Sorry, Matchbox Twenty, for butchering your song title.
Much of my most-recent vacation was spent visiting relatives in the northeast. I was lucky enough, however, to steal a few trips to the NYC. One such trip included a dinner stopover at Hangawi, a favored restaurant not only for the food, but also for the ambiance. Upon arriving at Hangawi, diners are asked to leave their shoes– and their worries– on the doorstep as they enter a peaceful, spa-like oasis, which paints a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city.
Mr. Handsome Dinner Date and I arrived at Hangawi after a grueling day of walking under the unforgiving city sun (hey, at least it didn’t rain!). Therefore, Hangawi’s calming music, dim lighting, and refreshing zen atmosphere were quite welcome. We seated ourselves on the tatami mats and prepared for what we hoped would be a delicious dining experience.
Hangawi did not disappoint.Two soothing cups of Ginger Tea accompanied us as we perused the menu. Normally the tea comes with honey, but the server graciously left it out of mine. (I’m unsure where I stand on the “veganism and honey” issue. More bugs probably die in the making of my organic kale or broccoli! So I don’t go out of my way to eat foods with honey, but I also won’t flip out if I happen to consume it accidentally.)
The tea was chock-full of real ginger strands. For his main course, Dad decided on the Tofu and Mix Vegetables with Brown Sauce and a side of multigrain rice. I’m assuming he liked it, as he polished off every last bite, save for his archnemesis zucchini (I magnanimously took those offending zucchini pieces off his hands).
I went with a specially-prepared Mushroom and Garlic Medley for my Hangawi dinner. One of my special requests? Lots of garlic! (Another request was for extra broccoli. Broccoli Girl must be satisfied!)
And then there was dessert. I’ve talked before about my distaste for sugary foods. Oreo-bottomed double- caramel chocolate-chip sprinkle cake with extra whipped cream? Not so much. However, this girl still loves a good slice of velvety, melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake. And that’s exactly the kind of cheesecake one can find at Hangawi. Please, Hangawi, open a location in Texas!
We ordered two slices of Hangawi’s vegan cheesecake to go: one for me, and one for my adventurous dad. Now, I’d planned on eating my cheesecake the next day at snacktime. But… when I came in the next morning after my run and saw Daddy Dearest devouring his cake for breakfast, there was nothing else to do but join him!
Dad: “This vegan cheesecake tastes exactly like real cheesecake!”
im not sure you should be allowed to call yourself chocolate covered katie if you dont like sweets!!
I share your feelings of being “unsure where [you] stand on the ‘veganism and honey’ issue.” I was glad/relieved to know that I’m not alone in my ambivalence about it. Personally, I still use honey–sometimes I use it without too much guilt, other times I worry that I’m being a “bad vegan” when I use it. Anyway…just wanted to say that, as always, your honesty, compassion, and level-headedness are greatly appreciated…as is your wonderful sense of humor! You rock, Katie. 😀
Katie,
I had the ginger tea too, but didn’t know it had honey. The spot we sat in was so dark it was difficult to read the menu. Other than that the food, atmosphere and waiter were fantastic. I agree that if one is eating in NYC Hangawi is a must.
Mmmmmm. Vegan cheesecake. I love vegan food… 🙂
no brown rice for you…hmm a dinner of purely vegetables is exactly what someone who exercises so much needs. why dont you try and eat some more carbohydrates so that people will stop making comments. a sugar-free diet is very healthy so i support you there but what about eating bread and rice and pasta? if you want to go carb-free that is fine too, but every cell in your body has a bilipid layer – lipid meaning fat – therefore you MUST feed your body enough fat to nourish your cells. as a vegan who cares so much for their health surely you should have done your research and discovered this. your body will shut-down if you continue the way you are going. exercise + no sugar + no fat + very low carbs. its not healthy.
Hi Leah,
Please don’t base your judgment of me on one post, especially one that was posted years ago! (Also, I can’t say I remember, but I’m sure my meal probably came with rice.) If you read all of my posts, instead of making a snap judgment, you will see I eat plenty of carbs and fats.