We offer the finest EXCLUSIVE NYC apartments...
- Neighborhood Profiles
| Quintessence | | Print | |
| Manhattan Notes - Restaurants |
| Friday, 30 January 2009 20:03 |
 Quintessence 236 E 10th Street (btw. 1st and A) 646-654-1823 After experiencing another wild night in the East Village, I felt the usual mid-afternoon heaviness from a little too much wine and cheese. Deciding to forgo the typical stroll to the local dinner to grease up our insides and soak up last night’s drinks, we decided to venture to a small restaurant recommended to us by a health-consciousness friend. Quintessence is a “life food” restaurant which their website states means “fruits, vegetables, and grains that are never cooked” or heated above 118 degrees. Having not known this before, we stood out front a bit baffled. Could we possibly eat a whole meal of cold un-cooked food? Surprisingly, we were in for a real treat. The food is absolutely delicious. We had to put aside our prejudices for a moment to really experience the vibrant flavors of the dishes. We started with the Dips and Chips Platter, a wonderfully satisfying appetizer boasting spicy tomato-cilantro salsa, dairy free sour cream and guacamole, and home-made corn chips and flax crackers. We were astonished that nothing was cooked as we later learned that the chips, free of all the chemicals we hate to admit we are eating from our usual grocery store, were made in a dehydrator, reproducing the effect of regular chips but without heating the food. Next, we tasted the Indian Coconut soup which even at room temperature was a real delight. Lightly dashed with cardamom, coriander, and a spicy kick, we found ourselves wanting to order another bowl! The restaurant is tiny but this adds to its coziness. Its color scheme is definitely intended to produce a sense of calm amidst the noise of the east village, succeeding gracefully with a series of warm pastels tones and vibrant plant life. We were very impressed with the wait staff, or wait-staffer as the restaurant calls for only one. Ours was very knowledgeable and helpful without the pretentiousness that sometimes comes with having to serve “first-timers.” We could not have imagined what bounty was to be placed in front of us for our main course. Lying before us was a hamburger overflowing with sides and a hefty sausage pizza! The first, the Big Moc, was a brilliant display of culinary ingenuity. Two nut burger patties, avocado, thousand island sauce and a tasty version of raw bread. The pizza was a hearty full-flavored “sausage” nut-meat on a spread of creamy nut cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and flax bread. If you think it is impossible for a meal of uncooked fruits, veggies and grains to be fulfilling as we did, then Quintessence will be a pleasant surprise, perhaps even a shock. We felt so satisfied after this meal that we literally had no room for dessert. The best part of it all, we felt energized and free from sluggishness, something we have to admit would not have occurred at our usual dinner. Could this place become the new next-day-after-partying oasis? Later, we found out that the reason for not cooking the food is not some strange way to carve out a niche for oneself in a rapidly changing Manhattan restaurant scene, but rather that Quintessence believes by not heating the food “all the natural enzymes are left alive and intact.” We were not exactly sure why this was important until learning on their website that an abundance of enzymes helps to repair cellular damage, create billions of healthy cells, reverse the aging process, improve physical and mental status, and create an overall sense of better health. These are big claims in fact but after our savory meal we feel good enough to not smirk completely the next time someone mentions “raw foods.” |
Recent Testimonials
Suggested Tags for Social Bookmarks:
NYC aparments, New York City apartment, NY, Manhattan, rental, rentals, rent, lease, broker, agent, exclusive, blog