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The now shuttered Candle 79 was one of the world’s best vegan restaurants. The menu included grilled artichoke hearts, cannoli, and seitan picatta.
New York City is one of my favorite places in the world.
Whenever I go, I’m reminded of my first trip there in high school when I had to fight myself to step back on the bus and head home. Like a kid who had fallen in love at summer camp, I wrote in my diary for weeks after that – plotting my eventual move there.
And while I still haven’t lived in New York City yet, it’s a place I’d love to live someday – even if it’s just for 3 months in the summer. I crave to have a bagel shop where I’m a regular and a nook in Central Park where I go to read.
David and I spent a little over four days in New York City last week. And I’m still recovering from fun fatigue. In comparison to our normal quiet lives, Manhattan is bustling with non-stop energy and stimulation.
Plus, since we were only there for a few days, I felt guilty anytime I sat down to catch my breath. I knew we were always missing out on something in the city that never sleeps.
We took a very early morning flight, checked in at our hotel, and then walked around Central Park.
The park itself is huge at 843 acres. Every time I enter it, there’s a new place to explore that I’ve never encountered before. We made a point of stopping by the boathouse to see people paddling on the lake.
Candle 79 is just blocks away from Central Park. It’s a restaurant I’ve wanted to visit for years. It makes every “best of” list when it comes to vegan restaurants across the globe.
Update: Unfortunately, Candle 79 closed on December 31, 2019.
David had been there in the past on business trips, but this was my first time. Whenever I travel, I try to pack in the things I want to do most early in the trip. That way I’m sure that it happens. And I enjoy them the most when I’m fresher.
Indulgent food tastes best at the beginning of a trip. And I’m a blank slate for experiences.
Unlike Dirt Candy which didn’t have availability until sometime in September or October, it wasn’t hard to get a reservation at Candle 79. (Someday I’ll get to Dirt Candy, just not on this trip.) However, every table was full the entire time we were there on a Thursday night. So I recommend making a reservation, so that you won’t have to wait or get turned away.
We ordered a bottle of Cotes du Rhone, and the server brought an amuse-bouche of watermelon squares topped with almond cheese and a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
It was the perfect way to waken the palate.
For an appetizer, we chose the grilled artichoke, which was a special that evening. It was the surprise star of the meal.
I am a longtime fan of artichokes. But this dish explored the vegetable in a totally new way. It was almost like an artichoke steak.
I expected to pull apart the leaves. But instead the artichoke heart & stems were cut in large wedges and grilled with a thick smoky flavor. They were smeared with kale pesto and served with saucy beans and roasted tomato.
I chose the summer vegetable – wild mushroom crepe for my entrée.
The light crepe was drizzled with a garlic truffle aioli and filled with sautéed zucchini, spinach, and poblano peppers.
I loved every mouthwatering bite.
David went with a dish that we’ve enjoyed in the past at Candle 79’s sister restaurant, Candle Café West.
The seitan piccata was atop fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, and oyster mushrooms in a lemon caper sauce. This dish balanced elegance with comfort food.
When I saw the dessert menu, I had no choice but to order the cannoli. I hadn’t had cannoli since before I went vegan. Even then, it was something I only had rarely.
I still remember the first time I ever had cannoli in a restaurant. I was 8 or 9 years old. And we were at a fancy Italian place in Des Moines. My uncle had ordered the cannoli, a dish I’d never heard of. He offered me a bite. Then I took another. And another. My uncle barely had a taste.
This time I had the good sense to order my own.
This cannoli was incredible. I cracked into the pastry shell to the vanilla filling that was like Boston cream.
It was dotted with chocolate chips, and topped with coconut ice cream.
David went with the peach pie to go with black coffee. It was topped with almond crumble and a dollop of ice cream with caramel sauce.
After dinner, we took a cab back to the hotel, met up with a friend, and sat on the rooftop taking in views of the city. I can see why people can’t quit New York. There’s no place like it.
To continue with our New York trip, check out the next day’s visit to Champs Diner, Dun-Well Doughnuts, and more.
