Hands down one of my favorite meals I've had in NYC! I'd had Third Kingdom on my list for a long time and learned they unfortunately closed and this place was one of their sister places that had a similar mushroom menu so we had dinner here. For a party if 4 they recommend you order 6-8 dishes to share so that's what we did. We got the artichoke toast, cremini flatbread, risotto, cauliflower and then ordered three items off their "understory" mushroom menu: blue oyster mushroom, hen of the woods and then the emolada. The risotto and blue oyster stole the show for me. The flatbread and toast were also phenomenal. I love mushrooms and the unique way these are prepared and served is just wonderful! I'm so glad I could try it! The inside is like stepping into a fairytale woodland area too. Love the east village too so the area is great and gets lively at night! Our service was so helpful and friendly. So would def recommend. read more

I had been looking forward to trying Avant Garden for a long time and chose it for a birthday dinner, so this was especially disappointing. We had a 9:30 reservation on May 9. The reservation email said they would hold the table for 15 minutes, and we arrived at about 9:43 after getting stuck in traffic. We were still within that window, but as soon as we checked in, the host immediately told us the kitchen was closing in one minute and that the bar would close in about 20 minutes, so we needed to place our food order right away. It made the meal feel rushed from the moment we arrived. The restaurant was virtually empty, but we were seated directly next to the bathroom. There were clearly plenty of other seating options available, which made that choice even more frustrating. Unfortunately, there was a noticeable bathroom odor from our table, which was really unpleasant and not what I would expect from a restaurant at this price point. Servers were also constantly going back and forth between the dining room and what seemed to be either a storage or cleaning area near the bathroom, so in addition to the odor, there was steady foot traffic throughout the meal. There were also papers or sugar packets underneath the table next to us, which added to the feeling that the dining room was not being carefully maintained. We ordered the paella, fig toast, and Calabrian flatbread. The food itself was fine in terms of flavor, but the rest of the experience made it feel understated and much less enjoyable than it should have been. The paella and toast came out quickly, and then we waited about 45 minutes for the flatbread. During that time, no one checked in, explained the delay, or asked how anything was. We honestly thought the flatbread had been forgotten. Then, after that long wait, the flatbread and dessert were brought out almost at the same time. The server explained that the kitchen was telling them to bring everything out at once. We had also ordered a bottle of Lambrusco, but it was not available, so we were given a different wine instead. Overall, the pacing and service felt very disorganized. We were rushed to order immediately, then largely ignored for the rest of the meal. No one asked how the food was, no one checked on the delay, and the timing of the final dishes made the meal feel chaotic rather than enjoyable. Even though the food was fine, the experience around it really took away from the meal. I also think there is a practical issue with the reservation timing. If the kitchen closes 15 minutes after the last available reservation, it does not make sense to offer a 15-minute grace period. Either the final seating should be earlier, or the kitchen should remain open long enough to properly serve guests who arrive within the stated reservation window. For a restaurant with Avant Garden's reputation and price point, I expected a much more thoughtful and polished experience. I wanted this to be a special birthday dinner, but we left feeling disappointed. I don't feel eager to return, and based on this visit, I would have a hard time recommending it to vegan friends. read more

Had the most magical Valentine's Day dinner at Avant Garden in NYC. They offered a beautifully curated menu for the evening and every dish felt thoughtful, creative, and incredibly satisfying. We were honestly surprised by how filling everything was -- so many generous, flavorful courses. The pizza ended up being our favorite dish of the night -- absolutely delicious and such a standout. And the sweetest touch at the end: cookies to take home! Such a small detail but it made the whole experience feel even more special. If you're looking for a plant-based spot that still feels like a true night-out experience, Avant Garden really delivers. read more

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This restaurant is good-looking with a charming and high-end ambiance. So was surprised to encounter abrupt, awkward and unfriendly service more suitable to a diner or fast food place. It would affect any decision to possibly come back. read more

