Buddha Bodai @ New York City

I love dim sums. Chinese equivalent of tapas, these are something I wish vegetarians could dig into and enjoy as much as the meat eaters. But alas, finding veggie dim sums is such a challenge. Or, so I thought until I visited NYC. In NYC's Chinatown one can find quite a few veggie dumplings and dim sums places. The challenge here is in picking the right place especially when you don't have the time to try them all. We picked Buddha Bodai based on the yelp reviews. And I must say I am so glad we did!

Located in Chinatown, this restaurant is usually bustling with vegetarians and vegans, majority of the crowd being Asians. It was a pleasant surprise to see so many Asian vegetarians / vegans! The décor is very plain. Nothing noteworthy. Lots of tables and Asian waiters and waitresses. Big families out on a Saturday morning for a brunch of dim sums and dumplings! Pssst...no high chairs. Be prepared to have your little one on your lap all the while you eat! Or take a stroller, like I did.

The waitress gave us a big sheet of paper that listed all the dim sums and we were supposed to check the ones we wanted and hand it back to her. So many options but not so big a tummy. Everything looked exotic. The decision was made and the sheet was handed over. She brought over some tea. And then the tiny plates catwalked to our table one after the other.

The first to arrive was the Sweet Malay Roll. I wish I could describe this accurately. Okay, I shall try. It was more like a sweet bread lathered with jam and rolled. It was not too sweet, yet very delicious.

Sweet Malay Roll @ Buddha Bodai

Pan fried turnip cake - Well, the name says it all. It came with some soy sauce and a hot sauce. Delicious!

Pan fried turnip cake @ Buddha Bodai

Fried Taro custard - Oh my! The outer taro shell was so so so crisp. It was a tad greasy and the custard inside was not too sweet. On the whole, this was fantastic!

Fried Taro Custard @ Buddha Bodai

Durian pastry - We saw this Asian family at the table next to us dig into these and we had to have some. We asked them what it was and called for it right away! The pastry was filled with the Durian fruit. Sweet and yummy!!

Durian Pastry @ Buddha Bodai

Pan fried dumpling - Again, the name says it all. Came with a soy sauce dip.

Pan fried dumplings @ Budhha Bodai

Bean curd roll with veg Chicken - This was the least favorite of them all as it was a little too meaty for my taste.

Fried eggplant stuffed with veg meat - The eggplant was nice and succulent. The veg meat was not too meaty. A tad greasy but definitely delicious!

With our tummies pleading us to stop hammering them with more food, we had to refrain from ordering more. The dim sums were fantastic. The service was good. The menu is so huge that one has to visit multiple times to try them all. Prices were so reasonable. And it is all vegetarian / vegan. I would definitely go back the next time I am in NYC!!

Vatan Indian Cuisine @ New York City

After scouting the list of Indian restaurants in NYC, Vatan was chosen for their huge Gujarati thalis. And the fact that it is all vegetarian! Where we live, Gujarati food is rare. So naturally, we had to eat here. Vatan serves a three-course pre-fixe menu with two seating (at 6:15 pm and 8:00 pm) every day. Priced at $29.95, it is an unlimited meal and one has to go with a big, roaring appetite to taste and indulge in all the delicacies. Weekends require advance reservations. They are usually full. Well, someone or the other is celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, what?

Pssst......The guy at the front desk can be pretty annoying with his instructions and lectures on where to keep your stuff and where to sit, just lend a deaf ear. I have heard that if you are late, he gives  nasty lectures until he seats you. So do yourself a favor and be on time. Bah!

Once inside Vatan, you will find yourself in a little village in Western India, complete with thatched roof and faux banyan trees. The tables are set apart (yet they don't have a high chair for kids) and one has to take off their shoes before sitting on the concrete slab that acts as a chair. The lighting is dim and the waitresses are dressed in traditional Indian outfits.

As I sat cross legged on the monstrous slab, the waitress sauntered over with the menu and some colorful crispies to nibble on. The menu is mainly for information on what will be served and for ordering beverages. Your meal is pre-set.

Colorful  crispies @ Vatan

The first course - the Appetizer Platter - made its way in a huge steel plate. The chutneys and condiments came in another big platter.

Appetizer Platter @ Vatan

Clockwise from the top left hand corner - Ragada Pattice - fried potato cutlet in a dried yellow pea soup -was a small portion but very flavorful and just the way it has to be. Mini samosas - triangular savory pastry filled with potatoes and peas was meh. Muthiya - steamed flour with spinach - was yum yum yummo! I asked for three helpings of just this. Each extra helping was brought over in a teeny tiny plate, you see. Channa - garbanzo beans with onions and coriander - my least favorite. Not sure why this was even included in the Thali. Khaman - steamed gram flour cake - was nice and soft and spongy. Batata vada - fried potato balls in a chickpea flour batter -was awesome. So was the mirchi bajji - fried hot peppers with garam masala. The sev puri chaat was great too.

