find a vegan patty on menus these days–that isn’t a Beyond or Impossible Burger.

The sauce is Special.

Fall sunset and it was back over the Bridge. Stomach, heart and head full of goodness.