Tonight I met up with Gabriela for dinner at Candle Cafe in the Upper East Side. She introduced me to Candle 79 for the first time back in September, and I’ve been looking forward to trying its sister restaurant ever since.
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(photos a la Gabs)
We started with the Mezze Plate - hummus, quinoa tabouli, lemon-date chutney, marinated olives, parata bread and zaatar (<— whatever that is…? ha.)
It was pretty good! We weren’t huge fans of the tabouli, but the chutney was delicious enough to make up for it.
For my entree, I went with the Tuscan Lasagna – grilled zucchini, peppers and onions, tofu basil ricotta, tapioca cheese, and seitan ragout topped with tomato sauce and served atop sautéed greens.
To die. Probably some of the best lasagna I’ve had, in fact. I was just a tad wary because I had only tried seitan once before, but it really did taste just like meat! While I can’t say I’d give up real meat (for multiple reasons), I was definitely impressed.
Gabriela went with the Good Food plate, where you can choose four different sides. I love the idea of getting a “sampler,” so I might go with this option next time.
After dinner we made a quick stop at a nearby Crumb’s so I could take advantage of the gift card Gabs had gotten me for my birthday.
I grabbed a Caramel Apple cupcake to make my train ride home a little less dreadful to go.
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Not a bad way to start the week, if I do say so.
Now I have a few dozen hours of sleep to catch up on, so I had better get started. Goodnight!
xoxo G
Crumbs.. been dying to try one of their cupcakes but I just haven’t gotten to one of their shops yet! Caramel Apple looks great!
I eyed your cupcake on Gabriela’s post and I have been craving it ever since. Hope it was good
I think I love vegan lasagna more than the real thing. The flavors are so fresh and delicious!
That cupcake is seriously amazing looking. I am definitely envious that I’ve never been to crumbs.
I like vegetable lasagna more than meat lasagna..and this post has inspired me to try vegan
I’m visiting Crumbs when I visit NYC on the next nice Saturday! How close is your new place to 5th ave etc?
mmmm ive been dying to try candle cafe! everything you girls got looks so good =)
Ooh, we got some Crumbs cupcakes today for my mom’s birthday! I went with the Peanut Butter Cup, but it was hard to decide. My brother got the sampler pack…for himself.
That cupcake looks so good. I bet it could make anything better
I love candle cafe -so yummy!
you girls are so cute! I say the cupcake was a GREAT choice! I saw the cotton candy one that Gabriela took a pic of, it looked so good! I know where she will be going after lent is over, right to crumbs to enjoy a cupcake!
I still maintain that your hair looks absolutely awesome in that pic. Love it. Can’t wait for our next date- I’ll probably be stalking Zagat soon
You two look so purdy! 😀 And the food looks great too, especially that cupcake!
it’s final. Im inviting myself to your dinner date next time. I’ve been meaning to come into the city to meat up with gabriela. Will you come??
You’re dinner looks tasty!
zaatar is a spice!
Your dinner looks absolutely delicious. I want that!
That Mezza Plate looks great. It’s got a little of everything.
What a fabulous blogger meet up. Everything looks delicious. You and Gabriela look fantastic 😀
Shannon @ My Place In The Race says
So drooling over the eats…yum!