Restaurants with good vegetarian options?
CD asks via Twitter:
Can anybody recommend Albany area restaurants that use local ingredients and have a veggie friendly menu?
We checked to clarify that CD was looking for vegetarian options. Or as CD responded:
Vegetarian options from local sources. #NoBagSalads
It seems more restaurants are offering vegetarian options, though the choices aren't always engaging. That said, some spots have given it a surprising shot. 677 Prime, the fancy pants steakhouse, recently had a vegetarian tasting menu -- we tried it, and while not every course was a hit, there were some interesting dishes. (The best dish involved carrots prepared a few different ways -- it was really good.)
And that points to one of the reasons to be curious about vegetarian options, even if you're not a vegetarian: going meat free often prompts a different, more interesting take on food.
So we're curious to hear about people's vegetarian favorites. Got a suggestion for CD? Please share!
Earlier on AOA:
+ Vegan dishes worth trying -- even if you're not a vegan
+ Hungry for Shades of Green
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Comments
Mingle and New World Bistro both have excellent vegetarian (and vegan) menu options, proudly sourced locally.
... said xina on Jun 25, 2014 at 11:32 AM | link
Also: http://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/new_york/albany/
... said xina on Jun 25, 2014 at 11:33 AM | link
The Hollow is hands down the best mix of vegetarian options without going ethnic. If you go ethnic I would recommend, Kinnaree, or one of the vast Indian restaurants around town.
... said Rich on Jun 25, 2014 at 11:40 AM | link
I don't know how local the ingredients are, but my veggie favorites (my partner and I are both veggie and moved to Albany last year) are Parivar on Central in Colonie (an all-veg Indian cafe and grocery store), and, to be perfectly honest, Bombers. The latter probably isn't really what you're looking for, but I can't recommend Parivar highly enough. Looking forward to hearing other suggestions!
... said Sandy on Jun 25, 2014 at 11:41 AM | link
New World Bistro Bar! There are also lots of other vegetarian friendly ethnic restaurants (Van's, all the Indian places, Pho Yum, etc.) but it's hard to know if they procure their ingredients from local sources.
... said Amy on Jun 25, 2014 at 11:48 AM | link
My favorite vegetarian pick is Parivar. The whole place is vegetarian south Indian street food. But their ingredients are not local.
Neither is the vegetarian food at Ala Shanghai. I called in advance for a special vegetarian feast, and as usual, Lanny and his team came up with something that exceeded expectations:
http://fussylittleblog.com/2013/07/19/leaving-a-good-impression/
Looking for interesting vegetarian food sourced from local farms is a more difficult task.
Sweet Sue's can do lunch and brunch with seasonal, local produce sourced from the Troy farmers market. Her place is small, but very cute, and has delicious desserts as well.
http://www.sweetsuesweets.com/#!lunch-gallery/c14s0
The crowd favorite will be New World Bistro Bar. Many will probably direct you to Antipastos in Clifton Park as well. The former does indeed have some good stuff, but I found the food from the latter to be inedible.
... said Daniel B. on Jun 25, 2014 at 12:07 PM | link
Placid Baker in Troy always has a great vegetarian sandwich option. I eat meat and opt for it sometimes.
... said Max on Jun 25, 2014 at 12:12 PM | link
I agree with the Mingle and New World options. Tara Kitchen in Schenectady has some great options, as does Ali Baba in Troy.
... said Deanna on Jun 25, 2014 at 12:19 PM | link
The Placid Baker on Broadway in downtown Troy sources locally and usually has veggie soup, salad and sandwich options. Not open for dinner, though.
... said Chris Churchill on Jun 25, 2014 at 12:21 PM | link
For lunch I'd recommend Dali Mamma in downtown Albany
From the Garden on lark street is a good choice. They're ingrediants are local and veggie friendly.
The Pump Station has a bunch of good veggie options.
There are of course lots of vegetarian friendly Indian, Mexican and Asian places around.
... said Hock41 on Jun 25, 2014 at 12:24 PM | link
The Hungry Fish Cafe comes to mind. Sarah Fish is opening a new venture, Cafe Congress, in Troy, and I'm sure that will also have lots of vegetarian options. She sources everything local, and even house-makes all the condiments and sauces!
... said Jessica R W on Jun 25, 2014 at 1:04 PM | link
Mexican Radio is very veggie friendly and they use some locally sourced products. Lucas Confectionery in Troy has a changing menu, but always features some vegetarian bites.
... said Liz on Jun 25, 2014 at 1:30 PM | link
i agree with so many of the awesome choices above. if you don't mind driving the 30 minutes out of albany, in chatham there is Our Daily Bread which is great for veggies!
https://www.facebook.com/OurDailyBreadChatham
and there is a picture of my sweet veggie sandwich on my blog post about chatham:
http://tothecapitalregionandbeyond.wordpress.com/2014/06/18/swimming-lunching-and-hiking-in-chatham/
... said julie on Jun 25, 2014 at 1:38 PM | link
I ate at The Hollow Bar on N. Pearl this week for the first time and was amazed by the selection of vegetarian dishes on the menu -- much more than I would expect from a bar food-pub type place. Have no idea how much is locally sourced but it was all tasty.
http://www.thehollowalbany.com/Hollow_menu.pdf
... said Ellen on Jun 25, 2014 at 1:44 PM | link
check out tara kitchen in schenectady, great lunch and dinner menu w/ ample vegetarian and vegan dishes, priced well too
... said p on Jun 25, 2014 at 5:54 PM | link
Moon and River Cafe in Schenectady has one of the most extensive vegetarian menus around, covering many different cuisines. Be prepared to stay awhile, as it is all prepared on one small cooktop.
www.moonandrivercafe.com
... said Drew on Jun 25, 2014 at 7:02 PM | link
Vans on Central Avenue in Albany (off quail) is a fantastic Vietnamese place. They use vegetarian fish sauce for their veg friendly dishes. You MUST try the vegetarian broad noodle dish that has tofu and seitan. So addicting.
... said Alisa on Jun 26, 2014 at 9:19 AM | link
Carmen's Cafe in Troy has fantastic vegetarian and vegan options! Chef Chris gets some of his veggies from the community garden on the corner- doesn't get any more local than that!
... said Jona on Jun 26, 2014 at 12:34 PM | link
Thanks for all the suggestions! Now I've got lunch & dinner plans for the rest of the summer :)
... said CD1083 on Jun 26, 2014 at 3:48 PM | link
Persian Bite in Schenectady, Tara Kitchen in Schenectady, Van's Vietnamese in Albany, Mexican Radio in Schenectady, Pho Yum in Albany, New World Bistro in Albany.
... said cb on Jun 27, 2014 at 9:22 PM | link
Don't forget X's to O's bakery in Troy (97 4th St). They use as much local and organic stuff as they can for their super lunch specials & soup. They also have an awesome brunch by the pound every other weekend.
Ali Baba's on 16th street, not local, but great veggie shwarma and cold salad plate.
The Troy Farmer's Market on Saturdays has the local Mexican ladies' food booth, Thunder Mountain Curry also makes an awesome veggie plate in the summer. The Jamaican restaurant also has great veggie specials. The market itself also has a great atmosphere.
... said Carolyn on Jul 10, 2014 at 8:41 AM | link