Eating at Dirt Candy. One Michelin Star $105 Tasting Menu. Best Vegetarian Restaurant in NYC?

[@ScottMcDaniel]

In case it's not been pointed out before, I appreciate how chill you come across in your videos. Even some channels I like seem like they're over-caffeinated and shouting at me. Thanks for your work - can't wait for my next trip to NYC!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! I hope that you enjoy your next trip to NYC!

[@spektrograf]

Glad you're giving Amanda Cohen and team's work some exposure and love. They've been keeping it real for years now. Even when all their peers hiked up prices into the stratosphere, they kept their modern cuisine creations affordable for anyone who could put a bit away for a few to save up the funds for a special night out. Some of their staff has been there for quite some time. Those guys are a class act and deserve recognition! Love the work you do with these videos!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, there were a lot of aspects about the restaurant that I appreciated that extended far beyond the delicious food they provided.

[@PeterMigliorini-x4o]

So much of the enjoyment of watching your reviews are the carefully crafted story lines & plated food explanations you provide your reviewers. It's truly educational & sensorially vivid. As I have said so many times before, your offerings always makes me feel as if I had joined you and shared the meal with you! I must say - you are "good company"!!!! (even if it's only virtual) Thank you for sharing. This is Peter M; out!

[@bkm2797]

Beautifully said Peter M!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much Peter M! I really appreciate the kind words! It means a lot to me!

[@patrickwong4824]

Lettuce, tomato, corn, eggplant and onion tasting menu, is simply amazing. Plus some extras and a reasonably priced wine-pairing, perfect. I go vegetarian more often we had more restaurants like Dirt Candy.

[@Jamesnu]

I know what you mean. Dirt Candy really makes eating vegetarian food a great and interesting experience at a fair price.

[@G6A4B8I1]

Ever since you got on my KZbin recommendations I’ve been on a James Andrews marathon. My new favorite KZbin channel, keep it up!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying my videos! I really appreciate the support.

[@s.macintosh-jc9rf]

Hi James, Thank you for your review of Dirt Candy. I confess to being a meat fanatic but this restaurant is unique. Besides their menu, the name of the restaurant is memorable! You continue to put out the best food content on KZbin. Best Wishes, Peter

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much Peter! Yeah, I love meat too, but it was really refreshing to try something different.

[@johncornell3665]

Looks like a really unique place. Food and drink looks good. Thanks James!

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, all around, it was a great experience!

[@davehugstrees]

Wow, this is one of your best videos yet. Really enjoyed the review and I'm looking forward to visiting Dirt Candy sometime in the near future!

[@Jamesnu]

@davehugstrees Thank you! That makes me happy to hear! I really appreciate it!

[@KD-lx1cr]

U seem like such a genuine person I’ve been binge watching all of your videos and I really hope you succeed in life. Hopefully this channel blows up and can become a full time thing so I can get more amazing content. Thank you for you reviews I’ll be sure to check out some of these places when I am able to

[@Jamesnu]

@@KD-lx1cr Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support!!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Enjoyed seeing your review so much. You have such a great way of describing your experience. The wine pairing was well worth it.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, I really enjoyed that wine pairing! It was definitely worth the money I spent!

[@marcellalee926]

Excited for your Alinea video!

[@Jamesnu]

@@marcellalee926 I can't wait to share that one!

[@celticsftw90]

So looking forward to your review of Alinea, was hoping you’d get around to it! Keep up the great work

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, I can't wait to post that video!

[@normtrooper4392]

I'm a vegetarian and I love watching your videos so it was awesome seeing a restaurant that I could actually go to and enjoy myself

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! That makes me happy to hear! I definitely want to eat at some more vegetarian places in the future.

[@beetroot48]

What a nice surprise Dirt Candy was. Very creative and inspiring. And, as per usual, your descriptions of the food, wine and overall experience were a joy to hear. I’m also glad you got to splurge on the wine pairing. ❤

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! Yeah, that wine pairing was a nice treat!

[@patriciarogers9592]

Great description of your food and experience! Thanks!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@ricethyme]

Hey James, new subscriber, just here to say that your delivery, editing style, and content is refreshing and enjoyable. Keep it up!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the support!

[@NicHare-o6c]

What fun dishes. Thanks for the great review, James.

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching!

