You may or may not remember this, but I have monthly dinner dates with my oldest girlfriends. We all live in different areas in Manhattan, so in order to get to know each others’ hoods we alternate who chooses the place (forcing me to leave my comfort zone of UWS dining). This month was MY pick, which was a relief since the past two dinners have taken me an embarrassing amount of time to find (the village is RIDIC confusing and I’m lucky if I end up retracing my steps only 3 times). Usually I choose non-vegan places that I know will have (non-house salad) vegan options, which isn’t that hard in NYC. This time, however, I decided my friends were ready for a true vegan restaurant.
That’s right. I took their vegan V card.
I’m no stranger to the staff at Peacefood Cafe. I go there FAR more often than I actually blog about (still you can see a few meals in my faves if you are so inclined).
The night got off to a rocky start as they both ordered (milk) lattes and were a bit surprised that actual milk wasn’t on the menu. But they are troopers very open minded and rolled with it…and instead ordered a soymilk latte & cappuccino.
I went with the jasmine tea. It smelled heavenly, tasted perrrrfect, and restored feeling in my fingers. Mission accomplished.
For dinner, Marisa got the night’s special, a soy cutlet with pasta and roasted veg (disclaimer: crappy bberry pics to follow).
I’m assuming she liked it since she finished off every bite. I’m sure anything with “cheese” drizzled over it will win over a diner’s heart, vegan or not.
Heather got the mushroom duxelle pizza with roasted sweet peppers, onions & zucchini.
Damn boy. This baby looked awesome. I didn’t try it that night, but I was the lucky recipient of the leftovers so I tasted it for lunch the next day. I said it before, and I’ll say it again, I need to experiment with ‘shrooms more (ok, that didn’t come out quite right, but you know what I mean…). I was surprised that there wasn’t any cheese on it, but I’m glad there wasn’t since the olive oil and the flavor of the veggies didn’t need anything extra. The flavor was bangin’ and anything else (like cheese) would have totally overpowered it. So tasty.
Foy my dinner, I got two courses. The daily soup sounded so awesome, I knew I had to try it, but the other soups sounded equally as delish. What’s a girl to do?
No soup for you! Both soups for you!! I was so indecisive the waiter said I should just mix them both, so the above concoction is a blend of creamy cauliflower soup and butternut squash puree. Seriously, I wanted this bowl to never end. There were several great things about this dish (1) the spoon was the size of my fist and I couldn’t even fit the whole thing in my mouth (and I have a BIG mouth – twss) (2) the soup was warmth in my belly (and I was fuh-reeez-face), and most importantly, (3) it tasted fabulous! If it’s legal somewhere I may move to a state that weds man wife and soup…at least for the winter months…I’m sure Kyle will understand…
For the second part of my dinner I got the fluffy quinoa salad with beans, baby greens & sprouts of the day, avocado, sweet peppers, corn & onions tossed with creamy lime mustard vinaigrette.
It’s going to be VERY hard for me to order anything else ever again after trying this salad (dressing). Red quinoa is fun, beans are magical, avo is divine, but this dressing took the cake! It was tart, tangy and sweet all at once. Mmmm. I had about half of it, and then decided to save the rest for leftovers, since I knew I wasn’t going home without dessert. Priorities people.
What you kinda see (from L to R) is a blueberry shortcake, a chocolate brownie, and an oatmeal raisin cookie). Three desserts for three girls (and some mood lighting, too). The shortcake was hot out of the oven and the blueberry filling was great – not too sweet – very fresh tasting. There was also a creamy filling which was a bit too lemony for my liking, but was a nice contrast to the blueberry. It was like a cream/jelly filled donut, but better (since all desserts are baked in their kitchen without dairy, egg, or refined sugar). It was my favorite of all three pastries. I admittedly didn’t try the brownie because (for some crazy reason) I wasn’t in a chocolate mood and it was pretty small (and thus difficult to split more than two ways). The cookie was good, but nothing I’d write home about. I wanted to be wow-ed, but I can’t help but feel like I can make cookies that are that good, if not better (thank you Babycakes cookbook).
The food was great, but as you’d expect the company was the best part of the evening. Love me some girl time.
Don’t forget I had leftovers!
