The Hidden Vegan Gem of Ulster County

There is a New York that is not New York City, not a surrounding suburb and not within the its commuter path. Many call it all “upstate”, simplifying it into one homogeneous lump of land. But spending a wonderful weekend about its mountains, farmland and curving state roads, I learned that “I ♥ NY” in a new way. The next few of my blog entries will focus on my upstate jaunt with a gaggle of my nearest/dearest veg-foodie Brooklynite friends.

We came, we saw, we left with grass stains in our hearts. Of course, despite all of our whimsical encounters–with kittens, talking parrots, zombies, parking lot junkies and a variety of intense toll collectors–food ranked high priority and one of the highlights was the Steak-Seafood-Vegan restaurant in Ellenville, NY: Aroma Thyme Bistro.

Not being altogether sure what to make of a restaurant serving vegan food and Porterhouse steaks, we arrived at Aroma Thyme Bistro four hours before they were due to open for Sunday night dinner service. Taking a quick glance at the posted menu in the window we knew we had to wait. Later, when seated, we began to see how special the place was. Aroma Thyme Bistro is the “restaurantification” of the founding chef Marcus Guiliano’s health principles, inspired by greens-guru Gary Null. The menu ranges from steaks to vegan entrees, gluten-free to micro-brewed stouts, organic wines to pizza, raw food entrees to Jupiter ionized water. Their list of food guidelines is lengthy, as any progressive restaurant’s should be, and includes no white sugar, no white flour, no butter or cream and no fried items. It does, however, contain plenty of wheat-free choices, vegan choices, local organic vegetables, organic grains and beans, natural sweeteners and a good selection of raw foods. Here is the run-down on my eats:

Their fresh bread, hot out of the oven with a dollop of white bean smear. This is bread. This is not.
Puree of Organic Sweet Potato & Yellow Curry Soup. Perfect. In the background, CandyPenny‘s Golden Beet and Walnut salad.
The not-so photogenic House-made Seiten Cutlets, Smoked Black Pepper & Roasted Tomatoes with organic rice medley and local organic veggies. Cutlets had a great texture, veggies were deliciously fresh..
Dessert! Cooked banana in pure maple syrup and cinnamon. Yum! A scoop of Soy Delicious is a must and pricey at $2.50.