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Message |
    
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 67
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 9:38 pm: | 
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Taking a survey to see if a vegetarian restaurant in S.O./Maplewood area would be an asset. Would it be a place you would patronize?? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4109
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:49 pm: |
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I don't have much of a problem finding vegetarian food locally, but would always welcome new and different options, especially a place that had fresh, well-prepared healthy & delicious food, a comfortable setting and was moderately child friendly. |
bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 199
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 8:58 am: |
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I would definitely patronize a vegetarian restaurant! Even more so if it delivered. |
Ms. Cooper
Citizen
Username: Ms_cooper
Post Number: 57
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 9:47 am: |
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ABSOLUTELY!!!!!
Especially if it had Middle Eastern/Indian/Ethiopian offerings! |
parkah
Citizen
Username: Parkah
Post Number: 168
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 9:51 am: |
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nope. restaurant's gotta have meat. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1215
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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I LOVE VEGETARIAN FOOD. But I am always reluctant to say I'll DEFINITELY GO to any restaurant. I love to eat out (being a transplanted Manhattanite), and would rather do delivery than cook any day of the week. HAVING SAID ALL THAT, I find that MOL/SO is generally over-priced. The reason why we all ate out so much in NYC and in the boroughs was because the FOOD WAS TOP NOTCH and it was also very affordable. My point is, if the food is good, I'll certainly go. If it's stupid expensive like most of the area restaurants (read $20-$30 entrees with over-priced drinks (read $10-12 dollar wine and $8 bottles of water) you won't be seeing me very often (once every few months maybe if the food is amazing). And according to the price as it goes down, you will tend to see me more often. If the food was good, and affordable (read $8 - $12 entrees) you might see me at least once a week.
I'm one of those strange vegetarians who eats fish, dairy and eggs, but you might want to consider a HEALTHY restaurant rather than a strictly vegetarian one. Just the word Vegetarian tends to scare off meat eaters I find. If you ommitted the word entirely you would probably trick a few meat eaters in the door, and hopefully ensare them afer they tried your fine food. Or alternately you could just have a few really stellar meat dishes on the menu for the close-minded people. If you are open to suggestions on the cuisine I'll be happy to throw out some good ideas into the mix as Ms. Cooper did (but I'll tell ya now, I would NEVER have suggested Ethiopian food)  |
parkah
Citizen
Username: Parkah
Post Number: 169
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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just a note: if you have tofu on the menu.. you won't be tricking any "closed minded" meat eater. |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 332
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 11:08 am: |
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Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!
Up in the Poconos there was this little restaurant called "Over the Ledge" near Lake Wallenpaupack. It was our absolutely favorite place. It was "vegetarian" in the sense of no beef, chicken, pork, etc was on the menu. Fish, yes. Dairy, yes.
The thing about this place -- we ate there several times before we even realized there was no meat on the menu. Very understated... it was just a great place to eat.
To me, the thing I noticed was that there were lots of options for me on the menu... as opposed to most restaurants, especially up there, where you walk in and you know you're going to be having a grilled cheese sandwich.
If you trumpet the vegetarian thing you will draw some people in and keep some people away. If your focus is on great tasting food and excellent service and comfortable atmosphere and reasonable prices, and just don't happen to serve meat, I think that's a better approach.
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Flik Chik
Citizen
Username: Flikchik
Post Number: 182
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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I would go but agree that it has be affordable.
The other thing I find as a vegetarian diner is that it gets pretty boring after a while to go to the same restaurant (unless it is comfort food) because the menu is not varied enough or it never changes. If these problems were eliminated, I would LOVE to patronize a vegetarian restaurant in M/SO. My choices for cuisine would be a restaurant that served food from all over the world (not just seitan and tofu) but a combination of falafel, indian food, asian (vietnamese pho, thai) etc with a flair. I can elaborate if you like...I have been eating out in NYC for a long time at veggie restaurants and have a lot of suggestions. |
Lou
Citizen
Username: Flf
Post Number: 78
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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as long as meat is substituted with great vegetable dishes, soy, beans, tofu and fish, i don't even miss meat.
but if you substitute the meat for big bowls of pasta, bread or anything made with lots of flour, than i'll pass and would rather have a grilled steak, thank you very much. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1217
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 1:12 pm: |
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Lou, I like my big bowl of vegetarian carbs sometimes (I'll admit) but in general I agree, give me a some form of protein (fish, soy-based, beans, etc.) with lots of veggies and a little side of carbs is always nice (noodles, rice, bread, etc.)
