Union Square Farmer’s Market!
Oh my gosh, I could move in. At Union Square, one can find everything from organic kale to juicy strawberries to… purple basil?! If only I lived in New York and therefore had a use for the incredible array of fresh vegetables and fruits at the market.
After browsing, Jess and I got dinner at Souen.
Souen, a macrobiotic establishment, is one of my favorite restaurants in the city for its serene environment and nourishing, comforting food. However, it is important to go to the one at University Place. I’ve dined at their Soho location, and its ambiance just does not compare!
I ordered what I always order at Souen: the kuzu stew, which boasts broccoli, cauliflower, nappa cabbage, kale, snow peas, shiitake, and onion in a ginger-tamari broth.
This is not your average soup.
The kuzu is used as a thickener, so it basically tastes like you’re eating a huge bowl of veggies smothered in thick gravy!
Feeling adventurous, Jessica went with the bento box.
She decided it would be a good detox from her Crumbs cupcake! The bento featured: brown rice, hijiki seaweed, steamed veggies, marinated burdock in miso paste, tofu okabe, and pickled radishes. It also came with miso soup. The bento definitely wasn’t something I’d order. That’s the fun thing about different people: we all have unique tastes. Both of us were thrilled with our choice of dinners.
I wish Souen would open in Texas.
But at least I have my own Homemade Kuzu Stew.
Later in the hotel, I broke into a new chocolate bar. Unfortunately it was awful! It tasted like I was eating flowers. In the bar’s defense, it was lavender-flavored. What did I expect?
I quickly switched to my favorite.
Lavender Flavored Chocolate! Lavender flavored cookies maybe, but not chocolate. However the stew thingy looked delish! Mmmm…. 🙂
Your stew looks so yummy! And that Farmer’s Market sounds amazing!
That farmer’s market sounds HEAVENLY!! And so does your dinner. I just HAVE to visit NYC sometime.
I am the same way on flavored chocolate…no thanks. Original, pure, dark…that’s what I want!
Again, LOVE the real life posts.
The bento box…Too cute!
And yes, ambiance TOTALLY counts for something in a restaurant. Actually, it counts for a lot. If it’s not right, the food never tastes as good 🙂
Agreed! Chocolate purists unite. I knew I liked you, Averie :).
(Dunno if I’ve ever commented on your blog, but I do read it!)
I usually like floral-infused sweets! But the flower flavor should just be an essence, not the predominant flavor. I used to love these little violet candies when I was younger. Anyway, it’s always disappointing when a new chocolate bar is not up to par! I always get so excited when I try a brand for a first time. That’s called being a chocolate nerd. I know you can relate! Your stew looks amazing though. That cancels out the gross chocolate.
Love to get a sneak-peak into your life sweetie 🙂
The stew looks fantastic! I love macrobiotic food, but I have never been to a restaurant! Not sure if we have any in Norway at all!
I hate when I go to cities and they have the *best* vegetarian stores and restaurants! I wish I could bring them with me 🙂
Have fun in NY– I’m jealous! 🙂
Your stew would taste awesome with some brown rice… YUM! And I love Jessica’s bento too! There isn’t Souen in Texas… I guess that means it definitely won’t open in Singapore 🙁 Nevermind… I’ll just lick your photos…
Haha well you never know! I heard that a Sticky Fingers (vegan bakery in DC) opened a location in South Korea!
Both those entrees look awesome!!! I would have eaten either one…..wow I really want to go to that restaurant NOW!
yay for going to two of my favorite places, right in my neighborhood! I want to be back there so badly!
Gosh your meal looked SOOOOOO yum! Next time i go to NYC hopefully I can go there. 🙂
I love bento boxes, it’s great to have a little bit of everything!
I’m with you on the lavender – I adore the smell but I don’t want to eat it!
That stew looks delicious. I wonder if we have anything similar in Vancouver – it’s definitely the kind of city where a restaurant like that would do well, what with all our yoga west coast hippies 😉
Aw I add a few drops of lavender extract to my homemade chocolate all the time and I think it gives it such depth! Maybe they put in too much! I think I see visible lavender in there lol, which already seems a little excessive, but who knows 😛
I hate flower scents, let alone flavors. Why must they ruin good food? 😉
I LOVE bento boxes–I wish I could find a Japanese restaurant here that made them with brown rice like the one in your photo! Looks like you’re having such a wonderful time–enjoy the rest of your adventures! 🙂