Vegetarian Eating

[ahhrealmonsters]

I'm newly vegetarian. It's been pretty easy so far, as I eat a lot of dairy, but I've been having trouble when eating at restaurants. I find that there aren't many vegetarian protein options, and a lot of the dishes are high in fat (full fat cheese) or carb-heavy (pastas, rice dishes, etc.) It's easy in Asian cuisine where I can get tofu, but does anyone have any recommendations for vegetarian options and salad/sandwich places, Italian, Greek, etc., that are high in protein but low in carbs and fat? Thanks :)

[SNAFU]

Caravan of Dreams 405 East 6th Street, NYC.

Funky, delightful Vegan place. Serves "Live" spaghetti (Juiliened squash and zucchini) and many other wonderful dishes. Prices are moderate, food excellent!

[JerseyGirl2]

Where do you live?

[ghostlight2]

Quinoa, a grain high in protein, seems to be popping upon menus more and more often.

[artscallion]

Unless you have a particular reason to, don't obsess on protein. The first question I always get when I tell people I'm vegetarian-ish is, "Be careful that you get enough complete protein at every meal!!!" This manic demand for protein is a leftover from back in the day when America was first building up its beef industries. The lobbyists from the beef industry are actually the ones responsible for the old food pyramid that had protein as its foundation.

The reality and commonly held current thinking says that you will get more protein than you need, just by eating a VARIETY of foods...fruits, veggies, grains, beans, etc. You don't need to worry about combining to get "complete" proteins. And you don't need to worry about having protein at every meal. If you eat a variety of foods, all the time, they will add up and sort themselves out to the protein you need.

Off to take my batch of vegan chocolate chip cookies out of the oven!

[IMG]

[Addison D.]

Artscallion is correct. Also, as it sounds like you are aiming for ovo-lacto vegetarian, eggs will be a good source of protein.

If you are in NYC the Candle 79 on the UES and Candle Cafe on the UES & UWS are pretty good.

Blossom on the UWS, Chelsea and the W Village is excellent, if a bit pricey.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Thanks for the help, especially re: protein. I do live in NYC. I've been to Vegetarian's Paradise II and Red Bamboo in the West Village, and I'm not really a fan of seitan, tempeh and other "fake" meats. I'll look into the other restaurants.

[AC126748]

Candle 79 is excellent, though not cheap. I recommend Blossom as well. My fiance's brother is completely vegan (and I was vegetarian for nearly five years), so I sympathize with trying to eat out. At most places you'll end up paying $30 for a plate of steamed vegetables and rice.

Definitely try to find restaurants that specialize in vegetarian and/or vegan cuisine specifically. Even if you're not a fan of tofu et al, these are the places where you'll find vegetarian dishes that highlight vegetables creatively prepared.

[JoeKv99]

I'll stay out of the protein debate but I will say that gorillas and other primates are in fact Omnivores, eating ants, termites, bugs and even small animals if they come upon them.

[TheatreDiva90016]

[artscallion]

Bugs, etc make do make up about 2-3% of a gorilla's diet. But the point is more to show the misconception we have that ONLY meat contains protein. Some plants contain almost as much protein as meat does. You don't need to eat meat to build muscle. Look at horses who eat almost 100% grasses.

And there's the misconception that we are what we eat, that eating fat is what puts fat on our bodies. Look at cows. All they eat is grass, yet their bodies are riddled (or nicely marbled) with fat, because their bodies turn the grass into fat. That's why you have to be careful of foods labeled, "cholesterol free" or "contains no cholesterol." That doesn't mean your body won't turn it into cholesterol.

[EricMontreal22]

I've been a vegetarian since I was 12. As a teen I was always warned about the lack of iron and protein, which for me was never an issue as I'm an octo-whatever vegetarian as well (ie I eat eggs and dairy). I've never had major trouble eating out either, though obviously some restaurants will just have one or two pretty basic vegetarian options.

[wally]

I love Zen Palate, and it's not too expensive. I've been to Candle and it was pretty good. Actually the only time I liked a vegan dessert - I eat dairy and do not like soy or other alternative milks.

If you want something fast, I really like Maoz. Yummy falafel.

[Addison D.]

I don't mind tofu, but I really dislike seitan and all the attempts to create meat-free simulacra of meat dishes. If one's objection to meat is--as mine is--largely derived from reservations about the treatment of animals in industrial agriculture and the long-term non-sustainability of beef farming in it's current form, then creating meals that look and taste 'just like beef' is missing the point.

If there is no vegetarian option on the menu, you can always ask if the chef will prepare a vegetarian entree. I've rarely been refused, and sometimes--Jean Georges, for example--been floored (in a good way) by the results. (Jean Georges does get expensive as a go-to option for dining out, of course...)

You do have to get used to paying too much money for what typically is a plate of veggies with pasta or a scoop of grain.

If you can expand your definition of 'vegetarian' to include fish, however, you will find that you can enjoy eating out just as much as your carnivorous companions.

[JoeKv99]

Yeah, I've broadened my definition of "vegetarian" to include fish, bacon, pork chops and steaks so I think I'm OK.

And if you're eating at Jean Georges, your paying too much money for whatever that plate is full of.

[EricMontreal22]

The fake meat debate has never bugged me, though I know a lot of vegetarian friends who feel the way you do, Addison. I try to be careful with the dairy and eggs I buy--currently I buy from a local farm I know quite well (which is easy to do here in Victoria, but wasn't back in Montreal). I don't buy many faux meat options, but my reasons for being vegetarian do have to do with animal treatment and, I guess, ethical questions, so it doesn't really make sense to me why that's connected to not eating things that are like meat, but aren't--whereas if it was something to do with the taste, I would get it.

