I love Rockin’ Raw!

11 Jun 2009 3 Comments

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights Tags: , , , , , ,

Seriously Look at this Garden!

I love Rockin’ Raw. 718-599-9333 178 North 8th Street (btwn Bedford & Driggs) Williamsburg.I met some fabulous ladies there for dinner last night. It was only their 13th day of their soft opening and everything went super smooth! I am always perpetually early and my girlfriends are typically late, but as I was sitting in that magical garden waiting, I had no complaints at all. I loved it! The outdoor garden feels like you are in someone’s backyard but you also have the benefit of a phenomenal meal!

We started off with the N’awlins Rings. They were amazing; sweet and spicy, mmmm! I ordered the Louisiana Gumbo with “sausage -ñ-” and cauliflower rice.” It was so good. The rice was great and the texture, consistency, and spice of the gumbo was fabulous. I really felt like I was eating a cooked dish! Plus how often do you see raw okra? My friends ordered the Tallarines Verdes de La Lala (live pasta in Peruvian pesto style sauce) with Caramelized Plantains (OMG Yum!) and the Rockin’ ROLL with jicama, avocado, cauliflower (served with horseradish sauce, pickled ginger and cucumber). I had some of the pasta and it was great. I always find that zucchini pasta is delightful depending on the sauce and this was such a tasty and cheesy pesto! I was the only one to get dessert, as I could not pass it up when I am at such a fabulous raw restaurant. I had the heavenly Cookies & Cream Milk Shake made from nut milk, agave and little bites of cacao nibs, super good!!

We met Tere, the owner who was also our server and a delight. She was so sweet and explained everything for us including recommendations.

I love that they use nuts, but very sparingly there. I sometimes feel that raw restaurants go a little heavy on the nuts and the food becomes a little too dense and decadent for me. Of course I always enjoy the taste factor, but I am also more concerned about how I feel afterwards. The food at Rockin’ Raw was flavored mostly with veggies, which I can always appreciate and love the taste of! They even make a point to mark the items that are made with the nuts on the menu.

Overall, it was a great experience. Delicious food, great company, gorgeous and relaxing garden, nothing better! I highly recommend checking this welcoming place out. Their official Grand Opening is the weekend of June 27th. Enjoy!!

Oh and they are applying for their liquor license, so hopefully it will not be that far away 🙂

Update: The Grand Opening Party was so much fun! They were serving lots of HD’s from the menu and some previews that are going to be added later on. Thanks Tere! It was such a nice night 🙂

Louisiana Gumbo

 Photo Coutesy of The Discerning Brute, see his review here 

Rockin' Raw on Urbanspoon

Super Hot Dog

10 Jun 2009 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights Tags: ,

I never really promote soy or fake meat products because I am not really into them for health reasons (and of course they are not raw). I always loved them as they taste delicious, but I try to avoid them most of the time. But I had to talk about this new place that serves beef and veggie dogs with fun toppings. They even have whole wheat buns. It could be great about once a year for me! haha! Enjoy 🙂

Super Hot Dog   111 MacDougal St, between Minetta Lane and Bleecker; 212.375.0700

 

Flax Seed Chips and Salsa!

09 Jun 2009 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights Tags: , ,

This was one of the best weekends ever!!! But when I get super tired from not sleeping and traveling I want greasy gross food but the problem is it always makes me feel terrible!! (especially now that I am so clean) But I still want that munchy goodness. So last night I had these fabulous Flax Seed Chips from Caravan of Dreams and made myself “chips” and salsa, one of my all time favorite comfort foods!

I forgot to take a picture as I just wanted to eat my chips, but I had to share this! All I had was chips and salsa, this picture is from another blog taken at Caravan of Dreams of their Live Nachos (DELICIOUS!!) but those are same the fabulous chips I used.

