NYC Day 9 – Kristin’s Bday + Candle Cafe

On Friday, October 28th I turned 29 (!!). And I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by having a delicious meal at one of the premier vegan restaurants in NYC, Candle Cafe. I’ve always wanted to celebrate a birthday in NYC and even though we didn’t go out dancing (which is probably my number one favorite activity of all time. mostly) I was still a happy lady.

We stayed in NJ on Thursday night to babysit – returning a favor (thanks for letting us use your driveway, Janine and Bryan! :) so we drove into NYC Friday morning to wrap up our interview with The Ethical Man and then to grab one last meal in the city.

Candle Cafe – 100% vegan

1307 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10021

We started with Candle’s famous Seitan Chimichurris – citrus herb marinated seitan skewers. We had also gotten these when we had dinner at Candle 79, our first night in the city. We didn’t only want to neatly bookend our meals (ha!) but we also just really love this dish. Tender, chewy, flavored with perfection. *drools* I think I’d special order these at least once a day week if I lived in NYC. I miss you, Chimichurris!

Something I’ve learned about myself: if I see spring rolls listed on a menu – any menu – I must order them. So, that’s what we did. Once again Candle hit it outta the ball park with their spring rolls – pickled cabbage, avocado, carrots, cucumber, apple, cilantro and tempeh bacon wrapped in rice paper and served with spicy peanut dipping sauce.

For the main course I had the Porcini Crusted Seitan – garlic-shallot-potato mash, sauteed spinach and string beans with grilled oyster mushrooms. Topped with home-style gravy. So. Good. Ethan had the Paradise Casserole – layers of sweet potato, black beans and millet over steamed greens with country gravy. Also, so. Good.

Aaaaand for my birthday dessert we enjoyed a slice of the ‘daily special cake’ which was a strawberry cheesecake (if I recall correctly). We also had a ginormous piece of chocolate chip bundt cake (I don’t think this was the official name), dripping in chocolate sauce with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Nummy nummy in my tummy. What?!? :)

After we were filled to the brim, we hopped back on the road and headed for Boston!!!!!!! Coming up we’ve got posts on Grasshopper, Masao’s Kitchen, My Thai, Peace O’ Pie, Red Lentil, True Bistro, Veggie Galaxy, Veggie Planet, Organic Garden, and Sudo Shoes. w00t! w00t!