they had great service, ambiance, food selection, flavors, and quality. visiting from LA and super…read morehappy we stopped here. very friendly staff

New York, NY - if you believe in the adage that food is medicine, then La Botaniste might be your…read moreprescriptive chemist, only dispensing kale instead of Klonopin. The bright and beautiful neo-Victorian vibes complement the visually appealing displays of food and decor that recall a 19th century apothecary. With locations around NYC, as well as in Belgium where it all started, La Botaniste serves up "100% organic plant-based food." The bowls are pretty substantive and they have lighter starters/sides too for those who just want to dabble. You can choose one of their signature bowls (the Tibetan Mama, with its satisfying curry base, comes highly recommended), or build your own from a lineup of bases, sauces, toppings, dressings and garnishes. The food tastes fresh and clean, and I include this place in my rotation of healthy quick salad/bowl/vegetarian meal options in the neighborhood. I love that they have raw vegan treats, an increasingly rare find since several of my favorite raw vegan spots in the city closed down over the years. I'll admit I was first lured in by the antiquey aesthetic and the colorful vintage florals, but the food and environment are both very pleasurable.

Salads and soups were well-seasoned and enjoyable, though the steak was a bit flat. Tableware and…read morepresentation were refined, making for an above-average experience

We were able to snag a booth for two on a Saturday at lunch with under a 5 mins wait. The place is…read moresuper inviting with spacious windows and high ceilings and plants which make it feel airy while the wood made it warm and natural. The booth was comfortable. Our server was outstanding. She was funny, attentive, and very helpful. They're easily able to accommodate gluten free (my friend has a severe gluten allergy). I had the corned beef sandwich and it was the best corned beef I've had. Tender, juicy, and flavorful. This would be on my regular rotation if I lived here.

Tucked away and worth the find! This little gem was near an errand I was running and glad I found…read moreit. The team members are all great! They take pride in their restaurant's offerings, as they should. My server was wonderful, offering suggestions to this first-timer. I started with a Volcano Roll - hearts of palm substituting for fish. Well balanced and delicious. Next was broccoli "beef" - fresh broccoli and shitake "steak" with mushrooms really balanced the dish. I ended with something so unnecessary and so wonderful, I'm glad I did it: The sticky toffee pudding. Just pure delight. It was relatively quiet when I was there. I could see how it could get a bit noisy if it were crowded. But even so, the people who visit are friendly and I ended up having a great conversation with the table next to me. I'll be back. I'm not exactly local, but it's definitely worth the trip! Planta is on my faves list now!

I am not vegan. If it weren't for our friends who are, and having eaten already at the kopino fest,…read morewe probably would not have gone. Funny enough, we met our only other vegan friend there. So, from the vegan perspective, this is a popular and tasty place. We started with drinks, being lunchtime, we opted for non alcoholic drinks, the matcha colada and the salty maple macchiato. The matcha colada had a nice color but tasted mostly like coconut and pineapple which was still yummy. Friends ordered 3 different kinds of sushi and dan dan noodles with tofu. I was confused with the sushi as I thought vegans didn't eat fish...so yes I asked and was told that they probably made the "fish" with tapioca. I did try a bite of each roll (I was still full from the fest) and I was surprised that it tasted pretty good. They did a nice job with the roll and presentation. The matcha cheesecake was nice and creamy. I would not have known it was vegan. I don't normally like food that pretends to be something else because it usually doesn't live up to the real thing. The idea is that it is not pretending to be something but rather substituting with vegan options, I do think from a health perspective, I am more open to trying more vegan foods. Ambiance felt upscale and wait staff were helpful and congenial. I hear dinner time gets packed here. I may have to try again when I have not eaten already.

YUM. This place was so good. I came in after a long day of working (and it was only 2pm) and this…read moreplace revived me in so many ways. It is so cozy inside. It feels like you're entering a library. It is really beautiful and chic. The staff were friendly and I ordered the Tibetan Mama ($15.93) Coconut Curry and it was delicious. It was so flavorful and fresh. Genuinely my only complaint is that they didn't give me more. I also ordered a lemonade (~$4) that had a nice sweetness to it, but didn't taste too artificial. It was a great addition to the hearty curry.

