Think MACRO
March 8, 2010
Everyone seems to be talking about a macrobiotic diet these days – but what is it?! Without realizing, I stumbled into the Soho mecca of all things macro…i.e. Souen Restaurant. In the 20 minutes of being there (I’m a fast eater) I learned that this kind of lifestyle promotes a balanced Japanese natural palate of ingredients local and in season to maintain physical and spiritual health – all emphasizing eating the whole food with skin and stem.
The Souen menu offers large portions of un-refined and un-proccessed grains, beans, seaweed, vegetables and veggie protein – think tofu, seitan, beans and tempeh. I ordered their signature Macro Plate (see my pic above / $8.50) and was blown away at how vibrant the colors were on the plate – clearly fresh local ingredients bring out the High Def in the kitchen. I’m not sure how my stomach (or BMs for that matter) would handle this kind of food full time. However, for an afternoon meal it was refreshing and surprisingly filling. I returned just a few days later for dinner with my uncle and chowed down on their dense gluten free corn bread ($3.50) and Inspired Vegetable Curry ($12.50).
Keep It Local
January 4, 2010
When the boyfriend is sick what does any nice girl do…? Make him soup. When the boyfriend is sick what does any nice girl (that doesn’t like to cook) do…? Buy him soup, obvi (short for ‘obviously’ for any of you Baby Boomers out there).
Yesterday I stopped by Local, an organic fair trade and shade grown coffee shop. With four small tables, it’s more of a take out spot or place to go solo with a book (or Kindle) for the afternoon. The menu is pretty well stocked for a mere coffee joint – their ‘early all day’ list includes a Farmers Market Egg White Sandwich on organic 7 grain or sourdough bread ($5.50), Local Made Granola with farmers market fruit/yogurt ($6.00) and Pukkolla rolled oats, ground bran, dried apricots and dates, apples, walnuts and almonds soaked in milk ($5.00). All of their baked items are made fresh each morning using organic cane sugar, organic flour and farmer’s market eggs. If you’re feeling ambitious, they have an extensive sandwich and salad list as well.
On a mission, I picked up a cup of the tomato and basil soup ($6.50) and a fresh baked corn muffin ($2.75). Little did I know that I’d also be taking home an XL order of his cold…as I write this I’m home sick from work…waiting for someone to bring ME soup.
Spring Street Au Naturale
December 8, 2009
Healthy. Vegan. Vegetarian. Fresh. Natural. Organic: my head is ringing with dollar signs just writing out these words…unfortunately, fresh wholesome grub is often expensive and overpriced.
A friend just introduced me to Spring Street Natural for affordable healthy eating. This SoHo…or is it considered NoLita…(non numbered streets still confuse me) neighborhood joint focuses on offering low-key whole natural foods that are minimally processed. Inside it resembles more of an old school ale house rather than a hippie dippie spot for free-range chicken. I had a hard time deciding between the Stuffed Acorn Squash Over Spinach ($15) or the South Western Grilled Organic Chicken Salad ($13.50). In the end, the dried cranberries, roasted corn and tamari roasted almonds with crumbled gorgonzola sold me…South Western all the way. By the way, the portions are HUGE (see above – I sub tofu for chicken) – get the dressing on the side so you have a better chance of salvaging leftover lettuce for the next day (not to mention you’ll use less).
Break Bread At Le Pain Quotidien
November 15, 2009
A gray and hazy morning, filled with an incessant drizzle of rain…made even worse by a bluster of wind every now and then – all in all the City doing its best to ruin my mom’s fresh new cut from Bumble and Bumble. In town visiting for the weekend, I needed a warm place close by to take her for brunch. Thank god for Le Pain Quotidien (pronounced luh paN koh-ti-dyaN) and its 19 locations in Manhattan – another in Westchester but that’s too far of a trek for a bread basket.
French for ‘daily bread,’ Le Pain Quotidien first cropped up in Brussels and then made its way (thankfully) to the States. With a low-key West Coast vibe, each ‘seat yourself’ location includes a long communal table as well as individual areas for anti-social seating (i.e. for my mom and I). The flooring and furniture include reclaimed wood and recycled Gypsum, lit with energy-efficient lamps. Even the corn-based disposable cups and spoons are made from potato starch to degrade completely within a week or two. As much as I try to channel my inner Captain Planet to enjoy the restaurant’s ‘Green’ features… I really just come for the food.
