About This Site
If you are looking for a place to take a vegetarian friend to dine or are yourself, veggiescoop.com will direct you to the best veggie food in Manhattan (other boroughs to come later), with a focus on good restaurants that are not necessarily vegetarian so that even the ominvores in your group will be satisfied. We focus on food that vegetarians will enjoy and will be wowed by, not just ordinary, run-of-the mill food that your local Thai, Chinese, Indian or Italian joint might have.
Features:
- Sort by category: In the category panel to the left, click the “+” sign under the main categories to the left to expand a category, and then click on the sub-categories to sort posts by a particular neighborhood, cuisine or price range.
-Map: Click the “Map” link above to search for posts near a particular spot.
- List of All Reviews: See a list of all our reviews in alphabetical order if you don’t want to go through our blogroll.
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February 3, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized 
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Mehtaphor
Name: Mehtaphor
Location: 130 Duane Street (at Church Street)
Website: www.mehtaphornyc.com
Menu Highlights:
- Avocado Ceviche
- Walnut Salad with Guacamole Sorbet & Raspberry Compote
- Truffle Goat Cheese Pizza
- Vegetable Dumpling Chaat
*- Truffle Mushroom Gratinee
- Indian Street Burger with Garlic Fries and Chipotle Mayonnaise
VScoop: After having eaten at Graffiti and despite being underwhelmed there, we 
decided to give Mehtaphor (by chef Jehangir Mehta) a try given the fact that Mehtaphor has an exclusively vegetarian menu of items that seemed unique. The upscale and well-appointed space, attached to the Tribeca Duane Street Hotel, had food that definitely delivered. The frozen guacamole with the walnut salad actually worked better than we thought. The salad consisted of onions, tomatoes, mixed greens, walnuts and a raspberry vinaigrette. The frozen guacamole gave it a nice, creamy texture. The portabello mushroom goat cheese pizza was a delightful surprise. Made with a pastry crust instead of traditional pizza dough, it felt much lighter and airier than your typical pizza. The portabello mushroom was finely diced which made it easier to eat. The vegetable dumpling chat (fried vegetable dumplings served with onions, tomatoes in a tamarind-based soy sauce) was really good, although if there was more tamarind and less soy, it would have taken it up a notch. We found it to be saltier and less chaat-like than we had hoped. The Indian Vegetable Burger definitely surpassed our expectations. Inspired by an Indian street food known as pav bhaji, Mehta’s version was less greasy and more flavorful, without being overpowering. The garlic gave the scrumptious fries an extra kick. Overall, we enjoyed the Contemporary Indian food that Mehta presented.   VScoop Rating: **** Yelp Rating: ****
April 5, 2012
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 5-7, ****, ****, Indian, Trendy, Tribeca No Comments
Balkanika
Name: Balkanika
Location: 691 9th Avenue (between 47th & 48th Ave)
Website: www.balkanikany.com
Menu Highlights:
- Yogurt Beet Summer Soup with Dill, Pignolia & Garlic
- Paprika Walnut with Red Pepper, Walnut, Tomato, Red Onion
- Artichoke Spread with Lemon, Garlic, Oregano, Egg White
- Turmeric Almond Hummus Tahini, Garlic, Lemon Juice
- Vegetables: Brussels Sprouts with Garlic, Leeks with Lemon and Olive Oil, Cauliflower with Turmeric & Garlic, plus many more
- Bureks: Leek with Feta & Albanian Pepper, or Spinach & Ricotta
- Curry Balls: Ground Lentil, Chickpea, & Fava Patties with Yellow Curry & Herbs, served with Garlic Yogurt & Greens
… and more
We had quite some hope for Balkanika given its expansive and creative vegetarian s
election. While the food wasn’t terrible, it certainly did not knock our socks off. The beet yogurt soup we started out with could have used more seasoning. Aside from garlic, there was not much else going on flavor-wise. We then proceeded to our mezze.  The Brussels Sprouts were overcooked (probably because they were cooked, and then heated up in a microwave), and although the more flavorful cauliflower with turmeric fared better, it was a bit too dry.  The red pepper walnut dip we had wasn’t pureed enough and had too many big chunks of walnuts, but the artichoke spread had a bit more going on texturally. The main we ordered, the curry balls, were tasty and well-seasoned, with a number of spices coming through. Although they were dry, the yogurt sauce wasn’t what they needed to take them up a notch. VScoop Rating: *** Yelp Rating: ***1/2
March 20, 2012
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 5-7, ***1/2, ***1/2, Entree Price: $10-$15, Gluten-Free Options, Homey, Mediterranean, Rustic, Times Square & Hell's Kitchen (W42nd St to W59th St), Uncategorized No Comments
The Meatball Shop
Name: The Meatball Shop
Locations:
- 84 Stanton Street (between Allen and Orchard Street)
- 64 Greenwich Avenue (between W 11th Street and Perry Street)
- 170 Bedford Avenue (between N 7th Street & N 8th Street) in Williamsburg
Menu Highlights:
- Vegetable Meatballs: Mushrooms and Green Lentils
- Everything but the Kitchen Sink Salad:
3 Balls and Sauce Served Over a Chef’s Selection of Greenmarket Veggies and Salad
- Heroes, Sliders with Veggie Meatball with choice of Sauce
VScoop: The Meatball Shop, although the name may suggest otherwise, offers a plethora of combinations for veggie meatballs. 