I had lunch from Le Botaniste last Saturday and enjoyed the meal. I say from Le Botaniste rather…read morethan at Le Botaniste, because - even though the cafe is beautiful and huge (I saw a sign pointing to more seating in another room) - it was a gorgeous day and I took my lunch across the street to enjoy in Bryant Park. And that's really one of the best things about this location of Le Botaniste (there around 7 locations in the city) - being right across from Bryant Park, you can enjoy a healthy lunch while enjoying the park! So what is Le Botaniste? It's an organic, plant-based, and carbon-neutral cafe with locations in NYC and a couple in Europe. So everything is vegan. Everything is organic. The calories and other dietary information are listed on the menu. I had their Chef Priyanka Samosa Bowl (a seasonal offering), which includes brown rice, saag, samosa balls, crispy chickpeas, turmeric onions, tamarind and green chutneys, and yogurt raita. It is 433 calories and 12 grams of protein. I thought it was good - although I thought the samosa balls were quite dry (the chutneys, saag, and raita helped), and I liked that it was light and healthy and wouldn't slow me down for the rest of my busy day. I also grabbed a water and a quinoa peanut butter cookie that I saved in my bag for later. (I noticed that they had some wines that I would have been happy to try - if you eat in, you can have a full experience with a drink.) I showed up right at 11 when they opened, and there was only one other customer. My bowl was ready in seconds and I was out the door and across the street seated in Bryant Park within a minute or two. If you're looking for a healthy vegan lunch in the neighborhood, Le Botaniste is a good option!

Three of us had a very nice after-theater meal here this evening…read more We started with two appetizers and a soup. The crabby cakes (three in the serving) were delicious. Somehow, they were able to approximate the flavor and texture of crab with a combination of chickpeas, artichokes, hearts of palm and panko. Very well prepared and tasty. The roasted brussel sprouts were "fine". The menu says they are prepared with a citrus balsamic reduction. No one was very impressed with these. The Colombian potato soup was flavorful and we all enjoyed that. The broth was not very hot (temperature-wise), which was a disappointment. We ordered soup because it was a very cold day and were looking forward to a hot soup. Of the appetizers we shared, we agreed that the crabby cakes were the strongest of the three. The brussel sprouts none of us would get again. They were essentially a small bowl of brussel sprouts with no special characteristic flavor. The entrees were all a big success. I loved my PS Lasagna. It tasted like a meat lasagna in a very flavorful and very nicely seasoned marinara. It was outstanding. And a very nice portion. The Chicken Pot Pie was delicious also. The crust was flaky, with lots of pieces of "chicken". Could have used more peas and carrots. But a very flavorful dish that is an excellent example of how comfort food can be made in vegan style. The chicken Caesar wrap was enormous and delicious. The service here was excellent. We were well-attended to, especially with respect to filling of water glasses. We had a reservation and arrived over a half hour early, but they were able to take us right away. When we were done, we did notice a long line of people waiting to get in, so we couldn't linger. The restaurant has a nice, comfortable atmosphere. It's a bit dark, though. Staff were attentive.

I tried this vegan restaurant with a friend for dinner. The interior was super adorable, clean, and…read moremodern, featuring exposed brick on the wall, cool lights over the bar, pink lighting, and plenty of space for seating. There was a cozy atmosphere to the place. We decided to share the Steak Marsala, Chicken Pot Pie, and Truffle Fries. The Steak Marsala truly resembled steak, and my friend actually thought it was real steak meat. I could definitely discern the difference though. It was tender, well seasoned, covered in a savory, tasty mushroomy Marsala sauce, with plenty of mashed potatoes topped with mushroom and garlic spinach on the side. Truffle Fries were perfectly crispy with strong truffle flavor, dusted with herby spices. The Chicken Pot Pie looked pretty good with spices and rosemary on top. The crust was satisfyingly crisp, flaky, buttery, while the inside was a mixture of chicken substitute, peas, carrots. However, the filling wasn't thick enough for me, and I think the addition of potatoes would have made it much better. Service was lovely. Our waiter was welcoming and knowledgeable about the offerings. Prices were decent for the area. Menu was creative, especially given that it is all plant based. We enjoyed our time here! I probably won't be back for a while, as I like meat too much, but a solid choice for vegans and vegetarians!

The missus and I stopped here on a Thursday evening, 5ish, for a drink and small nosh…read more Really nice happy hour options. Got two cocktails - the smoky Hedgehog Maize and the jalapeñoy De Vacaciones - at 50% off (so cost us $8.50 and $9.50, respectively). Service was great, the drinks were really nice. The Sentir Guac was quite tasty, lots of really fresh avocado. If in the neighborhood, try the happy hour.

So I gotta do repeats on my favorite spots, so for my 3rd time visiting I had the tomato tortilla…read moresoup, the grilled Caesar salad, and my favorite mushroom tacos. Happy to report it is still good, especially the tacos (though by the time I got there, I was full and could only eat the filling of my second taco). Went with the Living & Dreaming mocktail that gives pina colada vibes and skipped dessert cuz I had Venchi chocolates waiting at home. Not sure if my bartender/waiter was the very same Alex from last time, but he remains kind and attentive (and let's be honest cute). I'll be back, but now I've remembered mention of sister restaurants that I need to tag and locate.

Tried a variety of plates !! they all had something special and unique .From the shrimp to the…read moresalad.

