BY GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
FEBRUARY 1, 2011
This article is written by guest contributor,
This article is written by guest contributor,
Danielle Binler.
At Sacred Chow, you’ll initially be suspect of the waiters’ patience and yogi-like demeanor. I led an interrogation worthy of praise from Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein’s characters during the “Ordering the Chicken” scene in Portlandia, and still this waiter had a smile on his face and no sarcasm in his voice. The waitress in Portlandia acts like it is completely normal to be interested in the breed of the chicken you are about to consume, what its diet consisted of, and even what its name was. Similarly, the waiter at Sacred Chow encouraged more questions instead of getting agitated by the neuroticism that comes along with being aware of what you put in your body. I’m hoping that’s what an eco-vegan, kosher, healing, and low-carbon lifestyle does to a person. You won’t find any chicken on the menu at Sacred Chow though (sorry, omnivores). This restaurant sings its eco-vegan gospel loud and proud, uses only organic ingredients that are grown locally or are fair-trade sourced, and offers gluten free, sugar free, and wheat free options.
After much deliberation, I finally settled on three of the tapas, which come as a deal for $18 instead of $7 each. The tapas were artfully displayed on a tiered plate rack. First, I had the sautéed Shiitake mushrooms with South Indian dip. The mushrooms were cooked to perfection, and pine nuts were sprinkled on top to add a bit of crunch to the otherwise meaty texture of the dish.
Next I had the grilled Western tofu, which was served with a mustard and garlic sauce with a hint of cayenne and a side of greens. The texture of the tofu was not too gelatinous or rubbery, more on the crumbly and spongy side. The sauce was very flavorful, and brought the tofu to life. I loved this sauce, and learned that Sacred Chow even sells their sauces by the pound. So, you can bring a little eco-veganism home with you and add their sauces to your own tofu or stir fry creations.
Then, I had the vegetable of the day, which was roasted pumpkin, rutabaga, and sweet potato on a bed of greens served with their vegan Caesar sauce, which is made from miso, lemon juice, garlic, and mustard. This sauce had quite a kick to it, so if you really like garlic and spice, your trigeminal nerves will be thanking you.
After loving each tapas dish more and more with every bite, I decided it would only be appropriate to indulge in dessert. Next time, I think I will order dessert first, because this was my favorite part of the meal and I wish I had more room for it! Behold: custard tart with a coffee swirl, chocolate glaze, and pomegranate seeds on a coconut sweet rice flour crust. The fresh pomegranate seeds were juicy and tart, and balanced out the sweet and flaky coconut crust.
The food was delicious, and knowing the kind of hardcore eco-vegan ethos Sacred Chow subscribes to made me feel a little less guilty about ordering dessert. Sacred Chow also supports Farm Sanctuary and Our Hen House, which are both organizations dedicated to combating the abuses of factory farming and ending the exploitation of animals. Additionally, Sacred Chow regularly donates to entrepreneurs through Kiva, which is a platform for micro-financing and creating relationships beyond financial transactions across the globe. Sacred Chow also supports local artists, and has a rotating series of artworks on display. If you are vegan, kosher, have a gluten allergy, or simply want to venture into the world of yoga and tofu, Sacred Chow will show you the way. Namaste.
Local food, nyc, sustainable food, vegan
Serving Up A Bit Of Yum, Plate By Plate
Evan ThomasReplyFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:05 PM
I’ve never tried a vegan tart before; they sure make it look appetizing!
FrancescaReplyFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Wow, Danielle, you’ve made me actually want to go out of my way to go to a vegan restaurant. What a feat! Great job!
At Sacred Chow, you’ll initially be suspect of the waiters’ patience and yogi-like demeanor. I led an interrogation worthy of praise from Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein’s characters during the “Ordering the Chicken” scene in Portlandia, and still this waiter had a smile on his face and no sarcasm in his voice. The waitress in Portlandia acts like it is completely normal to be interested in the breed of the chicken you are about to consume, what its diet consisted of, and even what its name was. Similarly, the waiter at Sacred Chow encouraged more questions instead of getting agitated by the neuroticism that comes along with being aware of what you put in your body. I’m hoping that’s what an eco-vegan, kosher, healing, and low-carbon lifestyle does to a person. You won’t find any chicken on the menu at Sacred Chow though (sorry, omnivores). This restaurant sings its eco-vegan gospel loud and proud, uses only organic ingredients that are grown locally or are fair-trade sourced, and offers gluten free, sugar free, and wheat free options.
After much deliberation, I finally settled on three of the tapas, which come as a deal for $18 instead of $7 each. The tapas were artfully displayed on a tiered plate rack. First, I had the sautéed Shiitake mushrooms with South Indian dip. The mushrooms were cooked to perfection, and pine nuts were sprinkled on top to add a bit of crunch to the otherwise meaty texture of the dish.
Next I had the grilled Western tofu, which was served with a mustard and garlic sauce with a hint of cayenne and a side of greens. The texture of the tofu was not too gelatinous or rubbery, more on the crumbly and spongy side. The sauce was very flavorful, and brought the tofu to life. I loved this sauce, and learned that Sacred Chow even sells their sauces by the pound. So, you can bring a little eco-veganism home with you and add their sauces to your own tofu or stir fry creations.
Then, I had the vegetable of the day, which was roasted pumpkin, rutabaga, and sweet potato on a bed of greens served with their vegan Caesar sauce, which is made from miso, lemon juice, garlic, and mustard. This sauce had quite a kick to it, so if you really like garlic and spice, your trigeminal nerves will be thanking you.
After loving each tapas dish more and more with every bite, I decided it would only be appropriate to indulge in dessert. Next time, I think I will order dessert first, because this was my favorite part of the meal and I wish I had more room for it! Behold: custard tart with a coffee swirl, chocolate glaze, and pomegranate seeds on a coconut sweet rice flour crust. The fresh pomegranate seeds were juicy and tart, and balanced out the sweet and flaky coconut crust.
The food was delicious, and knowing the kind of hardcore eco-vegan ethos Sacred Chow subscribes to made me feel a little less guilty about ordering dessert. Sacred Chow also supports Farm Sanctuary and Our Hen House, which are both organizations dedicated to combating the abuses of factory farming and ending the exploitation of animals. Additionally, Sacred Chow regularly donates to entrepreneurs through Kiva, which is a platform for micro-financing and creating relationships beyond financial transactions across the globe. Sacred Chow also supports local artists, and has a rotating series of artworks on display. If you are vegan, kosher, have a gluten allergy, or simply want to venture into the world of yoga and tofu, Sacred Chow will show you the way. Namaste.
Local food, nyc, sustainable food, vegan
Serving Up A Bit Of Yum, Plate By Plate
Evan ThomasReplyFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:05 PM
I’ve never tried a vegan tart before; they sure make it look appetizing!
FrancescaReplyFebruary 2, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Wow, Danielle, you’ve made me actually want to go out of my way to go to a vegan restaurant. What a feat! Great job!
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