The menu promotes simple, nourishing food. I got the Organic Red Quinoa Basil Pesto Salad with an order of Farro Cranberry Porridge and Walnuts. My mom filled up on her nutrients with a double order of the Seaweed Miso Dressing Salad and Avocado and Tomato Organic Egg Omelette. We each received a side basket of bread made with only organic stone ground flour, salt and water – kneaded by hand (total order: $40). If I were to come back later in the day, the Asparagus and Parm Bruschetta sounds amazing not to mention it would be hard to pass by their Organic wine list and patisserie of desserts.
First chocolate…now healthy eats – who’s ready to move to Brussels?!
Isn’t It ‘sNice
November 5, 2009
Meat heaven at the Corner Bistro and Jane’s Tavern plus the waterfall of chocolate from Li-Lac and the Chocolate Bar make the corner of 4th St. and 8th Ave an unlikely place for a vegetarian cafe – ‘sNice makes it happen in full West Village style.
I normally stop through for a green tea but decided to camp out this past weekend for a full-blown breakfast. The chalkboard menu is filled with sandwiches (mostly vegan, many using seitan or tempeh), vegan marshmallow loaded hot chocolate and organic fair trade coffee. Embracing my inner hippie, I ordered the Vegan Steel Cut Oatmeal ($4.50) and the Tofu Scrambled Wrap ($4.50) – both really delicious and satisfied my need for some saturday am comfort food. If it had been a few hours later, I would have definitely gone head first for the Quinoa Salad with corn, black beans and tortilla strips or the Brie Pear & Arugula sandwich with raspberry mustard ($8.75/each).
‘sNice offers tons of seating (really out of the ordinary for a downtown cafe) plus books and board games to keep customers entertained. I somehow felt a little naked without a yoga mat strapped to my shoulder or possibly sneakers made of recycled rubber, but it was still a great meal.
Fast Food Nutrition
November 4, 2009
Fast food nation nutrition is an easy way of life in health conscious cities like New York. My favorite spots for a quick non-greasy bite include Better Burger, Energy Kitchen and THE PUMP.
Better Burger: their meat and poultry are antibiotic, hormone and nitrate free; all burgers and dogs are made from 100% meat, poultry or fish – no fillers; fries are organic, air-baked and have 2/3 less fat than regular french fries; Better Burger uses non-hydrogenated/trans-fat free butter substitutes or reduced fat vegan mayo – my order: Veggie Burger ($5.99) and Better Fries ($2.75) – this is the best spot to get the McDonald’s experience sans late afternoon heartburn
Energy Kitchen: nothing on the menu is over 500 calories; everything is grilled, baked or steamed and never fried; Energy Kitchen serves both bison and ostrich instead of beef (bison is leaner with fewer calories, fat and cholesterol than beef / ostrich is also extremely lean but high in protein and iron with fewer calories and fat than both beef and bison) – my order: Chicken Stir-Fry Wrap ($7.99) – love Energy Kitchen for post long workout meals because their filling and packed with recovery fuel
THE PUMP: everything cooked sans butter, cream or mayo and nothing is fried; uses only whole, unprocessed ingredients and throws in salt as sparingly as possible; serious body builders will feel right at home; my order: Quarter Mile Protein Shake ($5.50) and small PUMP Salad ($4.15) – good lunch time meal at work
Purely Amazing
October 26, 2009
The smell of a warm turkey pot pie with a nice flakey crust gives me goosebumps… not raw beets and eggplant puree. However, I stopped drinking my Haterade (yes, I said Haterade) and took a trip last year to Pure Food & Wine to explore the world of raw cooking (is that an oxymoron?).
Pure, located at 54 Irving Place, is a raw vegan restaurant where nothing is heated above 118 degrees to preserve vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Listed five years in a row by Forbes magazine as one of their ”All Star New York Eateries,” you barely notice that the food is untouched by the heat of an oven or stove top. With a 100% plant-based menu, you won’t find any processed ingredients including tofu, tempeh or seitan. I love the Asparagus Sushi Rolls with Mirin Soaked Forest mushrooms ($16) and Thai Coconut Noodles in Galangal Red Coconut Curry ($24). The wine and cocktail menu rounds out the entire experience, made with fresh-pressed organic juices and agave nectar, like the Purple Rain ($15) which has fresh raspberries, blueberries, yuzu and sake.
