Vegan day 45: Valentine elegance @ Candle 79, NYC

If you live or work in the West Village- it really takes a lot to visit the Upper East Side of Manhattan! 

Baby Greens and Quinoa Salad

I have heard of Candle 79 a few times; it’s just that I never made it up there– and you know by now I will travel far for vegan food. 


Valentine’s dinner was the perfect time to try out this restaurant and dining experience. I heard it was a fancier type place, great ambiance and the food was good- not amazing- just good! I guess this is why you have to make your own opinions in life. Dinner was really delicious and on point- every course, and we had a lot of courses as you will soon see. 

Red Endive and Arugula Salad

Vegan food really can be amazing– 

I need to learn how to cook like this, keep portions small and of course, eat less haha- that’s a goal in and of itself.

Wild Mushroom Fricassee

Candle 79 is romantic, classic and elegant- in my opinion! When I lived in the village, the hottest romantic spot was One If By Land, Two If By Sea. Candle 79 gave me a reminder and feel like that restaurant however, just a bit trendier and lighter – probably smaller as well. The service was perfect– wow service overall in Manhattan is much better than it used to be! I recall not giving so many complements in the past – maybe it’s the vegetarian food lol- a kinder world on the horizon! ok dig in!

Herb-Grilled Artichokes

Both salads were good but the endive and arugula one had more flare and taste- hearts of palm, grilled onions, olives, smoked paprika almonds, artichokes, avocado and hemp seeds (they sell several recipe books at the restaurant.) 


The appetizers were off the hook from presentation to creativity to taste and health. Oops spoke to soon- the artichoke appetizer had something fried in it- well, lightly battered lol. That’s the nice way of saying that it’s fried but this is not McDonalds french fries or Coney Island funnel cake. Japanese restaurants call it light tempura- so is it healthier?- I’m sure! But is it healthy? I doubt it! Sometimes when we fry or especially deep fry, we release the components of the oil and they become rancid and create free radicals. This is why the type of oil really does matter. I would guess anything that they use healthier oils with higher heat tolerances or smoke points- and they probably are just lightly battered and “sautéed”- whatever the case, it was really good! I may have summed that up to quickly but another day we can get into oils! lol- Did I just day that?




Those two appetizers were pretty much tie with a slight advance going to the artichoke with the light fry.

Pumpkin- Seed Crusted Tempeh

 A restaurant can set you up great with salads and appetizers and then ruin everything with the entree- especially with the high range differential in the tastes of tempeh and seitan. My taste buds were certainly not ruined tonight! This one was tight- again, I say I win…  I had the seitan- but who wants to disagree on Valentine’s day. Actually, the pumpkin crusted tempeh was the best tempeh I have ever had. I was full at this point so I am finishing it tomorrow! 

Rosemary- Balsamic Pan Seared Seitan

The pan seared seitan really was incredible. It was served on top of mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are incredible aren’t they- but again.. are they healthy? Not when I made my mashed cauliflower. I tried but it seems some sort of butter type and milk type must be added which then makes it caloric and yes, fattening! Now that I think of it, these might not have been mashed potatoes. The menu on this one sounded almost French- therefore, I can only speak for the string beans (haricots verts) and the seitan.

Brownie Cheesecake

Speaking of seitan, I received an amazing gift from my valentine- 
COOKING CLASSES at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food & Health.
I’m deciding between the Seitan Workshop and Vegan Sauces- I’m so excited! 
Thank you my valentine! xoxo