Other than the Samosas and the Channa, everything was delicious. I like the fact that it is unlimited. That way even if you don't like something you can eat more of what you like!
The Chutneys - the date chutney, green chutney, roasted garlic, pickled carrots and green chilli pickle. All very good indeed.

The second course then made its way.

Fresh, hot fluffy Puris - puffed whole wheat bread. Starting clockwise from the left -
Dal - boiled lentils cooked with indian spices.
Kheer - Rice pudding with saffron and dry fruits.
Chole - Chickpeas cooked in tamarind and garam masala.
Ful-gobi - Cauliflower and green peas sautéed in a savory sauce.
Batakanu sak - Potatoes cooked in a mild red gravy.
Bhaji - Sautéed spinach and corn.
Papadam - thin lentil wafers.

Aam ras (mango pulp) is listed in the menu as "available upon request". God knows why. The weird thing is that the waitress neither mentioned it nor asked if we would like some aam ras. We glanced at it on the menu by chance and when we asked her she said it was upon request as if we had to file some application for it. Bring it over, we said. It was sweet and refreshing. Very delicious. Who doesn't like mangoes? Be sure to ask for it. Puri is eaten with Aam ras in the western parts of India. It sure is a treat! And yes, it is part of the meal and you don't have to pay extra.

The entrée complements came in another big platter

Kadhi - Soup with yogurt and chickpea flour in authentic spices
Khichdi - Lentils mixed with rice and assorted vegetables
Pulao - Boiled rice with peas.

The pulao was nothing fancy, but the kadhi and khichdi were awesome! My one year old loved the khichdi.

The grand finale to the dinner was Ice cream - homemade indian ice cream. We got the mango ice cream. Not sure, it could be seasonal. Masala chai - Indian tea cooked with cardamom, ginger and milk.

So, yes, most of the items were delicious. They may serve the extra helpings in extra small sizes, but don't let that stop you from asking for more! Food is great and unlimited. So eat and be merry!

Tortilla Republic @ Poipu

Beach music, airy outdoor seating, earthy décor, friendly service and great happy hour sets this restaurant apart. Located in the Kukui ula shopping mall, this restaurant serves Mexican food with an Island twist and makes the best drinks in Kauai.

Comfy cane chairs awaited us as the waitress showed us to our table. Talk about beach décor. Fans, woody interiors, lots of sunshine, cool breeze.....I could go on and on. The happy hour menu lists lots of veggie appetizers priced at $5. And the cool cocktails are $5 too. On an Island that is heavily priced this is a steal. For the décor, awesome food and lip smacking drinks I would go here again and again.

I ordered a Hydration Margarita for me

and a Tortilla Tai for A.

Both were delicious. The best we had had in Kauai.

We started with the Jalapeno Croquetas Charred Jalapenos folded with potatoes and goat cheese, fried, cilantro crème .

Delicious! Crispy on the outside, soft, gooey medley of potato and goat cheese topped with a dollop of cilantro crème, this was finger licking good!
Huarache Thin Flatbread with Oyster Mushrooms, Roasted Shallots, Baby Arugula, Jack and Manchego Cheeses.

As good as a flatbread can get. The toppings were a good mix of greens and cheese. It was quite filling and totally worth the five bucks!

Patatas Bravas Pimenton Dusted Fried Potatoes, Fresh Aioli, Rioja Sauce, Chives

A must-eat for us at any Mediterranean restaurant, this was fantastic and a big plate! Rioja sauce was a nice Spanish touch. The waitress was very friendly and attentive. If you are looking for a classy happy hour with delicious drinks and scrumptious food in a lovely, casual, beach atmosphere with great service while not ripping your pocket, this is the place to go to!

Puka Dog and Papalani Gelato @ Poipu

I had to try this hot dog joint. Just because Bourdain had been there. With a beach umbrella and surf boards for décor, this little joint makes Hawaiian style hot dogs. Including the veggie dog.

 The concept is very straight forward. Select the dog, the level of spiciness and the relish.

We got the hot - hot veggie dog with the mango relish. The veggie sausage was much thinner and not as long as the meat sausage. So it felt like there was more of bread than the filling. They should start using the Tofurky sausage instead of the morning star links.

The only attractive part is the Island flavors. Otherwise, not so great for vegetarians. Of course, if they use Tofurky this place would be my instant favorite!

Papalani Gelato
Right next door is Papalani Gelato. Hotdog and gelato would make a perfect meal. This little place is always over crowded. And as a result, the people at the counter are always edgy. Ask for a sample and she makes a face. Ask for a spoon and she sighs. Horrible service.

