October 15, 2022
As Autumn magic feeds my spirit, some bits of it before it leaves suddenly. As it usually does… Above, some delectable autumn-inspired vegan goodies from Confectionery! in the East Village. I must say that Lagusta’s Luscious and Sweet Maresa’s have the best vegan treats in the New York area. In Read more…
March 13, 2022
{18 and older for this post, please.} Despite the growing realm of vegan options, we were not with many options for vegan x-rated baked goods. Then Kinky’s Dessert Bar came along with its tantalizing space on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. To follow, the explicit images from my visit. Read more…
January 9, 2021
I have been running off to Manhattan far more often these days. This pandemic is taking its toll on her. Her heavy heart is tired, parts shuttered, but she’s nowhere near being defeated. This has been drawing me in–back to her streets–the same ones I wandered about in awe when Read more…
December 11, 2020
I love a holiday where eating is featured prominently. And the traditional eats of Hanukkah are especially delicious—fried… miraculously. The oil represents the “miracle” oil that burned inexplicably for 8 days, spreading word of the Jewish victory over the Greeks over 2,000 years ago. Today’s themed eats would include a Read more…
November 27, 2019
With this Battle 8, the semi-finals are officially set! Are you as excited as I am? I feel really great about the state of these brackets, but I don’t look forward having to ultimately eliminate 3 of the 4 semi-finalist fried chicken sandwiches. But let me slow my roll. Battle Read more…
November 3, 2019
Moving swiftly towards a vegan fried chicken crown, I give you Battle 6! The formidable Chickpea and Olive faces off versus new jack Petisco Vegano, a new lower east side all-vegan spot who, like Honeybee’s, were placed in Round 2 without a previous win, yes (like Hartbreakers), but also without Read more…
October 5, 2019
One thing I like about the onset of Fall is I can tolerate a day of errands in Manhattan. Manhattan that is so steamy and unbearable in the summer. For fuel first, Michaeli Bakery on the Lower East Side. The namesake is for pastry chef Adir Michaeli, former head of Read more…
July 27, 2019
When vegan fried chicken opportunity arises, you take a bite. This was the case with Battle 3. Facing off would be an elusive pop-up with inconsistent social media posts and an inconsistent sandwich shop special. So when Clean Meals Brooklyn showed up at the Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival, I Read more…
July 20, 2019
There is a lot more bao in Manhattan than in Brooklyn. So this second bao battle would have me back, representing the East Village and the Lower East Side, and a bit closer to naming the “chicken” bao who’ll be entering the official Vegan Fried Chicken Showdown. Baohaus vs. The Read more…
January 26, 2019
There is not enough pink and baby blue in the food world. Well, natural pink (beet) and baby blue (Spirulina)… let alone utterly delicious and wholesome pink and baby blue. I was so excited that the Lower East Side’s Rawsome Treats now offers a savory, warm dish to pair with Read more…
December 8, 2018
After some heavy lifting with a slight hangover, a sandwich excursion to the Lower East Side. She got The Bowery, turmeric tofu egg, tempeh bacon, and Violife provolone slice on a roll with mayo. I got the Hanukkah special, available only during these days and nights of light. Housemade gluten-free Read more…
August 2, 2018
Ok, ok–that wasn’t a very clever post title. But I have recently started watching Game of Thrones all over again in slow anticipation of Spring 2019’s release of the final season. And besides that, it is true; it is what I do: eat and take care of business. In celebration Read more…
July 24, 2018
Vandal is a hot spot night club and restaurant on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Part of the posh Tao Group and in partnership with chef Chris Santos, of Food Network’s Chopped judge fame, Vandal could be one of the places that Patrick Bateman might head to with his fancy friends. But they have got Read more…
October 29, 2017
Mother of Pearl on the LES is such a pretty place. I was happy to join a group of old friends to celebrate getting older. The scrumptious Char Sui Buns with roasted mushroom and celery root and fresno chile. Sweet and succulent. Is there nothing more perfect than a well-balanced Read more…
May 5, 2017
Jajaja is a new all-vegan eatery in Chinatown. Housed in an old bakery, with some great original features still intact, it’s beautiful, bright and airy. And it’s got a plant-based menu that fresh, healthful and flavorful. . no packaged products. Perfect for a finally seasonable Spring Day in New York Read more…
January 1, 2017
Momofuku Nishi vs. Sugar Cafe In the near absence of real and affordable opportunity, New York City’s development in the last decades has shifted towards big box store chains. The same character-less stores that appear in suburban shopping Lego sets are now in New York City as patrons relish in convenience above all–unfortunately. Read more…
November 14, 2015
Match #7 of the V.V. Burger Showdown: The Battle of (vegan) Growing Pains. Tiny’s Giant Sandwich Shop vs. Bareburger Along with the large scale collective growth in vegan food products and eateries, omni embrace of “vegan” is also evolving in its own way. Vegan pantry staples are showing up in traditional supermarkets and Read more…
July 29, 2015
More and more, I am finding vegan option leads through my followees on Instagram. Sure, a new all-vegan spot gets around the campfire quite easily… but unearthing a “vegan option” is a challenge. Being not so thrilled with the all-vegan places in my home city (I’m waiting on you, Chloe and Jay, Read more…
May 18, 2015
Do this experiment. Start peeling an orange, put your nose in the path of the rind’s mist, peel a packet loose and place it in your mouth, but do not chew… Your salivary glands dumped buckets out into your mouth whether or not you thought you wanted an orange. There is Read more…
May 2, 2015
After spying El Rey Coffee Bar & Luncheonette‘s yum on a friend’s Instagram, I texted my food compatriot CandyPenny immediately. A menu like this does not turn into a back burner bookmark. So a semi-spontaneous afterwork trip to Manhattan’s Lower East Side trumped the age-appropriate desire to head home to relax on a Friday Read more…
December 16, 2014
Sometimes you leave your neighborhood and do things in “The City.” Other times you drive in, illegally park next to the things you want to do quickly, without hullabaloo, and get the heck outta Dodge. That is how I feel about Manhattan these days. You know when 14th street opens Read more…
December 29, 2013
Essex, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is a huge brunch destination. It must be listed in the NFT Guide or something. I have wanted to try their lone vegan dish, the Vegan Mexican Matzo Brei, for quite some time. So with a few days off at our disposal, we made a Read more…
April 21, 2012
Pala on the Lower East Side has a great vegan menu. It also has gluten-free options. Given its proximity to the Sunshine Theater, it makes for an easy option for a vegan and a one with gluten intolerance. So we, vegan and one with gluten intolerance, dined prior to Damsels in Distress. Read more…
October 23, 2011
I don’t work on my birthday. It’s kind of a rule. I usually flee town, hitting the road for vegan eats and roadside attractions. But times are tight. With cash flow low, I planned to spend the day in my city, New York City, enjoying the sights on my own Read more…
July 18, 2011
I can’t stop eating it. Mango and sticky rice. I love it. I think I need to do a search for the best–and really, when I say the best I mean the biggest portion. I really have never had a bad batch. Even after this to-go mango & sticky rice Read more…
February 2, 2010
That is the question. A good, hearty and satisfying veggie burger is an occasional must. And luckily it they’re pretty much a menu staple at both veg and omni eateries alike. But where to go? A group of vegan field reporters and I bring you this expansive report on the Read more…