Sweet afternoon

October 27, 2008

Today was another rough day filled with trying different places and foods, ending with the best ending - chocolate and more chocolate.

First of all, some vegans had told us to try Sal Anthony's raw vegan organic cafe in Grammercy Park - 119E 17th Street, which is around the corner from Pure Food and Wine at 54 Irving Place, the supreme dining experience for upscale gourmet organic food that is delicious and happens to be raw. The story of Sal was intriguing. Here was this guy that had this traditional Italian restaurant across from Pure Food and Wine,(www.purefoodandwine.com) and then he became ill and started eating vegan raw foods to feel better, and had a revelation after becoming better. He would close down his old restaurant and start a new cafe near by specializing in organic vegan raw foods, which was a shock for many and a welcome addition for others. So we were recommended to try his food and in particular his raw chocolate. Verdict? We found his food and plating mediocre, the cafe not very attractive, the staff not that informative, and the food kind of expensive for what you are getting. However, the raw chocolate is delicious and is a must try if you're passing by. It has sea salt, goji berries and other good things packed in it. They were even giving away samples when we asked about it.

After this experience, we had to visit Pure Food and Wine's take out counter, just to the back of their beautiful restaurant, which is very small with a few tables but very lovely and chique. It's called "One Lucky Duck" (www.oneluckyduck.com) and is filled with ready-made goods, with baked goods the primary focus, you can get fresh juices and smoothies, and there are some dried raw foods like crackers and other products you can buy. The beautiful and sexy owner's photos, Sarma, are placed discreetly and strategically around in places like post cards. Then there is the clientele that Dave noticed right away that looks like you are right in a Vogue or Bazaar magazine with top models and model-like clientele in the cafe. Pure has always attracted a lot of celebrities and models from the beginning for its great upscale trendy atmosphere and wonderful food. It is certainly the best advertisement for raw food going - gorgeous high fashion lanky models with flawless skin that are dropping in to your place as regulars. Sign me up!

We picked up a few products and tried their raw ginger cookie that is absolutely superb. They have a great pastry chef and food crew working in the two kitchens that are highly skilled and creative with the food, with many graduates from my school. Training there was great not only in the wonderful atmosphere created by the head chef and others and the beautiful and delicious food, but extras like the special family meal that is created for all staff to eat together daily before service, and their welcoming attitude towards interns. I wasn't sure about interning there but when Yuki and others said that they loved training there I had to try it out. So, I finished off at Candle 79 and went there.

In the afternoon, we went in to the City Bakery at 3 West 18th Street for some coffees and a to try one of the best vegan chocolate chip cookies in the city according to some vegans. And yes it was great - moist and chewy and delicious - though as we have not tried all the vegan chocolate chip cookies in the city it was hard to be affirmative on this. More research is definitely required!

Then we headed to the highlight of the day, our vegan chocolate dessert course using fair trade organics at the Natural Gourmet with one of the best vegan pastry chefs in the US - Fran Costigan. Fran is a traditionally trained pastry chef and a pioneer in the vegan pastry area, with two books published to date. She became interested in whole foods vegan baking after training at the New York Restaurant School and the Natural Gourmet and through her love of desserts that she feels we should not feel guilty about and enjoy daily. We made an incredible line-up of desserts to make and then taste at the end, all beautiful, delicious and tasting quite decadent. And, all made with chocolate with a conscience, that is fair trade and organic. See, sweet afternoon!