Whether you want it in a slider with creamy parmesan sauce, in a hero with tomato sauce or in a salad with pesto sauce, you are likely to find something that suits your mood that day. The Everything but the Kitchen Sink Salad (pictured) changes almost daily, offering seasonal vegetables with greens, topped with meatballs. The quality of the protein-packed veggie meatballs are excellent. We love that they are not made of soy like many of the vegan joints around the city, but instead are made up of lentils and mushrooms. It gives the meatballs an earthy, wholesome taste and a dense texture. The sides here, such as the polenta and risotto are also well prepared, and are a nice addition to the Everything but the Kitchen Sink salad. You can’t make a reservation at The Meatball Shop and expect to wait a significant amount of time during peak dining hours. VScoop Rating: **** Yelp Rating: ****
March 7, 2012
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 3-4, ****, ****, American / Comfort, Entree Price: $10-$15, Gluten-Free Options, Lower East Side, Vegan-Friendly, West Village & Meatpacking (W14th St to W Houston St) No Comments
Asia Dog
Name: Asia Dog
Location: 66 Kenmare Street (between Mulberry Street & Mott Street)
Website: asiadognyc.com
Menu Highlights:
- Mel & Steve Veggie Dog: Topped with Asian Sesame Slaw, Scallions & Sesame Seeds
- Vinh Veggie Dog: Banh Mi style, with Veggie Pate (upon request), Spicy Aioli, Cucumber, Pickled Carrot, Daikon, Jalapeno & Cilantro
- Ito Veggie Dog: Japanese Curry & Kimchi Apples
- Mash Veggie Dog: Sweet and Spicy Ketchup, Jalapeno Mustard, Crushed Potato Chips
VScoop: Well before the Asian taco craze (Korilla taco truck, etc), Asia Dog was serving 
up another American favorite, hot dogs, with Asian-inspired toppings,at the Brooklyn Flea Market. The success at Brooklyn Flea led to the company opening it’s first branch in Soho, and fans of the creative dogs now don’t have to wait until the weekends to get their Asia Dog fix. With a juicy veggie dog (one of the best we’ve had in terms of the quality of the actual dog) and creative toppings, Aisa Dog is a winner. The Ito (pictured) and Mel & Steve are ideal for those who want an Asian-inspired flavor but can’t handle too much heat. We felt that the in the Ito the Japanese curry tasted a bit watered down in terms of flavor. The Vinh (also pictured) is very refreshing and fairly authentic in terms of Banh Mi seasoning, but we couldn’t taste the pate much and the jalapenos overpowered the subtle seasoning that the other ingredients added. The dogs are not very big, so it’s possible to have one as a mid-day snack. VScoop Rating: ***1/2 Yelp Rating: ***1/2
December 1, 2011
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 3-4, ***1/2, ***1/2, American / Comfort, Asian (Pan-Asian), Entree Price: Under $6, Soho, Vegan-Friendly No Comments
Dovetail
Name: Dovetail
Location: 103 West 77th Street (between Columbus & Amsterdam)
Website: www.dovetailnyc.com
Menu Highlights:
- Salt-baked Onion with Truffles, Apples, Marcona Almonds
- Crispy Cauliflower with Boiled Egg, Jerk Spice, Radish
- Gnudi with Chanterelles, Broccoli & Winter Truffles
- Saffron-braised Fennel, Haricot Verts, Olives & Mint
Nestled away in a relatively small space on the Upper West Side, this 
Michelin-star recipient certainly had very delectable vegetarian offerings. Although our night got off to a rough start because we were ill-treated by the maitre’d, the food and the rest of the service made up for it. The space felt a bit stuffy, but perhaps a little less so than similar establishments on the Upper East. We started with the salt-baked onion, the truffles were very fresh and the broth was well-balanced in terms of flavors. The beans in the roasted fennel added a nice texture and rounded out the dish well. While pricey for a pasta dish, the gnudi was well worth it. The potatoes were done to perfection and the truffle essence came through the parmesan broth without being over-powering.
