Post Punk Kitchen Forum

So, I'm a major foodie and, to be totally honest, part of why I really struggled with being plant-based my first time around (when I was a teen and in my early twenties) is that I was falling in love with the restaurant scene and was frustrated with constantly getting stuck eating a boring salad.

It's almost 10 years later and I live in NYC, so there's definitely more options for me now than there were back then, but the vegan restaurants I've been to in NYC (e.g. Candle Cafe, V-Note) are still leaving something to be desired. They serve up food that is tasty and well-executed, but maybe not particularly edgy or innovative.

Hold the Portlandia jokes, but I have a penchant for the kind of hipster restaurants in which the menu that reads like:

Dish name- ingredient.ingredient. (E.g. "Sunchoke Carpaccio- capers, garam masala, green tea")

You know, the kind you see downtown and all over Williamsburg (e.g. Traif, Dressler, Fatty Crab, Momofuku, etc.)? It seems like it would be sooo easy and fantastic to create vegan or easily veganized vegetarian menues like that (read: whimsical and creative), but the only place like that I'm aware of is Dirt Candy, which is impossible to get into. Anyone know of other restaurants in the same vein?

i just went to Family Recipe with some friends on the LES, and they have some good vegan options. Also, for super fancy and hard to get into, Blue Hill can make some really good vegan food. Also, try MOB in Brooklyn, which is all vegan and I think probably hipster foodie, though that descriptor is weird!

Thanks, haven't been to any of those... Didn't realize Blue Hill would have good options! That's exciting.

And, yeah, realize that "hipster foodie" is an odd descriptor, but I really couldn't think of a better way to describe what I mean.... I feel like when you just say "foodie" people talk about any restaurant that's expensive and upscale, but I mean more the kind of place that is very food-driven, but with a casual vibe.

Anyway, thanks for the tips!

ha yeah. it's just that hipster means something different to every person who says it. I think at Blue Hill, you should say when you make a reservation that you're vegan. i got to eat there for free once, sort of spur of the moment and they made me a really amazing vegan meal, but maybe it'd be even better if they knew in advance.

This post makes me so happy! I'm opening a restaurant, that sounds just like what your describing.

I am working on opening a hip upscale vegan restaurant called jay kitchen in NYC. The restaurant will be located in downtown Manhattan. jay kitchen will feature innovative organic vegan cuisine in a fun downtown ambiance. There's also going to be an open kitchen with counter seating. I'm really excited about the open kitchen counter, I haven't seen that in any vegan restaurants yet. This whole year is dedicated to getting this restaurant open. I'm also doing a 2 day popup in April where I will be serving a tasting menu. I plan on opening the actual restaurant by late 2013.

FYI, we couldn't get a Dirt Candy reservation when we tried, but we just showed up right when they opened one night and they gave us a seat. This was the second weekend in February.

That's awesome Jay! I wish I was still in nyc. Best of luck!

I don't think I would got to restaurant if I felt it was hipster. But I like Blossom and quantum Leap a lot.

I totally get what your saying, so I'll be following this thread with interest! The only ones I can say that naturally fit the bill are MOB and Dirt Candy.

if you don't mind it not being all veg, I'd second the family recipe recommendation. Their kale salad is by far the best I've ever had.

It's totally the opposite of hipster, but kajitsu is really wonderful and food-driven, also impossible to get into unless you plan well in advance. 4 course vegan is also a good bet (I haven't been in a couple of years, but I used to go pretty regularly and was always impressed), and there's also vegan secret supper, which I haven't tried but I'm sure is worth checking out.

I think 4 Course Vegan moved to California? I ate there towards the end and he talked about wanting to try something new. Too bad, likely would have fit the bill. Vegan secret supper sounds intriguing.

Veganchefjay, that is awesome, I hope you'll keep us informed of every update!

Vegan secret supper moved, too, but I think she's doing a few in NYC in April.

Thanks guys! Great recommendations--keep 'em coming!

Jay, your place sounds like it'll be just what the doctor ordered. Keep us posted!

I just had a great meal at Pok Pok NY. They have a pretty decent vegan menu-- their mushroom nom tok was to die for. And I also just had an unexpectedly yummy meal at Blossom. I feel so lucky to live in a city that is so vegan friendly.

my restaurant concept jay kitchen has a facebook page now! I'm doing a popup April 25th and April 26th. I'll be serving a 7 course tasting menu. Tickets are coming soon. Facebook.com/jaykitchenNYC twitter: @jaykitchenNYC

My first thought reading this thread was MOB, glad it got mentioned a couple times. You'd probably also like Mission Chinese in the LES. It's not completely vegan but most dishes are/can be made vegan. The vegan Thrice Cooked Bacon is by far my favorite. Every omni I've gone with agrees it's the best dish they have, especially better than the non-vegan version. Usually I have to wait about an hour to get a table (no reservations IIRC). The place definitely has a hipster, secret restaurant type feel to it. Best chinese food I've ever had. Certainly nothing I'd consider traditional, at least not what I've ever ordered.

Is there no way to edit? I just saw in another thread and it reminded me, Beyond Sushi. They have a lot of rolls with ingredients I wouldn't have expected.

http://beyondsushinyc.com/rolls.html

An example: Black rice with lemon roasted Jerusalem artichokes and marinated carrots. Garnished with a kale chip & sweet green pea-mint sauce.

Is that the kind of innovation you're thinking of?

Are those trying to reserve tables doing it by phone or online?
I tried the online booking and there were no options within a month. Yesterday I turned up at 6pm and got a table. And I noticed at least two others did the same while I was there.

(I had the onion starter - amazing, the parsnip main - nice enough and the nanaimo bar dessert - incredible!)