[@sENzInHO]

Been planning on going to Dirt Candy on my upcoming NYC trip and it was so much fun to see your review, thank you so much!

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! I hope that you enjoy Dirt Candy!

[@DawnZgaiaDarkZ]

Hey James! I only recently disocvered your channel a few weeks ago and I've been binge watching your videos! Great content and as a fellow new yorker you've expanded my restaurant list

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! That makes me happy to hear!

[@pizzareviewsonthego]

Those were some unique culinary inventions right there, absolutely worth the price. What an amazing assortment of wines too! I was a vegetarian for 15 years, but not since 2021. And so I'm intrigued by this restaurant, thanks for highlighting it, love the signage outside, and the title of the restaurant is clever, as well as the simply named dishes.

[@Jamesnu]

@pizzareviewsonthego I really enjoyed trying something new. Indeed, a lot of those dishes were not only tasty, but unique and interesting.

[@s_przybylowicz]

I was amused that after finishing your video, KZbin immediately recommended one of your meat-heavy barbecue videos!

[@Jamesnu]

Haha!

[@JosePerez...]

Hi James, another awesome great informative vlog ! The food & drinks 🍸 looked amazing, I appreciate your review of Dirt Candy and it's food. Looking forward to your next video. Jose P.

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks so much!

[@alisachamoy225]

I have been DYING to try this place!! I mostly keep vegetarian and this restaurant looks SO SO good!

[@Jamesnu]

I hope that you get to try this place out! I really enjoyed it!

[@alisachamoy225]

@@Jamesnu thank you!

[@jessedylan6162]

Hi James..Another wonderful review of an iconic Vegetarian Restaurant, Michelin Star rated. Speaking for myself, i'd like to see you open your own restaurant, inspired by the foods you love. I'll be first in line at the opening event. Keep up your labor of love.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I don't know if I'd ever want to open up my own restaurant, but I appreciate the support!

[@mosmarb]

Nice to see you visiting this one, it's on my must visit list for my next trip to NYC. I've been to ~60 starred restaurants and 6 of them have been purely vegetarian or vegan - but then I am a vegetarian so have more incentive! Two of them were in New York actually, Nix and Kajitsu (both closed now unfortunately). I had a pea doughnut at Cura in Lisbon, that was great too - a little natural sweetness from the vegetable in an overall savoury setting.

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! That pea doughnut sounds interesting! Yeah, it's a shame about Nix and Kajitsu. I would've loved to have tried them.

[@baruchzobrist3207]

Great review as always. I think you strike a good balance between including some history and backstory into your reviews without rambling and making the video too long. Keep up the great work.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I always try my best to maintain a good balance.

[@skatingcanuck9837]

It was refreshing to see you do a review on a vegetarian restaurant. I aim to eat more vegetarian :).

[@Jamesnu]

It was nice to do something different. I'm trying to eat more vegetarian as well.

[@williamsmith5549]

Oooh, must totally try this on my next NYC trip! Wanna google and find out if those wines are available nationally, too? And of course, can NOT wait for your Alinea video! I mean, even New York doesn't have anything comparable to Grant Achatz's masterpiece! As always, looking forward to all your next culinary adventure, James!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, I'm really looking forward to showcasing my experience at Alinea! It was an epic meal!

[@gregtalks2327]

another spectacular review james, keep it up

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@ronh1940]

It’s hard for me to conceive of being vegan, or even vegetarian, but after watching your time at Dirt Candy makes me feel that I’d thoroughly enjoy the experience. Thanks for opening my brain and eyes to something I never would have otherwise considered.

[@Jamesnu]

@ronh1940 Thanks for watching! Yeah, it was a good experience for me as well to have something that I'm just not used to.

[@lauj888]

This looked interesting, with very unique dishes, and from your review the more seemingly odd dishes actually working very well. Unfortunately I think I lasted as a vegetarian for about 1 week as a child, true carnivore here! I must say though, it must be much harder to elevate vegetables to a Michelin level as whole courses, so props to Dirty Candy for their innovation.👏🏼 It did make me want meat though watching it😂 Love your reviews though James, I think I have caught up with all of them now, they are a must watch!💙👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@lauj888]

P.S Oops I forgot the wine pairing, excellent value for a Michelin star restaurant, and looked fabulous!

