This post is the first in a new series: Organic Restaurants. I’ll be covering a few big cities over the next few weeks, and will be giving you a taste of a few drool-worthy organic restaurants in each area. If you plan to travel this Spring or Summer, you can go check them out! I know I plan to hit up each of the following spots in NYC. Enjoy!
Gust Organics (West Village) – This restaurant and bar was one of the first spots I went to when I moved to New York. It’s actually the only certified organic restaurant in the city and the first certified organic bar in the world! Gust serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Standout fare: Grilled Piadinas (flatbread sandwiches), gluten-free stews, Risotto Buenos Aires (with grass-fed beef), and Gus’s Huevos Rancheros. Gust also offers special green juices that look delicious! Details: 519 6th Ave. Open daily, 8am-11pm. Catering and delivery available.
Angelica Kitchen (East Village) - Angelica Kitchen is an affordable vegan spot that uses lots of organic and local ingredients. They proudly offer all their food free of refined sugars, preservatives, dairy, eggs, or animal products. Standout fare: Curried Cashew Spread, Mixed Sprout Salad, open face tempeh sandwiches, Dragon Bowls, and a special drink named Cranberté (cranberry juice, kukicha tea, apple cider, & orange). If you love the food, you can buy the Angelica Kitchen cookbook for $30. Details: 300 E. 12th St. Open daily, 11:30am-10:30pm. Cash only, first-come/first-serve.
Counter (East Village) – Counter uses organic and local ingredients for dinner, brunch, desserts, and cocktails and features raw food on Tuesday nights. Standout fare: Wild Mushroom Tofu Scramble, Red Quinoa Salad (small plate), Pear Chocolate Semolina Cake, and the East-Side Burger made with mushrooms, herbs, and pommes frites. Details: 105 1st Ave. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-12am, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-12am. Kids menu now available.
Josie’s West (Upper West Side) – All the appetizers and main courses at Josie’s are dairy free but there are both vegetarian and meat-lover dishes (with organic and free range meats). Standout fare: Spicy Organic Black Bean Dumplings, Organic Angel Hair with Turkey Meatballs, and Roasted Butternut Squash Soup w/organic pumpkin seed basil pesto. Details: 300 Amsterdam Ave. Open Mon–Thu 12pm–11pm, Fri 12pm–12am, Sat 11am–12am, Sun 11am–10:30pm. Catering and delivery available.
Quintessence NYC (East Village) – This raw, vegan, and all organic restaurant is frequented by celebs Alicia Silverstone and Liv Tyler. The website shares 5 recipes to try on your own, and I read a ton of good reviews on this one. Standout fare: pecan pie, mushroom ravioli, mediterranean-style nachos, and shepherds pie. Details: 263 E. 10th St. Open daily 11:30am-11pm. Delivery and catering available.
Pure Food & Wine (Gramercy/Flatiron) - Pure is another raw and vegan restaurant with lots of organic ingredients. It’s a higher end spot with gorgeous presentation and an extensive wine list. Standout fare: King Oyster Mushroom Scallops, Zucchini and Local Hothouse Tomato Lasagna, Chocolate Passion Fruit Tart. Be sure to make reservations. Or, you can get take-away food and juices for lunch or dinner over at it’s baby sister store, One Lucky Duck, around the corner on 17th St. The coconut macaroons are DIVINE. Details: 53 Irving Place. Open Sun-Mon 5:30pm–10pm, Tue–Sat 5:30pm–11pm.
Note: I featured a limited number of restaurants above for space and time consideration. There’s no way I could include everything in this list, so if you have a favorite organic spot in the city, please leave a comment and let me know!
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Point Break – A Perfect Bar Experience in NYC
A local friend recommended and took my Cali group to this amazing bar. He said that mostly locals came here so I didn’t really know what to expect ambiance wise… but screw it, the view at this bar was absolutely breathtaking! No joke. I felt like a celebrity w/ superstar treatment as the staff are friendly and amazing to say the very least.
I don’t know who the house DJ was but he definitely was playing music right up my alley. It would’ve been my dream for people to start dancing, but it’s all good.
It’s a bit sceney for my taste, but it really didn’t bother me much. the bartenders knew their stuff, although their 1st cocktail was a little weak, when he saw i understood cocktails the next 2 were stronger. I also liked that even though the place was really hopping the bartender remembered what i was drinking when i came to order another. (he also understood how good a gin hendricks is, and not to overpower it with the mixer). It was amazing to see their “das boot” which is shaped like a boot filled with beer. Don’t get me wrong, I am not drunk…it’s an actual boot shaped beer container ready to be emptied..try it ..you will love it!! Oh..how can I forget, they even have a wheel o’ shots where you just have to spin it and have to drink whatever shot it lands on!! Now call that bar creativity at its best!!!
We ordered the Veal and Fish Tacos. They were delicious. Mm! We ended up asking for spoons to polish off whatever remained in the platter. (Faux pas? Who cares as long as it gets in my tummy.) The fries were crispy, but not overcooked, just the way that I like them.
So take in this scene: You walk in to what seems like an overly crowded place, but soon fine an empty table. Time seems to stop and the only indicator of the night moving on is the moon and your brain cells slowly going to bed forever. The music is not to loud and the people around look good, the only thing left for you to do is to enjoy that drink you paid ridiculously low for and laugh at the joke your co-worker just told.
The vibe of the place just never seems to die out and if you happen to spot some NYC socialite, sports player, or star, don’t let it get to you… because for that moment, this night they are no long more important than then you. In fact go up to them and introduce yourself!
All in all just a great place to meet new people, or just have drinks with people you already know. I’ve been to numerous bars in the city but i would say this place is just great. Very welcoming staff, very laid back ambiance. I’ve been here twice after my first visit with my Cali group . I would say its worth the every penny you spend!!