Raw Star Cafe

28 May 2009 8 Comments

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights Tags: ,

rawstar

Raw Star Cafe 687 Washington Ave. (between St. Marks & Prospect)  Brooklyn 718-975-0304 menu

Delicious Raw vegan Caribbean food in a great atmosphere with super friendly people. My husband and I both completely loved this place! We went last weekend for the first time although I have wanted to go since it opened in June 2008. It is a totally laid back Caribbean vibed place that has great food and amazingly friendly service. I felt like I was on vacation and I could have hung out there all day if it wasn’t so gorgeous outside! The space is really tiny but cozy in a good way. The place, the waiter and chef really give off such a friendly vibe that even all the customers are feeling at home and super friendly with each other.

The ambiance is important of course but you are there to eat, and mmmmm, the food is soooo good there! All time favorite of both my husband and I was the Curried Plantains. I have dreamed about them since 🙂 We also loved the Hi Green Salad, so divine! We started out with the Spinach Cheese Puffs which were fun! The nut loaf was yummy and the lasagna had just come out of the dehydrator and was so warm and soft that I thought it was cooked! (of course it wasn’t) Melt in your mouth goodness! The Pineapple Mango Chutney was also amazing! We were there for lunch so we passed on dessert, but I want to try them all! I am actually really looking forward to trying all the dishes there! Plus they have a brunch that looks divine!! I am already planning my next visit back.

One of the best parts is that the cost is very reasonable. The menu does not change for lunch or dinner, so apps will run you around $6 and entrees $7-13. And most of the entrées come with a salad and a side! This is a great deal for such a fabulous experience and delicious organic raw food.

Update: Since I wrote this review I have already been back 2 other times and this place just gets better and better!! I always get the Hi Green Salad and the Curried Plantains because they are just sooo good!! But I have had many of the other entrees and tried some of my friend’s entrees as well. The Spinach Pie was yummy, The Curry Tempeh with Tamarind Sauce was super good (I am totally getting this again next time!),  Stuffed Bell Pepper was great and had some really nice spice, the Pistachio and Pine Nut Pesto was some of the best pesto ever and they really were generous with the portion and the Nappa Sandwich was a little messy but super deelish! I will try the desserts and brunch soon I am sure! Love this place 🙂

rawstar2

Rawstar Vegan Live Cuisine on Urbanspoon

Rockin’ Raw, Williamsburg NEW Raw Restaurant

27 May 2009 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights

178 North 8th Street between Bedford and Driggs

So awesome!! I am more than excited to try this NEW place. Thanks to We Like It Raw for the heads up! The menu looks divine!!! MMM Carmalized Plantains! Plus an outdoor garden, what a great way to kick off the summer.

An excert from the We Like It Raw article: Here’s a note from owners Tere Fox and Luis Salgado on Rockin’ Raw’s style of cuisine:

Our cuisine is Peruvian/New Orleans style. We have jambalaya, cebiche, “tuna” poboys, live pasta dishes, lucuma ice cream… This is food like your mama never made for sure. We are not heavy on nuts like some raw food restaurants tend to be. We are strong headed about fresh produce and making foods that rock all your senses.

All of our foods are from local farmers except of course Maca and Lucuma which is still organic and straight from Peru. We are also using ecofriendly paper and togo products. We are green, green, green.

Rr-home

Locavore Restaurant on the Bowery

26 May 2009 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights

Homegrown Kitchen, a new Bowery restaurant opening in June will grow all its vegetables in a rooftop garden. [NYP] See this article from The Villager as well.

I always want to support Locavore Restaurants but often they are not interested in putting out any vegan or vegetarian food, so I guess I will have to wait and see about this new hopeful place!

Candle 79

08 May 2009 3 Comments

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights Tags: , ,

Candle 79 154 east 79th St (between Lexington & 3rd Ave)  212-537-7179

I love this place! I have been here several times before and it is always a wonderful experience. The atmosphere and service are great and the food and presentation are divine! We were even commenting that all seats (whether booth side or chairs) were extremely plush and comfortable! The entire place has a very elegant and romantic look from the seating to the lighting. Our waiter was so great and very knowledgeable. He really gave us straight answers and was so awesome about making sure everything I had was raw. It was so nice and refreshing! But that is just the way this place is; they even have a full gluten-free menu available on request!

