Dirt Candy was one of the best vegan/vegetarian meals I've had from coast to coast. They offered a $95 pre-fixed menu of 5 course (which really were 7 courses since they brought out a couple of dishes that weren't on the menu) - this was a great deal since it also included gratuity. Loved how different kitchen staff members (I'm just guessing here) would come out and explain each dish to us as it were presented. A nice, and cozy space located in the East Village that we would definitely revisit if ever in NYC again. All the dishes were great but my favorite was the crispy butternut squash and gravy - really reminded me of fried chicken and gravy! read more

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WOW!! What a delightful experience we had at Dirt Candy this evening. We had the pleasure of enjoying one of the last days of their summer menu--every bite we had was delicious and interesting. Seriously this is one of the most creative tasting menus we have had in a very long time. The service was excellent and the cocktails so yummy as well. My only suggestion would be to increase the number of wines by the glass as what is on the menu is quite limited. Still a wonderful evening and very highly recommended for a unique and delicious dining adventure! read more

The mocktail my boyfriend ordered tasted like a bell pepper in water. That was it. That's all the flavors/notes/essences we could make out. It claimed to be spicy. It was not. The first course, a "beet eclair," was, in essence, a tiny stale hot dog bun filled with magenta cream cheese and served with a side of "beet tea" that tasted like bouillon and gasoline. At this point, we were both confused - We're from Indiana; maybe we're just not being open-minded enough! - but still optimistic. The "onion pizza" was ... passable. It was pizza. It had onion on it. The crust was a bit dry. It wasn't altogether outstanding, but after the bewildering beet/bun experience, it gave us some hope. The rutabaga gnocchi would have offered more redemption, as the broth was tasty in a Thai-ish way, but we only received a portion that totaled maybe two ounces at best. My boyfriend compared the texture of the gnocchi to "hot, soft Skittles." In addition to the scheduled courses, the servers kept randomly presenting us with "gifts from the kitchen," which felt and tasted like a lie to cover up the fact they were giving us unused garnishes and sauces created in error. One of the slivers of charred celery root or whatever was woven onto a knitting needle. It was, at the same time, flavorless and threatening. The Kentucky fried squash was probably the best part about this disorienting meal. It was breaded well and had a decent texture and flavor. The biscuit they served with it was slightly dry, but by this point, we were starving and willing to eat anything that wasn't immediately offensive. There will be no significant complaints about the dessert, which was supposed to be some bougie take on Wendy's frosty and fries. The potatoes had sort of a floppiness about them, but the "ice cream" was rich and delicious. As I said, it's entirely possible that we are uncultured bumpkins and we don't have any business critiquing a place like this, but we've both been to a lot of upscale places and this was the only one where we expected Ashton Kutcher to pop out of the kitchen and tell us we'd been Punk'd. read more

Dirt Candy - The final "course" - a kale gummy that tasted like a cube-shaped representation of what's inside your clogged-up garbage disposal. - Vegetarian Near Me - New York, New York

Absolutely one of the top places for me. The inventiveness of the dishes, its order and the wine pairings are masterfully planned. I was surprised on multiple occasions with what they did with some ingredients as I've never even thought that to be possible. It felt like reading a good book or discovering your new favorite artist..the rollercoaster and then ultimate satisfaction. The wine choices were extraordinary and I had saved a few names since I liked them so much. They were also curated by a theme. Worth the price 100%. Also women owned! Love to support that! read more

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One of the best meals I've had in awhile! It's so hard to find a good vegetarian restaurant, and this is definitely one I will revisit. I did the tasting which was about 5 courses. I was actually full after, which is rare for a tasting! I would definitely book in advance since this place seems to be always busy read more

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A must visit in NYC - it's incredible, it's artistic and the food is the most unique dining experience. I am not vegetarian so you definitely don't need to be. The chef is committed to integrating food without affecting nature. They pay their staff well and offer benefits and don't accept tips. A fantastic dining experience! read more

Read about this place e for years so while I was up in the city I took my brother, sister and our spouses for dinner. The imagination and creativity in the elements of the singular dishes was extraordinary. Each of us were surprised at the complexity and unusual combinations. It was a true dining experience and worthy of a 5 star rating. We were all filled to capacity and could not eat another thing. Service was exceptional and each server was well educated on each dish. They told the ingredients and how was prepared which added to the experience . read more

