217620 Thu Jan 06 13:32:46 -0800 2005 4 18 Manhattan 0 1158184 cheap vegan place on the UES- can anyone comment on the food? Thu Jan 06 13:32:46 -0800 2005 0 Tamar G 1 1158223 We went there last sunday with a vegan who enjoyed it very much. I thought it was expensive for what it was. We had a bottle of wine (28), 2 starters , 3 mains (2 stirfrys , one burger) , one dessert and it was 50 each. Really a nice ginger sauce on the stirfry but most of the content was cabbage. Preferred Counter in the east village. Thu Jan 06 15:24:54 -0800 2005 1158184 0 jud 2 1158259 I think they have two outposts, I have only been to the one on 75th and 2nd and, as a non-vegetarian, I think it is quite good. I wouldn't call it cheap, but with $10-$15 entrees it is mid-priced (though my $6 lemonade seemed overprices). Most things I've had there are quite good with their Indian plate being outstanding (though, I admit, I haven't had it in a little while). Soups are a good way to go for vegan=phobis and (suprisingly) the desserts are more than edible. Thu Jan 06 16:45:50 -0800 2005 1158223 0 D-NY 2 1158298 I am a great fan of both Candle Cafe and Candle 79. Cafe is the more casual (and cheaper) of the two, 79 is more upscale (it's an elegant and soothing place). The Indian plate is always good. Their seitan is consistently excellent -- with a satisfying texture you rarely find in seitan. And it's always a surprise that their desserts are vegan. If I had to choose I'd opt for Cafe, but I think that's because I find the environment and staff so friendly and welcoming. Thu Jan 06 19:26:51 -0800 2005 1158223 0 Ladybird 1 1158345 Thanks for the replies. I went last night and I was pleasantly surprised. It was very good for what it was, and most of the "healthy" or vegan places I've tried in New York have been downright awful. I'll write it up because everyone has that one friend who will only eat this kind of food and this is a good place to take them. We split Seitan Chimichurri and a quesadilla (with soy cheese). Seitan is on my list as one of the grossest things I've ever eaten, but the chimichurri were very good- they had a taste and texture of meat and were very juicy and flavorful, although the acidic citrus flavor was too overpowering. Quesadilla was bland and uninteresting but perfectly edible. Then I had chiptole grilled tofu with quinoa and black beans, avocado, greens, and jicama-pumpkin seed salsa. The individual elements were all quite good. Nothing really went with anything else- it was just a big plate of lots of things mashed together with little regard for matching flavors. Frankly, though, I'd rather have too much flavor then too little, which is usually the case in vegetarian restaurants. We didn't have dessert and we split a drink of mixed greens and juice which tasted like spinach lemonade. Bill came to $30/person including tax and tip. Fri Jan 07 08:31:07 -0800 2005 1158184 0 Tamar G