Urban Vegan Restaurant Reviews

Type of Restaurant:  Farm to table restaurant and coffee bar

In general, the food promises much and delivers mediocrity.  Portions of some dishes are very modest and prices are high for what you get.  We went for the tofu scramble, which came with whole wheat toast and a slice of melon.  It was OK.  For example, we got a single slice of pre-sliced, dry toast on the side of our plate.  Strictly speaking it does what it says on the tin, but no more.  A bit disappointing.
 
The barista coffee bar does have a good range of teas, coffees (well made and flavorful), cakes and pastries.  There is a vegan option in the form of a ‘vegan peanut butter cookie’ ($2.5).
 
All in all, this place is a real community hub up in an area with little competition.  However it is over-priced, which is a shame as the food ethos is sound and it would be nice if it was a bit more accessible to all.  Vegans are relatively well catered for overall, although the evening menu looks more restricted.
 
Address etc:   600 W218th St, corner of Indian Rd, New York City
            (212) 942-7451
            Open 7am-10.30pm Mon-Fri, 7am-11pm Sat & 8am-10pm Sun

Info:      
3495 Broadway, between W143rd and W142nd
New York City
(212) 244-4281
matto.com
Open 6am – 7pm weekdays, 7am – pm weekends

Rating:
Range of vegan products    1    2    3    4    5
Clarity of information           1    2    3    4    5
Quality of food                       1    2    3    4    5
Value for money                    1    2    3    4    5    
Quality of service                   1    2    3    4    5
Atmosphere/comfort            1    2    3    4    5

Total score:    21
Star rating:    3.5

The lunch menu is wide and varied, from sushi and salads to dumplings and bibimbap, but all dishes are fresh and healthy.  There is an extensive tea list and a full page of gluten-free options.  Service is relatively quick, which is what you often want for lunch, but there was no sense of being rushed or hurried if you wanted to relax longer over the meal.  We had a vegan crispy ‘duck’ salad, which was delicious and came with a small bowl of vegan ‘clam’ chowder!  This soup was creamy and unctuous, feeling like a real bonus treat.  

We would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone, vegan or otherwise, and defy you to miss the meat.  The more extensive evening menu at Franchia looks fabulous too, as does that of its sister restaurant, Hangawi, on E32nd St.  We will be visiting there soon….


Address etc:      12 Park Ave, between E34th and E35th
    (212) 213-1001
    franchia.com
    Open 12noon – 10pm Mon-Thurs, 12noon – 10.30pm Fri, 1 –
    10.30pm Sat, 5 – 9.30pm Sun

Review:

Range of vegan products    1    2    3    4    5
Clarity of information           1    2    3    4    5
Quality of food                       1    2    3    4    5
Value for money                    1    2    3    4    5    
Quality of service                  1    2    3    4    5
Atmosphere/comfort           1    2    3    4    5

Total score:    24
Star rating:    4/5

Notes:

The menu looked great, wide range of relatively inexpensive dishes for lunch and evening.  All look spicy, fresh, tasty and authentic.

We had a vegan spicy duck salad (£11.00), which came with free vegan clam chowder.  Just drank tap water, so total bill was $11.98 - bargain

All information and menus

We decided to go for coffee and the muffins.  They arrived within a few minutes and were still hot from the oven.  You don’t get much fresher than that and the flavor was warming and wholesome, without being too sweet.  I guess, in the end, you don’t need a thousand different things to choose from if what is produced is delicious, and these certainly were.  The place is well laid out, with some quirky pictures and ornaments, and the on-site bakery is definitely a winner.  As the place is a vegan restaurant, you can be confident in the ???? of the food.  The lunch menu is more varied, with great, fresh salads, sandwiches, focaccia and pizzas and of course those fresh baked goods.  Some of the staff are a bit too cool for school, but most are friendly and knowledgeable about the menu.

Go and give it a whirl.  Great venue to lunch with friends or colleagues or take away coffee with a cookie, cake or raw dessert (I’m a particular sucker for raw desserts!)


Address etc:      
    460 Amsterdam Ave, between W82nd and W83rd
    (212) 362-2266
    peacefoodcafe.com
    Open 10am – 10pm daily

Review:

Range of vegan products    1    2    3    4    5
Clarity of information           1    2    3    4    5
Quality of food                      1    2    3    4    5
Value for money                   1    2    3    4    5
Quality of service                  1    2    3    4    5
Atmosphere/comfort           1    2    3    4    5

Total score:    22
Star rating:    3.5/5

Notes:

Much better menu for lunch.  We had 2 vegetables and soup ($12.95), Asian greens salad ($11.95) and pan-seared shanghai-style dumplings ($9.50)

For breakfast we had 2 x banana and pecan muffins ($8) and 2 x coffee ($5).  Very sparse menu.  Baked goods only just coming out of the oven at 10.30am – but warm and fresh!

Downloadable menus on the website show lunch specials and evening menu.  Evening looks good and OK value for money.