My last night in New York last week (at the end of a trip that lasted longer than most) was at a restaurant recommended by a non-vegan colleague. She knows the owner and assured me they had vegan options...but non-vegans aren't always expert on the differences between vegetarian or vegetable dishes and actual vegan dishes. Still, I reviewed the menu of The Red Cat in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan online, and it looked promising. MUch as I love my vegan stand-by restaurants in the city, I do like to show some flexiblity and go to non-veg places, since my dining companions are almost always non-veg.
It was a cold and damp night, but the Red Cat had a warm inviting ambiance. I got there about 30 minutes early, but they happily sat me and let me order a basket of very yummy herbed fries to pass the time until my friend showed up.
My official meal started with a fantastic fall/winter salad. I know the below looks like a piece of fish, but it's actually kabocha sqaush with the rind still on, served with black kale and dried cherries. Great combo
My entree was the second plate of pappardelle pasta with mushrooms I had in as many days. Also good, this time with tomatoes to sweeten and diversify the flavors a bit.
My dining companion used to date someone in the neighborhood and said that The Red Cat was a go-to joint during their relationship. I can see why. I don't get as far as 10th Avenue all that often, but should I be in the area again, I know where I'm going.
The Red Cat
227 Tenth Ave. (between 23/24)
New York, NY 10011
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