Overall, the meal was wonderful, and the ample selection of vegetarian food was not only ample, but each dish we had was well executed. All in all, it was a memorable experience, well-worth the sticker price. VScoop Rating: **** Yelp Rating: ****
November 13, 2011
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 5-7, ****, ****, Entree Price: $25+, New American, Upper West Side, Upscale, Vegan-Friendly No Comments
The Green Table
Name: The Green Table
Location: 75 9th Ave (at 16th St, inside Chelsea Market)
Website: www.cleaverco.com
Menu Highlights (changes frequently):
- Best of Market Soup: Tomato & Squash Gazpacho
- Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade
- Vegetarian Mushroom Pot Pie: Organic Mushrooms & Vegetables with a Whole Wheat Crust
- Vegetarian Spring Rolls with Soba Noodles in a Curry Broth
- Local Vegetable Crudités: Farm-Fresh Vegetables, Marinated Feta & House-Made Dips
VScoop: Set inside the gorgeous Chelsea Market, The Green Table is an organic restaurant where the menu reflects what’s 
freshest at local farms. The modern rustic space provides a number of delectable and healthy vegetarian options. On our visit, we tried the market soup of the day, a tomato and summer squash gazpacho, which was absolutely delicious with the right blend of tomato and squash, and a good amount of pepper and other spices to give it a powerful kick. The hearty Vegetarian Mushroom Pot Pie was flavored nicely, and was surprisingly not overly buttery or cheesy. The vegetarian spring rolls with soba noodles in curry broth (pictuerd) were very creative and had several other vegetables in it. The flavor of the curry was more authentic than we expected, and didn’t feel watered down as we feared. The atmosphere was wonderful, especially sitting outside and watching people go by the market. The service was excellent. They also have an goods election of juices and non-alcoholic / alcoholic beverages. VScoop Rating: ****1/2 Yelp Rating: ****
July 22, 2011
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 3-4, ****, ****1/2 & Up, Chelsea (W14th St to W28th St), Entree Price: $15-$20, New American, Vegan-Friendly No Comments
Poco
Name:Â Poco
Location: 33 Avenue B (at 3rd St)
Website: www.poconyc.com
Menu Highlights:
- Mushroom Truffle Croquettes topped with Truffle Aioli
- Caramelized Brussels Sprouts tossed with Mint, Chili and Lemon
- White Bean Hummus served with Mixed Olives and Toast Points
- Spinach & Truffled Mushroom Mac – n – Cheese – Manchego, Parmesan and Asiago Cheese with Shell Pasta, Crunchy Panko
- Truffled Mushroom Tosta with Creamy Wild Mushrooms over Brioche Topped w/ a Fried Egg and Aged Balsamic
- Poco Salad with Goat Cheese, Almonds and Raisins tossed in a Cava Passion Fruit Vinaigrette
VScoop Review: Poco is a charming, rustic tapas bar in Alphabet City with some wonderful savory items for vegetarians. The creamy and smooth white bean hummus was made well and served with warm pita points. The healthy and refreshing brussels sprouts were charred and drizzled with a lime-chili vinaigrette. The citrus helped cut into the bitterness of the brussels sprouts, and other seasoning adding some kick. The spicy fried chickpeas, a bar special that night, was gently fried and had the perfect texture inside while still being crispy on the outside. The croquettes were lackluster as they contained quite a bit of rice and felt more like arancini balls. It seemed like bechemel sauce was used in the mac and cheese, making the dish lighter and airier. The truffle flavor came through well, there was a generous amount of spinach and the panko crust added a nice crunch. We also had a side dish of sauteed spinach with raisins and almonds and enjoyed the added sweetness and crunch. Overall, Poco had many wonderful vegetarian options to offer. VScoop Rating: **** Yelp Rating: ****
June 23, 2011
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 3-4, ****, ****, East Village (E14th St to E Houston St), Entree Price: $10-$15, Rustic, Spanish, Tapas, Vegan-Friendly No Comments
Scarpetta
Name: Scarpetta
Location: 355 W 14th St (between 8th Ave & 9th Ave)
Website: www.scottconant.com/restaurants/scarpetta/new-york
Menu Highlights:
- Creamy Polenta with Fricasse of Truffled Mushrooms
- Roasted Mushrooms with Porcini Puree & Fingerling Potatoes
- Braised Endive with Butternut Squash Puree & Baby Carrots
- Red Beet & Smoked Ricotta Casonei with Pistachio Nuts & Poppy Seeds
- Rosemary-Braised Lentils with Broccoli Rabe & Concentrated Tomatoes
and many, many more…
VScoop: Scott Conant’s modern Italian hot spot in the Meatpacking Distrct has an astonishing vegetarian menu that offers 
