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We have talked about brunch spots, date night spots and fun nights out with your friends, but what about when you want to grab something casual? Maybe it’s lunch or for dinner, something that is not expensive and you do not have to be waited on. A stop-and-go type place. As much as I love fancy restaurants, I can’t afford to wine and dine every night. Sometimes it is nice to get together with friends for a quick dinner. Yes there are plenty of chain restaurants that you can stop in, but you didn’t come all the way to NYC to eat at another Panera. Here are a few of my favorite, healthy cafe’s.
Tender Greens
Tender Greens is one of my favorite go-to restaurants to not only dine in, but order from. I always get the tuna nicoise salad; it has tomatoes, potatoes, capers, green beans, egg, olives, and baby greens on it. YUM! I order it once a week. Tender Greens get their produce from the local market, so it’s always fresh and in season. Other items on the menu include sandwiches, plates (protein + sides), and soups. I have to be honest and say that I haven’t had anything else on the menu beside the tuna nicoise salad, but I would bet money that everything is delicious.
The Little Beet
I recently started eating at The Little Beet and I am obsessed! It’s super healthy and has the most delicious food. My only complaint is that they do not deliver/are not opened on the weekends…. or at least the closest one to my apartment does not. Lame. Anyway, I have been opting to make my own plate so I can add-in all of the things that I love. The chicken and salmon are both so good as a protein option. As sides I switch it up between broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and green beans. I also get the beet hummus, avocado bean dip, or turmeric tahini sauce, all so good! I highly recommend going to The Little Beet for a healthy meal you will want to have again and again.
Bluestone Lane
I wish there was a Bluestone Lane closer to me, and by closer I mean on my street and right next door to my apartment instead of walking 8 mins to the nearest one. Everything on their menu is so good! I love to meet my friends there for brunch or for matcha. I even stop in to grab a snack and a drink to go. They have two different types of establishments: cafes and coffee shops. The cafes have more food options while the coffee shops are more of a stop and go. If I am having brunch at one of the cafes I will get the breakfast bowl; sautéed kale, cherry tomatoes, feta, avocado, red quinoa & poached egg. Or I will get the collective granola; husk bakeshop GF granola of toasted oats, coconut chips, seeds & nuts w/ greek yogurt, citrus curd & seasonal fruit. If I am at one of the coffee shops I will get one of their delicious toasts either avocado or my personal favorite, banana toast with w/ almond butter, cinnamon & honey. Bluestone Lane cafes and coffee shops are all over the city and worth going to!
By Chloe
One of my favorite “guilty” meals is By Chloe. I use air quotes (even though you can’t see me doing it) because it’s all vegan, locally sourced and healthy, so technically not guilty. But with it’s air-baked sweet potato fries and classic burger, it taste too good to be healthy. They have anywhere from burgers to salads to pastas to brunch. They also have delicious desserts too– their cookies are amazing! Not everything is gluten free but they have plenty of options for us GF freaks who just really want a sandwich once in a while. When I go to By Chloe I either get the classic burger (tempeh-lentil-chia-walnut patty, lettuce, tomato, pickles) on a GF bun with sweet potato fries. Another option I get is the greek salad. Mostly I get the burger and fries because it’s too good to pass up, especially with the beet ketchup- ugh I live for the beet ketchup! There is a sister cafe called Sweets by Chloe located on Bleecker street. The desserts are truly delicious– even my dad likes them! At first he refused to go upon hearing it was a vegan restaurant. I had to basically clunk him over the head and drag him to By Chloe, but once he tasted their cookies he was in agreement that they were fantastic.