Lunchtime Vegetarian

Posted by k. parris on 8/02/09 • Categorized as Food & Wine,Lifestyle

Vegetarianfittiesimage

So you’re out with your friends on a Friday night. Or perhaps you and a pal are simply doing lunch. Maybe you don’t feel like cooking tonight and you want to pick up take out. Only problem is…you are relegated to relative house salad doom because you are a vegetarian and that’s the only thing on the menu that has no meat. Geez.

Well, fear not. This writer has been on a mission to find the best (and cheap) eats for all my vegetarians out there. Now, just to clarify: overall there are three main types of “veg heads” (at least, when we think of vegetarianism):

The semi-vegetarian (or casual): This is the person who may eat on occasion fish and shellfish, but primarily will eat vegetables and some soy products. This person also eats dairy.

The traditional vegetarian: This is the person who solely eats vegetables and soy products, but excludes all animals and animal by products, such as dairy products.

The vegan: The vegan excludes all animals and animal by products, including items such as honey or whey.

Of course, it goes without saying (though I’ll say it anyway) that these are exceedingly broad definitions of both vegetarianism and vegans. Some people adhere to these standards. Others will bend and stretch the rules to suit their needs. In other cases, some people, such as myself, just don’t feel like eating meat that particular day or week. (It does happen.) No matter your classification, it is important to know that as with any diet, the key is to make sure that you are not inadvertently depriving yourself of any nutrients. Though most vegetarians do not eat meats, a primary source of protein, they do supplement with vitamins and other items such as quinoa or various types of beans in order to gain their protein component.

Ok, enough babbling for now. I present to you the top 5 vegetarian (or vegan) restaurants in Manhattan (outer boroughs coming soon!)

5. swich pressed sandwiches (www.swichpressed.com)

104  8th Avenue, between 15th and 16th Streets

Great for a quick bite on the go or a nice way to spend your lunch hour, swich pressed sandwiches is tucked away in the central part of Chelsea. Sinfully delicious is their Veggie Goodness sandwich, a whole wheat baguette filled with roasted zucchini and red peppers, grilled eggplant, and topped with herbed goat cheese. Or, wrap your taste buds around an Earthy McGee, grilled Portobello mushrooms, arugula, goat cheese, and fresh thyme on wheat bread. Though not a solely vegetarian restaurant, swich offers many options for the vegetarian on the go, at reasonable prices.

4. Wild Ginger (www.wildginger-ny.com)

51 Grove Street, New York

Ok. So when this writer heard of Wild Ginger, I am not ashamed to say that I raised an eyebrow. Yes, as easy going as I am when it comes to food, the first impression that I got was, “um…” after seeing the menu. I don’t know why I was worried at ALL. The Sweet Basil Eggplant is tender without being mushy, and flavorful. I don’t like papaya (I know, I know, what kind of island girl am I?), but the Papaya and Mango Salad with cucumber and alfalfa was right on the money. And for my semi “veg heads”? Sweet & Sour Prawns Thai style. (nods head in approval) They’re fresh, tangy, succulent, and slightly sweet. Served with jasmine sticky rice, it is well worth the price. Plus, everything was filling and enjoyable.

3. Tiengarden (www.chienkun.net/tiengarden/tiengarden/Main.html)

170 Allen Street, New York

Now those of you who read my ode to the LES will note that Tiengarden is another dining treasure on Allen Street in the Lower East Side. Catering to the vegan population for fourteen years, Tiengarden boasts 100% non animal and animal by products. Their curry potatoes are flavorful and filling. Willing to try something daring? Try their Five Treasures: sautéed then braised seitan, green soy beans, carrots, zucchini and Shitake mushrooms in a Peking sauce. Seitan, for those of you that don’t know, is a product made from the gluten, or starch, in wheat, which leaves behind a mass chewy in texture. It may not sound appetizing at first, but keep in mind that it can absorb any marinade or flavor to emulate meats such as chicken, beef, or duck. It is used as an alternative to tofu, and in this Five Treasures dish, it really stands out. They also serve vegan versions of carrot cake, chocolate cake, and apple crumbles. Great for lunch or dinner, Tiengarden is a nice, cozy place for the vegan (and vegan experimenting) crowd.

2. Kampuchea Noodle Bar (kampucheanyc.com – no www)

78 Rivington and the corner of Allen Street

Ok, so I have an affinity for the Lower East Side. Sorry (sheepish grin). Aside from the fact that I work in the area, I have come to realize that the Lower East Side is becoming the new hot and trendy place to be. Kampuchea Noodle Bar is no different. A Cambodian bar, it serves up traditional and quirky plays on Cambodian street food. Now, we all know how I feel about corn. I consider it my duty to go and try corn now, everywhere I go. This place is another jackpot. This street food treat is covered in cilantro chili lime aioli (a garlic based mayo), sprinkled with toasted coconut, and delivered in its messy goodness with a classic Cambodian beer. I frowned at this one, too. I tried it, and it was so good I called my best friend just to tell her how good it was. She told me to seek help. People these days.  =) (love you girl!) Anyway, other delectable items on the menu include Cambodian Savory Crepes, this one filled with shitake mushrooms, soybeans & butternut squash. Or try the Grilled Tofu Num Pang (Cambodian for ‘sandwich’), tofu marinated with ginger, scallions, and sweet soy, and placed on a baguette with pickled carrots, cucumber, cilantro and chili mayo. Top it off with a Lychee Fizz Martini, and you’re set. (Just make sure if you drink here that you’re not alone or driving home. The bartender has a heavy hand, and it sneaks up on you. =)

1.Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com)

Various Locations

Surprised at my number one choice? You shouldn’t be. Each Whole Foods Market has a humongous selection of, well, everything. The Union Square Whole Foods has a huge sushi bar for your semi veg heads, and a vegan bar for your vegans. Smaller ones in Chelsea and Midtown boast hard to find specialty items. The Bowery Whole Foods has a huge hot and cold bar, as well as a culinary teaching center. It also boasts a specialty beer store for you beer lovers out there, where you can find beer from Belgium or from Kentucky. Vegetarians will take joy in their expansive salad bars, both hot and cold, as well as their dairy free or gluten free desserts. Though Whole Foods can get a little pricey, the quality and freshness of the items there well makes up for it.

I hope that this top five list inspires you to get out and try something different for lunch or for dinner. I know that I learned a lot, too. With all that said…I have to get to Chelsea for my sandwich and back before my lunch break is up. If I’m late and anyone asks…I went to the ladies’ room. *wink*

K. Parris Catering and Personal Chef Service, LLC, is an off premise catering company specializing in French influenced Caribbean cuisine for the elegant yet trendy urban professional. We offer full service event planning, catering, and personal chef services tailored to family friendly as well as urban chic events. For more information, visit her website at www.kimberlyparris.com.

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