Candle Cafe: NYC

Smoked Tempeh & Grilled Veggie Sandwhich with Potatoe Salad.($14)

ah Candle Cafe is one of my favorites here in New York. Sister restaurant to Candle 79 just a few blocks away. They change there menu for the different seasons and recently added the Smoked Tempeh and Grilled Veggie Sandwhich ( $14) which was on my plate for today. This was absolutely incredible. Grilled tempeh, zucchini, roasted red pepper, arugula, and sundried tomato pesto on mixed grain bread served with basil aioli and potato salad ( woo all in one sentence!) A thick sandwhich with the freshest veggies to bite into with the creamy aioli to let it melt in your mouth. Amazing - If you ever go there order this- you wont be sorry! The potato salad was also yumo thick soft potatoes with some chopped veggies that made it crunchy. All in all a fantastic meal at Candle. You never let me down:)

Peace, Love, and Vegan Food,

Kris

Candle Cafe:

1307 3rd Ave (74/75)

(212) 472-0970

11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m. 

http://candlecafe.com/

Cafe Blossom: NYC

So life has brought me back to the big apple for a bit.. who knows exactly how long...eventually plan on heading back out to LA but a couple of great internship opportunities have come up here so I'll be doing that along with school and OF COURSE blogging about some amazing vegan food. I plan on doing more of NYC and lots of the east coast since those trains are so handy:) enough blabbing I'll go ahead and give you what you want. that delicious food review right? ;)

My mom is up here which is always so much more fun ( someone to enjoy a good meal with and we split) . Today was a Cafe Blossom day. right on Columbus Ave. on the upper west not far from the new apartment. but let me say with this heat it seemed MUCH further honestly, has NYC ever been so hot??!

We started of with two nice cooling ginseng teas- which quickly took the body temps. down thank God.

Sweet Potato Autumn Rolls ( $11)

Red Quinoa Salad ($12)

TOFU BLT ($13)

Then we ordered the Autumn Sweet Potato Rolls($11) as an appetizer - this is a raw and gluten free appetizer if that tickles your fancy;) These little rolls were filled with coconut noodles, jicama, carrot, red and yellow pepper, scallion, avocado, served along with an almond ginger dipping sauce. These were nice and refreshing but I can't say that I would order them again. They serve better almost as a palate cleanser maybe between a course if you will. They were not bad by any means it was just as if I was eating cut up veggies with not to much spice. Kudos to Cafe Blossom for offering a Raw and Gluten Free dish though:) Then we split the Tofu BLT($13) which was simply delicious. A big sandwich ( so you can split and feel content after your meal) but also light. A big piece of grilled tofu, tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a basil mayo. All of the sandwiches come with either french fries, sweet potato fries, or a house salad. You can substitute for steamed or sauteed greens ($2) which is just what we did - love the greens:) This was great just what we needed on a hot day.. Im not sure the exact kind of bread it is served on but its fantastic! Im also a big fan of vegan sauces and different aiolis. This tomato basil mayo was light and creamy and delicious ( side note: My favorite vegan sauce is the Tempeh Reuben Sauce at Chef Brookes in Fort Myers- I would drink that really. ). We also split the Red Quinoa Salad ($12) this was served with red quinoa, black beans, julienne peppers, watercress, toasted seeds, mango guacamole, and a lemon vinaigrette. This was a cooling salad ( which once again works perfect for a hot summer day in the city) light and fluffy quinoa but a little crunch with the seeds and beans. Very light and another great GF option. All in all a delicious lunch at Cafe Blossom. If your ever hanging around the upper west side I'd recommend stopping in for a quick healthy lunch or maybe a smoothie to cool down:).

Peace, Love, and Vegan Food,

Kris

Cafe Blossom
466 Columbus Avenue
New York NY.
212-875-2600
http://www.blossomnyc.com/

Chef Brookes Natural Cafe.: Before you read just look at the picture and enjoy its beauty:)

Today and everyday since I've been in Fort Myers for a visit I've gone to my favorite cafe:) Had some amazing food and great desserts of course. Today Chef Brooke out did herself ( once again) . She made me a special Goodbye for now cake.. As if the picture doesn't say enough I'll tell you what it consisted of. Vegan of course.. Pineapple, Raspberry, Goji Berries, topped off with a vegan Chocolate Sauce.. I think this cake was the most amazing thing I've ever put in my mouth- but I wouldn't put it past Chef Brooke to surprise my mouth again next time I visit. This simply melts in your mouth but has a little chew with the pineapple and then the gooey raspberries and chocolate. absolutely perfect. I have to be honest I've tasted some amazing vegan food in many different places and nothing compares to this cake of perfection. Chef Brooke puts so much work and love into everything she bakes and cooks. One of the most kind hearted people I know and Im glad to call her a friend. The fact that her food is amazing makes it all that much better. :)


Peace, Love, and Vegan Food,
Kris




Chef Brookes Natural Cafe
1850 Boy Scout Drive
Ft Myers Fl.
(239) 332-2433




Visit her Website: chefbrookeonline.com

Chef Brookes Natural Cafe: Ft. Myers FL.