SERVICE - located in the east village near its sister restaurants - quirky decor that makes you feel like you are in a fairy tale - romantic, dim lighting - tables for small or large groups - service is friendly though food takes a while to come - ambiance good for a semi casual meal MENU - global inspired selection of hot and cold bites and toasts - all vegan/vegetarian - slightly pricey ($25 per entree) FOOD - fig toast (7/10): soy ricotta topped with fresh figs, balsamic pearls, and greens. This came from the toast section of the menu which was interesting to eat for dinner. The combination of sweet jammy figs with acidic balsamic and fresh greens is a classic yet underrated pairing. I loved how it was creatively presented to almost look like a piece of art. For the price point, i wish they had given two pieces rather than just one slice. - tamal (7/10): two corn cakes stuffed with jackfruit and mushrooms in a chocolate sauce with dollops of crema and topped with pickled onions. This was another work of art with the contrast between the red onions and the green crema. The mole was flavorful though not as spicy as ones i have had before. I wish the corn cakes also had more flavor. WOULD I GO BACK? Yes, though i found the price point to be higher than what i was expecting. read more

Avant Garden - Fig toast - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Wow, I'm actually surprised that I haven't reviewed Avant Garden because this is officially my third time eating here. Yes, I've come back 2 more times after my first, and I can safely say anytime they do a tasting menu, it's worth a gander. Last time I had their Thanksgiving prix fixe dinner and this time I had their Jain Celebration dinner. Each dinner was so fresh and flavorful. My favorites were the avocado toast with romanesco purée, the Gigli, and the scorched cauliflower. Good value for money too -- 6 courses (including dessert) for $65 pp. already looking forward to their next prix fixe! read more

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Avant Garden is the cutest little secret garden restaurant/bar, the entrance is amazing with all the curling roots and vines. I came here with a party of 5 after we failed to get a reservation at a different vegan restaurant and I'm so glad we visited because it was a wonderful experience! We tried so many delicious things (everything was a hit!) but I'm putting my favorite first - the risotto! So creamy, so umami, my platonic ideal of a risotto: mushrooms, watercress, balsamic pearls and basil oil. The creamy dishes are where this vegan restaurant shines. We also got: - Crispy brussel sprouts (shallot & balsamic vinaigrette, pears, cranberries, sesame seeds, arugula) - Fig toast (citrus ricotta, balsamic pearls, red watercress) - Scorched cauliflower (toasted garlic, fried capers, cauliflower puree) - Celery root pasta (shaved black truffle, shiitake velour, gremolata) - And for dessert, chocolate lava cake! (rosemary & porcini ice cream, brûlée banana with basil powder). (Porcini ice cream sounded interesting/odd but it really only tasted like rosemary - I enjoyed it, my cousin did not ) - "sober curious" mocktail with blackberry and ginger Our server was friendly (despite frequently accidentally hitting his head on one of the flower shaped hanging lamps!) and everyone enjoyed the meal (and I was the only vegan, so this is high praise coming from a group of omnivores). I hope to visit again the next time I am in the city! read more

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Highly recommended for these three items alone pictured that were out of this world scrumptious! Service was stellar and very informative. Atmosphere candlelit. read more

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This was a really great meal. I split five dishes with a friend. Fig Toast - nice blend of fresh and fruit flavor, with little pops of intense flavor from the balsamic vinegar pearls. Hen of the woods - I had this dish at one of the other restaurants in this group, and it didn't disappoint a second time. I'm impressed by the variety of ways of using a mushroom - grilled, pureed, and pickled. Rich, but with elements to cut through and bring it into balance. Celery root pasta - creamy and creative presentation. I was almost expecting a noodle when I bit into it, but it is a celery root. Good, but not the most memorable. Tamal - another dish I have had elsewhere. The mole is rich and complex. The tamal itself isn't as fluffy as I remember it being. The other elements add freshness and tartness to cut through everything. Paella - definitely my favorite. Tons and tons of flavor in the rice and the dabs of sauces, and the artichoke is cooked buttery soft. My friend got the Strawberry Fields Forever cocktail, which she enjoyed. Ironically, that drink won't be staying for much longer as they convert over to the summer menu. The total bill came out to $186 with tax and tip. This definitely puts it in the splurge category, but I think that it's well worth it. read more