As a lifelong vegetarian this is one of the best tasting menus I've ever had! Such rich, savory, flavors that really highlighted the vegetables of the season. The wine pairing was all natural wines that are female owned which was so fun to learn about. Highly recommend for vegetarians and carnivores alike. The staff was also so sweet, attentive, and kind. Pacing of courses was perfect not too long or quick. An incredible experience overall! read more

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If you are vegan and want something unusual, maybe, but there were a lot of mediocre moments in our visit that leave me lacking enthusiasm for a full on recommend The food was ok not great. The final dessert dish was innovative and delicious and the right size. Brussels sprouts cream-- unusual and tasty other dishes included a good but basic mushroom dish in broth, underwhelming "bonus" pizza, carpaccio of beets that was so small as to disappear, sun chokes which were fine but the sauce they were on was better than the main event. Service was uneven. First server said ok for me two have 3 dishes vegan and the others as planned / not vegan. Like many with. Dairy sensitivity there are some dairy foods I can eat and others not. Despite the assurance, all my dishes were served vegan. Same server tried to remove the printed menu. I did we'd like to keep it. Good thing because only 1 of our 3 servers explained the food when delivered The server who removed our plates each course asked the person seated farthest away to pass her plate to the server -- ok if this is. Family style informal place, but not cool if your vibe is supposed to be special experience. Bathroom score A- nice birds chirping on the speaker. Clean. Non- gendered signage and single use rooms. read more

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We went here for our anniversary and honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience. It truly was an "experience." The tasting menu is sincerely an art. We opted to do the wine pairing as well, and honestly Jackie was one of the highlights of our evening. I loved the way she is able to speak to wine! The dessert wine was just so delicious. Our favorite from the menu was the caviar and potato pie. We are both vegetarian, so when we go to a restaurant that is aaaaall foods we can eat, it is especially a thrilling adventure. It was a great place to kick off a night out. We ended up going to bar after and this was a nice lead in, since we weren't overly so full (the plates are quite small), but had a nice base and of course had a gorgeous meal to talk about. Great place for date night! And there was a bachelorette party next to us, which also seems like a perfect idea. read more

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Heard great things about Dirt Candy and finally was able to try this vegetarian spot. No indoor dining at the moment and only outdoor dining set up. I do highly recommend getting the pre-fix menu which is $55. The regular menu doesn't have much options. I thought the prefix was good but not overly amazing. I definitely tried way better vegetarian/vegan spot. Premix Menu: - 1st course: Mezze charred spring onion masabacha, creamy amba, black tahini babaganoush, herbed falafel, pickles, pita - 2nd course: Cucumber Avocado Salad cucumber yogurt, pearl onion, mint and lime dressing - 3rd course: Zaatar Crusted Cauliflower Schnitzel with green zhoug and creamy garlic sauce - 4th course: Tomatoes, Harrissa And Couscous roasted cherry tomatoes, harissa broth and preserved lemons - Dessert: Qatayef with pistachios, fennel read more

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This place will definitely make you rethink vegetarian fine dining. The dishes are well curated and wonderfully tasty. I brought my family here to celebrate a birthday and it was a great experience overall, the only exception was that we had to wait over 25 minutes to be seated. We had reservations. My favorite was a potato and 'caviar' dish and the dessert. read more

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After a long period of not being able to get a reservation, we were able to enjoy another outstanding meal from Dirt Candy. I can honestly say that every single bite and every single sip was simply amazing. read more

We were so excited to try this place but it missed the mark on so many levels. To begin, I have to say that the wine was great and we really enjoyed our server. Unfortunately, that's where our excitement ends. The food felt dated. The decor felt dated. The music was on bad speakers and felt dated. The tables felt sticky and like they belong in a pub, rather than a coursed fine dining restaurant. I also think the host was a manager or something. She was way too involved in random things throughout the restaurant and as a result we stood at the front stand for 5 whole minutes before anyone even said hello. They had an amazing opportunity to highlight the amazing flavors of vegetables, but instead it felt like they were trying too hard to be unique. There were even some dishes that were honestly gross. The bell pepper snow cone on top of blueberry sorbet was inedible. The empanada had decent flavors, but was mushy like a microwaveable dish. I'm honestly astounded that this place is as popular as it is. read more

