Comments on: A Very Soy Christmas

Question: A Very Soy Christmas

ajarbaday — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:04:14 -0800

Christmas Eve, New York City, vegetarian dining.

Someone recently posted a list of NYC restaurants offering special meals on Christmas Eve, but I didn't see many (or any?) vegetarian options on there. Price and location aren't a big deal, I'm visiting with my sister and a friend of the family will be treating us. Neither the friend nor my sister eat eggs. I'd love to go to a great vegetarian restaurant or at least a place with a good vegetarian option. My main caveat is that the restaurant's atmosphere is more about the food and less about the ethics of a vegetarian diet. I've been to a few places with clumsy combinations of the two and been occasionally put off by menus of prancing cows and illustrated recycling tips. Help me find a delicious vegetarian feast that doesn't awaken my inner cynic.

By: brujita

brujita — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:57:16 -0800

Indian

By: Laura in Canada

Laura in Canada — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:31:48 -0800

Candle 79

I don't know if they have anything special planned for Christmas Eve (or if they're even open for that matter, you'd have to phone them), but I can recommend the food and overall experience whole-heartedly. I was there on a recent NYC visit and it was one of the best meals I've had.

By: mr_roboto

mr_roboto — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:07:52 -0800

I ate at HanGawi one New Year's Eve long ago. It was great.

By: kathryn

kathryn — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:40:43 -0800

For Indian, I'd look at Junoon or Tulsi.

I just tried Candle 79 on OpenTable and they appear to be pretty booked up, but you can always call to ask.

There's also:
Dirt Candy
Scarpetta -- they have a separate all vegetarian menu
Kajitsu -- it may already be fully booked up, too

Many restaurants will be fully booked already so start calling ASAP. Popular NYC restaurants book up 3-4 weeks in advance, and Christmas Eve is 2 days from now. Good luck!

By: dfriedman

dfriedman — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:59:14 -0800

Candle 79 is vegan, not vegetarian. Not sure if that makes a difference to the OP.

By: John Cohen

John Cohen — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:12:10 -0800

If it's vegan, it's vegetarian.

By: ajarbaday

ajarbaday — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:52:34 -0800

Awesome, I got a reservation at Candle 79 by calling. Scarpetta also looked great, but they were booked up for parties over two. I prefer vegetarian cuisine since it includes dairy, but vegan works also. Thanks!

By: Pineapplicious

Pineapplicious — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:32:19 -0800

Looks like you've already made a reservation, but I was coming here to recommend Josie's West. We (a vegetarian, a vegan and an omnivore) got there for Thanksgiving, and everyone is happy.

By: Rudy Gerner

Rudy Gerner — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:09:19 -0800

Blossom, Candle 79, and Pure Food and Wine are all good options for a slightly more upscale (and tasty) NYE experience.

By: yellowcandy

yellowcandy — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:35:17 -0800

Candle 79 is the sort of place a vegetarian who hasn't eaten out in 20 years because of dietary restrictions thinks a good restaurant is supposed to look and taste like. Both it and its sister cafe are a little stodgy--and worse, the food is really uneven and hasn't improved much over the past several years.

Blossom, on the other hand, is exceedingly good all around. It's also a vegan restaurant good enough to take a non-vegetarian to, without any sort of disappointment.