Pure Wine and Food vs Quintessence?

[emarti03]

I'm going to be in NYC and only have the time to go to one Raw food restaurant. Out of Pure Wine and Food, Quintessence, or another restaurant that I'm not aware of, which one should I go to?

[PixieLed]

I've been to Pure Food & Wine, Quinetessence, Caravan of Dreams, Bonobo's and I must say: Pure food & Wine! But keep in mind - it is a step up on price as compared to other raw food restaurants. I would say it's worth it though!

If you're into ice cream, try getting a pint from their take out place, just around the corner from pure food & wine: Pure Juice & Take away. I absolutely love the restaurant and the food there!

If price is too much, then I suggest Caravan of Dreams as my next best bet. It's got more of a hippie feel, but it's quite fun - live musicians, etc. Good food too. I love their salads and deserts!

And best of all - enjoy yourself and take the time to relax a bit. :)

[Sunshine9]

You really can't go wrong. Quintessence is more affordable, so you can try more on their menu. The pizza is phen-om-en-al. Skip their desserts though.

Pure is amazing, wonderful, just like their recipe book. If you can afford it definitely give them a try. their desserts are heaven

ah i'm jealous, i love them both :)

[barose]

What is the average cost of a meal at Pure Food and Wine? Just wondering...;)

[PixieLed]

The first time I went there, I spent $180 for a 3 course meal and a bottle of organic wine, for my boyfriend and I. We were celebrating, so we indulged. ;)

If you go to the take out place, the dishes are cheaper but not all the courses are offered. You can see the menu here:
http://www.purefoodandwine.com/

Aww, now you're making me miss NYC. ;)

[barose]

I wish I was raw when I went back in October. :o I cant wait to go back (probably late summer).

[Dylan]

Yeah I must must agree with everything said so far.

Pure F&W (Irving & 17th) is a definite SPLURGE, but it's the best RAW restaurant in the city right now. period. end of story.

Quintessence (10th & A) is first of all is TINY. The food is decent, sometimes VERY overly spicy. Most of it is things that I would make at home, and do usually. To be honest, I've used nori so many times to make things more exciting, that I don't even want it ever when I go out. They're really into hand rolls over there. idk, it's good, not amazing. Burritos are a safe bet, though i don't like the wild rice.

CARAVAN!!! (6th bet 1st & A) Is so great, and you can bring a non-raw person there and they will find something to eat. I absolutely love this place, and it's very cool atmosphere, often with live music at night! Although it does feature cooked, it's all vegan and organic (i think) there IS a CLEAR 'live' selection.


bonobos (23rd & madison) : very LOW KEY. Pretty much nutmeat salads and coconut chai. You order at the counter, and they serve it up in wooden plates or bowls on a plastic tray, and you seat yourself. Heavy lighting. excellent fresh food, I go here when I just want my food, and am on my way uptown to grand central.

jubbs longevity: (12th bet A & B) NO place to sit except during lectures...but HOOOBOY they can SERVE IT UP! and they are VERY intense with their ingredient choices. (NO bananas or dates or carrots at all) their soups are divine (oily, but amazing) cilantro-jalapeno soup a good bet, try a burger, or their parfait is creamy and delicious, love love that. On tuesday's and thursdays at 7-9pm you can hear David Jubb himself (one of the gurus) give a lecture on various topics. And you never quite know what he's going to talk about until he just does it. interesting person to hear speak, plus they give you FREE TASTES of brazil milk (which they make VERY VERY well) and other things depending on what he whimsically decides we should have lol

SO there you have a little window into new york raw

[Naiad]

Quintessence is much smaller than PF&W and has a cafe type feel. The prices aren't cheap, but, reasonable. I personally love everything about Quintessence. The food is excellent, the music and ambience rocks and they have the BEST Mate Lattes :cool: There is also the kickass Live Live shop next door with the aaaaaaamzing Bee Yummy skin creme :p

Pure Food and Wine is an experience. It's the pinnacle of raw cuisine. It's eye popping level of expensive, but, it truly is blissful. If you decide to go to Pure Food, I say go in expecting to blow a ton of cash and order with gusto.

I agree with the above poster, stop by One Lucky Duck and take a pint of icecream (or 5! :eek: ) to go. Their chocolate pudding is insanely wonderful as well... though, they've been putting too much squishy mint inside of it lately :(

Edited to add:

Caravan of Dreams. Two bad experiences with this place. I found the food kind of expensive for how bland it was. I'd definately choose Quintessence or PF&W over this place. I hope to go back one day and have a decent experience :P

[Naiad]

The first time I went there, I spent $180 for a 3 course meal and a bottle of organic wine, for my boyfriend and I. We were celebrating, so we indulged. ;)

If you go to the take out place, the dishes are cheaper but not all the courses are offered. You can see the menu here:
http://www.purefoodandwine.com/

Aww, now you're making me miss NYC. ;)

Hmm, Pixie just reminded me... ordering wine/saketinis is a really good idea when you go. The food takes a pretty long time to come out, between the prep work and ubiquitous crowds. When I've gone and had drinks, everyone was relaxed and enjoyed the time to chat. I've noticed when we didn't get drinks, people were constantly checking their watches and looking around to see who was getting served their meals... just a heads up ;)

[emarti03]

Thanks for all the feedback! I've decided to go to Pure Food & Wine first. I promise I'll take pictures. If I have time, I'll try out one (or more of the other options). If I'm going to be in NYC, I have to splurge and be decedant. When else am I going to have that oppurtunity? Right?