Although the plates are small and prices high, the quality of the ingredients and cooking experience behind the stove…err…blender…leave you feeling well satisfied and practically refreshed.
I’m Gusto For This Organic Hot Spot
October 21, 2009
GustOrganics has quite the resume:
- First and only certified organic restaurant in New York.
- World’s first certified restaurant using 100% organic ingredients.
- First and only USDA certified organic bar on the planet.
- Recognized as a ‘Green Restaurant’ by the Green Restaurant Association
- 100% organic restaurant and bar open 365 days a year (just in case you’re itching for a wheat grass shot Christmas morning)
You can find these stellar credentials in a rustic open air setting at 519 Avenue of the Americas, cooking up a full latin inspired menu for breakfast/brunch/lunch/dinner. During my most recent visit, I tried the Pear Strawberry & Pine Nut Salad ($8.95) but had serious food envy for the Grilled Organic Empanadas ($4) and Spinach Risotto ($17) that were at the table next to me.
If you have a little health tot, GustOrganics also offers an Organic baby menu with items served either finely chopped or fully processed in a blender. I know I have all of my teeth but the Tenderloin Beef Puree with Zucchini, Carrot and Bay Leaf looked worth putting on a bib for ($8.95)
You Can Burn The Candle At Both Ends After This Meal
October 19, 2009
I admit, I rarely venture North of 21st Street unless it’s for work or a run in Central Park…and even then, I feel like I need my passport (I’m being dramatic). However, I’ll make a trip to the Upper East Side any day for a chance to eat at one of NYC’s greatest health spots.
Candle Cafe, located at 1307 Third Avenue , serves seasonal organic vegan cuisine with a focus on sustainability, eco-friendly practices and compassion for animals (menu also includes a large range of gluten free items). Although my go-to is the Ginger Miso Stir-Fry ($15), I can see the Tuscan Lasagna made with grilled zucchini and tofu basil ricotta ($16) as the perfect cold weather dish.
Don’t think that you’ll be stuck slugging down H2O with your tofu. Candle Cafe also offers fresh blended smoothies, mixed green veggie juices, natural sodas (think Maine Root Ginger Brew) and organic wines/beers.
Gluten Free Is Fine With Me
October 15, 2009
My friend has a strong allergy towards gluten/wheat products. Making dinner plans with her is always challenging and usually results in sushi or steak. Trust me, I love both but sometimes I just want to do a nose dive into a bread basket. Thankfully she found a gluten free PIZZA and PASTA (two words missing from her vocabulary) restaurant in the West Village.
Risotteria at 270 Bleecker Street is a gluten free mosh pit of bread sticks, pastas, pizzas, paninis complete with a full line of celiac friendly baked goods. The menu is split in half, offering FOGFE (Friends of Gluten Free Eaters…ok, I made that one up obviously) options using standard ingredients. To gain the full experience, I indulged in a GF soppressata, mozzarella and arugula panini ($13) -when in Rome…
Best of all for my friend who a) doesn’t cook and b) lives on the other side of the city, took home frozen pasta and pizza dough to save for easy gluten free meals later in the week. I’ll definitely go back, with or without her.
HanGawi Brings Out The Korean…Even In Me
October 13, 2009
I figured after 24 years of ignoring my Asian roots I would finally pay homage to my inner Korean and make a few trips to K-Town. Of course, the BBQ hole in the walls are fantastic (who knew my heritage was so delicious) but the one place that I can’t wait to go back to is HanGawi at 12 East 32nd Street.
