Cheap but tasty vegetarian? Doc maker cousin visiting NY this weekend, looking for low-cost options

[HeathClifff]

The only veg restaurant I know is Zen Palate. I live in LA, which is overflowing with veg restaurants. I remember Zen had a few good things, but was pretty pricey. I remember going to a restaurant somewhere in Chinatown that was good, but have no idea the name.

Any suggestions for cheap but tasty veg food in NY?

My cousin, a documentary filmmaker, is going to NYC this coming weekend, and asked me for suggestions, for good veg food that was reasonably priced.

[scoopG]

In Chinatown:

Vegetarian Dim Sum House:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/702262

http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2008/09/vegetarian-dim-sum-house-chinse-food-chinatown-nyc.html

http://www.vegguide.org/entry/120

and

Buddha Bodai:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/716742

http://www.chinatownvegetarian.com/Lo...

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Buddha Bodai
5 Mott St, New York, NY 10013

Vegetarian Dim Sum House
24 Pell St, New York, NY 10013

[small h]

I've ordered from Buddha Bodai twice in the last month, and the food was really subpar. I used to like it quite a bit, but I think it's best avoided, now.

[geeksaregoodfun]

Agree with Dirt Candy and Kajitsu for the "nice" end of the spectrum. Red Bamboo and VP2 are very reasonable. Other options could include:

1. Macrobiotic: Souen (multiple locations) and Purume
2. Asian Vegetarian: Soy and Sake, Wild Ginger, Hangawi
3. Indian: Huge Sarvanna Bhavan fan for South Indian food (idli for 4.50!!), although Rajdhani in LA is hard to beat.
4. Quantum leap (burgers and such) and Sacred Chow (lovely vegan tapas and brunch options even if you're not vegan :-)

Enjoy!

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Red Bamboo
140 W 4th St, New York, NY 10012

Saravanaas
81 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

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

Souen
28 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

Quantum Leap
226 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012

Quantum Leap
203 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Dirt Candy
430 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009

Soy and Sake
47 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014

Wild Ginger
226 E 51st St, New York, NY 10022

Kajitsu
414 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009

Sacred Chow
227 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012

[mrsdebdav]

http://redbamboo-nyc.com/site/

http://www.vp2-nyc.com/index.html

right next to each other, both delish and very inexpensive.

Also:

http://www.goborestaurant.com/

http://www.curlyslunch.com/

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Red Bamboo
140 W 4th St, New York, NY 10012

Gobo
401 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014

Curly's Vegetarian Lunch
328 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003

Vegetarian's Paradise 2
144 W 4th St, New York, NY 10012

[ChiefHDB]

Xi'an's liang pi noodles are my favorite cheap vegetarian in the city.

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Xi'an Famous Foods
81 St. Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003

[rose water]

You cannot get more delicious than xi'an. Their salad is also veg, and also wonderful.

A million years ago, we used to love Kate's joint--grungy space, cheap, comforting veg food--but it's been years since I was last there. Any recent reports?

There's also Indian. Saravanaas and other places near there get a lot of chowhound praise

[ukitali]

2nd Red Bamboo...they have a varied and affordable menu. I really like the wings, "chicken" parm and oreo cheesecake.

[sgordon]

Dirt Candy is as good a restaurant as you'll find, and last I was there all the entrees were under $20.

Kajitsu is wonderful but a bit pricier. They have two prix fixes - $50 & $70 - though that's for four & eight course meals respectively.

Many people like Pure Food and Wine, but I'm not so high on them - I find them staggeringly overpriced for what they serve, and the food rather bland and uninspiring.

Mind you, this is all coming from a borderline-carnivorous omnivore.

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Pure Food and Wine
54 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Dirt Candy
430 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009

Kajitsu
414 East 9th Street, New York, NY 10009