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not a vegan, but i love to dabble. i had seen this restaurant on "is it worth it" by those guys on youtube and finally found an opportunity this year to try it. it's on the second floor, and maybe a little bit non-descript entrance so keep an eye out. it is quite dark inside, but it's moody and i kinda liked that. the food for the most part was very good - some misses as well. the avocado toast on cripsy rice was my favorite, packed with flavor and great texture. baby gem caesar was dressed nicely, and definitely not missing anything as a vegan dish. had a sunchoke toast which was nice and balanced with some creamy and tangy components. the mushroom and celeriac "pasta" wasn't my favorite texture, but flavor was good. scorched cauliflower was my favorite, it was creamy cauliflower sauce, with roasted cauliflower, lovely. even if you're not vegan, i think you can definitely appreciate this restaurant and get some really cool delicious dishes. they recommend sharing, tapas style. read more

If you are a celiac person, please call ahead before you come to see about their cross contamination. Our waitress was unaware of their policies despite them advertising gluten free and having always been good with cross contamination. Food was still good but not as great as I had 4 months ago. Service was really poor, our waitress rolled her eyes at us several times and was annoyed when we asked for extra bread. Also, they no longer do a free birthday champagne or our waitress didn't want to give us it until the manager came over, but you can still get a candle with a dessert. Nice vibe and decent food but not worth being treated poorly when spending $250-$300. read more

Very nice environment to be in. Almond cake turned out to be our favorite item of the evening, but I also enjoyed the fig toast and the hen of the woods. read more

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TLDR- overpriced, middling service, vegan in the most boring way possible The interior was nice, but the meal overall was pretty disappointing. Our server tried to upsell us, recommending way more dishes than we needed. The dishes themselves were kinda bland and uninspired. Yes, an entire head of roasted cauliflower is technically vegan. But at $60 a person I would expect something more inventive. My vegan friends also noted that vegan no protein; the lack of tofu, chickpea, or seitan dishes meant almost the entire menu was just veggies, which were not stellarly prepared nor filling. read more

Avant Garden - Paella - New American Near Me - New York, New York

By far one of the best vegan meals I've ever had. Ranks in the top meals period. The food is stunning. The menu is inventive. The service is friendly and personable and just the right amount of attention. The vibe is so cute and on theme. The standouts for us were the cauliflower, the risotto and the special chocolate lava cake. The toasts were incredible and everything was also so beautiful. read more

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Avant Garden offers a quintessential East Village experience with its intimate, dimly lit atmosphere and rustic-chic decor. It's the kind of spot that feels sophisticated yet cozy, making it perfect for a date or a birthday celebration. The service was excellent--attentive and well-paced--and they even added a thoughtful touch with candles for our dessert. As a non-vegetarian, I found the food to be a bit of a "good but not mind-blowing" experience. The presentation is stunning; the roasted cauliflower and the shishito-topped toast looked like works of art and were clearly made with high-quality ingredients. While the flavors were clean and creative, I did find myself missing the savory depth I'm used to with animal proteins. If you're a vegan, this is likely a five-star destination, but for a meat-eater, it's a solid, well-executed meal that's worth a visit for the vibes and the artistry alone. read more

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Price is reasonable. Service wasn't the best but acceptable. For total of 9 dishes costing $80 each for table of 4. They do charge a bottle opening fee of $35. Worth to try their hot dishes and toast. Environment and decoration was nice. read more

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I wasn't sure how much I'd like a vegan restaurant as an omnivore who skews carnivore but loved my visit to Avant Garden. The vibe was very trendy and the food left me satisfied on all fronts. The entrance is very cool, it looks like are headed into a forest with twigs and branches artfully arranged around the entrance and interior. Inside it is moody and dimly lit. I would get everything again except the tamal which I don't think I would enjoy even as a non-vegan offering: Special - squash soup - outstanding, some how had a smoky bacon flavor Avocado on crispy rice - I could eat another of these right now! Mushroom toast - very tasty, could not get enough of the mushrooms Mushroom risotto - excellent, buttery feel despite no butter Tamal - didn't love Chocolate lava cake with mushroom ice cream - very tasty, and not at all too sweet Overall, good service. Not Michelin star worthy, but we never felt like we were waiting too long for attention. Good value for the price! $200 for two with a cocktail and a mocktail in NYC for 7 food items felt like a decent price. They participate in the inkind app so great way to accrue or spend points too! read more