several unique vegetarian options. We started creamy polenta with fresh truffles, which was satisfying in a comfort type of and the truffles gave it a luxurious twist. The braised endives with grilled fingerling carrots and butternut squash puree had a unique preparation of vegetables that brought out a different and creative taste profile. It was a mix of earthiness with caramel overtones. Our entree, the beet and smoked ricotta pasta had an unusual combination of flavors that worked really well together. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the pistachios added a nice texture to the dish. Overall, the dining experience, from the food to the service to the ambiance was an extraordinary one. Yelp Rating: **** VScoop Rating: ****1/2
April 18, 2011
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 5-7, ****, ****1/2 & Up, Entree Price: $25+, Italian, Modern, West Village & Meatpacking (W14th St to W Houston St) No Comments
Cafe Boulud
Name: Cafe Boulud
Location: 20 E 76th St (between Madison & 5th Ave)
Website: www.danielnyc.com/cafebouludNY.html
Menu Highlights:
- Wild Mushroom & Farro Soup with Carrots, Italian Parsley, Olive Oil
- Early Spring Garden: Arugula, Spring Onions, Asparagus, Carrot Top Vinaigrette
- Herb Ravioli with Zucchini Pesto, Mint, Burrata Foam
We went to Cafe Boulud hoping that our dining experience would be similar to that of ours at Daniel. However, Cafe Boulud didn’t live up to our hopes 
on several fronts. With regards to decor, Cafe Boulud was trying to go for the modern meets old-world charm, but it didn’t manage to do so quite so effectively. The service was good, but not as friendly as we hoped. The wild mushroom soup didn’t have as much of a mushroom-flavor nor the creaminess we expected. It was nice and light, but for $15, you would expect more than just some mushrooms, farro and carrots in a relatively bland vegetable broth. The Early Spring Garden salad was well presented and the produce was fresh.  The plate we got consisted of golden and red beets as well. The carrot vinaigrette added a nice flavor to the salad. The herb ravioli (pictured) was excellent, and definitely the highlight of the meal.  The ravioli was stuffed with mix of green herbs and ricotta inside, and tasted very fresh. The zucchini pesto was crisp, flavorful and refreshing, while the burrata foam added a nice creaminess to the dish. Overall though, we would recommend saving up for Daniel instead of coming out to Cafe Boulud. Yelp Rating: **** VScoop Rating: ***
March 22, 2011
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 1-2, ***, ****, Entree Price: $25+, Modern, New American, Upper East Side No Comments
Junoon
Name: Junoon
Location: 27 West 24th Street (between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)
Website: www.junoonnyc.com
Menu Highlights:
-Palak Patte Ke Chaat: Spinach Leaf, Sonth Chutney, Spiced Yogurt, Tandoori Pineapple
- Hyderabadi Patthar Paneer: Homemade Cheese, Turmeric, Mint Leaves, Lime
- Saag Aur Gobi Ki Bhurji: Cauliflower, Spinach, Ground Coriander, Fenugreek, Garlic
- Amritsari Aloo Wadi: Potato, Sundried Lentil Dumpling, Ginger, Kashmir Chilies
-Array of traditional Indian vegetarian dishes
VScoop: Junoon, a new restaurant to hit the Indian restaurant scene, strives to put a modern twist on tradational Indian cuisine. The restaurant’s 
decor is impeccable; modern with Indian elements, the space has high ceilings and a very open layout.  On our visit, we started with the palak chaat, which was delicious.  The dish substitutes a delicately fried spinach crisp for a dish that traditionally uses papdi (fried dough).    The Kele Ki Goli (banana fritter) starter didn’t have much of the banana come through and was too dense in texture, but it seems like the restaurant has nixed this from their menu (for the better).  The Hyderabaadi Patthar Paneer was a nice relief from the usually spicier tandoori paneer available elsewhere, and the paneer was succulent and of the right texture. The saag gobi was a very creative dish and was on the lighter side, as it seemed like the chef had the sensibility to refrain from using excessive oil and cream that many other Indina restaurants use.   The spinach and gobi were chopped up into tiny pieces, and spiced well with a good amount of heat in the dish.  The prune and walnut naan (which was flavorful and pleasantly not overwhelmingly sweet) paired well with the spicy saag gobi. The Amritasar Aloo Wadi is a traditional Northern Indian dish that we haven’t found at any other Indian restaurant in New York.  The curry sauce in in this dish was tasty, however the lentil dumplings could have been a little softer (even though this may not be the traditional way to do it… it just our preference).  What we loved most about Junoon was the chef’s general restraint from greasing up all his dishes. When we left, we didn’t feel that feeling of sickness we sometimes feel leaving other restaurants that add tons of heavy cream in their dishes. VScoop Rating: ***1/2 Yelp: ****
March 16, 2011
Posted in: # of Veg Entrees: 5-7, ****, ***1/2, Entree Price: $15-$20, Gramercy and Union Square (E14th to E28th St), Indian, Modern, Trendy, Upscale, Vegan-Friendly No Comments
