The days of vegetables as lonelysides in restaurantsare over. Today, Brussels sprouts, wood-fired cauliflower and avocado toast are front and center on entree listings, making dining out much easier for vegetarians and vegans.
With the recent closing of Rosemary & Vine, a vegetarian restaurant in Rye, one may wonder where to go. Bthis being the Lower Hudson Valleywhere healthy eating is a big part of the mindset — hello kale salad and avocado toast—there are still plenty of places to find meat-free options, everything from veggie burgers to falafel to tapas. And guess what? You don't have to wait for Meatless Mondays to indulge.Some options follow:
Art Cafe of Nyack, Nyack: Inspired by the cafes of Tel Aviv, this cozy coffeehouse is known for itsvariety of meatless entrees such aseggplant malawach, a sandwichfilled with eggplant, red onion and hard boiled egg,goat cheese toastini, rice bowls, and salads. Also popular:Shakshooka,a traditional Israeli dish featuring two baked eggs in a spicy tomato sauce, topped with Bulgarian feta and Mediterranean herbs. Add on eggplant, portobello mushrooms or avocado to crank up the flavor.Go:65 S. Broadway, Nyack, 845-353-4230,artcafenyack.com
Bareburger, Rye: Loyal followers enjoy its vegan burgers, salads and sandwiches many of which use organic tempeh bacon, quarter pound impossible patty, beyond bratwurst and vegetable combos.Go:50 Purchase St., Rye, 914-305-4036,bareburger.com. Otherlocations includeMount Kisco, 445 Main St.,914-864-0531and Hartsdale,265 N. Central Ave.,914-949-2900.
Caribreeze Vegan Delight,Spring Valley: This no frills café serves up a host of vegetarian dishes such as whole wheat dumplings, lentil stew, salads, vegan lasagna, sweet and sour tofu, curry chickpeas and multi-grain power porridge. Go:42 N. Main St., Spring Valley, 845-426-2600,caribreeze.com
Dill Fresh Mediterranean Grill, New City:You can customize your ownbasmati rice bowl, salad or pita at this cheery fast casual Mediterranean spot wherefalafel is a popular vegetarian choice. Also notable: mushroom shawarma, smoked Baba Ghanoush and cauliflower wings. Go:14 N Main St., New City, 845-638-3455,dillmedgrill.com
Jolo’s Kitchen, New Rochelle:The food isall vegan at this modest space where “meat” dishes are soy or mushroom-based and condiments includeorganic ketchup, vegan mayo, mustard, and/or hummus. Choose among entrees like curry stew, ginger vegan-chicken, kale and seaweed medley along with sandwiches like an avocado salad wrap. And if you're thirsty? There's an extensive juice bar menu, not to mention a laid-back Jamaicanvibe. Go:412 North Ave., New Rochelle,914-355-2527
Grass Roots Kitchen, Tarrytown: Carrot quinoa burger or vegan BLT? This fast casual eatery is all about good food done easy with the mantra “Put Some Roots Down.” Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll also find an açai roots bowl, avocado toast, vegan "tuna" melt, various salads and a vegan Reuben. Go: 124 Wildey St. (in the Walgreen's Shopping Center), 914-909-5588,grassroots.kitchen
Good Choice Kitchen Vegan Café & Culinary Center, Ossining:Just two years old, this cheery cafe features a wide ranging menu featuringorganic, sustainably grown, seasonal, local, and whole ingredients.The cuisine spans the gamut from Asian to Mediterranean to Moroccan, Italian and Indian with items such as almond pudding, hearty sesame kale,vegetable tikki masala, pizza, sandwiches, burritos and build your own plates. It's also gluten-free.It also provides weekly meal plans, classes, workshops and events, many built around holistic education. Go:147 Main Street,914-930-1590,goodchoicekitchen.com
Lalibela, Mount Kisco:A segment of the menu at this Ethiopian restaurant is dedicated to vegetarian and vegan fare. Among the choices: Misir wat (split lentils cooked with onion, fresh ginger, garlic, chili sauce and olive oil), Fosolia (string beans and carrots cooked with onion, ginger, garlic and olive oil) and cabbage, cooked with potato, carrots, onion, garlic, turmeric and olive oil. Go:37 S. Moger Ave.,Mount Kisco, 914-864-1343
Rock's Kitchen, Stony Point:Heart-healthy food is the focus at this fast-casual restaurant, open since March. Among some of the vegetariandishes: quinoa bowls, salads, tofu options, veggie burgersand"Rocky's Slaw," crisp slaw sauteedwith onions, carrots and mushrooms. Go: 170 S. Liberty Dr. (in the Aldi Shopping Center), Stony Point,845-558-8888,rockskitchen-rk.com
Sweet Grass Grill, Tarrytown: Owned by David Starkey, the owner behind the aforementioned Grass RootsKitchen, this eatery has been on the forefront of vegetarian food since it opened 10 years ago. Among the vegetarian dishes:Fried spicy cauliflower bites,braised tempeh,quinoa, sweet potato and kale burger and agrilled portobello melt with vegan cheese.Go: 24 Main St., Tarrytown; 914-631-0000,sweetgrassgrill.com
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