Romantic, Inexpensive, Vegetarian on the Upper West Side?

[lovessushi]

Hi-

Looking for a romantic setting for a weeknight dinner (but not cheesy romantic, just warm and intimate), with inexpensive to moderate pricing (I'm thinking less than $20 per entree). Any type of food except Chinese and French is great (we've had a lot of that recently), but the menu must have some wonderful vegetarian options. I will eat seafood, just no chicken, beef, veal, etc. Avoiding that factory farming deal...

On the other hand if there is a restaurant that meets the above criteria AND has locally sourced, humanely raised meat, I'd be ecstatic ;)

So sushi, middle-eastern, Belgian, etc. - anything unique or different is great too-

Upper West side-

Thanks! :)

[goodhealthgourmet]

i think Mana is the only restaurant on the UWS that fits all your criteria.

here's a link to their website:
http://www.manaorganic.com/

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Mana
646 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

[lovessushi]

GhG! How are you? :)

Thank you - this actually looks great. But for me. Not for him. He's going to say it's too earthy and natural-y.

Any other thoughts most appreciated, but thank you again!

Are you back on the East coast?

[goodhealthgourmet]

hey chica :) yes, i'm back in NJ rather unexpectedly.

is there a reason you two need to stick to the UWS? options are really limited there...

[uwsister]

Have you gone for a Victory Garden soft serve yet? ;)

[lovessushi]

You are?! I hope for good reasons only!

Just saw this after I responded to Simon - but yes, because of previous plans that's the only reason we were thinking UWS. He won't want to eat in midtown, and Chelsea/Union Square area where I like is too far time-wise-

[Simon]

i'm not really a fan of anything on the UWS, esp for a romantic dinner, but:

Cafe Ronda might work...it's cute/woodsy inside...food is Argentinean-influenced tapas...plenty of salads and veggie choices (i.e. a side of spinach w/ oilve oil, pinenuts, raisins)...wasn't so great the last time i went because they were attempting some one night/week Spanish regional special menu that wasn't the best...but it's the only place i can think of...

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Cafe Ronda
249 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023

[lovessushi]

Looks interesting - thank you. Definitely like the idea of tapas - hopefully they won't be doing the special menu you describe if we decide to go.
We have plans on the UWS which is why I'm looking for a restaurant there - otherwise I'd much rather Chelsea or Union Square area-

[Simon]

i seem to remember the special menu night was maybe Wednesday?...but it's possible (hopefully) they've discontinued it...i'd say just give them a call and ask if they have the full regular menu on whatever night you want to go...the special menu wasn't awful, but it was more limited, not as tasty, and higher priced than their usual menu...

[lovessushi]

Great, thanks for the tip. We're not looking for amazing, stellar, incredible - just a nice simple place with good food and a nice atmosphere. So I'm thinking it's between your rec and Recipe-
:)

[uwsister]

I thought Recipe would be a good rec because I know they serve mostly local and/or grass-fed meat (my husband is like you - no factory farmed meat) and I would say the space is warm and intimate. I also remembered liking their veggies (roasted beets, braised brussels sprouts, etc.) and I'm not even a vegetable fan! But then I went to their website and saw their entrees are mostly in $20-25 range. If your budget is not super-strict, I would consider Recipe. To me it's a perfect weeknight-in-the-neighborhood type place - I've never had a bad meal there.

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Recipe
452 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

[goodhealthgourmet]

i've heard good things about Recipe. i was hesitant to suggest it since it's not "inexpensive" by most people's standards, but i'm glad you brought it up in case it is within their budget.

[lovessushi]

Just looked at this - definitely not :inexpensive but definitely looks good. I'm not sure we can afford it...we must discuss later... :)
Thank you!

[mahler5]

Have you considered Indus Valley?

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Indus Valley
2636 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

[lovessushi]

Indus looks great!

[Simon]

I ate there once a few years ago and i liked it very much (and i usually do not care for Indian in NYC)...nice suggestion

[goodhealthgourmet]

just remembered, there's Pasha for Turkish. plenty of veg & seafood options, not sure if you can swing it price-wise...
http://www.pashanewyork.com/?page=menu

you'll have more options if you're willing to forgo the romantic atmosphere. besides, you guys have been together long enough that you should be able to create your own romance ;

)

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Pasha
70 West 71st Street, New York, NY 10023

[lovessushi]

Lol! Good point ghg, good point! :)

Pasha sounds wonderful - and we love Turkish so that might definitely work. Prices seem a bit better than Recipe - and I'm sure he would be happier wiith Pasha...

[rkaene]

Josies, good food great drinks, lots of veg options.,reservations too!!!

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Josie's
300 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023

[goodhealthgourmet]

Josie's is certainly a great fit in terms of the menu, but i wouldn't say the atmosphere there is at all romantic.

[lovessushi]

Ooh - Josie's looks so good!
Now there are so many options! lol
Thanks :)

[lovessushi]

It's ok about the romance thing I suppose -was just looking for something a bit nicer than our usual....
Our usual meaning eating around the kitchen table - lol

[uwsister]

I've been to Josie's a few times since a friend used to work there - but even with perks like free desserts, I've never been that impressed with Josie's food. I haven't returned since my friend left.

I like both Indus Valley and Zoma. They both turn out good food consistently.

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Zoma
2084 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

Josie's
300 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023

Indus Valley
2636 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

[jaba]

Cotta is nice, has great food, is inexpensive, and has a few vegetarian items on the menu.

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Cotta
513 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024

[rose water]

Does Harlem work? Zoma, an Ethiopian restaurant with lots of fantastic vegetarian options, should fit the bill. (Frederick Douglass btwn 113-114)

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Zoma
2084 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

[lovessushi]

Ethiopian sounds interesting -
I will check out the others suggested as well-
Thanks!