Candle 79

Candle 79 describes itself as NYC's premiere vegan oasis.  Located on the UES, they specialize in farm-to-table vegan fine dining.  I ate at their sister restaurant, Candle Cafe, several times during my month in the city, and could attest to the creative and delicious dishes they prepared.  I've been excitedly awaiting this meal for months!

So many amazingly creative dishes!  We took the approach of ordering two appetizers and two salads to share in order to maximize our experience with the menu options.  Let me just say now that each and every dish was INCREDIBLE!

A surprise amuse bouche:  Cashew Cream with a Balsamic Reduction

Steamed Dumplings
seitan, shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy, and sesame-ginger soy sauce

Zucchini Rollatini
This was one of the menu specials for the night.  Great mix of flavors, although I don't recall the exact ingredients.

Tri-Color Beet Salad
Haricots verts, mache, endive, almond cheese, kalamata olive vinaigrette

Seaweed Salad
Carrots, cabbage, grilled shiitake mushrooms, edamame, radishes, wasabi leaves, miso-lemongrass dressing 

My Entree:  Mustard-Ginger Grilled Tempeh
Sweet potato puree, sauteed trumpet royale mushrooms, brussels sprouts, lentils, brown rice, sunflower seeds, apple salad, cranberry-chipotle coulis
WOW!!  PERFECTION!!

Mom's Entree: Almond Crusted Seitan
Roasted root vegetables, wild rice pilaf, sautéed haricots verts, guajillo-sweet potato sauce, roasted
brussels sprouts with pomegranate salad

Dad's Entree:  Spaggheti and Wheatballs
Truffled tomato sauce, roasted garlic, spinach, cashew parmesan

We all agreed this was nothing short of a perfect meal.  Certainly a fine dining experience that rivals any other!  If'you're in NYC, you MUST enjoy a meal at Candle 79.  Regardless of whether you're a carnivore, omnivore, or flexetarian, I guarantee you'll love every bite of your meal.