I love to cook so much that more often than not, I find myself cooking to unwind after a long day. But even I will admit that sometimes a girl just wants to take a night off. That’s where living in New York comes in handy. Eating out is a full-time job for some here (and I’m not just talking about food writers). Here are some of my favorite restaurants in New York (and in my hometown, Detroit, Michigan):
New York City:
Caracas Arepa Bar: A must for any East Village resident or New York visitor. A well-made arepa is something that should never be overlooked
. It’s crispy on the outside, very slightly soft on the inside, and filled with a number of different flavor combinations. Best part is: a cornmeal arepa batter means a wheat-free delight. Don’t forget to load up on whatever is in the squeeze bottle on your table. You yourself will be squeezed in to this tiny restaurant as well, but once the food arrives, no one ever seems to mind sharing elbow space with their neighbor. If you can’t find anything you can eat on the menu, Caracas is flexible and open to off-the-menu ordering. Plus, you can swap-in tofu for just about any arepa made with meat.
Stogo: OH MY GOODNESS. Try any of the free-flowing samples at Stogo and you will see why this organic, vegan ice cream place merits an all-caps endorsement. Stogo earns even more points for using agave nectar as its sweetener of choice, for offering a variety of milk bases (soy, coconut and hemp), its unique flavors and friendly staff. I’m hesistant to name a flavor of choice, because everyone seems to have their own favorites here, but you can’t go wrong with the salted caramel pecan…or the coffee…or the coconut vanilla bean…or, well, just go see for yourself.
Jackson Diner: The dosa — a thin, crisp, rice-and-lentil-flour pancake — is a Southern Indian dish that can only be explained as a gift from the gluten free gods. In this case, those gods are the people at Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights, Queens. It’s quite the trek from the East Village, but to me, very much worth the 50 minute commute. Served alongside the addictive coconut chutney (I’m afraid to try recreating it at home for fear I will never be able to stop eating a mastered version of the dish), the Jackson Diner dosa will not disappoint. Nor will any of the other Indian favorites, for that matter. Not interested in making the trip to Queens? Try a dosa from the NY Dosa cart on the South side of Washington Square Park for delicious and very affordable Southern Indian food from the always-smiling, always friendly Thiru Kumar.
Saravanaas: This Murray Hill South Indian restaurant features mouthwatering dosas, idli and chutneys. The paper masala dosa is a breathtakingly perfect, thin and crisp crepe that has been folded to perfection.
Sripraphai: It’s said to be one of the only authentic Thai restuarants in New York, though I like Sripraphai just as much for its extensive vegetarian menu as I do for its authenticity. The tofu green curry is flavorful and full of depth, without being too rich or greasy. The vegetarian sauteed eggplant is light and fresh. Worried about nut or shellfish allergens? The menu indicates that allergy sufferers need only speak to the staff before ordering to ensure that what they’re getting is safe. A restaurant that’s authentic and accomodating? That’s a home run in my book.
Babycakes NYC: No gluten-free, sugar-free or vegan blog would be complete without a nod to Babycakes, the apparent pioneer in everything-free baking. My honest advice? Skip the cookbook, which is hit or miss and not entirely gluten free (my mom reported terrific results with the spelt zucchini bread; not so great results with the gluten free cupcakes) and head to the actual bakery in New York’s Lower East Side, where just about everything is divine.
Whole Earth Bakery: No, this place is of no relation to Whole Foods. In fact, in many ways it is the anti-Whole Foods: small, local and very earnest. Whole Earth has the charm of a small town bakery. That is, a small town bakery making vegan, wheat and gluten free baked goods using organic ingredients. Whole Earth should also be noted for its health-conscious offerings: a juice bar, vegan soups, wheatgrass shots and even raw options round out the extensive and enticing menu.
Sip Sak: Delicious, fresh and reasonably priced Turkish food in a comfortable atmosphere. The vegetarian stuffed grape leaves special are a favorite.
Viva Herbal Pizzeria: This popular, vegetarian pizza place doesn’t sell their gluten-free pie by the slice. But if you’re looking to satisfy a craving, it is worth the wait and the expense to order a whole, gluten-free sprouted buckwheat pizza. Viva’s gluten-free pizza crust is also yeast-free, dairy-free and sugar-free. The crust is a bit thinner than your average pizza crust, though, so take a minimalist approach when ordering your toppings.
Detroit:
Living Zen Cafe at the Detroit Zen Center: This Hamtramck, MI cafe is also a great place to shop for organic dried fruits, flours, grains and nuts. They also have a stand where you can purchase these products at Detroit’s Eastern Market. They are open for lunch or dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Order the monks’ meal and you won’t leave hungry, disappointed or with a might lighter wallet than when you came in. For just $11, you’ll enjoy several courses of fresh, organic, vegan and sometimes raw soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. It’s the best deal I can think of, and one of my absolute favorite places to eat when I go back to visit Detroit.
Inn Season Cafe: This popular vegetarian restaurant is superb. It’s cozy, warm and inviting — you’ll feel more like you’re eating dinner at a good friend’s than at a restaurant filled with strangers. The food is delicious and equally comforting. I always order off the specials list, which offers plenty of vegetarian, vegan and wheat-free options. Anything Southwestern or Asian is a sure bet to be amazing.
Siam Spicy (Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak): There are several great Thai restaurants in Michigan. I can’t say I have a definite favorite, but my family has been visiting Siam Spicy for years, and it holds a special place in my heart. Along with large and authentic Thai curries, they offer fresh entrees and some of the best soups I have had anywhere.