Sweetness. I love not thinking about a meal the next day and knowing it’s going to be awesome without any work on my end. When it comes to doggie bags, I have no problem asking the waiter if I can take it home, even if it’s for ONE bite (hippie alert).
Obvs, I supplemented my meal with some roasted asparagus (just cooking spray, S & P).
Gorg.
Are you a doggy-bag-it kind of person? My answer is pretty obvs.
Leftover pizza hot or cold? I’m all about the hot hot hot.
Mmm all of the pics are making me hungry! We are way overdue for a Peacefood feast:)
Two things:
1. I FULLY support your statement to experiment more with shrooms. Trust me, it’s great!
2. I would be so honored if you took my V-card.
To answer your Q’s – doggie bagger and hot or cold. I don’t discriminate!
I LOVE to doggy bag! Things always taste better 24 hours later 😉
I live in the Village and still get lost sometimes, so no worries! Peacefood sounds and looks absolutely incredible, so I think I’ll be making a trip to the UWS in the near future! Thanks for the review.
I only doggy-bag if I have enough left for another meal…otherwise, I can’t be bothered :/ Lazy, I know. And leftover pizza is better hot, I agree 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
You, that plate of leftovers looks perfect! I am definitely a doggie-bag person, there is nothing like some good leftovers the next day. 🙂
The suggestion of combining the soups was brilliant. Now I want to make a butternut squash cauliflower soup!
I’m definitely a leftovers person. It always makes me feel better about the expense and of course there’s the massive benefit of having your meal already prepared the next day!
I was never able to do cold pizza – I had a roommate once who ate all her leftovers cold – I’m definitely a have to heat them up person – microwave, toaster oven, or stove – but definitely hot.
Yummm I still have my vegan restaurant V-card 😉
1. I always try and take home leftovers!! I never want to be TOO full leaving the restaurant. And leftovers are always fun 🙂
2. As much as I love hot pizza, cold is phenomenal as well!
Love the pics!
It’s been a joke working with the W Hotel in Manhattan to get a Vegan welcome basket for a conference speaker. They have no clue what Veganism is, which totally shocked me. We’re going to end up ordering from Babycakes I think and reassuring the speaker that it’s all Vegan.
i want to go there now.
those desserts look off the hizzy girl! love girl time and love that your girls were down to do the hippy thang. i’m pretty sure they’re gonna pick vegan restaurants for their choices in the upcoming months!
i’m all about dawggie baggin it son.
Dang, that salad looks so good. I would have gone for the mix of soups too…what a great compromise!
1. I’m all about leftovers. I’ll take something home even if I just have a few bites left.
2. I’ll eat it either way, but in the winter…most things in my diet are hot.
I definitely use doggy bags. Restaurant meals are often too delicious (and far too big) to eat once and then waste. Plus, let’s not forget the money factor! I’m much more comfortable spending 20-30 on a meal if I know it’ll feed me twice 🙂
HEY LOVE!! oh my goodness dying to eat @ a vegan restaurant!
1. sometimes..sometimes it sits in my fridge! but its nice having leftovers in college
2. hot!!
Hmm … YUMMEH! I’m definitely a doggy bag kind of gal. It has less to do with me being a hippie and more to do with the fact that I paid for that food, and doggoneit I’m going to get my money’s worth! I’m also the indecisive diner. I usu. end up playing it safe. It’d be nice if they had bite sized meal portions so that I could try a lot of different things at once.
I think I’m about to make the easiest/still surprisingly tasty (although they’re a bit on the too sweet side) no bake cookies EVER! They’re great for when I’m hit with random sugar/chocolate cravings. http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=28415.0
I also just ordered some 100% raw, natural stevia (to hopefully replace a lot of the sugar in my life), and I got on sale it for $13 (including shipping and handling) at Vitaglo if anyone is interested: http://www.vitaglo.com/nvt383.html
what a fun nite out with the girls!!!
I havent been out in 4+ yrs with a girlfriend. Other than midday coffee dates with a friend WITH Skylar, I dont get out much. Dirty little reality of having kids is mama’s social life goes wayyyy back burner.
Doggie bags and cold pizza all the way.