One of the most joyful meals I had this year- a luxurious experience for a pretty reasonable tasting menu price. The food is inventive but, most importantly, delicious. The service is pleasant and attentive, and the restaurant itself feels moody and intimate. The wine pairing was a very nice addition, and I look forward to coming back! read more

Fun experience overall. Food presentation was on point. Staff were friendly and knowledgable. Food lacked acidity and flavors needed oomph and more balance. Dessert was not desserting. It was interesting to try but it was not a good end to the meal. Ambiance was good, sat by the window. read more

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One Michelin Star restaurant with a unique approach to vegetarian cuisine. Dirt Candy is 100% vegetarian, but does not define themselves as such. Chef Amanda Cohen aims to showcase how fun and flavorful vegetables can be, regardless of your dietary preferences. The summer tasting menu ($95/person) included about 8 courses, with an optional wine pairing ($55/person), which consisted of selections from woman owned wineries. I came here with a group of 8. The staff were wonderful at confirming how many vegans were in the group, and making accommodations as needed. Service in general was polished. Perfectly paced, thorough descriptions of each dish and wine. I loved the wine pairing, and felt it was a great value. The food was hit and miss. Almost everything was good, but only a couple dishes were great. The amuse bouche, seaweed caviar atop bright green blinis, was nice visually, but had little flavor. The Tomato trio (gazpacho, fried, and in the form of a mealy muffin), was underwhelming. The Zucchini (squash blossoms, thai chilis, torn zucchini and mint salad) was the worst dish, with an overall slimy mouthfeel, and tasting of chlorine and anise. Stand out dishes were the Eggplant (eggplant caramelle, jben, harissa, pickled fairytale eggplants and pistachios), and the adorable mini chopped cheese sandwich. I also enjoyed the roasted baby Corn tamale, though the flavors were very one note. The unique Tomatillo dessert with watermelon jam, black sesame, and salted dulce de leche ice cream was a memorable finish. Despite critiques, I highly respect what Dirt Candy is doing, and am interested to come back in the future. read more

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Delicious and our server was so attentive. We had a great corner table and the restaurant was bustling on a Friday night. The tasting menu was strong overall with the onion dish being a star among veggies. Came with two friends for our birthday celebration and the restaurant made us feel special. read more

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Recently returned with a vegetarian friend and had another great dining experience with thoughtful derive and interesting flavors. A must-try! read more

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Super impressed in every way. The variety of flavors is amazing and the service is top notch. Cocktails were spot on as well. And when they say no tipping they mean it. There's no 20% surcharge on the bill and no line on a credit card receipt for a tip. They run cards and give them right back at the end of the meal. No signature required. read more

If you are vegan or vegetarian and even if you are not, I can't recommend this place enough. Every course was a feast for the eyes and the palate. The service was impeccable and though the place got crowded as we sat, it never got so noisy that we had to raises our voices to hear each other. The menu said five course but we got two additional "gift" courses and then an exquisite dessert. Highly recommend. read more

Everything about this meal was delightful -- the food, the service. I thought every course was exceptional. Our favorite might've been one of the extra dishes -- the parsnip chorizo with queso. The vegetables were all showcased brilliantly and each dish was incredibly flavorful, even surprising. The Brussels sprouts gremolata! The chicory panna cotta! There were some bites that were quite memorable that weren't the star vegetable too: The seaweed caviar! The pecorino ice cream! We will absolutely be back to experience the seasonal changes in the menu. read more

We loved Dirt Candy. The menu is so creative and the staff are so caring. They fine tuned a bunch of dishes to meet our dietary preferences. We had a discussion as to whether James Bond used gin or vodka in his martini and they checked a reference book and it looks like he used both - at the same time! And there's a wonderful addition at the end which was our fav, but I won't ruin the surprise! read more

This place has been on my list forever and I can finally say it's worth the hype after checking it out last week. They only serve prep-fixe menu with 5 courses (add'l 2 complimentary) for $95. Mushroom mousse crêpe cake was the most impressive one. I could barely taste the mushroom (which is a good news for me) but the flavored mousse in a soft texture. Kale pasta was amazing too. The "sausage" made of tofu was so delicious that I can't tell that was a vegan dish. Dessert was another highlight. Mustard sorbet was a bit spicy but was well offset by the sweetness of caramel apple and pudding. read more