When I cook at home, I always base my meal on what protein I feel like eating that night and the rest of the meal grows out of that initial decision. |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 186
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 4:07 pm: |
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Absolutely !!! And to echo what was said above:
Middle Eastern/Indian/Ethiopian offerings would be particuraly welcome. |
dc906
Citizen
Username: Dc906
Post Number: 22
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 4:38 pm: |
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YES! YES! YES ! Can you please make it a Zen Palate? (I love that place) |
kriss
Citizen
Username: Kriss
Post Number: 258
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 5:30 pm: |
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YES! Would especially appreciate decent vegetarian kids' selections, beyond pasta, grilled cheese, pb&j. |
6yearrez
Citizen
Username: 6yearrez
Post Number: 145
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 10:14 pm: |
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It depends on the formula. Whatever you do, don't run dishes that offer tofu, tempeh (bleah!) or other meat substitute atrocities where the meat should be. Case in point, spaghetti and gluten balls...no thanks. Mediterranean, Mexican, and Asian cuisines (as pointed out) offer plenty of non-meat options that require no substitution. Agree completely with kriss on the kid-friendly thing; especially if it's to succeed on Maplewood Ave. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1223
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 12:41 pm: |
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6yearrez: I think it is a bit unrealistic to do what you said. I am NOT a big fan of the fake meats. Fake Baloney, Ham, Chicken, Pork, Beef. It's nasty. I generally avoid the faux-meat vegetarian/kosher Chinese restaurants that are so prevalent. Having said that, there are only so many proteins that are available to vegetarians and it would FOOLISH to not use soy protein-based products since there are very many to choose from and they are so versatile to use. I have no problem with soy chunks, tempeh, tofu, etc. It's how you use them that becomes the problem. Make me a great tasting, nutritious meal (and it really doesn't have to resemble meat at all I promise) and I will eat it. |
6yearrez
Citizen
Username: 6yearrez
Post Number: 152
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 7:49 pm: |
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Alley, I guess I was also thinking that dairy options would be available. No issue with tofu stir-fry. We will have to agree to disagree on tempeh. It's the dishes that use the word "mock" that I tend to avoid. I think I inadvertently allowed the word tofu to appear in my list of "atrocities" above. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1236
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
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Yeah but tempeh isn't mock anything. Tempeh is something in it's own right, but it's something you don't like. I don't have any problem with TVP (textured vegetable Protein), soy chunks or any of those protein (things?) made from soybeans. Like I said, it's not the products that are inherently evil it's how they are used.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, mock meats are nasty.
Also, I was assuming that dairy was ok too. At least it is for me, since I'm not Vegan. :-) And while dairy is in fact a protein, it is a bit of a challenge to create a dish where dairy is the central protein. NOT IMPOSSIBLE, for sure. Soups, Cheese Sandwiches, Cheese stuffed Peppers, I'm sure a proper chef can come up with huge list. I guess I just forgot it off of my list of proteins. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1237
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 10:49 am: |
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6yearrez, I guess the reason why I am ok with these protein subsitutes is because over the years I started to miss certain flavors. I totally missed TACO flavored stuff. So I tried TVP crumbles and realized that I could in fact enjoy what I missed so much. Once that product wasn't verbotten, we tried the same stuff in a sheperds pie. Also delicious. Then came stuffed peppers, then chilli. Next thing you know, I'm wondering if I can make a steak sandwich, and what shaped TVP I can use for that, and stumbled upon these barbeque flavored long strips (sorta fajita shaped) in the supermarket. Throw on some fried onions and sweet red peppers a bit of spices, throw it on a long roll with some provolone and man that was the best steak sandwich I ever had in my whole life rivalling the meat filled ones I loved at Jim's steaks in Philly.
Point being... If used properly these products aren't inherently evil. Don't just take a few slices of mock baloney deli slices and throw it on wonder bread with some american cheese and serve it to me. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4127
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 1:33 pm: |
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Alley, I'm with you! I never really loved Zen Palate because there was too much fake pork in everything, but I really enjoy making tacos with the crumbles. I also like the portabella mushroom meatballs (I get them at Costco when they have them) and put them in homemade sauce, it's great for something a little different.
I never really liked meat, so it's not about the substitution, but for me & my family, it's good for variety. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12797
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 3:08 pm: |
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I like Flik Chik's suggestions!
Also note that some people are allergic to wheat and soy, so I hope there'd be some dishes without those.
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Jenny
Citizen
Username: Jenjen
Post Number: 69
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 8:03 pm: |
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Mmmm...I would love a veggie restaurant like Kate's in the East Village. I think it is/was on Avenue B and 3rd or 4th. It's vegetarian but comfy foods. Lots of fake meats but SO yummy. And also fresh squeezed juices. Yum Yum Yum! |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1293
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 11:40 pm: |
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I don't know Kates. How can I not know Kates? Man, I'm going to Kates. I love Angelica's Kitchen and Gobo. I haven't been to Quintessence, because the menu never inspires me to eat there. Raw food has never really done much for me. Anyone been? |
Jenny
Citizen
Username: Jenjen
Post Number: 72
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 7:44 am: |
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Just for you Alley:
http://cuisinenet.com/info/cnetrst-3096/?v=237
I always LOVED their fake meat, personally. For me, I always missed bacon and loved their fake turkey club. I'm not a shepard pie person, but lots of my friends always got it and loved it.
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AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1298
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 12:09 pm: |
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It was a shame the Veg City Diner ON 14th street closed down. But I just went online and found that they opened a new location serving similar food on the east side.
Veg-City Diner, New York
New name: Curly's
New address: 328 East 14th Street (between 1st & 2nd Aves.)
New phone: 212-598-9998
New hours: 11 to 11, daily
Actually it’s a new restaurant, opened by one of the partners in the former Veg-City Diner. The menu stays pretty close to the vegetarian diner food served at Veg-City. The are using the old Veg City URL.
http://www.vegcity.com/
Also, I should mention COUNTER on 10th Street between 6th and 7th. VERY FINE DINING. But not irritatingly so -- and they have fancy food and low-brow food all on the same menu. I love it. It's not only vegetarian too (they have organic meats I think) and the place looks amazing and they have phenomenal drinks and a HUGE organic wine selection. This place is a CAN'T MISS rating in my book. The website it is here. |
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