August
2005
I
Don’t Know, Where Do You Want to Go? A Review of NYC’s
Atlas Cafe
By Maureen C. Wyse
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Walid Hammami. Photo by Kevin Lysaght |
Some of many bonuses of being vegan in NYC are
the restaurants upon cafés upon health food stores in every village and borough.
Moving from one vegan capital, Seattle, Washington, to this one, I
have always been grateful for the multitude of tasty vegan choices
available. I am a lucky one, and even luckier to have vegan friends
that enjoy eating as much as I do. The only drawback to the plentitude
of eateries is what I call the ‘vegan dining guessing game.’ We’re
all familiar with the problematic, Where do you want to go? I don’t
know, where do you want to go?—that cyclical round-about that
only leaves stomachs empty and friends frustrated.
The solution goes by the name of Atlas Café (or with the frequency that
I dine there, (F)Atlas Café!). Amongst the delicacies New York offers
vegans, Atlas—while not exclusively veg—simply reigns. A staple,
this vegan dining security blanket is always waiting with its patio wide open.
With their new, fairly extensive vegan sandwich whiteboard (of which everyone
should try the Mississippi chicken chops sandwich), Atlas has many delicious
options, including soups, sandwiches, wraps, crépes, and smoothies. As
I say, you simply cannot go wrong with Atlas.
But let’s get down to the real deal. Two words: soft serve. Chocolate or
vanilla, this summer treat is blended to the perfect creamy consistency—vegan
heaven in a cup. And yet, it doesn’t end there. Vegan oreos, peanut butter,
granola, coconut, carob chips, and never ending variety of berries, fruits, and
other candies, are available to perfect your dessert. The tofu soft-serve (either
flavor) with peanut butter and strawberries—my personal favorite—puts
this place on the vegan map.
Also, don’t pass up the practically infamous Vegan Treats display that
taunts you the minute you step into the petite café. Atlas boasts the
best selection of Vegan Treats in town and at the lowest price—only four
bucks a slice. Delivered fresh on Tuesdays, chocolate strawberry shortcake, chocolate
peanut butter bomb, brownie top and bottom cheesecake, boardwalk fudge cake and
the lemon lime layer cake can fool any non-vegan, hands down. Vegan Treats also
provides Atlas with a selection of equally delectable brownies, whoopie pies,
cupcakes and puddings.
When the predicament arises of where to eat, there is never a second thought.
With a constant stream of out of town friends and a perpetually thin wallet,
Atlas is always my answer. Plus the owner Walid, with his charming smile, creates
an inviting atmosphere in what could be easily written off as another cramped
East Village café. Atlas, you have my heart…and stomach.
Atlas Café is located at 73 2nd Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets.
For
information call (212) 539-0966.
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