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My partner and I went to Dirt Candy for the first time for their six course Valentine's Day dinner last night. I really wanted to enjoy my dinner. While not currently a vegetarian, I did have multiple periods of vegetarianism in the past and I generally have a lot of respect for people who choose a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Further, I like the fact that Dirt Candy prides itself on paying respectable, living wages for staff and on not allowing customers to tip. Perhaps my positive attitude and initial excitement made my disappointment greater. While the service was friendly, we found the food to be quite lacking. Most dishes tasted fine, but did not feel special nor like they justified the price ($145 per person, plus tax, not including drinks). The dessert, consisting of eggplant and chocolate with yuzu granita, even though it was visually appealing, was practically inedible. Parts of it were extremely bland (including the chocolate, somehow!), and the flavorful elements did not at all go together. I left my dessert dish almost untouched, and even though the waiter noted this out loud when they took our plates off the table, they did not ask what is wrong nor whether anything could be done to amend the situation. To top it all of, both my partner and I woke up this morning feeling quite queasy and with some indigestion. The meal at Dirt Candy was the only food we shared yesterday, and so we are suspicious that it might have been the cause for our discomfort this morning. As you can tell, we unfortunately will not be coming back. read more

Dirt Candy - The dessert. Pretty but not at all tasty - Vegetarian Near Me - New York, New York

First, none of our group was vegan or vegetarian and WE LOVED DIRT CANDY. The prix fixe allowed us to sample everything. If anything, with the five courses and two chefs surprises o was over full. The Corn, Tomato and Carrot were standouts. The staff is all great and really excited about their dishes Also special shout and thanks for moving us when our original table ended up under the air con. Definitely worth a seasonal trip to experience the magic these folks do with plants. read more

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My favorite restaurant, and has been in the ~13 years we have been going there. We've been for dinners, brunches when they used to do brunch, their Canada Day celebrations, etc. and used to order their finish-at-home meals for delivery during COVID for special occasions. Love that they are tip free and take care of their hard-working staff. The only downside, which really isn't a downside, is that with the tasting menu, it's almost always too much food for us to finish but we stuff ourselves as much as we can on their rotating seasonal menus. read more

Certain words or phrases instantly elicit visceral reactions, emotional responses, vivid imagery. "Snot," for example, makes you go "eww" and think of colds, sickness, and filmy residue that gets caught up in the tightest crevices up your nose. "Dirt" is similar: I think insects, bugs, smelly fertilizer, and dog poop. It's a bold choice, then, for a restaurant to use the word "Dirt" in its name, but that's what's DIRT Candy does, juxtaposing it to another word ("Candy") that conjures up the opposite feelings. Dialectics, amirite?!?!!? Dirt Candy is a remarkably generative phrase. Even before you enter the restaurant, you'll ask yourself how can something as disgusting as dirt can be a kind of a metaphoric candy. Then you learn it's a vegetarian restaurant, and your curiosity deepens, given how most of us eat vegetables not out of joy but duty, obligation, and fear of what happens if we don't get enough of them. I wondered even more because my last visit to a vegetarian restaurant was the now defunct Pure Food & Wine, a disgusting establishment that -- behind all the virtue -- was poorly run and committing wage theft. Don't believe me? Watch me #citesources, fool!: https://gothamist.com/food/stiffed-pure-food-and-wine-workers-struggle-to-reopen-restaurant-after-owner-goes-awol Everything at Pure Food & Wine tasted like cardboard and wood, and I'd sworn off vegetarian stuff since. But Dirt Candy has me enthusiastic about what one can do with vegetables in the right hands. Every dish was extraordinary, but the stand out for me was the ravioli and this flaky wafer thing. I also want to applaud owner/chef Amanda Cohen for advocating fair labor conditions in the restaurant industry. Everybody makes $25/hour at least, and tips are included in the wage, which means sticker price is what you actually pay and servers don't have to worry about making only a couple bucks per table because they end up with a shameless cheap-o. It's not a criticism, but if you have a heavier appetite like me and my friend, you might want to get a "slice" (pizza, not a synonym for drugs) before or afterwards. "I'll be back." -- Arnold in Terminator 2 (T2). read more

