Zen Palate
(Vegetarian, Asian)
www.zenpalate.com ( see also www.goborestaurant.com )
663 Ninth Ave (at 46 th St, in the Theatre District, Midtown Manhattan)
New York City New York 10036
+1-212-582-1669
Reviews:
happycow.net, timeout.com, gayot.com ⇐ © It may be vegetarian food, but don't let that put you off. This is creative, inspired fare, served in a sleek, serene gourmet shop and restaurant. Begin with starters such as spinach won ton soup, taro spring rolls or steamed vegetable dumplings. Entrées have such exotic names as Confetti-Land (grilled wild mushrooms with new potatoes with mixed peppers, caramelized onions and fresh basil leaves) and Jewel of Happiness (mini-mushroom steaks atop a bed of mashed sweet yams with Szechuan garlic sauce). The noodle and rice dishes are standouts---be sure to try the stir-fried whole-wheat noodles with soy and vegetables or the Hong Kong-style stir-fried rice fettuccine. In terms of desserts, the non-dairy banana pie tastes surprisingly rich.
nymag.com ⇐ © Zen Palate is for when you’re feeling virtuous: The vegetarian fare is tasty and relentlessly healthy. There’s no bar—just tea, juices and soymilk for kicks. The scene tends to be young and student-heavy, especially since the bounty here comes cheap. Much of the menu has familiar Asian staples such as noodle soup, spring rolls and steamed vegetables; some corners are hardcore veggie, or just plain strange (moo-shu Mexican style?). Whether you go out on a limb or not, it’s a reliable bet for simply prepared, tasty food. — Christina Nunez
