The New York City Vegetarian & Vegan Meetup

Join us at Le Botaniste's Bryant Park location, vegan, gluten free, organic restaurant. Perfect for the near-end of summer! Le Pain Quotidien founder and Chief Creative Officer, Alain Coumont opened the first botanical-based, apothecary-inspired NYC in Feb 1, 2016, on Lexington and 63rd. Now he's opened another by Bryant Park!

LePainQuotidien.com: "[Le Botaniste] is the counterpart to the Belgium-based restaurant of the same name and intends to further organic, plant-based eating in New York City. ... The restaurant is designed to evoke the feeling of a classic apothecary ... mindful eating."

From WellandGood.com: "Healthy, Organic, and Affordable: LE BOTANISTE Ticks Off All The Boxes ... How often do you hear about a great food spot that’s health-conscious, organic, and affordable—oh, and serves wine? ... Le Botaniste is the sort of vegan, gluten-free, and organic restaurant that has an impressive wine list—sulfite-free, pesticide-free, and biodynamically grown—and takes dessert seriously..."

Time Out New York says: “Bread-loving Belgian megachain Le Pain Quotidien is behind this apothecary-inspired wine bar, a sister to the Ghent, Belgium original... lab coat-clad bar staff pour unfiltered, biodynamic wines curated by Le Pain Quotidien founder Alain Coumont ... The food menu is similarly organic and boasts no animal products. Instead expect chefly 'prescriptions' such as the Tibetan Mama (brown rice, steamed greens and spicy kimchi in a peanut-curry sauce) and Dirty Noodle Soup (tofu, steamed leeks, garlic).”

New York Times: "Le Botaniste Alain Coumont ... has turned what was once one of his New York locations into a vegetarian wine bar ... The décor suggests an old-fashioned pharmacy, and the bowls, containing a starch, sauce or side item and a topping, all organic, are called prescriptions. What’s not eaten is recycled or composted."

For those of you who have never attended one of our Meetup events: this is an incredibly friendly & welcoming group. It will be easy to find our group: we are taking over the majority of the restaurant. Also, everyone pays for their own meal. Easy!

Where to Meet: Please meet us in the back room. Ask the staff if needed.

Train Directions: The closest trains are the (B), (D), (F), & (M) to 42 St-Bryant Pk, (N), (Q), (R), (W) & (S) to Times Square-42 St, and (7) to 5 Av. Please note any MTA reroutes on the day of event.

Eddie

Join us for a beautiful summer evening in Hoboken, mostly by the Hudson River. But first we'll get a delicious and inexpensive dinner at world-famous Mamoun's Falafel.

Mamoun's Falafel is outstandingly good and nicely inexpensive. Longtime New Yorkers can tell you about the continual line streaming out the front door, at any time of day or night, at their original location on Macdougal Street in Greenwich Village. Founded in 1971 and featured in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, it is New York's original falafel restaurant.

Mamoun's has expanded with locations throughout the Tri-State Area. They seem to particularly focus on college towns and scenic towns, with locations (among many other places) in Hoboken, New Brunswick, New Haven and Princeton. As good as the New York locations are, the non-New York locations are even better. Why? Larger menus (with more menu items) and more-and-better seating space.

One item I particularly love is their "Pickles" (pickles, pickled turnips and olives). It's my favorite pickled dish anywhere in the world, and it's a perfect accompaniment.

Of course, what made Mamoun's a New York legend was their falafel sandwiches. These are served to eager Macdougal Street patrons (who make a line out the door day and night). Mamoun's of course has the Middle Eastern standards: hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouli, plus lentil soup (so delicious!) and grape leaves (my favorite grape leaves) -- all perfectly made and all inexpensive! Their side order of hummus, served with pita bread, is just about a meal in itself.

I love tamarind drinks - tamarind seed, sugar and water. They can be hard to find, but I have tasted several. Mamoun's is the best I've tasted. Also on the drinks menu: mint lemonade, mango juice, and Mamoun's spiced tea (hot or cold).

Vegan & Vegetarian Warning: Mamoun's serves meat. But they seem to be excellent at keeping and cooking their meat dishes separately. Check their menu for the many items marked vegan, and ask the counter person if you have a question about the vegan-ness of any dish. Generally speaking, all the dishes that seem like they should be vegan are vegan.

While this Hoboken location has sit-down tables, there is no waiter service. You order your food at the back of the restaurant, and then bring it yourself to your own table.

Hoboken is known and loved for its outstanding views of the Hudson River and New York City. Walking along the Hudson in Hoboken is a summertime pleasure not-to-be-missed. Stop Two on our itinerary is Pier C Park (directly on the Hudson).

Pier C Park is a magnificent structure and an architectural wonder. It literally juts out into the Hudson River, with beautiful walkways and greenery, and gives the most breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. Take in the views as you stand on a beautiful walkway, with the water of the Hudson River underneath your feet.

Train Directions from Manhattan: Take the PATH train to Hoboken. From the Hoboken PATH train station, walk to the corner of Washington St. & 3rd Street. Mamoun's is on the corner.

Where to Meet: You will see us sitting at either the outside tables in front of Mamoun's, or inside at the booths.

Join us for a delicious vegan dinner at Mamoun's, followed by a stroll on the Hudson River featuring the magnificent Pier C Park -- an architectural marvel with breathtaking Hudson River and Manhattan skyline views. And see what can only be seen from Hoboken at night!

David