I finally made it to this hyped up all vegetarian restaurant. This hyped up vegetarian spot in the Lower East Side is owned by a Leah Cohen and is also a no-tipping restaurant. This means that the tip is already I incorporated in the price of the meal. It is a great spot for a date night, solo dining or just to witness or observe the amazing gastronomy journey the staff operate from prep to presentation. The main dining room only serves tasting menu and the tiny bar area serves limited a la carte dishes and alcohol. Given the prices of the a la carte dishes, the 5 course tasting menu ($65 includes tip but not tax). It's difficult to get a reservation here. I was extremely to get an early reservation so I took full advantage. Upon arrival, I was seated on the facing the open ended kitchen which is perfect view of all the staff working hard and diligently yet streamlining the process to produce each dish to perfection. Food and service was amazing. The server(s) were accommodating and knowledgeable. All of the servers were very happy and relaxed working, personally I think it's because they are well taken care of meaning they're salaried. To start, I ordered the Carrot and ginger mocktail ($9) which was fresh and refreshing yet pricey. Unsure if I am will splurge like that again. The staff provided a complimentary piece of bread with garlic infused oil and the vegetarian imitation caviar which was very clever and cooling. Then unto the 5 course tasting menu: Korean Fried Broccoli- amazing Portobello Mousse - beautifully presented, interesting flavors, it was least favorite out of the dishes. Carrot sliders - another clever presentation, deceivingly filling and tasty to the point where I can't believe that this was a vegetarian slider. At this point, I was starting to get full. Now the DIY Brussel Sprouts Taco The amount of lettuce provide was not a lot but it was definitely enough. Everything served and presented were amazing overall. Finally the dessert - chocolate mushroom infused with mushroom essence was the icing on the cake. This dessert was to die for. This was a healthy and filling journey for a vegetarian restaurant. I had so much fun observing everyone's diligent work ethic. Praying that this pandemic will be over so I can venture out there again and order more desserts and try other a la carte items. read more

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What fun. Well worth a visit. Would love to return and sit at the tasting bar to watch the chefs. The most interesting and innovative approach to vegetables that I've ever seen or tasted. Each course was a tasty blast. No reason to call out the specific dishes, as they will have changed, but I will comment that the between official courses little dishes are some of the best. Loved a pea and crispy ring of potato as an amuse bouche. Perhaps my favorite little dish was the Nashville fried chicken beet. Adorable, crunchy, delicious heat, I wish we could have taken a box of them home with us. Vegetable forward cocktails are also great; did a Japanese whisky one that was fabulous. Service impeccable, and very much a team approach. Love what Dirt Candy is doing, from the theme, to the execution, to their treatment of the staff and of the offerings. I will say that we didn't leave stuffed. We didn't need to stop for a burger after or anything, but the overall meal is a bit on the lighter side. Wonderful. read more

You know it's good when halfway through the meal you turn to your boyfriend and ask how this is just the first time you're coming here. The answer is that I heard "vegetarian tasting menu" and "natural wine made by women" and was skeptical Dirt Candy would surpass its gimmicks, but I'm happy to say it did that and then some. The way they transform vegetables here is truly unique. It's not necessarily about vegetable replacements for meat (though we had seaweed caviar and squash "riblets") but more towards what vegetables can accomplish. Beyond that, though, it's just impressively executed, creative New American cooking, with good thought and balance put into every dish. The rundown of their winter menu: - Seaweed caviar and potato pie: This was actually so luxurious, the creme fraiche perfectly complemented the briny richness of the seaweed caviar. The shell was made of tater tots which I thought was fun. - Kale noodle: One extremely long and wide noodle in a fragrant green broth and the most delicate greens. The cilantro and cumin coupled with a touch of chili oil, gave me flashbacks to Xi'an Famous Foods' spicy and sour sauce, but this was earthier and more balanced. - Mushroom bouche de noel: Probably my favorite. A savory mushroom cake smeared with a mushroom mousse topped with mini mushrooms, finished with a light shaving of black truffles. This was giving me foie gras vibes, especially in combination with the cherry and pear, but had a really delightful essence of mushroom. - Delicata squash riblets: Squash three ways-- pureed, made into noodles, and deep fried into half-moons. Really filling and the five-spice barbecue sauce was delicious. - Black garlic toffee pudding with fennel: Devoured this instantly. A unique combination but not too pretentious, just satisfying. There were also a couple of light bites gifted from the kitchen; the "cacio e pepe" with fried bell pepper cheerios was a standout. We did one wine pairing ($50) which was advertised as 5 half-glasses, but each pour ended up being more like a generous full glass. I'm not always a natural wine fan but they knocked it out of the park. All thoughtfully presented with a story but more importantly, all delicious and paired well with the food. The red they served with the mushroom mousse was a highlight, drawing out a tart, juicy cherry note from each. They also have a cocktail list with vegetable-forward drinks ($17). My boyfriend had one made with beet, Ancho Reyes chili liqueur, and mezcal, and it was lovely. I thought too spicy at first but the heat of the Ancho Reyes ends up seamlessly transitioning into the smoke of the mezcal. Again, very generous pour, at least a double. For $90 prix fixe (tip included, not tax), you get an absurd amount of food. We had to take most of a course to go and were still bursting. I imagine the winter menu's a bit heartier than the usual. Service was good and dishes were explained well. I especially thought the wine service was great. The timing of dishes was like a well-oiled machine; we had our first amuse 15 minutes in after we had gotten settled, and the whole course ran about an hour thirty. There is also a vegan menu; some dietary restrictions can be accommodated. There were no nuts used at all in the regular menu. Would book at least a couple weeks out, but had no problem getting a peak time reservation on a Friday. I would recommend chef's counter over a table; the dining room was packed and fairly loud so this gave us a bit more space and quiet. If like me you'd heard about this and dismissed it-- here's your cue to give it a shot. I'll definitely be back when they change over the menu next season. read more

