veganJoshua Katchernik tyler, peace food Cafe

VEGANIK: NYC's Upper West Side Just Got More Peaceful

veganJoshua Katchernik tyler, peace food Cafe

by contributor Nik Tyler .

During my latest visit to my old stomping ground, NYC, I found myself trekking in the cold through the Upper West Side, on an epic quest for something delicious to eat. Lucky for me, a rad vegan restaurant had moved into the neighborhood! PEACEFOOD CAFE, located @ 460 Amsterdam Avenue (on 82nd Street) is my new favorite Upper West Side eatery. The energy in this vegan haven is totally chill, free n' clear of the cities all-too-common chaos and disorder. The funky-chic decor is casual and eclectic; comfortable seating awaits you, as well as a warm and smiling staff that is as energetic as they are informative. In addition to this undeniable charm, the food is out-of-this-world delicious!
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I started my delectable dinner with "The Other Caesar" (I suggest adding in some avo!) which was definitely one of the best vegan caesar salads I've ever had; their secret winning dressing is the ultimate! I followed this with the "Chickpea Fries" which might possibly be the best fries I've ever had. They are light, warm and after being dunked in a creamy house dipping sauce, they effortlessly melt in your mouth. After much agonizing over the many delicious sounding entrees, I finally selected a basic four Veggie Plate & the Mediterranean Oven-Dried Seasonal Vegetable Panini. WOA! The veggie medley was delicious and it was the best vegan sandwich I've had in years, hands down. Made up of their homemade crisp n' light foccacia bread (which honestly tastes like a dessert), the sandwich is filled with alkalizing veggies (broccoli, zucchini, onions, spinach & arugula) and glazed perfectly with basil-spinach pesto and vegan cashew cheese. Mmmm Mmmm!! For dessert, I chowed the Chocolate Chip Banana Spelt Poundcake (sweetened w/ agave) which was was a moist and semi-sweet match made in heaven.
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Following this extremely satisfying meal, I had the privilege of speaking with the founder of PeaceFood, Eric Yu, who opened the restaurant on June 22nd. Eric is truly a unique man, both enlightened, passionate and personable, he runs the restaurant with the mindset of "serving the universe... understanding that everything has energy, vibrations..." and because of that mindfulness, he, along with his staff strive to "always bring good energy into the food and to work." He firmly believes "the most crucial aspect..." to running a restaurant "is the cooking, serving and a good attitude." With that in mind, PeaceFood Cafe can be experienced, by both staff and patron, as a sort of "learning school"... how to eat healthy, be happy & maintain a peaceful state of mind.
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All in all, an extraordinary dining experience! And I am sure you will agree!  So if you live in the city or plan on visiting from outta' town, I highly recommend you give PeaceFood Cafe a visit. Not only will you get a delicious meal in a beautiful and calm setting, but you'll be supporting a nutritional and ecological restaurant that most definitely lives up to it's mission statement: an innovative and exceptional vegan cafe, with cuisine that is delicious; prepared and served with mindfulness, gratitude and the intention to nurture & love!
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FYI - Here are a few other vegan or veg-friendly (macrobiotic) restaurants on the UWS that I dig as well:

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