SO, It's been a while since my last post/review. I've been in Fort Myers (visiting the family/friends) for a bit trying to figure out some things make some decisions about my life. Kind of a vacation. Now I have to say that when you first glance at Fort Myers you expect to find no delicious vegan healthy food, thats only if you don't know Chef Brooke. The previous chef at Adas Cafe ( closed down) she's opened her own cafe. "Chef Brookes Organic Cafe" She offers amazing vegan food from tempeh, tofu egg salad, hummus, salads, sandwhiches, wraps, you name it she has it! She also caters to some meat eaters with healthy dishes like chicken stir fry. curry chicken salad, and an amazing variety of soups everyday! On top of all of that healthy food she offers a case of baked goods, with desserts suitable for gluten free eaters, vegans, sugar free, or the people who want the full sugar savory desserts. She also makes fresh juices, and smoothies! Her food is beautiful much like a work of art ( almost to good to eat...almost;)} Rest assured a visit to Brookes and your stomach will be forever happy! For my review today I couldn't possibly review all of the amazing food I've tasted from Brooke over the years so Ill start of with "Raw Hummus" - I have no idea what she puts in this stuff but its addictive, this has to be the most amazing hummus I've ever eaten. Don't let the "raw" scare you into not trying this! She also has a bit of south of the border cooking- which is what I call her "Tempeh Burrito" Filled with Veggies, Pinto Beans, a side of Vegan Sour Cream what else could you ask for. She also puts some of her delicious vegan cole slaw and potato salad to finish you off!. The thing I love about the food I eat at Brookes is that it is clean, light, and so healthy for you. Dessert for me was the Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffin, and as if it wasn't already delicious enough my great friend Brooke poured hot Vegan Chocolate Sauce on top. YUM. Nothing better than Pumpkin and Chocolate is there? So if you ever find yourself wandering the streets of fort myers looking for a healthy organic cafe.. Def. stop at:

Chef Brookes Natural Cafe

1850 Boy Scout Drive

Fort Myers, FL 33907-2127

(239)332-2433

. Friend her on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Myers-FL/Chef-Brookes-Natural-Cafe/94844851162

Peace, Love, and Vegan Food,

KRIS

Real Food Daily: WeHo CA.

or simply "The Caesar Wrap" - that was my meal of choice today at RFD. After my long trek from Wilshire to La Cienega Blvd ( where RFD is located). The Caesar wrap is pretty self explanatory I guess.. It comes with romaine lettuce, dressing, and blackened tempeh wrapped in a spinach tortilla. I got a side of potato salad with mine and some BBQ sauce because everything taste better with RFD BBQ sauce on it:) So all in all this was a nice meal. Great for a hot day because it comes cold.. Delicious like everything at RFD:)

Peace, Love, and Vegan Food,

Kris

www.realfood.com

Cafe Muse: WeHo CA.

Today I went to a new little cafe. Cafe Muse on Santa Monica BLVD. A bit off the beaten path, so you wouldn't know this place existed unless you look it up online or you work down there. It's on Theater Row.. close to a lot of studios, production companies. . The place is pretty much a corner hole in the wall which doesn't look to appealing from outside. The food was really delicious though.. the staff was not overly friendly, kind of "whatever" about customers if you will.. The food made up for it though. I ordered an no sugar Arnold Palmer to drink which was really refreshing and good- more tart than a normal sugar A.P. really good. Then I got the BBQ "Chicken" wrap in a whole wheat tortilla with red onion, fresh tomatoes, and greens with ranch dressing - this wrap was great came out fresh and hot a light refreshing meal for my side I got veggie chili which was also really good and hot- since it was a little chilly today.. This place has great food but I don't know that I would travel so far out when there are great places closer by ( Manis, Real Food Daily, Veggie Grill)... But it was a good meal for today!

www.cafemusela.com

Peace, Love and Vegan Food,

Kris

Manis: WeHo CA.

Today was a great day. I didn't make it to church because I don't have a car but soon I will ha. Today I went to The Grove to do a little shopping which was great really busy but fun, also hit the farmers market.. I love Farmers Markets so I really enjoyed my day. :) I also tried a new spot for lunch which i'll be going back to because the food was amazing! Mani's Bakery on Fairfax is a great healthy restaurant with breakfast served all day and lunch , and delicious breads and pastries. They offer the biggest vegan dessert menu ( fruit sweetened) I have ever seen.. from pies, to cookies, cupcakes, cakes, truffles, and turnovers. So many choices for dessert but also so many choices for the main meal. They aren't entirely vegan so it's a great place to meet friends who aren't vegan, but still enjoy having a healthy meal:) After a while of debating what I was going to eat for lunch I ended up having " the classic" which I had with Seitan and tempeh bacon with a tangy sauce, lettuce, tomato, I also added pickles and onions.. they have a lot of sides to choose from but I ended up getting a small caesar salad with mind. There were a few bread choices to choose from but I got the Whole Wheat bread- it came lightly toasted and this was a delicious sandwich one of the best. The salad went with it and all around it was delicious. So after that I had to decide what I was going to try for dessert they had a BOGO ( buy one get one) on the fruit sweetened Vegan cookies so I got a chocolate chip chocolate dipped cookie and a chocolate chip cookie since it was BOGO to have for later. I also tried the Peanut Butter Cupcake. These desserts were amazing. Some of the best I've tasted in my vegan tastings:) I would definitely recommend trying this place if you get the chance, just a cute casual place in WeHo but the food will take your breathe away:)

www. ManisBakery.com

Peace, Love, and Vegan Food,

Kris