I ordered delivery for lunch…read more The tofuego on the block sandwich was delicious. The tofu was crispy and firm. The toppings added nice flavor and texture, especially the pickles. The Korean BBQ oyster mushroom wings were also awesome. The mushrooms were tender, coated in a sweet sauce, and perfectly complemented by the accompanying gochugaru ranch. The buffalo cauliflower bites were satisfyingly crispy. The flavor of the scallions came through nicely. They also came with a tasty ranch sauce. The chocolate chip tahini cookie was moist and melty. The tahini flavor was subtle. Don't hesitate to give them a try for crave-worthy vegetarian dishes!

This is my go to when I'm in a hurry and need something to satisfy my hunger, Naya never disappointsread more

I haven't had NAYA in yearssss! I recently visited this location for lunch and though it was tasty,…read moreI remember it being a bit better at the 3rd Ave location. I ordered a pita wrap with Falafel, garlic whip and toppings. Perhaps, I need to go again and reorder it or get something else - but it was just ok. It's clean and service was quick. If you are a NAYA fan and in the area then for sure check it out.

Soo many great food and drink options. Thank you to my…read moreserver (Dare) & the amazing service . He helped me out with the best selections. I tried the ginger beef dumplings, nutty buddy wrap & spicy tuna w/ Easter Garden mocktail. The ambiance is simply gorgeous. The greenery plus the lighting and fixtures was well put together. I will definitely be back to try the other great options in the menu. Thank youuu beyond sushi for satisfying my sushi cravings !

When I was visiting NYC a few weeks ago, I made sure I would have one meal at one of the City Roots…read morerestaurants. Beyond Sushi was in Midtown near where I was staying, so I ended up coming here---on Valentine's Day, which happened to be a mistake! Since I didn't have a reservation, the lady who checked me in told me I had to find a seat at the bar. Her attitude was not the best, as when I looked over the menu and made a decision on what I wanted to get, she dismissed me when I waved her over, saying she is not the person taking orders. Um, okay? Then who is? One guy at the bar was nicer, and was able to take my order. I started off with a hot tea since NYC was cold in February, and then decided to have as much as I could of two dishes---the "chicken" yakitori skewers and the Korean BBQ skillet. The skewers came in a set of two, with a white mayo-like sauce drizzle and pickled cucumber on the side. Super delectable, though very filling because of the protein! The skillet was made with classic Chunk Foods protein, the go-to plant-based option for all the meat dishes at City Roots restaurants as far as I know. This was incredibly filling, but the sauce and the texture were all around delicious as well. I could NOT bother to finish the brussels sprouts the skillet came with---way too much to stomach, and I was going to focus on the "meats" since I can always have brussels any other time! The bill by the end of it was PRICEY. That's why I only go to one of these restaurants as a special treat when I visit NYC. Watch out if you order hot tea...$13!! I guess that's the NYC way, but still!

The bonchon was unique and different compared to what's typically being served in the Bay Area…read more What surprised me was the hot dog bonchon, which looks simple to prepare at home. The tofu stew was not bad, but it could use aromatics and addition of zucchini to make it a balanced.

Manhattan, NY (Koreatown) - I love BCD and frequent the one in Fort Lee pretty regularly, but for…read moreyears have assiduously avoided this NYC location as it's always a madhouse every time I've come here for dinner with friends or co-workers, and because there are so many other great Korean options on this strip. But there's no denying that BCD has upped their soondubu game considerably in the last decade+ with a thicker, more deeply flavored broth, and now easily rivals my longtime favorite and gold standard, the OG So Kong Dong in Fort Lee. Then I stumbled into a hack that changed my view: lunch! I ducked in for a late lunch on a whim while walking by one day, and this turned out to be a much chiller hour, unhurried and no reservation needed. I was promptly seated, my order taken, and the banchan swiftly laid out. The banchan spread is solid across the board (the little fried fish does nothing for me, but seems to be a highlight for everyone else). I especially love the kimchi, near-perfect IMO, and the pickled cucumber. There's a modest lunch discount, which is a nice bonus for someone who likes to order aggressively. I usually get an oyster, seafood, or assorted soondubu (with a raw egg cracked in), danger spicy of course! Or go the C1 combo route with a galbi (marinated bbq beef short ribs) + smaller soondubu. It's an enormous amount of food, so I take most of the galbi home and feel no shame about it. The galbi, by the way, has also gotten noticeably better over the years - meatier, tender, and the flavor is on point. I've also enjoyed their bibimbap, bulgogi, jap chae, and seafood pancake. Finally, let's talk heat - this chili-head loooves fire! And BCD's danger level is one of the rare instances where the spice level actually meets my punishing tolerance for heat, not some pretense at "American spicy.," despite this being a chain. Their danger level actually means business and brings tears to my eyes, literally. It's still not my favorite place ambience wise, and dinner remains a contact sport I've mostly opted out of, as gone are the days that I can tolerate a culinary mosh pit, and any wait longer than 10 minutes (and only for a superlative place) will trigger an automatic ejection of my presence. But for lunch? Unexpectedly great. 4 stars for dinner, 5 for lunch.