Date with vegetarian

[Marginwalker]

I have a secomd date with a vegetarian on Saturday and need a recommendation for somewhere in Manhattan...Would prefer the east side, but willing to travel if need be. Would like to keep the bill under $150.

[maharani]

As a carnivore married to a vegetarian (no fish, no stock, but eggs & dairy OK), I think I can opine on this subject. First, DO take your date to an all-veg place for your second outing -- although my husband gamely finds something to eat on the menu almost anywhere we go, having more than 2 choices is a rare pleasure and your date will appreciate it. Second, in answer to someone's question above, we tried Counter several weeks ago and *loved* it -- in fact, I'm the one craving a second helping! Third, do NOT go to Devi if you know anything about Indian food. The best thing I had all night was a cocktail that I had to tell them how to make, and their famous cauliflower appetizer turned out to be a cold, gloopy version of cauliflower Manchurian that you can get better, hotter, and at half the price on Lexington Avenue. Tastier options can be had at either Tabla or Tamarind, which have never failed to please.

[BratleFoodie]

As a vegetarian who grew up in NYC and visits often as I have a place to stay, I've not been able to sample as much as I'd like, but here are a few ideas.

Unlike the previous poster, I love Pukk 1st Ave bet 4/5th st. Cool atmosphere, very neighborhoody. Make a reservation so you can maybe get seated in front by the bar, as it is booth-like, less crowded.

I just discovered Counter 1st ave bet 6/7th st and had already eaten, but the menu made me drool! I will definitely check it out this month. The atmosphere is great for a second date (prob. better than Pukk). Very nice people there.

Check out the Tibetan Tsampa 212 e 9th st. Fabulous MoMos and a great comfortable atmosphere. Love that place.

Galaxy Global Eatery on Irving Place, right around the corner from the Fillmore, is funky bar-like but also proper tables. Some really good food, not purely vegetarian, but definitely has lots and the ethos is incredibly healthy eating. The hemp/edamame burgers are fab.

If you are further uptown, and like Indian, I adore Chola on 232 e 58th st., my favorite of all the Indians on 58th st. They have some food that is actually from southern India (I've been in that area and think this restaurant has some great stuff), so not just the normal curry. Really nice (I regularly get delivery)!

If you are even further uptown, you could check out the Afghan Kebab House, or Persepolis for Persian (while they are still there due to the 2nd Ave Subway construction) in the 70s. Both, as almost all middle eastern places would do, have lots of yummy veggie options, and are small and intimate, but not "too" intimate!

Finally, go here and do a search. Incredibly helpful if the Zagat is letting you down.
http://menupages.com/

[rose water]

Though I love Persepolis's chicken kabob, I would not recommend their vegetarian options. Bland stews and greasy eggplant are poor approximations of what these dishes could/should taste like. (Their chicken though...onions and saffron and tender greatness).

I prefer Counter over Blossom. Blossom looks lovely, but the food is uninspired. HLing's description above is dead on.

I recently went to Angelica's Kitchen for the first time in years, and really enjoyed it. Tasty food, warm space, but too packed to be a nice date space.

[Pan]

Not to be difficult, but you said nothing about the food at Pukk. Like many other hounds, I figure that I don't eat atmosphere, so I don't give a damn about atmosphere if the meal is bad. So what did you like about the food at Pukk?

I haven't been to Tsampa in years but do go to Cafe Himalaya on 1st St. between 1st and A and it's a solid neighborhood restaurant (not someplace to take a subway trip to but a good place to go to if you're in the area and want something soothing).

[scarlet starlet]

I've eaten at Pukk three times and have thought it was really good every time, although some dishes aren't as good as others. I wasn't too impressed by their stir-fried dishes (the prik khing in particular was boring), but the curries and noodles were good, and the papaya salad was excellent despite the absence of fish sauce. I have never found any of the food bland/lacking spice or oversalted.

[Marginwalker]

I've decided to give Blossom a try...Thanks for all the feed back

[280 Ninth]

So let us know how it goes/went....

[PlomeekSoup]

Yes, how did everything go? If you go on a third date, make it Candle 79! :)

[Marginwalker]

Everything went great...Now I have a 3rd date...I was thinking of going to the west village and then going to hear some jazz afterwards, any thoughts? The menu dosen't have to be complete vegan, but at least vegaterian friendly. Thanks for all the help

[HLing]

we came really close to going to this place when there was a group of people with 2 vegetarians.
http://www.counternyc.com/home.html

I'm not sure if the bill would be under $150 though. I don't see this place mentioned too much on the board, but maybe someone else can chime in? It is very much on the East side, though.

There were also lots of talk of trying Blossom, but I found negative comments about it being beautiful, but flavorless and expensive.

My vegetarian sister (not vegan) doesn't like HanGawi - she says it's all too sweet and strangely spineless (?); most non-vegetarians likes the place, though. It's really unlike the Korean food that you get so you don't have to worry about spiciness.

[bigjeff]

btw, where was your first date?

[sohjyu]

I agree that you don't have to go to a vegetarian restaurant to have a date with a vegetarian. But it depends on what kind of vegetarian your date is... One of my vegetarian friends loves Gobo and EN (Japanese). He is also a vegetarian who eats dairy (cheese and eggs), and enjoys eating at Basta Pasta, Craft, etc... I also agree that Indian and certain Asian cuisines are very vegetarian friendly. In NY, you can almost go to any restaurant and they will cater to the needs of a vegetarian.

