NYC travel highlights: Vegan dining at Peacefood Cafe, a walk around Little Italy, and a respectful visit to the 9/11 Memorial and One World Trade Center.
After a Statue of Liberty visit, Dun-Well Doughnuts in Brooklyn, a walk around Central Park, and shopping in Greenwich Village, we capped off our NYC travels downtown.
Peacefood Café
The downtown location of Peacefood Café is in the same neighborhood as Strand Book Store and Forbidden Planet.
The clean and brightly lit space was decorated beautifully. And the dessert case beckoned.
(Heads up: Peacefood Cafe has a second location in Uptown.)
I ordered a dish that must have been a special, because it's not listed on their online menu.
It was a parsnip puree with fried chickpeas, oyster mushrooms, and sautéed kale. It was topped with crisp slices of lotus root.
NYC travel had put David in a pizza state of mind.
He ordered the roasted potatoes pizza, which was topped with mushrooms, oil cured black olives, pesto, and then a healthy helping of arugula.
Eataly
Eataly, the large Italian shopping/food court, wasn't far away from there. So I walked over afterwards to peruse the pastas, sauces, and cookware for sale. There were also several eateries inside selling pizzas, coffee, wine, and more.
Since I'd just eaten, I didn't have any food, but it would be fun to do on a future visit.
Little Italy
On our last full day of NYC travel, my friend, Katrina, joined us. We walked around Little Italy and stopped at the Christmas in New York shop for sorbet. (All of the fruit flavors were dairy-free.)
I like to buy Christmas ornaments on my travels. It's one of my favorite souvenirs, because then once a year I get to take my ornaments out of their boxes, enjoy them again, and remember the trip where I purchased them.
David and I started the tradition on our honeymoon. We've been collecting ornaments on our trips ever since.
Adrienne’s Pizzabar
We went for pizza in the Financial District at a restaurant called Adrienne's Pizzabar. It's not a vegan restaurant. But their pizza sauce and crust is vegan if ordered without cheese.
There was an outdoor eating area that reminded me of restaurant alleyways in Italy. Very quaint. However, on this hot day, we decided to eat inside.
We ordered one of the large rectangular pizzas that was more than enough for three. We picked our own toppings and chose mushrooms, basil, garlic, and kalamata olives.
The pizza was absolutely fabulous and popping with flavor.
9/11 Memorial & One World Trade Center
Finally, we went to the 9/11 Memorial nearby.
The water from the memorial blocked out the sound from the city. It is a huge open square that flows into another square. The concept of emptiness flowing into emptiness is a powerful one. The names of the victims were written all around the sides.
There was a guard walking around the outside of the memorial. She reminded anyone with drinks not to put cups on the memorial. I appreciated that she was there to maintain respect for the space.
There was one woman who was doing a rubbing of a name, and the guard asked if she knew that person. The woman said, "This is my daughter," and the guard reached out and hugged her.
The last time I had been to New York wasn't too long after 9/11 happened. So to be back and see the memorial and the new Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center) was powerful - both remembering and moving forward to create something new.
glutenfreehappytummy
yay! you hit some of my favorite NYC spots!! I’ve always wanted to see Fuerza Bruta! glad you had a good time
Cadry
Fuerza Bruta was amazing! I hope you get a chance to see one of their shows someday!
Bianca
I’ve never been to NYC! I must get there one day. Man, that parsnip puree looks crazy awesome and supe-fancy!!
Cadry
I know you will just love NYC once you get there. It’s really a city that has everything. Especially in comparison to my current small-town life, it was a sea of stimulus.
Caitlin
that special you ordered is out of control amazing looking.
Cadry
Isn’t it beautiful? I was so excited when it showed up in front of me on the table. I love the layering effect and especially the lotus root on top. Very dramatic.
Veganopoulous
I’m on the other side of the world and know about Cinnamon Snail 😛 Glad there was a vegan pizza from a non-vegan pizza place that tasted great, down here they mostly seem to be blergh and bland unless you go to a vegan pizza place! What a touching story about the guard at the memorial.
Cadry
That’s awesome that you’re on the other side of the world but know about Cinnamon Snail. That’s such a classic vegan thing (especially vegan blogger thing) to be aware of vegan restaurants and dishes in places you haven’t been! 🙂
Caitlin
Whoa, that show sounds crazy but really cool! I am jealous you tried Cinnamon Snail, I really want to go there!
Cadry
The show was just amazing, and even better, I had zero expectations going in. David’s coworker/friend had described it a little to us, but that’s it. Otherwise, everything was a complete surprise.
I’d heard so much about Cinnamon Snail, it was one of my few “musts” on the trip. I’m glad I was able to get there!
panda cookie
Oh man. I’ve never been to any of the restaurants you talk about in this post. So much has changed since I lived there! One day I’ll get to the Cinnamon Snail. Glad y’all had so much fun!
Cadry
Yes, it was such a great time! I can’t wait to go back to NYC again. Hopefully it won’t be over a decade like it was between my last two trips!
beachmama
I’ve not been to NYC so I’ve not see the 911 memorial. Your description of the sight is appreciated but your description of the woman doing a ‘rubbing’ and the guard says it all . . .“This is my daughter,” and the guard reached out and hugged her.”
Cadry
The moment gave me chills. The guard’s presence as both respectful and compassionate was touching.