Being away from home during the holidays is never easy. Here is a list of affordable New York City restaurants open during Thanksgiving this year.
Thanksgiving for the vegan is tough. Fortunately, New York City has some of the best vegan options at upscale restaurants and at more affordable, college-budget friendly alternatives that you can make yourself.
For the stay-at-home-and-cook vegan
Gather friends and floormates who are also staying in their dorm this Thanksgiving and introduce them to a vegan styled dinner.
Roasted sweet potatoes and vegetables
1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Wash and cut the sweet potatoes into wedges. Add a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper.
2. Put wedges on to baking sheet skin side down and cook for 25 minutes.
3. Turn saucepan on to medium heat with some oil and add onions, chili, peppers or even figs. Add any crunchy vegetables and fry for 4-5 minutes. Add to the sweet potatoes and serve.
Butternut squash soup
1. Turn stove to medium heat and drizzle some olive oil into a large pot. Add onions, salt and pepper to season. Add squash, broth, coriander and any other spices, and bring soup to a close boil. Reduce the heat and cook for 20-25 minutes.
2. Puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Then return to pot and cook to thicken for about 15 minutes. Serve hot.
For vegans dining out
If you plan on dining out with friends during the break, make sure you book reservations. The chance of eating at the cheapest of restaurants on Thanksgiving is low. Unfortunat-ely, most Thanksgiving meals begin at around $30, there are plenty of well-acclaimed vegan hot spots that will be worth the price.
Cafe Blossom is offering its regular vegan menu at the starting price of $20 as a Thanksgiving special. Located in the Upper West Side, at 446 Columbus Ave., Blossom is a nice and affordable place to enjoy an atmospheric Thanksgiving-like meal. Blossom also offers a four-course fixed price option for $68 if you are willing to spend more on something more traditional but still vegan.
Peacefood Cafe is serving a vegan Thanksgiving meal for $30 as a fixed price or a la carte option. Better known for their location in the Upper West Side at 460 Amsterdam Ave. (at 82nd Street), Peacefood can also be found more locally at 41 E. 11th St. (at University Place). Peacefood is a vegan kitchen and bakery, so you can also satisfy your sweet tooth.
Angelica Kitchen has a five-course meal for $60. Located at 300 E. 12th St. (between First and Second avenues), Angelica Kitchen is 100 percent vegan. The restaurant does not deliver, but it has a separate entrance for take-out.
For the big spender, Pure Food and Wine offers a Thanksgiving special at $79 for its fixed-price menu with an added $29 for a wine pairing, Pure Food and Wine, known as an upscale raw vegan restaurant, is located at 54 Irving Pl.
A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, Nov. 26 print edition. Ilona Tuominen is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].