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Candle Cafe – Delicious Vegan (Really!)

Generally, I am a hater of vegan foods and the vegan tax that comes with the price of what I think is tasteless food. Candle Cafe changes everything. This upper east side vegan restaurant is hands down, the best vegan food I’ve ever had, and also a damn good restaurant. Skeptical as I was, my first bites into the Cajun Seitan sandwich and Gao Di’s Sesame Crusted Tofu were a revelation into the possibilities of vegan food that actually tastes good.

The Sesame Crusted Tofu (pictured above) features black rice, steamed greens and sauteed gingered vegetables over a green coconut curry sauce and is served with arame coulis and kimchi. There is a lot going on in this meal, but it’s nice to know that the taste of the tofu wasn’t lost in the mix of accompanying flavors. The tofu is juicy and delicious – mmmmmmm!

The Cajun Seitan Sandwich features pan-seared seitan, steamed greens, caramelized onions and avocado served on tasted focaccia and is accompanied by ancho chili aioli and coleslaw. All I have to say is: Wow. This sandwich is unbelievably flavorful and the vegan aioli is the perfect condiment. Lather lots of this on for the perfect taste. The slaw is not particularly exciting, just seems like your average slaw, but it rounds out the meal well. The real glory here is in the sandwich, and I wholeheartedly recommend you feast on it.

Like I said, it’s hard to excite me with vegan food but Candle Cafe did a damn good job blowing me away. Amazing food, friendly service, nice environment – this is a restaurant you need to try out – not just because it’s good Vegan, but because it’s GOOD FOOD. Oh, and while you’re at it, get yourself a smoothie!

Mmmmm!

Candle Cafe is located at 1307 3rd Avenue btwn 75th and 74th sts in the Upper East Side.