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! Haha! Yeah, I know what you mean. I enjoyed the food, but I couldn't help but think how good some of those dishes would've been with meat, especially that one with the lettuce. Overall, it was still a great meal.

[@Jamesnu]

Definitely!

[@pvoss07]

Crazy, I went to their earlier iteration probably 15 years ago - great to see a restaurant stick around so long in such a competitive city.

[@Jamesnu]

I know what you mean. NYC is a challenging place for restaurants.

[@tango57]

James! Excellent review! I truly enjoy living vicariously through your food/restaurant reviews since I can’t afford the $174 per person checks! 😂🤣

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! It's partly because of people watching my videos that I can afford to go to places like this. I really appreciate the support!

[@JoelMenchaca-ne9hl]

You always produce a great video. Is there a review of Alinea coming up?

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, but I'll have a couple of videos coming out before that one.

[@michaeljay3629]

Great video as always. & I was very impressed with your Italian accent. 😉

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I try!

[@shane9209]

Another FANTASTIC review, thank you!

[@Jamesnu]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roboliver9980]

🙌 amen reasonable prices, great food, no tips and staff paid well. Just goes to show it is possible and other establishments are either gouging or Mismanaging. Ate at dirt candys original spot back in 2009 as wife is a veggie. It was most definitely cosy but a memorable experience glad they’ve retained their values.

[@Jamesnu]

@@roboliver9980 I know what you mean. Dirt Candy does a lot of things right besides serving good food.

[@georgiasmith7615]

Great review! I love how you review different types of places not just steakhouses and pizza joints like a lot of You Tubers. Any chance of coming to DC to check out some places here?

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, I like to show a good variety of places. I definitely would like to spend some time in DC in the future. There's a lot of great restaurants there!

[@lorifreeman1746]

You are wonderful everything looked great the tomato doughnut was my favorite have a great weekend 😊

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! It was a great meal!

[@t0rnt0pieces]

You have to do Eleven Madison Park next. haha

[@Jamesnu]

That's a restaurant that I plan on checking out.

[@adamrasmussen7379]

I used to be a veracious meat eater. Once i started appreciating vegetables they started becoming some of my favorites dishes at restaurants. Also indian spots usually do the best vegetarian menus

[@Jamesnu]

I know what you mean. I feel like I've gained more of an appreciation for vegetables over the years too.

[@nsbioy]

Veracious? 😂

[@adamrasmussen7379]

@@nsbioy whoops voracious

[@MarkO-vi7cp]

Although I tried a vegetarian diet for a while, I slowly drifted back to a carnivore one. It's hard to give up traditional menus, but the food did look delicious, James. Well done.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, even though I feel like vegetarian food has gotten better and better as time goes on, I would still find it hard to give up meat.

[@bkm2797]

Greens here in San Francisco was my first vegetarian restaurant, although I am not a vegetarian there is this one portobello mushroom dish that make me think maybe, lol. The review seemed honest and forthright, the dishes seemed quite small while the glasses of wine were generous, couldn’t help but wonder how you felt after. Thank you James.🥬🍅🌽🍆🍷❤👍

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! I felt great, but I could've had more food. Almost all of these tasting menu places never fill me up. Still, I kind of expect that.

[@LaLagunz187]

I appreciate how the restaurant gave you complimentary pallet cleansers

[@Jamesnu]

Me too, they were great!

[@whyitmatterstome]

Hey James - another great video! I bet it won't be long before you can enjoy wine pairings at 3 Michelin star restaurants. I really enjoy following along as your channel continues to grow. I do have a question for you - my wife and I are visiting New York over Christmas (Midtown), and we are not vegetarians, so, can you recommend a Michelin Star restaurant with a tasting menu under/around $200 a person (sans wine pairing)? We are not Per Se patrons that's for sure! You may have a video I have yet to watch covering a less expensive tasting menu, but I appreciate any suggestions you may have for us.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I still think that the best value for money tasting menu comes from 63 Clinton, but that's on the Lower East Side. As far as Midtown, there's a good number of reasonably priced starred Korean restaurants like Kochi, Mari, and Jua. Gabriel Kreuther, a two Michelin starred restaurant has a $155 tasting menu for lunch. I hope some of that helps.

[@whyitmatterstome]

@@Jamesnu Thanks so much James - yes it helps a lot. I suppose getting down to the Lower East Side would be worth it. I'll rewatch the video.

