January
1996
Best
of New York City...
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The ballots have been counted, the judges consulted, and the results
are in. Our questionnaire elicited some surprises — most notably
that a lot of you enjoy food! — but what’s clear is that
there’s a ton going on out there.
For best Chinese food, the three Vegetarian Paradises
got honorable mentions as did House of Vegetarian on
Mott Street, Vege Vege on 3rd Avenue and 36th, Helianthus
in the Village. In the Asian tradition, the two Zen Palates
(16th and Union Square and uptown) were named as one of the best places
to take a date, while for Indian food Madras Mahal (Lexington
and 28th) Rose of India (6th between 2nd and 1st) and Mavalli
Palace at 29th and Lexington, were highly recommended. Others
complimented Temple in the Village and Quantum
Leap (both on 3rd Street between La Guardia and 6th Avenue)
for offering great food.
On the date theme, Candle Cafe on 3rd Avenue and 74th,
Herban Kitchen on Hudson and Spring were singled out
as being great places for those who like their food organic and their
atmosphere cosy, while Time Cafe in the East Village
was a popular haunt for the faster set.
Other eateries were picked out for some particularity that made them
just that bit special. Healthy Henirieta’s on
Union and 7th Avenue in Park Slope was singled out for its funky decor,
while others thought Zen Palate at Union Square and
Hangawi’s on 32nd between 5th and Madison were
terrifically pleasant places to eat in. One preferred Bachue on 21st
between 5th and 6th. For those who enjoy people watching as well as
great food then Angelica Kitchen on 12th and 2nd Avenue
was considered the place where the best looking people hang. Oh, and
somebody recommended Angelica’s for best desserts, and best grain
coffee, although another thought that Healthy Henrrieta’s crumbles
were to die for and another that Souen’s tofu pies and organic
coffee took the biscuit.
All of us who are concerned about what or who we eat are on the lookout
for pleasant surprises, and our survey reflected that. Best idea for
a restaurant went to Cafe Viva on Broadway at 97th
with its vegan/vegetarian pizza. For the best vegan biscotti, Whole
Earth bakery on Spring street was highly backed.
Mugsy’s on 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street in the Village
was entered by someone as best surprise discovery, while there were
a number of entries for the most unexpected place to find veggie food:
Blanche’s at 71st and Lexington and 44th between
Madison and Fifth were highly commended, as was Blimpie’s
for carrying a veggieburger, and, believe it or not, the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York cafeteria! One entrant remained eternally
grateful to Govinda’s down on Wall Street for
helping him with karma-free food, and another extolled Lite
Delites on 20th and Park for giving her the choice of no less
than three kinds of veggieburgers.
Buying stuff is always a bit of nightmare for cruelty-free and eco-conscious
shoppers. But entries were strong for this category. Extolled as the
best overall market were Integral Yoga Natural Foods
on 13th between 7th and 8th and Health Nuts on 97th and Broadway, while
Earth General in Park Slope (and now on 17th Street
in Chelsea) and Terra Verde on Wooster between Prince
and Spring were commended as great places to buy earth-friendly products.
The best products to buy were, in no particular order: Deja
shoes as best all-round earth-friendly product; Dr.
Bronner’s cleaners, soaps, and detergents; and anything
by Jeremy Rose.
The cheapest liter-sized soy milk in New York City remains $1.59 and
no tax — tied between Whole Foods on Prince Street
in the Village and Perelandra on Remsen Street in Brooklyn
Heights. If anyone out there can find it cheaper, then let us know.
Two people volunteered their most delicious vegan candy: Tropical
Source vegan chocolate and Nature Food Center’s
Carob and Almond Candy Bar.
Role models are, like vegetarians, sprouting up all over. Paul and
Linda McCartney were voted the best vegetarian celebrities of 1995,
with Lisa
Simpson running a close second, while Martin Sheen was mentioned as
a great activist for his life-endangering support of high-seas eco-warrior
Paul Watson. Best politician was City councilmember Kathryn Freed,
while
winners of the worst corporation of 1995 were tied between Shell Oil,
Gillette, and Proctor and Gamble. One activist entrant listed Grand
Central Station as the best place to table, and offered "What about
the vegetables — don’t they feel pain?" as the inanest
comment ever heard.
Finally, for the quiet and beautiful places of New York City. Brooklyn
Botanical Garden and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge were extolled
as
a place to reflect peacefully in, while the best tree-lined streets
were St. Luke’s Place and Perry Street (both in the West Village).
As for quiet, one wit thought that the quietest natural place in New
York City was underwater in the Hudson.
Now, this survey ain’t over. If you can think of any place where
you’ve never eaten anything so veggie-tasty, or felt so surrounded
by the natural world, or have found so much cruelty-free stuff — then
just write in and tell us. We want everyone to know that New York City
has a great to offer the compassionate consumer!
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