Molly says
Living in Boston, I’m only a bus ride away from NYC, but don’t take advantage of it nearly as much as I should! Last fall, my dad visited me from Arizona and when we took a bus to New York, I told him we *had* to dine at Candle 79 (plus, he was picking up the tab!). I ordered the seitan picatta like David, and it was phenomenal. Next time, though, I’d like to try something new and a bit more adventurous. You’re right–New York is a city unlike any other.
Cadry says
I understand that! It’s easy when something is close to not go that often. You can always go another time, and so there isn’t the same urgency. That’s the way I am with Chicago. I went recently, but before then, I hadn’t been to Chicago in a year and a half, even though it’s only 3 1/2 hours away. That seitan picatta is so good. Did your dad enjoy the meal at Candle 79?
Linda @ Veganosity says
I’m a huge artichoke fan too. That appetizer looks incredible. And that photo of NYC at night is spectacular!
Cadry says
Thanks, Linda! I didn’t think I could love artichokes any more than I already did, but Candle 79 took me there. I’m glad to hear you like the NYC photo! I’m having it printed onto a canvas today to put up in our living room. 🙂
Nicole {VeganShowOff.com} says
Wow, that artichoke looks sooooo good! I really need to get down to NYC soon, Candle 79 looks amazing and I’ve heard nothing but good reviews about it. Need to plan a trip with a vegan friend so we can eat our way through the city. I want to try Chloe’s new restaurant and DunWell Donuts really bad too!
Cadry says
I really wanted to visit By Chloe too! It was on my list of places to go, but I simply ran out of time. I did make it to Dun-Well, though. There are so many places to visit, it’s impossible to hit them all in one trip. All the more reason to go back! 🙂
kim says
I haven’t been back for a long time! The last all vegan restaurant I’ve visited in NYC (and I’m from here!) is Blossom in West Village. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Cadry says
You’re so lucky to have Candle 79 at your fingertips! I hope you’re able to make it back sometime soon.
Veganopoulous says
I’d love to visit there, I always hear about the awesome NYC vegan food, so I know exactly which places I’ll hit one day 🙂
Cadry says
You would love it! The food in NYC is so good that when you have something that’s just “okay” when you’re there, it feels like some kind of strange letdown. Anywhere else, you’d be happy, but fantastic is the norm there. It’s also a place where you know you won’t be able to hit it all in one trip. I still have plans for new places I want to try the next time I’m there.
Susan says
I’ve never been to New York. It was on my original ‘must go to’ list, however since I have fallen head over heels in love with Seattle it has been moved onto my ‘if I am in that area of the US and have time’ list, because I must always fit in a trip to Seattle if I am over there. One day I will go to New York!
Cadry says
I hope you’re able to squeeze New York into one of your trips. It’s unlike any other city I’ve visited.
Caitlin says
Yum, I love Candle 79!! 🙂 I’ve never gotten to Dirt Candy either…would be interested to hear about it you manage it at some point!
Cadry says
Dirt Candy is definitely on my list for someday!
Becky Striepe says
Man. Part of me wants to make it up to NY just so I can eat at this place. The food looks amazing!
Cadry says
It was pretty incredible. I don’t think I’ll be able to go to New York again without eating at Candle 79.
Chris James says
Hi Cadry,
Thank you so much for recommending Candle 79. We visited a couple of weeks ago, and have to say it was outstanding. I had to have the seitan piccata, on the grounds everyone else does, and frankly it more then lived up to expectation. My wife, who isn’t vegan, had the seitan Mediterranean special, and absolutely loved it. I’m not into desserts, but my wife had the chocolate caramel bliss (or something like that), and I swear she was purring after eating it!! We live near London, and have some outstanding places to dine, but none that come near to the experience we had at Candle 79. Again, thank you!
Best regards,
Chris
Cadry says
Oh, I’m so glad to hear that you and your wife enjoyed your visit to Candle 79. It is truly exceptional, and I’m happy your experience matched that. I can’t imagine a trip to NYC without having a meal there! I envy your proximity to London. That’s a wonderful city for vegan food too.
All the best,
Cadry