[@beverlydavidson6749]

You need to write a book on your culinary travels .

[@Jamesnu]

That is something that I would like to do one day!

[@at0mly]

That looks incredible and sounds like an amazing deal- I spent more than that last night on a mid Thai meal in SF.

[@Jamesnu]

It was certainly good food for a fair price!

[@Foodietourshow]

The best food reviewer ❤

[@Jamesnu]

That's very kind! Thank you!

[@Fufski]

I can see your wine game is definitely going up 👍

[@Jamesnu]

I try. It's a fun game to play!

[@michaelfelsinger-k2i]

Hello James, another fine review ! I love Dirt Candy's mission statement. Makes a lot of sense. Sure, the soupy dish didn't look great, but do we need edible flowers and pearls on everything ? At least it tasted good. Loved everything on the menu. I live in Australia, but I haven't seen a review of Dirt Candy before, so that's a feather in your cap. Don't find a girl to settle down with just yet, James, we need our food reviews ! All the best, my friend !

[@Jamesnu]

@@michaelfelsinger-k2i Haha! Thank you! Yeah, I appreciate the restaurant's philosophy as well.

[@TheMoonKingdom]

I had a vegetarian Chinese food meal there when they first opened. I enjoyed it but some of the dishes were too sweet for me, & I definitely left the restaurant still feeling hungry. It was probably because they substituted rice, with riced cauliflower. It's been a while, but I feel inspired to give it another try there:)

[@Jamesnu]

That sounds like an interesting meal. It does seem like Dirt Candy has evolved a bit over the years. I think that it's worth trying.

[@EriCooks]

A $ 174 tasting menu plus wine pairing in a Michelin star restaurant is quite reasonable. Thanks for the excellent review.

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! Yep, I agree, it was good value!

[@frankgyure3154]

Wow. Such an interesting place. As far as marketing, the name of the restaurant is “challenging “ but you explained it very well. This was a very interesting video. I have a vegetarian restaurant very close to me and now I feel I have to check it out. I don’t think it’s as fancy. Thanks,James.

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, it's definitely a pretty bold name for a restaurant.

[@RR-fg2rl]

Great review took a girl at original place which was really tiny , now much more room , very inventive in it's presentation

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@MrFoolD]

Thank you for the delicious videos! It helps me get my appetite back from a flu 🤒

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! I hope that you feel better soon!

[@johnned4848]

Nice a vegetarian restaurant that is fun. Lots of creativity and generosity with the food and wine. Looks like great value and very diner friendly. A painless way to eat healthy and a nice variation-- a good break from heavier meat based meals. Looks well worth trying

[@Jamesnu]

Definitely! I think that it's a restaurant that most people would enjoy!

[@stacylamb5607]

I love meat but I also enjoy vegetables and fruit too . Everything looked pretty good to me . I loved seeing enjoy the wine tasting go with your meal . I love that you don’t say no to vegetarian restraints and hope to see more .

[@Jamesnu]

I'm open to eating anywhere if the food is good and that was some good food and nice wine!

[@TheRange7]

Thanks James, Cheers

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks always for watching! Cheers!

[@garcel1251]

12:59 that wine caught up 😅

[@Jamesnu]

Haha!

[@matthewjamesduffy]

Have heard so many great things about Dirt Candy! Chef Cohen is so cool.

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed! It's a great restaurant!

[@calakiduki]

We get it bro you have a watch

[@tyrnill]

Not me literally running out of my office yelling "James went to Dirt Candy!" 😂 My family thinks I'm crazy. They may be right!

[@Jamesnu]

Haha!

[@KEMET1971]

From a fellow meat lover thanks for sharing this experience. How much time do you usually spend getting all your B roll for one episode?

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching! I usually try to be as fast as possible when it comes to getting B roll of the food since I don't want it to get cold, which probably takes 15-20 seconds and then I just prop up my camera to film me eating a couple of bites.

[@tomahern8967]

Great review James. Seems like a good establishment………and for $174 for that amount of food and wine is a pretty good deal. .

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, the restaurant really stands out with what they offer for the price. I definitely enjoyed it!

[@acrophobe]

Lmao I rolled my eyes at every mention of "dirt candy" 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@marshabailey1121]

Money well spent! that looked spectacular.