Their other original location Candle Café is also amazing and this is the upscale version. We went here last night with two open-minded meat eaters and they simply loved it. There is always that question of whether or not people will be full and satisfied with their dinners at a vegetarian place, but so far in my experience they almost always are! (If you go to the right places) I love that this place creates such beautiful food “right from the farm to the table” and that they stress the importance or local and organic fresh ingredients. Everything I have ever ordered from there has always been delightful!

The food there is primarily cooked vegan food (with a seasonally rotating menu) but they do offer 1 raw appetizer (Live Avocado-Cucumber Tartare served with quinoa-flax crisps – which were possibly the best live crackers I have ever had!!) and 1 raw entrée (Live Zucchini Enchiladas) as well as delicious salads. I was also super happy with my decadent raw dessert (Live Cherry-Orange Parfait) there as well! MMM! Everyone else loved what they had too. There were some specials as well as the Wild Mushroom-Saffron Ravioli which looked amazing! My husband really liked it. This almost never happens, but all 3 people besides me ordered the Caribbean Jerk Grilled Seitan for their entrée. It is a new dish on the menu and by the looks of my party, they loved it! Sometimes people are also shocked by how fabulous vegan desserts can be. My dessert was super delicious but the others looked amazing as well! Chocolate-Almond Joy, Almond Shortbread Napoleon and a chocolate shake! They also offer delicious fresh juices and tonics and have a full all-organic wine and sake menu. I had my favorite young Thai coconut water! So good for me! I love the way it feels even as I am drinking it!

I know we over did it a little on the ordering but everything looked and tasted so great we just went for it!  I left feeling really full but really happy!

Live Avocado-Cucumber Tartare - picture from Ginger is the New Pink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Zucchini Enchiladas - picture from Ginger is the New Pink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Cherry-Orange Parfait - picture from Ginger is the New Pink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candle 79 on Urbanspoon

4 Course Vegan Fine Dining in Williamsburg

29 Apr 2009 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights Tags:

I have not been here yet but it looks amazing and I hope to go soon! You can sign up via email for their mailing list that tells you the menu for their upcoming dinner. Look below at the next menu. SO yummy looking!!

09-1

4 Course Vegan is a concept born out of pure passion for food and people. Throughout time, the dinner table remains a place to gather, to eat, to enjoy, to relax, to converse, and to share ideas. The table is the communal meeting spot. In January 2003, 4 Course Vegan, based in Williamsburg, opened its doors in hopes to bridge the communities through this transformative dining experience. Chef Matteo serves compassionate, worldly fare with emphasis on the freshest organic ingredients, without the use of any animal products. 100% Vegan.

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009
4 Course Vegan presents:
6 Years of Fine Dining in Williamsburg

Fresh Fava Bean Crostade with
Kalamata Olives and Chickpea Puree
*****
Portobello-wrapped Asparagus with
Wild Arugula and Oregano Vinaigrette
*****
Sunflower ‘Burger’ with
Crispy Leeks and Spicy Ketchup
*****
Chocolate Coconut Torte with
Meyer Lemon and Vanilla Bean Cream
—
featuring fresh ingredients from NYC’s Green Markets
local, organic, seasonal, and sustainable

forty dollars per person
dinner is at 8pm
space is limited/RSVP in advance
718-599-5913
www.4coursevegan.com

NY Green Living Guide from Citysearch

27 Apr 2009 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights Tags:

A NYC list of eco spots – NY Green Living Guide

Volunteer in NYC

23 Apr 2009 Leave a comment

by marisashealthykitchen in New York Highlights

Want to volunteer but not quite sure what to do? VolunteerNYC will allow you to find the best volunteer opportunities based on your preferences.

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