HanGawi, a Vegetarian Korean restaurant, embodies the principles of Um and Yang – Korean version of the yin and yang (I admit, I didn’t know this until reading their website). The menu balances these two forces by combing green vegetables and fruits (the um foods) with roots, radishes, carrots and potatoes (the yang foods). The flavors are rich but not overly doused in sauce, producing creative items like Kabocha Pumpkin Pancakes with Mung beans ($11), Spicy Kimchi Mushroom Pancakes ($12) and Watercress Tofu Dumplings ($9). There is a separate menu using all organic ingredients for the die hard foodies. Believing a nutritious meal requires thoughtful consideration to both the food and space, the HanGawi vegetarian sanctuary is dimly lit and beautifully decorated with dark wood and artifacts. Although, I hope you’re nimble – even I felt a little clumsy trying to lower myself onto the floor cushions without knocking over my neighbor’s silken tofu. The entire experience was more relaxing than being in 10 minute Savasana (yoga “corpse” pose).
Awesome Blossom
October 12, 2009
Blossom Restaurant at 187 Ninth Avenue is the ideal place for fresh organic and vegan food sans the earthy dirty taste. Personally, my body doesn’t work well under the restrictions of one specific diet – I’m not a ‘one size fits all’ kind of girl. Instead, I try to make an effort to choose healthier alternatives whenever possible (except for dessert…that’s an entirely different ballgame). Not a vegetarian or a vegan, I still appreciate Blossom’s commitment to providing a meat and dairy free menu. Blossom offers several protein substitutes, including seitan, tofu, and tempeh. Set in a warmly lit townhouse, the dishes are enriched with strong flavors and textures. I love the Feijoadinha with Smokey Tempeh ($18) which is a twist on the Brazilian national stew of smokey roasted tempeh, black beans, chayote sqaush and sweet potatoes in a light orange-lime broth. The Phyllo Roulade ($18) of french lentils and root vegetables served with swiss chard and a carrot-cream sauce is also amazing (and I usually HATE carrots).
Seitan: High in protein (twice as much as tofu and 40% more than two medium eggs), Seitan is made from wheat but looks, tastes and feels more like a meat product. This raw wheat gluten is higher in calories than its other soy counterparts but contains no saturated fat or cholesterol.
Tempeh: A complete protein food that contains all of the essential amino acids, Tempeh is made up of fermented cooked soybeans and is firm in texture with a subtle nutty mushroom flavor. This meat substitute contains isoflavones which are most commonly associated with stronger bones and a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The fermentation process coupled with the fact that tempeh retains the whole soy bean, contribute to this foods higher protein, diety fiber and vitamin content compared to tofu.
Seitan (4 oz) = 20.3 grams protein/114 calories/2.1 grams fat
Tempeh (4 oz) = 20 grams protein/ 216 calories/ 12 grams fat
Firm Tofu (4 oz) = 10.1 grams protein/94 calories/5 grams fat
85% Lean Ground Beef (4 oz) = 21 grams protein/240 calories/17 grams fat
*Recommended daily intake of protein is 56 grams for most men and 46 grams for most women
Get The Dirt On Dirt Candy
October 7, 2009
Grapefruit Lollipops. Kimchi Doughnuts. Jalapeno Hush Puppies. These are a few things Amanda Cohen (Angelica’s Kitchen alum) dreams up in her kitchen at Dirt Candy located at 430 East 9th Street. Committed to providing beautiful healthy treats using ingredients found literally in the dirt (half of the dry items are from Organic vendors), Cohen offers a small but impeccable menu of fresh healthy meals (everything on the menu can be made vegan on request). I can’t wait to go back to try the asparagus paella ($19) and zucchini ginger cake ($12). Just watch out, the bill can quickly add up…but I guess that’s the price you pay for good dirt!
Go Go To Gobo
October 1, 2009
One of the benefits of having ‘healthy living’ enter the NYC trend scene, is that restaurants are now paying closer attention as to how they can transform sterile tofu and broccoli stalks into a medley of tastes, colors and smells.
Gobo, a vegetarian restaurant that creates “food for the five senses,” incorporates Zen compassion with global organic cuisine. Aside from the food being fresh and filling, the interior space is sleek with light stained wood and includes an organic juice bar. During this visit, I had the five spice tofu rolls with mango puree ($6), pine nut vegetable medley with lettuce wraps ($13) and soy filet with coconut curry rice ($19). The next time I go back I’ll plan to bring a larger group of friends so we can order several items to try tapas-style.
New Yorkers would expect nothing less from Gobo considering that the leading chefs, Darryn and David Wu, are the children of founding partners of New York’s Zen Palate.