[@Jamesnu]

It was a great meal for sure!

[@rationalbacon5872]

I really enjoy watching historians cover stories in western countries. Somehow, despite being the only countries forced to change everything to please newcomers they are constantly maligned. Switch to a story about anywhere else and the natives are always angelic, welcoming and when they teach the newcomer their ways they are the hero. It's very interesting.

[@GMAccount1234]

James seems alittle tipsy during the outro lol great review

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! Thank you!

[@mariamjaziri6719]

Great vlog, thank you for sharing

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching!

[@leonardobravo4865]

That noodle course was criminal

[@neilkiots]

your review might've even convinced Bourdain to give it a shot

[@Jamesnu]

@@neilkiots Haha! Thank you!

[@mrn13]

Looked quite good! Some "minus" from what I saw: No bread and to many dishes looked soupy/liquidy which in my experience is different from most other veggie fine dining menus in that they tend to go heavy playing with the different textures of the vegetables.

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, bread would've been nice, especially since it's a vegetarian restaurant.

[@patriciaroggero1150]

WOW amazing thank you so much.

[@Jamesnu]

Glad you liked it! Thanks always for watching!

[@Towelie404]

Do you think you'll ever go back to making "day in the life" style videos? Your food reviews are great but, as a longtime fan, I miss the days of seeing you document your days around NYC.

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I might, I've got some videos coming up like that, but they detail my experiences of my trip in Europe.

[@renesagahon4477]

I think this video should be called eye candy 🍭 everything looked good !

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! Yeah, that was some fine food!

[@ArturoHernandez-jj8os]

Andrews yo quiero probar ese pan que parece una dona con queso 6.57🤩😃🥯🧀🥗

[@Jamesnu]

It was really good!

[@ArturoHernandez-jj8os]

Te deseo un excelente fin de semana. Saludos Cordiales. Hay un lugar que tú visitaste en Nueva York que es muy elegante, se llama cathedral, son muy buenos tus reportajes.🗽🙏🧀🥗🥯

[@Jamesnu]

@@ArturoHernandez-jj8os Thank you so much!

[@rageitalic-t3c]

uhh is that the actress alison pill in the background at 13:45? Looks exactly like her!

[@Jamesnu]

You never know, it's NYC after all!

[@tomawen5916]

Great review. Like you I am a meat lover but your sojourn through this vegan restaurant was a nice diversion. Still, I think I would go to a steakhouse and get a good bone in rib eye. But thank you for your insightful review!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, it's hard to beat a good steak, but I definitely enjoy variety when it comes to food.

[@fernandofreire4062]

Alinea review is coming our way?

[@Jamesnu]

Yep! I'm really excited about that one!

[@fernandofreire4062]

I am aswell, thats great news! Im a fan ever since i saw the head chef at "chefs table" series years ago. Im very happy and excited for you too!

[@jennifercarr7351]

I would've been on my face with all that wine lol. They were very generous

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! Yeah, I got my money's worth with that pairing.

[@keithss67]

Going to have to check this place out

[@Jamesnu]

It's definitely worth checking out!

[@keithss67]

@@Jamesnu when I’m back in the city in October, I will definitely check it out 👍

[@brendagregoryyuen4923]

must try....I am a vegetarian (spouse is not). But we've had some great experiences eating vegetarian :)

[@Jamesnu]

It's a must try for sure!

[@nsbioy]

Next, visit Eleven Madison Park

[@Jamesnu]

I'll get there eventually.

[@YASTravelsEatsWell]

James; I 'm still not ready to pay $105 for rabbit food😢 However, I have enjoyed Indian vegetarian cooking, especially from Madras, for 50 years😅 Great informative video!

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! That's fair enough. Thank you for watching!

[@YASTravelsEatsWell]

@@Jamesnu You're the BEST! Keep up the great work!

[@PradeepRaajkumar1981]

Wonderful Policy COCKTAIL specialist.. Nice spread bro...

[@Jamesnu]

Definitely!

[@Seasider70]

There you go. The answer to everything is doughnuts.

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! Doughnuts can solve a lot of problems!

[@widesky713]

James, you’re adorable. Tell me, do you ever experience heartburn from some of the spices or combinations you try? Or do you have a cast iron stomach?😂

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Fortunately, heartburn is something that I hardly experience, but my stomach isn't perfect.

