Lula's Sweet Apothecary

Cake batter flavored soft serve with hot fudge sauce.

Lula's Sweet Apothecary, East Village, http://www.lulassweetapothecary.com/

Terri

Roasted Vegetable Sandwich

Jerk Tofu Sandwich

Apple-Cinnamon Donut

Notes:

1. Jerk Tofu Pineapple Sandwich

From the menu: "Jerk Tofu Pineapple. Smoked tofu, jerk sauce, pineapple, mixed peppers, red onions, with sweet potato fries. $ 7.81"

The smoky-flavored tofu was nice: a bit of liquid smoke without tasting like a chiminea. The sautéed red and green bell peppers together with caramelized were fairly pedestrian but added nice flavor and texture. The jerk sauce definitely wasn't what I was expecting: Pale, creamy and black peppery rather than a red-hued paprika-cinnamon-nutmeg blend. The focaccia bread has good flavor, with fresh herbs, and is soft and nicely griddled; my only complaint is that the amount overwhelms the daintier portions of the sandwich fillings.

2. Roasted Vegetable Sandwich

From the menu: "Eggplant, squash, zucchini, sun-dried tomato, Kalamata Olives, Peppers. $ 7.81"

The only additional tasting note is that there is a light balsamic dressing on the sandwich.

3. Apple-Cinnamon Donut

From the menu: Not listed. Also, I'm not sure what the price was, but together with my sandwich and tax I paid $11.50.

Gooey inside; crunchy sugar outside. Definitely not a Cake donut but nonetheless delicious.

Conclusion:

We left feeling full but, as my companion said, in a good way. Despite the line, we were both served in about 5 minutes. There is not really sufficient space to sit but it was not a problem: we walked over to Union Square Park, where the sunlight helped to produce such gorgeous photos.

Terri, Chelsea, http://terrinyc.com/

Hummus Place

Lunch Special One: Hummus Mushrooms (R), with Whole Wheat and White Pitas.

Lunch Special Two: Hummus Masabacha (L), with Roasted Eggplant.

Notes

We did the lunch special, with which you choose one hummus, one appetizer, and two white or whole wheat pita for $7.95.

1. Lunch Special One

a. Falafel [Not Pictured]

From the Menu: "Five falafel balls topped with tahini and green sauce."

b. Hummus Mushrooms

From the Menu: "Topped with sautéed mushrooms, onions, olive oil, and spices."

c. Pita

From the Menu: "Home baked"

2. Lunch Special Two

a. Roasted Eggplant

From the Menu: "Roasted Eggplant, topped with tahini and lemon dressing."

b. Hummus Masabacha

From the Menu: "Topped with whole chick peas, olive oil, and spices."

Conclusion

Repeat. I enjoyed the hummus, pita, and falafels. Caveat emptor: I have not tried many of the other popular Middle Eastern restaurants in the city, so I have little basis for comparison. However, the quantity of food and pricing of the lunch special make an afternoon bite an attractive proposition.

Hummus Place, Multiple Locations (Featured: Upper West Side), http://www.hummusplace.com/

Whole Foods

From the Menu: Pay by the pound Hot food Bar. Tax included, under $7.

1. Red chili joy: sweet but spicy; taro was delicious.
2. BBQ seitan: not much flavor
3. Sesame seitan: better than BBQ but still lacking; nice texture. Heat up
4. Aztec Salad: nutty, chewy nice texture,
5. Channa masala:
6. Aloo mattar: very good; tomatoey spicy
7. Samosa
8. Kale: like a guacamole salad
9. Shredded Heaven: ok; branch thing was best part: crunchy and flavorful.
10. Biryani: well seasoned. Be sure to get a mix of veg
11. Couscous: w cranberry, raisins. Nice fall flavors
12. Quinoa: healthy. A little lacking in flavor but interesting cponents. Corn and bell peppers add crunch. Temeph was nice and nutty
13. Veg tuna salad: crunchy, salty. Bay seasonig?

Whole Foods, Multiple Locations (Featured Location: Upper West Side), http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Bombay Talkie

Baigan Bharta

Sukhi Harabara Beans

Notes

1. Baigan Bharta

From the Menu: "Tandoori smoked eggplant with ginger, coriander, cumin and chilies. $14."

2. Sukhi Harabara Beans

From the Menu: "String beans, onions and tomatoes, lightly spiced with cumin, coriander, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom and mango powder served with mint and coriander chutney. $16."

Conclusion

Repeat. A bit pricier than many Indian restaurants but Bombay Talkie offered a diversity vegan options and dishes that I haven't encountered at other restaurants, ample portions, and sumptuous flavors.

Bombay Talkie, Chelsea, http://www.bombaytalkie.com/

Massawa

Vegetable Combo, with Tintimo (L), Shiro (C), Cablo (R), and Salad.

Alitcha, with Tintimo (L) and Salad

Notes

1. Vegetable Combo

From the Menu: "Shiro: Pureed chick peas cooked with ginger and seasoned with a hint of spic; Cablo: Flavorful white cabbage seasoned and cooked with green peppers; Timtimo: Tasty red lentils flavored with grounded herbs. Spicy jalapeño salad. Injera.

2. Alitcha

From the Menu: "Alitcha. Potatoes, collard greens, carrots, spices."

Review: a little bland.

Massawa, Morningside Heights, http://www.massawanyc.com/

Peacefood Cafe

Chickpea Fries

Asian Greens Salad

Raspberry Jam Spelt Crumb Bar

Notes:

1. Chickpea Fries

From the Menu: "Served with House Dipping Sauce. $7."

"Fries" seems to be a misnomer as there are no potatoes involved in these chickpea cakes. The texture is more similar to a crisped polenta. Cf. Panisse.

2. Asian Greens Salad

From the Menu: "Seasonal baby Asian vegetables, mixed sprouts, shredded carrots, tomatoes, marinated and baked tempeh, ground peanuts, in a garlic, ginger, cilantro, ponzu and sesame dressing. $9.9.5"

Doesn't the tempeh look a bit eerily like tuna?

3. Raspberry Jam Spelt Crumb Bar

From the Menu: $3.50

Peacefood Cafe, Upper West Side, http://www.peacefoodcafe.com/