At one time, it appeared that the vegan diet was the proverbial monster that devoured Cleveland. It was around this time, in June of 2021, that one of New York’s most celebrated, not to mention expensive, restaurants, Eleven Madison Park announced that it was going vegan.
Then it looked as though a cooling trend had moved in — much, no doubt, to the chagrin of Daniel Humm and company — and word went out that the phytochemical movement was in danger of collapsing.
Now it seems, despite earlier prognostications, the meatless trend has reached a comfortable cruising altitude where it coexists peacefully with carnivorism.
It is against this changing backdrop that the pioneering mini-chain Le Botaniste has opened its sixth Manhattan location, this one in the Penn District. The chain got its start in 2015 in Ghent, Belgium — a city so committed to a healthy meat-free lifestyle that Thursdays are known locally as Donderdag Veggiedag, or “Thursday Veggie Day.”
Le Botaniste’s menu is comprised largely of what it calls “prescription” bowls, nutrient-dense tiered affairs that reinterpret dishes from a multitude of world cultures such as “spicy chili sin carne” and “pasta bolo.”
The emphasis on the natural extends to the wines Le Botaniste serves, all of which are 100% organic fermented grape juice.
Le Botaniste, Penn 11, 154 W. 32nd Street.
15% Off Gluten-Free Cookies
In January of 2014, cookbook author Cassy Joy Garcia proposed setting aside Jan. 13 as National Gluten-Free Day. The purpose of the day was to raise awareness about gluten intolerance and celiac disease, which reportedly affect 1.3 million Americans.
If you observe the day or know someone who does, be aware that Mightylicious, a line of gluten-free cookies in a multitude of flavors, will be offering its wares for 15% off on orders using the promo code GFDAY.
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