Central Park is just as gorgeous as I hoped it would be…and much, much larger!
(umm hello, cute kissing romantic couple!)
The park was packed with people out walking, running, skating, biking, and rollerblading all enjoying the unseasonably warm temperatures. I think it reached about 18C (64F) on Saturday! We both had to rip off our jackets because we were sweating to death! We were so thankful for the weather because it could’ve easily been snowy and cold at this time of the year.
After exploring for a couple hours, we soon found ourselves ready to fill our bellies for a very late lunch. We headed to Cafe Blossom which is a popular vegan restaurant in the Upper West Side of Manhattan not far from Central Park. Cafe Blossom also has vegan “sister” restaurants, Blossom, as well as V-Note, Blossom Du Jour, and Cocoa-V all located in the city. Umm, WOW!
The cafe has a clean and inviting atmosphere with cozy wood and modern stone accents.
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Because of the way the cafe is set up, it feels very intimate and you don’t feel crammed in next to other tables.
For a “cafe”, I was extremely impressed with the atmosphere. They really did it up with class!
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Going out to eat is such a treat and I appreciate every minute of not having to prepare the food myself! This trip is a nice break from my kitchen. I feel so spoiled when I get to order anything off a menu.
I had a the Field of Greens juice with spinach, cucumber, apple, lemon, and ginger. Ah, it felt so good to have greens after the flight.
For lunch, I ordered the COLLOSSAL Quinoa Salad layered with black beans, quinoa, julienne peppers, watercress, toasted pumpkin seeds, mango guacamole, and poblano dressing.
OH MY LORD. Have mercy. I am embarrassed to say how quickly I inhaled this!
These pictures really don’t do this salad justice either. It was absolutely amazing and perfect in every way. I am definitely going to try to recreate this salad at home…come to mama!
Eric ordered the Veggie Grain Burger made with lentil-quinoa burger, hummus, lettuce, tomato, pickles on multi-grain and fries. He loved the meal and was nice enough to share a bite with me. It was really good. The only thing I would change is the texture. It was very soft, almost like mashed potatoes.
I’m always asked what kind of diet Eric eats and that’s a bit hard for me to answer because he doesn’t like to label himself. He eats a mostly vegetarian and vegan diet now, with the occasional meat & dairy products as desired. He’s really embraced a plant-based diet and loves trying all kinds of new foods these days.
It’s really crazy to think of the foods he used to eat when I first met him. He was a fast food, Coke, and meat & potatoes kinda guy and the only vegetables he ate were staples like peas, corn, potatoes, and tomatoes. I’m happy to see him so content with the balance he has in his diet now. If he wants pizza or chicken, he usually eats it, but he also enjoys a lot of vegan and vegetarian dishes too. I think everyone needs to find the balance that works for them personally.
Since our lunch was so late and our dinner reservation was early, we hesitantly skipped the dessert menu and headed back out to explore and take advantage of the nice weather. I am so sad I was only able to eat at this cafe once during our stay…I would love to sample everything off the menu! They nailed casual, yet gourmet, vegan cuisine.
It was really busy around the city on Saturday, not surprisingly! Bustling with shoppers galore.
All the shops on 5th Ave are decorated so pretty for the holidays! It really got us into the holiday spirit even though it could have been a summer day. ;)
Cool night display:
…and we soon found ourselves like this…unable to move.
…the only thing that motivated us to move again was the promise of more food, alcohol, and chocolate molten cake ;)
Stay tuned for more food, Rockettes, a celebrity sighting, NYC vegan goodies, naked cowboys, and more…
Viewer discretion is advised.
That salad looks amazing! I would’ve demolished it too.
Love that you got to visit us in NY!
I love it when there is a restaurant where I can actually eat something! It doesn’t happen often with my many food intolerances, but when they get it right…ahh it’s amazing. Can’t wait to hear more about your trip!
Wow.
The burger looks amazing! NOM NOM! And I would probably crisp it up a bit, too, like you would. I don’t like super soft burgers. I like my edges a bit crispy.
I guess I would be hesitant to try the sallad, because I would hate to know what the nutritional contant is in the dressing…. but hey, it is a once in a blue-moon occasion, right? :-)
Nice to hear about Blossom Cafe- we went to Blossom and I really didn’t care that much for it but have been curious about Blossom Cafe. I’ll add it to the list of possibilities!
As soon as you mentioned mango guac… I MUST try this! If only I could find good mangos this time of year! It’s always hit or miss (usually, unfortunately, miss).
There are so many killer vegan places here. My favorite ones aren’t even in Manhattan, LOL! They’re in Brooklyn!! With the weather, I am really surprised people weren’t tanning on the beach!!
I heard about some of the veg restaurants in Brooklyn too…wish I could have made it there. :) Which ones are your favs?
this just reminded me of my dream to visit NYC around Christmas time … I only ever go in the summer!
What a wonderful post – so glad you’re having so much fun! I love seeing your photos – my boyfriend and I went to New York this summer and it brings back so many fun and happy memories! So cool that Eric has found his healthy living balance, and you too – very inspiring and positive! Mmmm….that salad and juice look DIVINE! :-D Enjoy NYC! xyx
I have been wanting to visit NY for so long now. Your photos are beautiful!
So I have a question. I don’t know if this was asked already, but why did you choose to travel to the US on one of the busiest US traveling weekends of the year? Thanksgiving travel is literally insane!!
We left on Saturday and it actually was pretty dead at the airport. Also, this was one of the only weeks that worked for Eric to take vacation.
I just ate lunch and I want to inhale that salad! Mango guacamole…oh my!
You know when you’re with the right man when he’s as adventurous and supportive with food! ;) Since going vegetarian (mostly), I’m blown away with how fully Tim jumped into the new eating lifestyle. He used to be a Diet Pepsi-drinkin, double cheeseburger-eatin, and cigarette-smokin dude. Now he eats quinoa for breakfast, loved the vegan chickpea cutlets I made for Thanksgiving dinner and is going to a personal trainer twice a week (and did a 5k walk with me!). Makes me happy every single day that I married that man! :)
Can’t wait to see more of your vacation! :)
Cafe Blossom looks amazing – and mango guacamole?! Ahhhh, heaven!!! Will have to put the cafe on my list of places to go when I get to NYC at some point. And I love that it wasn’t wall-to-wall people… nice to have a relaxing lunch before heading back out into the fun-but-hectic bustle.
This just must be the best time of year to be in NYC! I love the look of that salad – I really hope you do recreate it! Yummy!
I just had lunch but the salad looks phenomenal! Yummy :)
I live RIGHT by Cafe Blossom and have not seen that salad. Must. Try. They have a good brunch as well. I always find vegan brunch to be such a treat! If you’re back in the neighborhood you should check out Peacefoods on Amsterdam at 82nd. YUM.
Lucky girl! ;) Thanks for the suggestion.
Ah! You saw the Naked Cowboy! I’m almost more envious of that than the delicious food. :)
Yayyyy Naked Cowboy! I love NYC – I’ve only been twice, once was last December, and the other time in college for the weekend. I wish we could go back this December, but our schedule is packed. That salad sounds amazing. My husband eats like your guy used to, though he’s coming around. We had spaghetti squash lasagna last night, and he ate the whole plate and went back for seconds!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time visiting! I’ve always wanted to go to New York just to hop around and try all the amazing cafes and restaurants.
Looks like you had an amazing trip! NYC at the holidays is sooo magical! I am so happy for you that you got to experience it.