the whole plate.

I’m really touched by the comments and emails on yesterday’s post; I’m so glad some of you could relate, and your thoughts were all beautiful and insightful to read.  

It’s been a couple days of deep thoughts, so I thought Friday would be prime time for something more basic.  Like a good meal.

I recently made a return visit to the Candle Cafe with the lovely Ellie, before she jetted back to Scotland.  

This was the first vegan restaurant I ever dined at in New York.  It is nestled amongst many restaurants on the Upper East Side, but it stands out to me due to the lovely little bench out front, perfect for perching while waiting for a dining partner to arrive.  [I was on time back on my first visit, for once.]  Inside the door, the bar spans long towards the back; the tables squish together on the opposite wall.  It somehow manages to feel cozy, chic, and wholesome all at once.

Candle’s chefs always create several daily specials, which seem to draw me away from the traditional menu that could be ordered anytime.  Also, the specials list is much smaller, which eases the decision making process.

There is something simultaneously wonderful and overwhelming about reading a menu where you would literally order any one of the dishes listed.

My one issue is the menu’s overeliance on tofu/tempeh/seitan – I do enjoy tofu, but I also feel that a vegan restaurant is a prime place to dispel the notion that vegetarians can’t eat anything other than tofu to feel satisfied.  Obviously, that is hardly true; my dish involved none of these, and it was still filling and enjoyable.

I have been in a constant state of craving flavor since the weather has cooled down.  Perhaps it’s a yen for sensory overload – the autumn leaves are in full, vibrant bloom, and my tastebuds don’t want to be left out.

So when I spotted that day’s Indian platter, I felt a pull in that direction.

Can Indian food ever look attractive?  Regardless, it didn’t disappoint.  There was spicy dal, date chutney, carrots in curry, refreshing cabbage, yellow rice – taste and variety, exactly what I was after.  I will say the plate was sorely missing some green, but there are always other meals where that can be amended.

As Ellie is as much a city walker as I am, we followed the meal with quite the stroll down and across Manhattan.  I probably should have ordered dessert to sustain me.  Next time.

What was the last restaurant you dined at?  Was the menu your style?

Related posts:

1. bloggers and blossom.
2. bonobo’s.
3. christmas at vermilion.