[Vegan Princess]

Yippee I have a business trip planned there in 2 weeks. My boss mentioned a meeting there and I jumped all over it. :D I plan on hitting both of them. And stocking up on snack stuff to bring home.

Cindy

[Vegan Princess]

Ok, I just returned from NYC and ate at Pure Food and Wine, Bonobos and Quintessence. I was hoping to love Pure Food, but for the price ($170 with tip for 3 glassed of wine 2 apetizers, 2 entrees and 1 dessert) I really was not that impressed. I did love the cauliflower samosa apetizer though. I really enjoyed my brunch at Quintessence and left there stuffed for $24. I can appreciate that they are 2 different concepts...and I was most looking forward to the upscale concept. I did love the atmosphere. It was so nice to eat raw vegan food in a nice, trendy place. But I didn't find my entree that impressive and the ice cream came out more like the consistency of marshmallow. I've definately had better for much cheaper. Bonobos was just very simple and relaxed. If you love young coconut, it's a must. The coconut water did wonders to energize me after walking 70+ blocks in the heat.

Cindy

[xinmywayx]

I used to live on the east coast and on a visit to NYC I went to Quintessence with my late husband. I enjoyed the food ALOT even though it was still kind pricey for 2 young people with crappy jobs and a 6 month old baby =) I remember it inspired my husband to continue being raw at that time because life was becoming hectic and what not. I loved the soup I had and also the dessert. i might go back when I go "home" to the east coast to visit! I'd like to try Pure though too....maybe when I'm rich! Then again i don't drink so maybe I can cut the cost =)

[Vegan Princess]

I was looking at my receipt earlier. My entree was a nut based pate with mushrooms and asparagus pieces served in (nonedible) parchment paper with some figs and leafs around it. It cost $29. Kinda crazy! I guess that's New York City though.

[jerseygirl1969]

I just went to Pure Food and Wine last week. It was to die for! I had the butterhead lettuce with raspberry vinagrette and aged nut cheese for an appetizer, the lasagna for the main course, and the tiramasu for desert. My friend had the truffle appetizer, and the chocolate lava cake for desert. This food is like no food I have ever had before. Be sure to visit the takeout after wards, just around the corner. Pick up a "eat raw live long" t-shirt. Enjoy the city.

[Ingenue]

I flipping adore these eateries. Pure blew my universe apart when I first moved here. I loved the cookbook, so one of the first stops I made in the city was to Pure Juice and Takeaway. I had the veggie lasagna, raw sushi, malaomar (the most amazing raw dessert ever dreamt), and a caramel bar, plus a brazil nut milk, cacao, goji shake and a coconut water. Totally spent over a hundred bucks but the food was worth more than the price tag. It's about really, deeply enjoying a raw culinary experience and never once feeling like you're missing out because there's nothing cooked on your plate. So often, eating out for us becomes figuring out which side salad best suits your needs you know? It's a constant blend of restraint and re-commiting yourself to the raw doctrine you ascribe too. Pure is a vacation from all of that and imho worth any price.

Caravan of Dreams knocks my socks off as well. It's a lovely, vibrant atmosphere with great food for raw and cooked vegans alike. Bonobo's is totally a raw deli! It's perfect for lunch as long as you're in the area. They let you sample anything you like before you order and they are extremely knowledgeable on the ingredients and preparation methods.

One day I truly believe Raw Food will be as accessible as Chinese delivery is today. Until that day comes however, NYC and it's completely innovative Raw Chefs are working hard to close that gap.

Smooches, Em

[Vegan Princess]

Bonobos delivers - now that's freakin cool!

[Rwmomto5]

I used to go to Q's when they had both restaurants, I preferred the uptown one.However I found a lot of the combos funky tasting.
Pure Food and Wine is great for atmosphere as long as I stick to basic salads. The more gourmet dishes are very nut heavy and I hated the lasagna.

The desserts on the other hand are the best, the ice creams taste better there than if you buy them from Pure Juice and Takaway.

I like Caravan and Bonobos too but those are casual.

[raven]

I shared an appetizer and entree at Pure and spent over $50. The food was beautifully presented and tasted good but I was hungry when I left and think it's ridiculouosly overpriced. At Quintessence I was able to share an appetizer and entree and the two us couldn't finish everything. The portions are much more generous and the food quality was comparable, if not as spectacular as Pure. Bonobos is ok for a salad but their prices just went up too.

Suzy