Avant Garden - Avocado - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Loved the food! The best vegan food I've ever had! Service was ok. Ambiance was romantic and really ethereal. The sunchoke toast was delicious. Perfect mix of textures and perfect for sharing. The mushroom toast was great as well. The grapes on top were a cool idea. The risotto was rich but not heavy. The paella was incredible!! Presentation was on point and I love artichokes and olives so this was perfect! The red pepper sauce was also delicious. The rice could've been crispier was my only complaint. The dessert was rich but not heavy. Flavors were interesting as well. Would highly recommend this restaurant for all people non vegan and vegan! They do use lots of nuts in their dishes though if that is a concern. read more

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We were really struggling with finding something yummy for dinner because we had many dietary requirements, but then we saw Avant Garden. It was a bit early, so we were the first people to the restaurant. It was so cozy and cute. The staff were so helpful and friendly. It was suggested we order 5 dishes to share, due to indecision we chose 6. So we had a decent sampling of the menu. While everything was plant based, it was decadent. Each thing we ordered was rich and tasty. By far the best plant based restaurant I've ever eaten at. The staff was also super helpful in ensuring we knew what ingredients were in each dish & accommodated any additional modifications if needed. Would definitely return. Highly recommend. read more

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A friend and I had the risotto, avocado on crispy rice, avocado toast, hen of the woods, scorched cauliflower and chocolate lava cake. Every dish was absolutely phenomenal apart from the avocado toast which was fairly skippable. The food was absolutely mind-blowing and will make you reconsider not being vegan. The ambiance of the restaurant was amazing with great dim lighting and candles and soft music. The service was amazing with a lot of help with the menu and great advice on dishes. read more

What a great night my friend and I had when we dined at this amazing restaurant! We chose to sit at the bar and loved our bartender, Lindsay. Drinks were great, the bar and the restaurant are beautiful, and the service was perfect. We loved our butternut squash soup, smoky and delicious. The scorched cauliflower and the hen of the woods were both delicious...... loved the sauce. For dessert, wow, the lava cake was scrumptious. We can't wait to go back! read more

Avant Garden is one of Overthrow Hospitality's concepts that happens to Michelin Star and pretty affordable (well, for a Michelin Star spot). We quite enjoyed our dinner here, despite a few hiccups: example, one of our items never made it to the table until we reminded the staff about 3 times. I started with the Poppy Gibson drink which was absolutely delicious and well-balanced: not too sweet. 2 of us split 5 different dishes: -Tamale: one of my favorites of the evening, as it was so flavorful and that mole sauce was exceptional. -Brussels Sprouts: incredible and the perfect flavor profile with the tangy and sweet sauce. They were also cooked nicely. -Avocado Crispy Rice: loved! -Celery Root Pasta: this dish had so much potential because the sauce was amazing, but the celery root used for the pasta kind of killed it a bit - it was a bit crunchy and regular pasta would've been better here. -Fig Toast: we were not a fan, as the ricotta was a bit too tangy and watery. For dessert, I had the Lava Cake which was fabulous and everything I was looking for. However, it does take 30 mins to bake and I ordered it at the end of our meal. However, our waitress brought my friend her dessert and had forgotten to put in my lava cake....so cue another 20 minute wait (it was worth it, but still). Overall, our meal was solid and I would likely come back. read more

Avant Garden - Outside - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Great vegan restaurant in the lower east side. Walk up the stairs to a cozy dining space - velvet chairs, wood tables, and warm lighting. We sat at the bar bc I made reservation last minute due to plans that fell through. Would def recommend a table rez over bar area though bc the service is prob better. We ordered cocktails - one amazing, the other had way too much absinthe in it. All I tasted was the fennel/licorice flavor which took time to cleanse the palate. We ordered 2 plates each - one cold, one toast and 2 hot. The food was awesome. All 4 dishes were awesome. The avocado was dressed with a carrot ginger dressing and served on a light crispy rice cake, with some miso glaze on the side, and beautifully blistered shishito peppers. The artichoke toast was made with a creamy spinach artichoke puree and topped with a black truffle vinaigrette and some jicama for texture. The celery root was made into an angel hair like noodle and topped with a rich mushroom sauce that was packed with flavor and depth yet still vegan. And the risotto which to us is a risky order as it's rarely made the way we expect but the consistency of this dish was perfectly executed - kind of like a thick porridge. It was topped with lobster mushrooms and a beautiful bright green basil oil. Every dish was stunningly presented and delicious. For desert we chose the chocolate lava cake special, a dark chocolate cake served warm with a decadent chocolate filling served along side a caramelized banana and coconut ice cream. This was a very generously sized desert that could have easily been split between 4 people. Overall we were extremely pleased with our meal and would definitely recommend this place. read more