If you include seafood (which has its own issues) it certainly is easier.

[Addison D.]

Joe--I guess you're an ovo-lacto-puerco vegetarian?

Eric--It may be a bit of a stretch, but my feeling is that it's analogous to designers using fake fur and trumpeting their clothing as "cruelty free". To my mind, it misses the larger point that you are still supporting and participating and encouraging a popular taste for the use of fur in clothing. I feel the same way about seitan--rather than creating meals that look, taste and smell "just like beef", I'd rather see chefs embrace the incredible variety of tastes, colors, textures, etc., to be found in vegetables and create meals that will help people's palates evolve away from the hunger for beef.

[Jane2]

I had a "vegetarian" friend who said it was ok to eat fish because they don't feel pain when they are killed. HAHAHAHAHA She just wanted to eat fish.

[luvtheEmcee]

I am not vegan, but I have some serious allergies that are pretty easily accommodated by a lot of vegan restaurants. So, assuming that you're in New York, some of my favorite spots:

Candle Cafe (Candle 79's more casual and more reasonably-priced outpost. Originally on the Upper East Side, but they just opened and Upper West Side location. Delicious and you can often get two meals out of an entree. One of my favorite restaurants, period)
Josie's (Creative, tasty, healthy vegetarian options -- they are super accommodating to dietary restrictions of any kind)
(Cafe) Blossom (I like the one on the Upper West Side... 83rd and Columbus, I think? but they have a few other locations that I haven't been to, though I do know the menus vary a bit. They also just opened up a fast food-type place somewhere on the West Side)
Peacefoods Cafe

(Of course places that are vegan won't have dairy or eggs, but the tradeoff is that a lot of their food is more creative the run-of-the-mill salads and whatnot you might be stuck eating in some other places. And if you are concerned about protein, because the ingredients on a vegan diet are even more limited, they're sympathetic to those issues, too.)

Falafel (almost anywhere) is also one of my favorite go-to things when I'm out.

And if you are ever in Chicago, do yourself a favor and check out the Chicago Diner. All vegetarian, mostly vegan, but classic diner and comfort food.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Aw, at my final Chicago apartment I could walk to Chicago Diner.

[JoeKv99]

For a vegan place, that Chicago Diner ain't too bad. Maybe I forgive it a lot since I picked up a super-hot guy there when I first moved to town.

[Bettyboy72]

I need to step in in defense of seitan. It's not a "fake meat"-it has stood on its own for centuries as a high quality source of protein. It has been a staple of Eastern diets for a long time. It wasn't created as "fake meat" for vegetarians. It was an inexpensive source of protein for people in other countries. It's delicious when prepared well.

Those slamming vegan and vegetarian options that mimic meat dishes are being argumentative. Many vegans and veggies grew up eating meat, so they enjoy the mouth feel of something hearty or chewy that feels like meat. It doesnt make them a bad person. Also, when you go to Candle 79 and Blossom and are treated to a sinfully decadent vegan meal, you feel like a king or queen as opposed to the crap that is thrown at vegetarians and vegans in most restaurants (if I see one more portabella "burger" or vegetable pasta dish I'm going to hit someone!) Chefs have no creativity.

The problem is that most restaurants treat vegetarian (they rarely offer vegan unless they are Asian or Indian) dishes as an after thought. Most restaurants see vegetarian dishes as cheese fests. Many vegetarians are quite overweight. They eat like crap.

While protein is overrated and not as necessary, it serves a purpose. It keeps you fuller longer and helps people eat less who want to lose weight and stay balanced. There are wonderful sources of non meat protein that are rarely offered in restaurants such as quinoa.

Many vegetarians eat too much cheese, bread, rice and potato. They ignore legumes, beans, ancient grains and greens. These are essential.

Whenever I go to any restaurants, I look for basics and try to build a comprehensive meal. A salad doesn't cut it for me.

[EricMontreal22]

Addison, that makes sense--I guess when I have used meat substitute stuff it has been when eating at home--growing up it was easier for me to have vegie sandwich slices or hot dogs or whatever around the house and eating those when the rest of my family would be having the meat equivalent--more just a question of convenience. But I agree with you when it comes to eating out or something. Then again, I fake fur has never bothered me, but I think that's a valid argument.

[WhizzerMarvin TrinaJasonMendel]

Another great place to go for veggies is Westville. The original location in the West Village is the best, but there are also cafes in the East Village and Chelsea. There's a little bit of meat on the menu, but it's mostly vegetarian. The greatest asset is the "fresh market sides" menu. It changes daily, but they offer about 25 different fresh vegetable sides prepared in creative and delicious ways. You can get a single side or a sample of 4 for $14 I believe. It's fun to go with a couple friends and try everyone's sides. So, so good!

Zen Palate is great if you need something fast (and the one in HK has lightning fast delivery). The sesame medallions are awesome.

Don't forget about fast food options like Chipotle. You can get a quick and flavorful burrito there. Hale & Hearty has a great selection of vegetarian and vegan soups. You can't trust soups in many restaurants and waiters will often not know/lie that something isn't made with chicken or beef stock.

[JerseyGirl2]

The night we got engaged, we went to HanGawi and it was delish!

http://www.hangawirestaurant.com/

The Melting Pot has a great vegetarian plate if you want a fun night with friends.

[ahhrealmonsters]

My beef (no pun intended) with fake meat is simply that I don't like the texture. I've never been a big meat eater, and I never enjoyed the taste and texture of steak, chicken, etc., so getting vegan chicken fingers or anything like that is just not appetizing to me. I do enjoy tofu, though, because it doesn't have the texture of meat.