new new york
Though we always try to visit our favorite vegan spots in New York, it’s a treat to get to try someplace new. This visit we made a trip to Dun-Well Donuts. It’s an adorable shop with superb vegan donuts. I could imagine spending a rainy afternoon there sipping coffee and nibbling on donuts.
Even though I don’t think I could have eaten one more sugary thing if my life depended on it, I still sort of regret not getting the maple milkshake.
Shawn also treated me to special dinner at Candle 79. We had a quite a harrowing journey across town to arrive at the restaurant, but the delicious food quite made up for it. We started with the squash ravioli and the cornmeal poppers which were wonderful. There was also a little edamame corn appetizer which was nice as well.
The seitan piccatta was the standout of the meal. It had such a great flavor and all the elements of the dish balanced each other wonderfully. I hope to get to visit again and try more from the menu.
Champs and Vegan Treats
There are so many great vegan brunch spots, but Champs holds a special place in my heart. A quick trip to New York over the weekend meant brunch was first on the agenda. While I was tempted to get the monte cristo like last time, I went for something new and tried the tofu benedict. I was not disappointed. The hollandaise sauce was perfect and so was the combo of faux ham and tofu. Shawn got the “chicken” and waffles which were equally as awesome.
We also made the trek out to Bethlehem to go to Vegan Treats. It’s always worth the trip to get some freshly baked items. I got a peanut butter tandy cake which was ridiculously rich and lovely.
This was the first trip where we’ve been able to get soft serve. The vanilla custard soft serve was so good. Best soft serve in recent history without a doubt and perfect with the chocolatey peanut buttery cake.
I’m always impressed with how beautiful all the cakes are at Vegan Treats. I love that there are always new things to try. They now have a lot of gluten free options as well as lots of fun doughnut variations like the donut pretzel above.
I guess it’s a good thing that these places are on the other side of the country so that I can’t eat at either all the time. Then again, that might not be so bad.
NYC Food Favorites
There are some places we have to visit every time we visit New York. Los Angeles has amazing vegan food, but there are some things we don’t have here on the west coast.
For one, we always go to Foodswings for some DISCO FRIES. You know what I’m talking about. Fries + gravy + cheesy sauce. They are so good. While places out here have tried to replicate their deliciousness, none of them measure up.
A new favorite of ours is Champs. We visited there for brunch and oh my god they have vegan monte cristo. A faux ham and cheese sandwich made with french toast. Dream come true.
The thing I miss the most out here is Vegan Treats. Officially the bakery is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, but it’s available at nearly every veg restaurant in New York. The most decadent cakes and pastries you’ve ever had and the cutest decorations too. Look at those carrot cakes!
No one makes a better donut. You have to know when the deliveries are to get these, they sell out fast.
We also tried Blossom for the first time. These raviolis were amazing. Perhaps I am biased because I love ravioli, but these were by far some of the best.
We stopped by Blossom in a rain storm right before going to see Margaret on one of it’s few theatrical runs. You should definitely see this movie. It’s crazy but really good. I’m really glad we were able to see it in New York too, since it is really about the city in a way.
What are your favorite places to eat in New York? One day I want to go of a dedicated food tour of the city.
Holidays, NYC and lots of dessert
homemade cinnamon bunIt is the last day of 2008! Had to squeeze in one last delicious post before the new year. I’m excited for all the projects and plans coming up. I know it’s going to be an awesome year.
Before moving forward, I’m going to have to look back for a moment as the past weeks have been terribly busy and I haven’t had a chance to show off some of the treats we’ve been indulging in. I made the above cinnamon bun from The Joy of Vegan Baking. I’ve been dying to make these, but was a bit scared off by the prep time. Since I have had a couple of days off, I finally had a chance to indulge myself. It was extra inspired by smelling the Cinnabon in the airport the day prior. Despite the fact that those things are quite possibly one of the most disgusting creations ever, the sure do smell good.
I ended up over cooking my buns a bit, but I think this may have had a bit to do with using new cookie sheets. They still tasted awesome, and were even better reheated the next morning with coffee.
peppermint cookies and cream cupcakeFor my family Christmas party, I opted to bring cupcakes rather than anything to actually eat for dinner. It worked out rather well as a bunch of my cousins happened to make vegan vegetable dishes. I made peppermint cookies and cream cupcakes. The cupcakes themselves came out amazing, perfectly moist and chocolaty. I still can’t decide if I liked the peppermint in the icing though, it was good, but perhaps too much. Maybe not though.
cookies and cream cakeShawn and I went back East to spend time with his family for the holidays. It was super exciting for me to show up and see snow on the ground.
I feel very lucky to have so many vegan restaurants in Los Angeles to go to, but it’s nothing like going to NYC. There’s just a different style of vegan/vegetarian restaurant there. The other thing that gets me super excited is getting to have some Vegan Treats. Pretty much every vegan restaurant in the area serves their desserts and there is honestly nothing like them. Over the summer, Shawn and I made a pilgrimage to their storefront in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where I was even more blown away by their selection of French pastries.
On one of our days in the city, we had lunch at Curly’s. I had a toastie with tomato, which is basically a vegan grilled cheese with red pesto and of course tomato. It was one of the most satisfying lunches. Simple and tasty and exactly what I wanted. Shawn had the Suno melt. I’ve had vegan tuna melts before, but have never been impressed. I only had a bite, but this was super good. Of course, we had to get some dessert, and I insisted on a cookies and cream cake, freshly delivered from Vegan Treats the previous day. The cake was moist and the frosting light and fluffy. Honestly, exactly how cake should taste, sweet and rewarding.
peanut butter cheesecake
cookies and cream brownieAt some point we also made a quick stop at Moo Shoes and Babycakes. I’m sure a lot of people will disagree with me, but after some more sampling, I’m really not a fan of Babycakes. Their desserts just don’t quite fulfill my sweet tooth. I can’t really pinpoint what it is about them that I don’t care for. The best way I can describe it is that I always feel a level of excitement when I enjoy a really good vegan dessert. Babycakes just doesn’t give me that thrill. I also am not a fan of their prices at all. Some cupcakes cost nearly $5 and that seems outrageous to me.
So that’s about it for 2008. Many exciting things to come in the future. I hope everyone had lovely holidays and Happy New Year!