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The interior and ambiance were amazing! Our waitress was so friendly and knew a lot about all the dishes on the menu. Mushroom toast - favourite dish and so memorable. The actual bread itself was delicious, and the mushrooms had a lovely savoury earthiness. This was complemented so nicely by the sweetness of the onion marmalade and grapes. Super innovative and unique, yet delicious. Fig toast - a close second. All the flavours worked so well together. Celery root pasta - the shiitake veloute was so flavourful with an incredible rich savouriness. The texture of the celery root was also lovely. However, it can get too heavy, so it's great to have some of the other dishes on the table to break it up. Roasted carrots - some lovely good carrots. Paella - loved the presentation, and the dish was tasty. Not super memorable however. Sunchoke toast - The olive purée was way too salty and threw off the balance of the dish. After scraping it off, the toast was much more enjoyable. Tamal - Not my favourite. The mole had a strange bitterness to it and the cake (I can't remember exactly what it was called) had a very dense crumbly texture. Would highly recommend coming here, if just to try the mushroom toast, fig toast, and celery root pasta. read more

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A vegetarian delight with shareable plates. Affordable for Michelin. Paid $200 for 4 people 6 plates & 3 drinks. *Use inKind app for $50 off $150* Must climb one flight of stairs for restaurant. Our server was so kind and professional. Bathroom was clean and restaurant was beautiful with dark lighting. I highly recommend the fig, squash soup, cauliflower and lava cake. All delicious and cannot go wrong with. I also enjoyed my warm non-alcoholic drink. Would definitely recommend for a date night or out with friends! read more

Avant Garden - Interior - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here for dinner w my wife Benny the server is the man -- told us what works what doesn't, what the vibe of the restaurant was , helped us through menu choices. We got the gem lettuce , artichoke and mushroom toast, hen of the woods for entree. Every dish was just phenomenal. We also got two Avant garden cocktails --- supreme. Sexy, dimly lit, and quality. read more

Avant Garden - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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One addition: The spaghetti is delicious and was the fan favorite for non plantbased friends that accompanied me to dinner. They all also enjoyed the gem salad. Service was solid and the ambiance always top notch. read more

I've been (mostly) plant-based for almost a decade and Im happy to say: this is THE BEST plant-based restaurant I've been to so far! My regards and compliments to the AG team!! Great ambiance, amazing staff, delicious food, 11/10 experience They make art with vegetables, everything we ordered tasted amazing - beautiful flavors and no attempt to "veganize" dishes which I really appreciated! Absolute must I also came with two meat-eaters who don't normally eat vegan meals, our dinner here ended up being one of their favorite meals, too! P.s. Try the mushroom ice cream read more

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There was 3 of us and we got 5 dishes to split and we were so full after, so even 4 dishes could be enough for 3 people. The vibe was cute. I'd say I liked the artichoke toast and pumpkin soup the best but everything was just ok. The tagliatelle was terrible and I do not recommend ordering it. I'm not a picky eater by any means and I simply couldn't even eat this dish I always hate it when my water glass is empty for an extended period of time while I'm eating so didn't like that it wasn't being filled promptly when I was thirsty. Service was good otherwise read more

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A friend gave me a gift card to this restaurant because she knows I appreciate vegan food even thought I'm a carnivore. The food did not disappoint! I thought I was going to leave hungry but I was wrong. We ordered the squash soup, the cauliflower, the celery root noodles, and the chocolate lava cake. Everything was cooked to perfection, very filling and tasty. The restaurant had a romantic atmosphere, but we sat at the bar because we didn't have a reservation. The service was fantastic! read more

