New York City: A Vegetarian's Heaven

Life is not always easy for strict vegetarians. Mysterious names like cetylarachidol and ethylene dehydrogenated tallowamide conceal animal ingredients. Quality non-leather shoes are virtually nonexistent. And going out to eat can be a depressing experience.

Fortunately, New York is heaven for vegetarians. The rich cultural history of the city ensures that there's no shortage of ethnic food, much of which is vegetarian and vegan.

Indian restaurants are the easiest choice when it comes to vegetarian dining. Over centuries, India's Buddhist chefs have created rich vegetarian dishes that burst in a symphony of flavor on your tongue. Chinese and Korean cuisine is not far behind: from intricate to simple, you'll find at least half a dozen vegetarian choices on their menu. And if you want to go to a completely vegan restaurant, you can take your peak from macrobiotic, raw, and a 24-hour diner.

Here are some of my favorite vegetarian spots.

Hangawi
12 East 32nd Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 213-0077

It's hard to believe that beyond Hangawi's heavy doors lies one of the busiest Manhattan streets. The pure vegetarian restaurant is owned by a Buddhist monk - and the ambience and food of the place are much more than simple commodities.

The restaurant is beautifully designed, featuring easily one of the most beautiful interiors in the city. And the food is amazing: lovingly prepared and artfully arranged, it's surprisingly affordable.

Amin Indian Cuisine
140 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, (718) 855-4791

Montague Street leads to Montague Terrace, one of Brooklyn's most beautiful corners. Even if you've never been to New York, you've probably seen this place a hundred times, without realizing it: practically every postcard or movie shot of the New York City skyline has been shot from here.

The Amin Restaurant is located in a beautiful old townhouse right up the street. The food might not be exactly authentic - but if the spices and wild taste combinations of the Indian cuisine are a bit much for you, this might be a great alternative.

Quantum Leap
88 West 3rd Street, New York, NY 10012, (212) 677-8050

From a fabulous selection of meatless Mexican food (hold the sour cream and the cheese) to scrumptious tofu bacon, to a daily rotation of pies, Quantum Leap offers some of the more interesting food in the Village. But keep in mind: Quantum Leap is primarily a microbiotic restaurant. This means that if you come here searching for vegetarian food, you have to be prepared for the somewhat rough textures.

You might have to go through a trial and error process here, but don't get disheartened! The great items on the menu are well worth the few bad ones.

Curry in a Hurry
119 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10016, (212) 683-0900

Curry in a Hurry might sound like a strange concept: it's Indian fast food for the Manhattan crowd. A connoisseur of Indian cuisine might find it lacking: it's prepared in batches, and the choices are limited. But if you are in a rush, you can do a lot worse. Whether you are a busy executive or a bike messenger, Curry in a Hurry can break the monotony of sandwiches and burgers.