We walked away. not very happy,  with a scoop each of  mango, coconut and chocolate. Not again.

Kukui's Grill @ Lihue

This little restaurant located in Marriot Beach Club in Lihue, is open for breakfast, happy hour and dinner. Right by the pool and a stone's throw from the beach, it is a wonderful location, perfect for lazy morning breakfasts and peppy cocktails in the evening. Since we stayed at the Beach Club, we got the opportunity to stop by this open bar and grill multiple times. In one of the happy hours, I tried the Lava Flow

While A got a chilled Beer

The drinks were excellent. We asked for Nachos sans meat and they obliged to make a veggie version with broccoli, beans, spring onions, Jalapenos, cheese, onions, guacamole, olives, tomatoes and some salsa on the side! It was interesting and nevertheless delicious!

Day 2

On the second visit we went when the happy hour was about to end and we were surprised with a basket of bread and butter.

We got a Mai Tai each

and some Fries to nibble on.

The drinks were excellent. And so were the Fries. One can't go wrong with Fries, eh?

Both times the service was great. The waiter was very friendly. People of Kauai are in general very warm.  Our hotel gave us some credit to use at Kukui's. We tried their breakfast on the last day. They have a breakfast buffet and an a la carte menu. We were in a hurry and opted for the three egg omelets filled with veggies and there was hash browns on the side. Very yummy.

Overall, Kukui's is a great place for breakfast. Not to forget the pool side happy hour!

Chinese Mirch @ New York City

After hunting for Indo-Chinese restaurants in NYC, we landed at Chinese Mirch. I love Indian food. Have been eating it all my life. I love Chinese food. I love the Indian - Chinese fusion as much as I love Chocolates. But do I love Chinese Mirch? No, not so much.

Like most Chinese restaurants in India, the decor was a mix of red and black with dimly lit interiors. It was the only restaurant in NYC where we could get a high chair for our little one! The service was quick and the waiters/waitresses were very friendly. They have two floors. The first floor was more informal. Okay, now, the food. We got a free Yelp check-in offer - Szechuan Bhel - the most popular Indian street food tossed in Chinese Szechuan sauce. Slightly sweet and tangy, it was an Indian Chinese version of Bhel Puri.

Schezuan Bhel

The waiter brought over the soy, samabl olek and the pickled chilis. We started with Crispy Okra - fried okra pods with smoky chilli seasoning. Came served like French fries, in a funnel shaped container. Crispy and crunchy, it lacked salt. But when had with the dip, it tasted a lot better. It was a little greasy. Did I mention it is fried?

Next came the Momos - Tibetan dumplings with vegetable filling. It comes steamed or fried. We asked for the steamed version. It was bland like it is supposed to be. When dipped in the soy sauce it tasted like, well, Momos. Good stuff!

We then got the Chilli Paneer dry - pressed indian cheese in a hot soy chili sauce, served dry or gravy and Chilli Garlic noodles. We really looked forward to the Chilli Paneer, the classic Indo-Chinese dish, but that turned out to be meh. Ginger, garlic, chilli, where art thou?  Disappointed.

The Chilli Garlic noodles was nice and spicy.

The portions were big. But, that's about it. I would try the other Indo-Chinese restaurants before coming back here. Just because they screwed up my Paneer.

Mermaid's Cafe @ Kapaa

It's official. This hole in the wall is a Wrap heaven. Or a Sandwich heaven. Oh alright, it is heaven indeed! I love these teeny tiny shacks that make humble efforts to serve up vegetarian/vegan foods.

Mermaid's Café

You order at the window, sit at a table (if you are lucky to get one) on the roadside, pay by cash only, pick up your food from the window and dig through it. You are free to BYOB. They even have high chairs for kids. Service can be a little casual and laid back, but hey, you are in Kauai! Just chill.

This is the kitchen where the wraps and sandwiches materialize.

The menu is on the wall.

We got the Tofu Satay Wrap - Tofu wrapped in tortilla with rice, peanut satay sauce, ginger soy sauce, and a light crunchy salad of mungbean sprouts, green onion and cilantro with a fresh squeeze of lime.

Tofu Satay Wrap @ Mermaid's Café

Mmmmmmmmmm yum.yum.yum! I probably had an O face while eating. You know, like on Food Network when someone tastes the food and go "Ooooooooh yeah! This is soooooo good!", it looks like they are faking it, but now I know. It was foodgasm. I could taste all the ingredients distinctly.

Then came the Focaccia Sandwich - Avocado served on a freshly baked focaccia with pesto aioli, tomato, cucumber, organic greens and red onions.
Very fresh and packed with flavors! The combination of the various ingredients and the sauces is like a match made in heaven. Couldn't go wrong! Must.Try.

Focaccia Sandwich @ Mermaid's Café