Avant Garden - Squash soup - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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I should have given it a one star. But the food was good (4 stars). The service absolutely sucked. We were there for 2 hours and still didn't get all of our food. The waiter - one of the worst ever (and I've travelled the world) - was terrible. Needs to read the book 'how to win friends and influence people.' Will never go back again. And I used to go frequently!! read more

Avant Garden - Worst!! - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Excellent vegetarian food. Recommend: paella, frise salad, lil baby gem, risotto, hen of woods, lava cake. Good (but friend really liked it): tamal Friendly staff. Dark lighting. Lots of small tables with table tops and bar seating. Some tables for groups of 6-8. read more

We had a fantastic Jain Celebration meal at AG tonight - one dish more unique and tasty than the next - also different from other comments surrounding the same meal. They clearly cook with fresh, available ingredients. Everything was very flavorful with just the right amount of heat to make things interesting. If anything, there was too much food which was served quite quickly - we might have enjoyed a slightly more leisurely pace. Will definitely return to try some of the items on the regular menu. read more

Everything was amazing from the five different dishes each unique and beautiful and delicious to the sexy ambiance and tasty drinks. We ordered Hen of the Woods, avocado with sticky rice, charred cauliflower, golden mushroom risotto and artichoke toast. Seriously couldn't pick which one was our favorite because they were all their own little piece of food heaven! read more

Avant Garden - Hen of the Woods - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Reviews were good so we booked our Thanksgiving celebration there. I think the main issue is what they selected to be served on the menu. It was very subpar. - bread was amazing - soup was terrible, way too sweet - pizza was so so, too sweet - pasta was great -desert was good read more

My boyfriend is a fan of Overthrow Hospitality line of vegan bars and restaurants, so on a recent trip to NYC, we decided to begin with dinner at Avant Garden. Like the other restaurants we've been to, Avant Garden is in a small, narrow space; in this case, we had to go up a flight of steps next to Amor y Amargo. Inside was dark and cozy, with some plants on the wall, a cross between elegance and rainforest chic We began with a baby gem lettuce, a vegan take on a Caesar salad, and it was delicious. Even before I went vegan, I was a huge fan of Caesar salads, so I'm always eager to see how different places adapt the recipe to make it suitable for vegans. We then had two toasts, a sunchoke toast, and a cremini mushroom toast. My boyfriend really liked both, but they just weren't for me. The mushroom toast had an unexpected bite of spiciness that made it not work for me. We then shared the celery root and mushroom dish and the risotto. The celery root had sticks of celery root with mushrooms and was certainly interesting. I adored the risotto. For dessert, we had their special, a lava cake with chocolate sauce porcini-rosemary ice cream, a banana with a burnt sugar layer, and blueberry sauce Because of the preparation time, we were advised to order the dessert at the beginning of our meal, so we did. The cake was delicious, and the ice cream was certainly interesting. It tasted like gravy. I definitely recommend Avant Garden for a nice dinner. read more