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This hard to get a reservation restaurant even during Covid made me understand why it's hard to get a seat. The quality was top notch and I'd recommend if your able to get a seat get one. read more

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Took my friend here to celebrate her birthday and we had an extremely satisfying meal. We opted for the 5-course tasting menu. I was expecting us to receive our own individual dishes like all my other tasting menu experiences, but this one was designed to share. Nevertheless, we left feeling very full. Our waitress also did a great job explaining each dish to us. My favorite was the mushroom pâté. As a lover of mushrooms and foie gras terrine, I would live on this dish should I ever become a vegetarian. The carrot burgers were small but mighty... and talk about perfect buns! The cauliflower confetti cake at the end blew me away. Wow. If I weren't told that the desserts were made entirely of vegetables, I would've never guessed. Overall, I was very satisfied with the quality and taste of the food, and really appreciated the creativity that went into designing each course. My friend and I both agreed to stipulate to Dirt Candy's statement that "vegetables are just candy from the dirt." read more

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I'm not really sure where to start here. I've never been to a Michelin star restaurant so I was quite excited to be able to go to one that I could afford. Im not a vegetarian, but am rather adventurous in what I eat so I didn't mind the menu. Im not sure, but I think the spring menu fell short. I love the wine pairing and the idea behind the dishes, but I did not love the dishes. Our first was probably one of our favorites. It was a cucumber cannoli chef surprise (so not on the menu). It was very flavorful and the textures were perfect. The first course was a carrot puff pastry and crème. I loved the puff pastry. That was my favorite part of the dish, but the cream was so overpowering and very salty. Next was a mushroom mouse. I don't typically love mushrooms, but I was willing to try. I loved the little mushroom shaped breads and they paired wonderfully with the mousse. It had good flavor and texture. After that was a pea ravioli. I enjoyed the pea flavor, but the inside filling was again salty and overpowering. We had a beet noodle surprise thrown into our pairing, which was another favorite of mine. I love beets and these golden beets were cooked perfectly. The Broccolini was next and very much a no for me. Two bites in I bit some sort of spicy pepper and it instantly ruined the dish for me. Last was a green bean sort of sorbet, which had a great flavor. I enjoyed that very much and this dish finally gave us a little bit of fruit flavoring as well. Outside of the food, we were early to our reservation, but sat quickly. The server providing the wine pairing did a wonderful job delivering the story behind each wine. The server delivering each dish was very quiet when he spoke so it was a bit hard to understand him. It wasn't too terribly loud, so he definitely needed to be more confident in his delivery. Each course invited new tableware that was provided quickly. Overall I'm glad we did this so my friend could experience, but I could have lived without. read more

