Oh, and thanks, y’all, for not picking #5 
The Candle Cafe was the first-ever vegetarian restaurant I visited in NYC (eight years ago, with my mom and little cousin, Abby). On that precedential visit, I was impressed by the elegantly-presented (yet down-home tasty) meals, the charming atmosphere, and the friendly service. (How could I not have been wowed by the service when the cute waiter insisted we try dessert—a piece of chocolate mousse pie and a slice of cheesecake—free of charge?!)
For the same reasons I was initially drawn to the Candle’s flame, it is still a favorite, eight years later. Call me a moth, but I believe that no trip to NYC is complete without a stop at the Candle.
(I’ve reviewed Candle Cafe once before: Candle Cafe, Mi Amor.)
My most favoritest (Not a word? I don’t care!) menu item at Candle is their Miso Ginger Stir Fry. One complaint with this dish: the tofu tastes a bit flavorless, so I sub it out for tender, juicy seitan. On this past trip (early in the summer), quinoa also stood in for the brown rice.
My mom loved the Indian Plate.
Summary:
The Candle Cafe is not only a fabulous restaurant for vegetarians, it is also a safe choice in terms of locations to take a picky omnivore (safer than this place, anyway!). And if you’re lucky, you might just leave with some free dessert 
.
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, what a tease! And I’m not talking about the giveaway. The food at Candle Café looks divine! I guess I’ll have to go to New York now, huh?
On another note, I hope the giveaway will be open to Canadians! Yum. If not, how can I find out if they sell those bars in Chicago? (I’m going there in a few weeks and am making a list of American things to buy whilst there.)
All of those veggies look divine — I could go swimming in a sea of vegetables!
Oh you tease you!
mmmmm looksdeliciouS! if i’m in the area i will look for candle cafe for sure
I would love to go to Candle some day, but I don’t visit NYC very often- esp. now that my grandparents moved away!! Everything looks delicious though!! I might have to get the Indian Plate as well, but your stir fry sounds fav. and I’ve been waiting to give seitan another go too!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Excited for the giveaway!!!
happy Monday love pie!
oh wow, that indian plate looks awesome! i was at the Candle Cafe not too long ago, and i was not impressed at all. my dish was super bland and boring. but i just might give the restaurant another shot to try what your mom ordered, it looks delicious!
If I ever make it to NYC, I’m totally gonna eat there. It’s so on my list of places I most wanna eat! That money shot is makin’ me so hungry and I just ate a big ole bowl of oats less than two hours ago (banana brulee oats, I might add…very tasty…I’m gonna blog about them tonight).
I haven’t been there yet, but it’s on my list! Food looks yummy
i love that photo that is all B&W except the ultra colorful food. artsy and amazing!
There are so many restaurants to try in NYC! Gosh, everything looks amazingly delicious
Ooh, the giveaway sounds awesome!
oh candle, how i love thee
I heart Candle Cafe. Once when I was there the owners sat next to me! I was too shy to talk to them though.
If I ever go to NYC, candle cafe is on my ‘to visit’ list!
I got your no post in google reader so here i am! haha you cant get rid of me yet!
omg seriously…? my fave bar ever?
-muffy
such a tease
that stir fry sounds (and looks!) so good!
ps … this post was in google reader after all. crazy lady!
<3
Both posts landed in reader for me 20 mins ago…
REMIND me when I am in NY what to order at Candle. Though the wraps they do look incredible. Why do I not live in NYC?
love that food and also love the photography it really makes the colored food POP out!
enjoy your day!
Candle looks just wonderful ~ I’d love to find a vegan restaurant that would be capable of ‘converting’ my family.
Ooh, I see what you mean about the next giveaway being fantastic!
<3
gorgeous lunch my dear~ and ooh, do i see wild bars in someone’s future?? i’ve never seen them in a store!
I’ve never been to NYC but that restaurant is making me wanna go (you know not any of the cool attractions or anything
) ooo never had a wildbar – for sure entering!
Love the photos- love the rainbow of colors on that plate! My friend always tells her daughter to eat something from the whole rainbow in order to be healthy!
And Indian- my absolute fave cuisine ever.
Mmmm. I’m salivating. I’ve never had seitan! It looks so juicy and delicious.
Katie, I think it might be your Google Reader that is the problemo – not sure – but I saw your post on Google Reader this morning, so it is feeding.
Sigh. I have never been to any of the fabulous NYC raw/vegan restaurants. I just went to a local Phoenix cafe that’s vegetarian and most things can be made vegan or raw….but. But. It was like a cheesy cafe, it wasn’t posh or slick. Not to sound snobby, but I want that really slick, upscale vibe that Candle or Pure seem to have. Next time you’re goin’, LMK. I may hop on a plane and meet you for din-din
Thanks for your kind words today….OMG you are the best, a true friend.
With love xoxox,
averie
p.s. GoogleReader took TWO HOURS for my post to show up. And yesterday it took over an hour. I was seriously gettin’ worried that the cyber gods were frowning on me, considering everything else that had been goin’ down round here. You’re not alone. Mine have been so slow. I actually re-submitted the post after about 90 mins and then 30 mins later it finally showed up. Not sure if that helped or what, but yeah….slow.
Could it be Wildbars?!?!?! I. Would. Die.
woah baby that meal looks out of this world good
Love the nyc has some of the best eateries 
My mom and I are planning a trip to NYC this winter and Candle Cafe is at the top of my to-do list! Any restaurant that insists on ordering dessert must be great.
Can’t wait to hear more about this giveaway!
This post is a total tease – beautiful food I can’t eat and a secret giveaway that I can only guess!
On a tech-y note, both posts showed up in my google reader today and I subscribe to the new address.
There are only like one or two vegetarian places in my town, and they are both burger or taco places, how sad is that? i’ve never even tried seitan in my life!! how does it taste like? if you had to compare it to something what would it be?
YAY for giveaways–you’re too kind
Mmm, yummy restaurant!
<3 jess
xoxo
That stir fry is so colorful! And I like the building up of suspense to the give away!
oh my gosh! Amazing! i must go to the Candle Cafe!! <3 I seriously wish I could be a veggie restraunt-world travler.. wouldnt that be rad!??
That food looks delicious! I wish I’d known about Candle last time I visited NYC. It’s now on my list!
Must win Wild Bars. Must have them back in my life!
That picture of your miso ginger stir-fry is beautiful. Can I please be your dinner date for your next trip to Candle Cafe? Perhaps Jay could join us??????
It showed up in my Google Reader. . . not sure why it missed yours! I’ve always wanted to try Candle Cafe. I’ve got the cookbook–must start there.
I was gonna go there when I was in NY, but I thought it was too fancy for me to go dining alone. I thought I’d much rather enjoy it with someone else
My mom would’ve been a perfect date! Both of those dishes look sooo appetizing oh my gosh.
Ooo what goodies do you have in store for us next??
I would love to visit the Candle Cafe someday–I have their cookbook, and everything in it is so delicious and creative!
I’m excited for the next giveaway too!
I LOVE Candle Cafe! My favorite is their Cajun Seitan sandwich! It’s to die for.
I wanna go there now!:)
I am anxious to find out about the next giveaway!!
I love it. One of my favorites.
Madeleine Bistro in LA is the other!
I’ve never been to Candle Cafe, but the food looks delicious. I would love to go someday!
I wish they would bring back the brownie sundae
But I guess Spiral can fill that void for me
Intense chocolate mint – oh boy!
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