[Simon]

Personally i don't believe in dating vegetarians...*smiles*...but i agree with the poster above that Italian places are good choices, especially if he/she eats cheese...Cacio e Vino is a moderately priced Sicilian place in the East Village that has excellent and interesting and fairly long menu of pizzas, pastas, and salads: small and casual but very charming...

Another possibilty: also (very) small and charming is Snack in Soho...Greek food...you could get a bottle of nice wine and assorted veggie dishes and dessert and definitely come in under 150...there are prob some other Greek and Turkish places that would be extremely vegetarian friendly as well...and that Moroccan place on E.4th St (?) whose name escapes me does a multi-course meal w/ a vegetarian option...

i've not been to Devi, but that sounds like a romantic and safe choice too..

[MMRuth]

Devi is a pretty room as well - haven't eaten there since the change.

[280 Ninth]

Another choice (West Side) to throw into the proverbial ring: Blossom. I think it's a perfect date place, it's vegan, and for this carnivore, it's absolutely delicious.

[bigjeff]

a. do NOT go to franchia
b. find some great suggestions on this recent thread for vegetable tasting menus: (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/486701)

[scarlet starlet]

I get so annoyed when people think that vegetarians can eat ONLY at a vegetarian restaurant! I was raised vegetarian and have eaten at so many restaurants throughout the city over my nearly three decades. Very few of them have been strictly vegetarian.

You can go to pretty much ANY restaurant in Manhattan these days and find a vegetarian appetizer and entree. Of course, some places only have one of each, which is annoying (I hate not being able to choose my food), so you probably don't want to go just anywhere without checking out the menu. But you are certainly NOT restricted to going to a completely vegetarian restaurant!

That being said...what kind of food does she like? Italian is always a good bet (I really like Falai on the LES), as are Indian (I recommend Devi - it's in the Flatiron district) and Mexican. Check out some of the other boards for more recommendations for these cuisines.

Have fun on your date!

[MMRuth]

Hangawi is also a nice choice - my husband and I usually take a vegetarian friend there when she's in town and we all enjoy it. Great atmosphere too - you take your shoes off and sit in these sunken tables - it's darkish and transports you to a different country.

My experience is that often vegetarians enjoy being able to choose anything on the menu, rather than having limited choices, or having to ask endless questions about whether a dish has meat stock in it or was cooked with bacon fat, etc. I've also enjoyed Candle 79.

-----
HanGawi
12 E 32nd St, New York, NY 10016

[MMRuth]

The more I think about it, I'd choose HanGawi over Candle79.

[scarlet starlet]

Hangawi is light years better than Candle79! It's pricey but totally worth it. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city.

If you do go to Hangawi, let your date know that you have to take your shoes off and sit on the floor. I once made the mistake of wearing socks with holes in them and jeans that were really tight - horrible for sitting on the floor without shoes on!!

[fein]

i agree with scarlet scarlet. it is nice you want to accomodate but it is easier to eat vegetarian then you think. Thai is always a good option as well as is most asian menus.

[scarlet starlet]

Many (if not all) Thai places use fish sauce in their dishes, especially papaya salad. Curries are generally free of it, but ask about noodle dishes.

If you're at all worried, Pukk is a good place for purely vegetarian Thai.

[Miss Needle]

Do they make a special fish sauce-free curry for vegetarians? Because I always add fish sauce when I make Thai curries.

[Pan]

The one time I went to Pukk (last April or so, I think), I hated it. There was no spiciness whatsoever in anything, only an excessive amount of salt. I would never go back.

[girllovesfood]

I love Gobo!!!!

[SLO]

I really like Candle 79.
http://www.candlecafe.com/

I've heard this is good as well, although I've never eaten there:
http://www.goborestaurant.com/ues/ind...

[BW212]

I've only been to the downtown one, but Gobo is delicious, has a great atmosphere (very cool for a second date) and should run you significantly less than 150. We sometimes order a lot of small plates instead of entrees.

[Marginwalker]

Thanks for all the help...I sort off dismissed, Gobo, on accound of the one on the UES, seemed more of a take out type of place, is the one downtown more date worthy?

[bastet212]

Really? I actually think the gobo on the ues looks like a great date place. I walked by last night and tried to figure out how i could get my carnivore bf there, lol.

[JungMann]

I'm agreed. I didn't think either the Gobo up- or downtown looked like a take-away. I was at the downtown branch on Sunday and saw more than a few couples tucked into the booths.

[Marginwalker]

I guess I was to quick to dismiss Gobo...Know it's between Gobo or Candle79... I'm worried Hangawi might be to spicey

[MMRuth]

I don't recall Hangawi being spicy at all - and just asked my husband and he said the same thing.

[Marginwalker]

now I'm considering Blossom

[MMRuth]

Sorry - can't help you there! Good luck with your decision, and enjoy - I'm sure he/she will appreciate the effort you've gone to. Do let us know how it goes!

[Marginwalker]

Thanks

[280 Ninth]

Been to both and imo Blossom is light years better....

[Marginwalker]

Do you prefer Bossom over candle

[280 Ninth]

Never been to Candle; but if I were thinking of a good date place AND with well-prepared food, Blossom is a can't miss. If you do choose Candle, let us know about it, too...

[UES Mayor]

No!!! not too spicy at all-both Hangawi and Candle 79 great choices-Gobo more of a less date place