Candle 79: True Farm to Table Vegan

An offshoot of the Candle Café which has been a go-to vegetarian venue in Manhattan since 1984, Candle 79 opened in 2003 to wide acclaim sticking to the same philosophy: “To share our passion of vegan, organic, and seasonal cuisine, while eliminating dependence on animals as a food source and minimizing our carbon footprint”.

Inside Candle 79

Candle 79 is a warmly elegant escape in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. A duplex with floor to ceiling windows not far from the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers superior alternatives to institutional cafeteria food with attentive service and some of the best organic vegan cuisine in NYC. Now that locally grown produce is tasty and plentiful, many dishes on the summer menu are to die for!

Don’t miss their Caribbean Jerked Grilled Seitan (wheat gluten) served with plantains, collard greens, black bean sauce, mango-papaya salsa, and habanero-cilantro coulis. Their heirloom tomato-zuchinni lasagna, a lighter

Jerked Seitan

spin on a traditionally heavier classic, is stuffed with cashew cheese, marinaded wild mushrooms, heirloom tomato sauce, and basil-pine nut pesto sauce. Or in true summer style, try a side of grilled corn and smoked paprika or their deliciously crisp polenta (boiled cornmeal) fries.

Their local ingredients come from as many as 10 small farms throughout the metropolitan area. Entrees are complemented by a wide selection of organic and biodynamic juices, wines, beers, and innovative sake cocktails. My dream dessert here would be their Mexican chocolate brownie topped with caramelized banana, coconut ice cream, toasted pecans, and chocolate-ancho sauce.

And to cap off their green ethos, even after the tables are cleared, food waste isn’t merely thrown out but composted.

Hours: Mon. – Fri Lunch 12 – 3:30 p.m., Dinner 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Sat. Brunch 12 – 3:30 p.m., Dinner 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Sunday Brunch 12-4 p.m., Dinner 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Getting Here By subway: Take the 6 train to 77th Street, walk 2 blocks up to Lexington Ave., and restaurant is to your right at 154 East 79th Street.

photos courtesy of Candle 79 &  vegandad.blogspot.com