[@mrjaxthecat]

The price point, with wine pairing for $160! Looked pretty good. Remember...you don't need to be a vegetarian to eat great vegetarian food!

[@Jamesnu]

Well said!

[@carbies2]

What is slettuce? thanks!

[@Jamesnu]

It's actually spelled celtuce and it's a stemmed lettuce. It's tasty!

[@keithss67]

Glad to know you didn’t waste that wine

[@Jamesnu]

Yep, I drank every drop of it!

[@keithss67]

@@Jamesnu my hero 🦸

[@SenpaiKai9000]

8ish courses for $125ish?!! that looks like an absolute steal James!!

[@Jamesnu]

I thought that it was good value!

[@Neosoul_prima]

Definitely fabulous. However, after knowing how much they pay their servers by the hour, it's just sad! I'll maybe dine someday, but their employees cannot live off the wage their paid and that just doesn't sit right with me

[@Jamesnu]

According to Dirt Candy's website, their starting wage is $25 an hour with a host of benefits. It's hard to say if they would be making more with tips or not.

[@Neosoul_prima]

@@Jamesnu I feel you! Especially since it's in the LES! In Europe, servers are paid their particular base salary, and a service wage is added on. Then, you're welcome to leave extra. So you still tip in Europe, the process is different. In the states, there's no service charge at all, which is why tipping is important. I'm a server myself, and trust 25 bucks is not ok. Once inflation goes down, it'll be a bit better! However, even before the pandemic servers were crying in restaurants that didn't allow gratuity.

[@Jamesnu]

@@Neosoul_prima Thanks for sharing this insight! I appreciate it!

[@Neosoul_prima]

@@Jamesnu thank you for your channel! It's so amazing

[@alisachamoy225]

I think abcV is supposed to be a lot better (haven't been there either but really want to go!) The dishes are probably a little smaller but definitely healthier and more creative.

[@Jamesnu]

I've heard a lot of great things about that restaurant. It's definitely a place I want to try in the future.

[@alisachamoy225]

@@Jamesnu They seem to have a lot of great mushroom dishes (which I love) and there i a whole roasted cauliflower dish that looks great. There are a ton of great vegetarian places in the east village as well (Avant Garden etc). I used to eat all the time at candle cafe in the UES (and their sister restaurant candle 79) (when I was pregnant with my daughter who turns 18 tomorrow - I would eat there all the time and they always would have a tofu or seitan dish that was absolutely amazing). Both closed a while back and a similar candle cafe opened a little further downtown but I still have yet to get down there. Now, on occasion I will go to le botaniste (probably the best tofu I have ever tasted in my life) but their customer service is not the best.

[@Jamesnu]

@@alisachamoy225 Thanks for sharing those other restaurants! I'll keep them in mind!

[@surfboard396]

Hi James. Good to see another review. Great job. I just am going to be honest, I would take a pass on this place. It just not for me. Thanks buddy. Take care. 👋🏽

[@Jamesnu]

Fair enough. Thanks for watching!

[@alexrekzu4079]

It would be funny if you brought your own meat and see the reaction. Good video production as always. 👍

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! Thank you!

[@shadowfilm7980]

Hmmm………not for me. The restaurant. But nice video. 👍

[@Jamesnu]

Fair enough! Thank you!

[@andyh4464]

The heavy use of dairy products in the courses is a bit disappointing, I know they don't claim to be a vegan restaurant but it sort of feels like a crutch to lean on animal products.

[@Jamesnu]

I think they do offer to make the dishes vegan if it's requested at least.

[@johnm7882]

I can assure you James was not full after that meal 😂

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! I'm pretty much never full after most tasting menus.

[@johnm7882]

@Jamesnu I new it 🙂 But thanks James for all the effort you do to give us your awsome videos. They are a delight.

[@MattBraun]

was there in 2019 for a tasting menu that was like 16 courses for about $125pp...honestly, the best plant-based place in NYC...waaay better than EMP although the drinks at EMP are better. Does look like they've fallen off a bit...and rushed or mediocre service and atmosphere...typical for NYC

[@Jamesnu]

I know they definitely made some changes over the course of the pandemic.

[@bkkmj4250]

To celebrate this delicious vegetarian meal, I headed back over to Hamburger America! 👍😂🎉🍔

[@Jamesnu]

Haha!