Wild Ginger.
This was my first time eating at Wild Ginger. Their mostly-vegan menu contains many Asian delights. I decided to go with bibimbap. I've only had bibimbap once before at the NYC vegan Korean restaurant HanGawi. Wild Ginger's version is a lovely combination of rice, chickpeas, kimchee, mango salsa, sprouts, and avocado. It also contains of a large amount of seaweed salad that I cannot seem to stomach. HanGawi's bibimbap is definitely the more Beka-friendly of the two, but it is also like $13 more than Wild Ginger's version. And my Wild Ginger bibimbap came with a super-salty pumpkin soup. I thought everything was lovely and flavorful, but nothing particularly special. Also, they use non-vegan soy cheese. Who the hell does that anymore?
Foodswings.
This place is pretty much what you should expect from a vegan fast food joint. It is not fancy or healthy or even particularly fresh, and I'm fine with that. I think it is pretty safe to say that most of their menu is frozen. After we ordered, I think I heard a microwave door open and close several times. One time, I took a bit of a corn dog that was still frozen in the center. I even dared to get a salad there once, and it was actually pretty OK. Still, I think it is safe to stick with anything fried here. This time, I tried the faux fish filet sandwich. It was awesome. A huge, tender bun with three crispy fish sticks, tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato, and a slice of orange tofutti cheese. Totally into it. I also got a buffalo drumstick, which was crispy, spicy, saucy, and delicious. I was a little sad it didn't come with the usual dipping sauce, though. Thankfully, I was able to drown my disappointment in my milkshake. I chose The Tank, which consists of chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, and cookies. Fuck yes.
Lula's.
Often the last stop on any NYC trip due to its walkable distance from the chinatown bus, I was not about to break tradition. After sampling espresso (strong and a little gritty), mint chip (lovely!), and butterscotch (so creamy and perfect!), I decided to go with a cone of Butterscotch and Rocky Road. Dudes, the Rocky Road was so full of marshmallow chunks and almond bits suspended in a light, fluffy, milk-chocolatey cashew-based ice cream. Lula's blows my mind every time.
-beka