Dirt Candy - Esmerelda - Vegetarian Near Me - New York, New York

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I've been remiss in not updating this review sooner. Everything about Dirt Candy is excellent. --Food: extremely creative, every round builds upon the last nicely, and matches the season well. You leave quite full with this delicious, inventive tasting menu! Love that they change the menu seasonally(ish), always with new delights and no repeats. --Service: Couldn't be better, from start to finish. They match your pace readiness for each course, bring out extras (drinks, food), and are extremely thorough and friendly. --Ambiance: Nice but by no means pretentious. Buzzy but not too loud. So we'd gone to Dirt Candy a few times over the years prior to the pandemic. After coming back into the city in July 2020, we saw that Dirt Candy was doing a daily selection of lunch sandwiches. We started going weekly. They were all very reasonably priced, and there was a new sandwich rotated through, along with some of the old favorites about every month. These sandwiches were exceptionally creative too. We became friendly with some of the staff during this time. This restaurant pays staff fair wages, so they ask that you not tip, and they've had the same staff year over year. They have treated us extremely well every time we come now (even squeezing us in when they're very busy), and this has only added to our love of this great spot! read more

This restaurant is fantastic. I can't believe anyone would rate this place anything less than five stars. I have traveled all over the world and have yet to find a vegan/vegetarian restaurant I have enjoyed more than this place. My wife and I chose to sit at the counter top, overlooking the kitchen. It was enjoyable watching the chefs meticulously prepare each dish. Every course brought to us was thoroughly explained by staff. Every course tasted better than the previous course. The interior also had low lighting, which set off a romantic vibe. I highly recommend bringing your spouse to this place. read more

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Dirt Candy exceeded all of my expectations. I was in awe at every dish. I'm not even a vegetarian or vegan. Dirt Candy constantly reminds you of their excellent service. I got a personal phone call and was asked about our food allergies and food preferences. After all of that was discussed, they said they would follow up again in a week to confirm the reservation. And in case you were wondering, Dirt Candy does not claim to be a health restaurant. They have a playful menu and just do not serve meat. We went with the vegan menu and were blown away. It was not short on flavor and it didn't even taste vegan. I wouldn't have known that there were no egg or dairy ingredients if you didn't tell me. We had eggless brownies, dairy free creams, dairy free cheeses, etc! The food was not short on flavor or texture. The menu changes seasonally, they have beautiful dishes and utensils, a simple nice decor, yummy food, and great service. Dirt Candy is worth it! read more

My daughter set this reservation a month ago. She is a vegetarian and is always looking to be able to enjoy food out. She rarely can. Most places say vegetarian friendly it means a salad or dry pasta. When she found Dirt Candy she had to go. Even though I am not a struck vegetarian I love the food. It was 100 % the moment we walked in. The space was bright and beautiful and CLEAN. the kitchen right there in the room with you. Thought not noisy at all. It was a 5 course meal with 2 gifts from the chefs. Wait staff the best I have ever meet. We will come back it was worth the wait. We had a chocolate ice cream with a potato brownie and sliced this French fries. No pictures we couldn't wait to take a photo. We will see you soon read more

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It had been years since I last visited Dirt Candy. Returning last night for bday dinner and it was AMAZING, from food to wine pairing to service. It was the first day of their first offering of winter tasting menu. Food were ranged from ok - the amuse bouche, to great - most menu items. My favorite of the night was the ultra rich, decadent mushroom mousse with mushroom cake, truffle and pears. It taste almost identical to chicken liver pate yet it was 100% #vegan sans the guilt and calories :) Equally delightful was the garlicky hand-pulled-noodles consist of mostly kale wow! The texture was perfect. Al dente! I would like to have a full bowl of it please! And there's the sweet potato mini pie top with seaweed caviar. Savory, decadent - truly creative cooking. I would highly recommend you do the wine-pairing unless you are expert of pairing for veggies, which I am not and find it 50/50 chance I was wrong. Featuring mostly women winemakers . My favorite was , surprisingly, the sparkling rosé from Alsace and the dessert twine from Yalumba AU which has a luxurious honey hazelnut note and super smooth texture. If you are in NYC, go now! read more

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Reasons I love this place: 1) Amanda Cohen is my homegirl from T.O. And I spent a fab time gabbing with her during our final course and sharing pandemic-era travel tips for how she can visit home with minimal hassle. Amanda is boss. 2) The vegan dinner prix fixe is worth every penny, particularly if you luck out with the first course of "caviar" (made from kelp). It's like something out of a dream....seafood taste without the seafood guilt. 3) The sheer creativity of vegetable, herb and spice use without resorting to gimmicky "Asian influences" or molecular/foam/gel crap that so permeates fine dining these days. read more