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Hey Karyn!

Vegetarian House in Chinatown does great vegetarian dim sum, as does Buddha Bodai. Look up both on Menupages for locations/menus.

I'm not a fan of vegan desserts but there's one place that makes great ones: Kyotofu - lots of soy based desserts that are absolutely wonderful. Not everything is vegan though (some things are made with eggs) so just make sure your friend orders the right ones.

There's a great new Asian/eclectic vegan place in Cobble Hill (Brooklyn) called Wild Ginger. I haven't been myself but I've heard it's great. Cobble Hill is an awesome neighborhood (I've lived here for many years) and it's near Dumbo and the Brooklyn Bridge so you could get some sights out of your trip out here in addition to good food.

There are a number of South Indian vegetarian restaurants on Lexington Ave b/w 25th and 28th Streets - my family's favorite is Pongal. Not everything is vegan (beware ghee!) but the dosas without the fillings are, and they are what you should be ordering there, anyway.

Sripraphai is hands down the best Thai restaurant in NYC and they are conscientious about keeping things on their vegetarian menu that way - no fish sauce, etc. It's in Woodside, Queens, a quick ride on the 7 train from Grand Central.

OK I have to go to work now, but if you want any other recs feel free to send me an email!

I did a few posts of vegetarian places when I visited NYC the last few times...
Eating Veggie in NYC
Viva Pizza
Curly's Vegetarian Lunch
Zen Palate
Zen Burger
I have never tried, but I've wanted to visit Blossom, Gobo and Candle 79...

Hope these help.

Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking

Candle Cafe, Quantum Leap (Thompson St. location), Kate's Joint. None of these are the Per Se of veg dining, but if you're looking for satisying, cheapish food, these are great spots.

asked this a while back in the talk section.
got some good responses.
have a good time:
link

i'm not positive about their vegan choices but tiny's sandwich shop on the lower east side makes amazing vegetarian versions of most of the sandwiches on their menu.

http://www.tinysgiant.com/

lol savecara. The Per Se of vegan/vegetarian is... Per Se! I would also definitely recommend "veggie dim-sum" on Pell St. off of Mott in Manhattan's Chinatown.

also , I would recommend Dirt Candy on 9th between 1st and A. Its vegetarian but accomodates vegans.

I just wanted to point out that one need not eat at a strictly vegetarian or vegan restaurant to eat good food that fits into such a diet. I for one get very annoyed when I ask for recs (I'm a life-long vegetarian) and people only recommend vegetarian places. At least these days there are great, non "health food" places, but, still, it's not the ONLY place a vegetarian can eat. For example, Scott Conant's spaghetti with tomato and basil at Scarpetta is to die for, and, if you ask them to not use any cheese (it's added at the end), you have an amazing vegan entree. I would MUCH rather eat that than something at Gobo or Candle Cafe.

A few comments -

- Angelica Kitchen is uggggh... it's precisely what people think of when they think of a stereotypical "hippie" vegetarian meal - seaweed, grains, raw things, no flavor, etc - ... I really don't know why people eat there.
- Zen Palate is where people ate 15 years ago when there were no other vegetarian restaurants and when other restaurants rarely, if ever, had vegetarian options (it's where I ate all the time in high school). It is not very good nor is it cheap. It's like eating at Applebee's in NYC. Why would you do that?!
- Dirt Candy says that they can accommodate vegans but I don't buy it - everything there is doused in either butter, cheese, or cream. That being said, oh my, their food is delicious.

Sorry for the rant but as you can tell I have strong feelings on vegetarianism, especially in NYC, where it is SO easy to go meatless!

Eh, figuring out what to do in NY will come to you! I've lived here for a better portion of my life and I still find stuff to do just walking around aimlessly. :)