Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Restaurant Candle 79, New York



After our stop at the bookstore Kitchen Arts and Letter, it was only natural to have some real food to please our teased by so many culinary books taste buds. My friend Lisa had something very specific in her mind: organic vegan restaurant Candle 79 on the corner of Lexington  Avenue and 79th Street.
From the entrance an elegant hostes takes us upstairs in to the contemporary and simple yet elegant zen space. Floor to ceiling windows on one side provide comfortable light while blocking a noise of busy New York streets. A relaxing atmosphere is created by a lit candle on each table. 
We are ready to indulge...

With the menu arrives this amuse: 
Chickpea & Portobello salad with Red Pepper Dressing


Saffron-lobster mushroom ravioli: spinach ravioli, sauteed garlic spinach, cashew ricotta, truffled tomato sauce.  


Grilled Kale: haricots verts (French for green beans), beluga lentils, red onions, turnips, avocado, sunflower seeds, spelt berries, chive vinaigrette


One of the most popular dishes Seitan Piccata: creamed spinach, grilled potato cake, oyster mushrooms, lemon-caper sauce


Rosemary Truffled Potatoes


Dessert: Pan-seared port wine cherries with French vanilla cashew cream, ginger candied pumpkin seeds and vanilla ice cream

Forbes called Candle 79  "a premiere destination for serious vegans and vegetarians", although even omnivores will be satisfied with enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, elegant and delicious food, prepared from the local ingredients, and some exceptional vines. 
Candle 79 is a place to try something truly different and fell in love with it. Make reservations!


154 East 79th Street at Lexington Avenue | New York, NY 10021 
212-537-7179 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            212-537-7179      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Candle 79. It was Lisa's  generous treat. Thank you, my friend! 

See you,
Marina


20 comments:

  1. Lovely descriptions. I can tell you had a good time. Candle 79 looks like a vegetarian's paradise : )

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    1. Hi Sheila, yes we did have a great time indeed! Thanks for your comment... :)

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  2. This really looks like a lovely meal!!! even if I'm not vegetarian I know I would enjoy such dishes! Everything looks good!!!! I love NYC it's such a great city!

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    1. I am not a vegetarian either, although my diet consist mostly of fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains, but I don't like to limit myself. Occasionally I eat fish, and several times per year I would have some meat. :) But I did enjoy every single meal we had, it was fantastic! :)

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  3. I love vegetarian food. If you ever in my city I will invite you in amazing Blue Sage place! Your meal looks scrumptious-)

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    1. I was so close to your city on the trip to New York, that it makes me sad I didn't stop... Well, there will be another time, I hope. :)

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  4. This looks like some amazing food! I so rarely eat out these days, I can live vicariously through your pictures :)

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    1. We don't eat out a lot either. We prefer home cooked meal, and there's not too many great places in the town we live to really go out and enjoy the meal. New York is different, there are so many places to enjoy food and time with family and friends. Thanks for your comment... :)

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  5. The dishes look great, what a cool place!

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    1. It is a cool place indeed, love it! I will definitely go back there next time I am in New York. :)

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  6. This place looks wonderful. I'm going to be working in NYC for three months and definitely looking for some great healthy and vegan places to balance out all the burgers I plan to eat!

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    1. Oh dear! You will definitely find enough places to eat healthy and vegan: from affordable cafe chops to upscale restaurants. I have few more places to share, so do come back, please... :) Thank you for your comment, Katy!

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  7. The food looks really good, like what you would find at a non vegetarian restaurant! :D

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    1. Thanks Lorraine! The food there is fantastic, I enjoyed every meal we had, even dessert, which we ordered only one because I thought I wouldn't eat it... Big mistake... :)

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  8. Replies
    1. Thank you Alinutzika! I am glad you liked it! :)

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  9. Marina, you have got to get their cookbook. I have made so many dishes from that book, I love it. Definitely going to dine there next time I am in New York, lucky you. All your photos look delicious.

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    1. Hi Suzi, thanks for the suggestion! Or dear friend, you don't think I would leave that restaurant after having such a delicious meal without their book?! Neither did I, I even made my friend Lisa wait while the book was signed... I am a bookworm, what can I tell you! :) But that's a story for another post, so shh, don't tell anyone yet... :)

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  10. Sounds terrific! Love their presentations - everything looks so pretty. Sounds like a wonderful time - I'm jealous! Thanks for an entertaining post.

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    1. Hi John, Everything tasted very pretty too, I mean it was fantastic! :)

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Your warm comments put a smile on my heart.