Short review- Laughably short meal. Sunchoke Toast was the best dish. Hen of the Woods is also excellent. Rest were just alright. High prices. I was at this restaurant with one another a few days ago. While the food quality overall was quite good especially for vegan food, I have some major gripes mostly regarding the prices and how long we spent there. Our reservation was for 6:30 and we started a little bit later (with me noting on Resy that we would be late.) This did not appear to be an issue even though they were apparently booked entirely (with another two people being told that they would need to finish by 7:45 which was fine with them.) We were sat at the counter which was a little bit odd though this might have been my reservation choice. We did ask when we were being sat and another person said that those seats were booked though by the time we left, they weren't being used yet. I went with the daily soda ($10) which the friendly waitress noted was blackberry based. It had a bit of sourness with a touch of sweetness and it was very tasty. We also inquired about the menu asking how many dishes we should order and she said two per person with potentially one extra. We also got her opinion between two different dishes and finding out that she prefers the artichoke toast over one of the salads we were going to get. She also said that we would have to order the almond cake early as it apparently takes 40 minutes. They said that they would pace the meal and it all started. A good 3 minutes later, our first dish of the four arrived from the "Hot" section. The Hen Of The Woods ($20) consisted of said mushrooms with mushroom purée, kohlrabi, and pickled hon shimeji and was artfully presented with the two larger mushrooms on the side and a sea of the shimeji with everything covering a thick brown/black purée. The larger mushrooms had a satisfying texture though I perhaps would prefer them cooked a bit longer. The hon shimeji could have also been pickled a bit more but they still had a good texture. The purée was excellent with a lot of umami and overall it was tasty with some minor faults. While we were eating, a second dish arrived from the "Toast" section, the Sunchoke. Said dish had pickled pear. pistachio, mint, and olive purée and it was $17. First note goes to the bread which I believe is apparently made by Balthazar and it has a wonderful texture with a bit of crunch and is just thick enough that the ingredients on top don't get soggy. The topping in this case had a mix of sourness from the olive and pear with the pistachio and fried sunchokes adding a good crunch as well as some roasted flavors. This was my favorite dish both at the price point and also for the flavors. Very soon after finishing both, the other "Toast" arrived which was the Artichoke. Said toast had spinach artichoke purée, black truffle vinaigrette, jicama, and cashew and it was a bit more than the sunchoke at $19. This was likely the weakest of the dishes as it lacked texture and the flavors didn't really meld together well either. I personally think it could have used some type of citrus or something (perhaps blood orange or something) to add an extra flavor as it just felt like it was missing something. As we ate, they brought out our final dish from the "Hot" section," the Scorched Cauliflower after moving around the plates a bit as there wasn't room. This had toasted garlic, fried capers, and cauliflower purée and said dish was $23. One of the waiters noting that the purée contained cauliflower and Calabrian chilies and while I personally like the smokiness and spice from these chilies, I personally think they should list this is being part of the dish. The cauliflower was alright with the sauce helping add some much needed flavor. For $23, I think a bit more could have done as well. We ended the meal without dessert with the check being brought just as quick as the rest of the meal pretty much as soon as the plates were cleared. I understand if this was some hole in the wall or some inexpensive spot but for these type of prices, it felt like we were being rushed out. The fact that I essentially spent $120 bucks including tip for a 45 minute dinner at the most feels almost like I was being ripped off. I know that there's such a thing as turn over when it comes to restaurant patrons but this was absurd. Maybe because it was early enough and they weren't super busy yet which meant that the kitchen staff could prepare stuff quickly so I don't get why they were serving so many dishes so quickly. For instance, the cauliflower was rather large and as we were at the chef counter, I didn't exactly get why they couldn't have waited for a bit longer. Mid 3 rounded down read more

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Simply delicious and superbly crafted You can be an omnivore and will still enjoy the food. read more

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Really enjoyed our meal at Avant Garden. They have a good sized outdoor area -about as large as their inside dining - and waitstaff were helpful. We ordered 4 dishes for the 2 of us and really enjoyed them. The Hen is the Woods hot dish was the standout, followed by the cold avocado dish. Followed by the cauliflower then the sunchoke toast. Dessert of gluten free hot lava cake was also very good. Wine was good though sad not to see anything from California. My old request was to slow down the food a bit. Dinner seemed a bit quick. read more

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Definitely a new favorite! My partner and I came here for our 5 year anniversary and loved how intimate it was. We made reservations ahead of time which was needed because the space was small. They let us know they are moving to a larger location soon though. I eat completely plant based diet he doesn't and he also eats more simple/bland foods. The plates are meant to be shared and the staff recommended 4 plates for the 2 of us. I came to dinner prepared to EAT and my partner eats in larger portions. Between the 2 of us we ate everything (plus dessert) and did not leave feeling it wasn't enough. The food: The avocado was absolutely delicious!!! and by far our favorite. The beet toast would be next on our favs, it was well made and had a hefty amount on top. The paella and cauliflower were good as well although the cauliflower was not as impressionable as the other dishes so would probably opt for something else next time. The plates flowed well and we were not waiting long between dishes (about 2 minutes tops). Overall we had an absolutely great experience. Enjoyed our food and will be returning with friends!! read more

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