Most of the time I don’t mind it, but posts like this one make me jealous that I don’t have the dining options most people do. :p
I’m not a doggy-bag person… I don’t actually like leftovers, they make me nervous! That’s why I always end up making crazy calculations when I cook so that I end up with one serving. And why I hate going out to a restaurant that will serve me a portion the size of my head.
<3 <3
What a fun night with the girls! And I think it’s awesome you got to take them to a “true” vegan place.
I think that pizza would have been my pick, awesome that you got the leftovers.
I’m not big on leftovers, mainly because most of the time things I order would not taste so great after resting in the fridge for a day…and yes to the HOT pizza. Cold is good, but I prefer hot, even leftover.
Delicious much? All of that food looks fabulous! I’m definitely a doggie-bag kind of girl, even if I didn’t like the food I’ll bring it home and feed it to someone. If no human wants it, then my puppy gets it. 🙂
Leftover pizza… COLD! Warm/hot leftovers are good but cold wins my heart. <3
OMG totally love leftovers, possibly even more than the fresh meal 😀 BUT NOT pizza cuz it gets kinda soggy and meh :/ Sounds like a fun night with your girls and i’m glad you are back in action! xooxo (but it’s cool cuz you’re coming to Boston with brookie soooooo i won’t worry about it ;D)
doggy bag? absolutely! no thought required for lunch the next day…check!
leftover pizza? hot fo sho!
I love my leftovers heated up esp in the winter.
love your blog p.s.
I have been lurking a ton and need to comment more. shame on me.
I LOVE leftovers and cold pizza! With the exception of fries and lettuce, I think things just taste better the next day. Especially anything with spices and tomatoes. Nom nom nom!
Love Peacefood! The quinoa salad is awesome. Glad you’re a fan too — I vote we make a trip there together soon?
Great eats!!!
Oh wow, that all looks amazing! I’m definitely a leftovers girl, and I always reheat my pizza, too.
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i know right? lets email and get something set up. next week is no good for me, but the following has some possiblities.
regarding #2 – i love you 🙂
i agree, the flavors soak in more or something. hows that for a scientific way of explaining it
omg, the village is insane. everything around west 4th is a jumble. i prefer the nice organized parallel and perpendicular streets! peacefood is def worth making the trip up to the UWS
yes! if i paid for the whole thing, dang it, im going to get the whole thing!
my sister is all about the cold leftovers (not just pizza) and i just cant understand it!
agreed. i hate rolling out of the restaurant doors, and their portions are generally a bit much (especially when you get 2 courses).
you are one of the lone rangers with the cold pizza. way to own it.
omg, thats so pathetic on their part?!? how could a fancy shmancy hotel like that in NYC be so clueless. they are right next to WF too, so it should be fairly simple for them to collect things.
lame.
seriously, they were talking about going to PURE next month. i almost sh!t my pants i was so excited!!!
i agree. ive never been into the cold pizza thang like some folks, but id be way more open to it in july. january is not a time to test out cold dishes.
yes! if im spending my $$$ on it, i want the whole thing. often waiters look at me like im crazy when its so small a portion leftover, but whatever, i paid for it, so its mine.
bite sized tasting portions would be perfect!
oh and ps – great sugar hook up! pretty sure my doormen already think im a crack dealer or something with the packages i get.
reason #69340 to hold off of the baby makin’
why dont you have the dining options? i would think being vegan would make it easier to be kosher, wouldnt it? i mean theres no cross contamination of meat and dairy that you have to worry about at all?
totes coming to boston! cant wait to see you!! btw, do you travel for games or no?
woohoooo. thanks for de-lurking girly.
yes yes yes. the spices in leftovers seem to marry and make babies overnight – soooo good!
agreed.
I’m all about the hot hot hot leftovers too 🙂
And that pizza or quinoa salad would be my pick too!!!! I just need more creative, vegan restaurants up in hereeeeee
I don’t ever doubt your choices when it comes to introducing non-vegans to a strictly vegan restaurante. All those photos looked good enough to eat off my comp screen at work. I should really try to read your blog on an empty stomach cuz it makes me that much hungrier if I read it before lunch time. And I concur with the doggie bags…left overs are always delicious even if it is just one bite…hehe
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