Zen Palate - 663 9th Avenue (46th Street) (Vegetarian/Asian) (Also 34 East Union Square - 16th Street)
One of the older vegetarian haunts, Zen Palate has two locations: one in Union Square - the other in Hell's Kitchen (within delivery range of the corporate office where I work.)
Many months ago, I had ordered the Sweet & Sour Sensation (a soy protein/broccoli dish, coated in sweet and sour sauce.) Though memory of the dish has begun to fade, I remember the result as ...underwhelming. The sauce too sweet, accompanying an otherwise bland dish (with a side order of unremarkable spring rolls.)
But everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, I was working late - and getting hungry. This time, the order included Shredded Melody, a choice incorporating more shredded soy, bathed in a garlic sauce with celery, zucchini and brown rice. A salad completed the meal, made from simple lettuce leaf and cubes of fresh fruit.
Well, the salad was refreshing, and the presentation elegant (the main dish served in a sleek plastic bento box - very classy.) But the taste disappointed. Both the rice and the veggies were tasteless - bringing to mind visions of canned Chow Mein (or french green beans, bathed in veggie stock.) And those little taro springs rolls were there yet again - a little oily, small, and...well...unremarkable.
Not to be harsh - the meal wasn't bad. But neither was it memorable - standing in stark contrast to the culinary delights of a Red Bamboo or Vegetarians Paradise.
They say that the Union Square location is better. But that's two strikes already. Is it worth going for three?
One of the older vegetarian haunts, Zen Palate has two locations: one in Union Square - the other in Hell's Kitchen (within delivery range of the corporate office where I work.)
Many months ago, I had ordered the Sweet & Sour Sensation (a soy protein/broccoli dish, coated in sweet and sour sauce.) Though memory of the dish has begun to fade, I remember the result as ...underwhelming. The sauce too sweet, accompanying an otherwise bland dish (with a side order of unremarkable spring rolls.)
But everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, I was working late - and getting hungry. This time, the order included Shredded Melody, a choice incorporating more shredded soy, bathed in a garlic sauce with celery, zucchini and brown rice. A salad completed the meal, made from simple lettuce leaf and cubes of fresh fruit.
Well, the salad was refreshing, and the presentation elegant (the main dish served in a sleek plastic bento box - very classy.) But the taste disappointed. Both the rice and the veggies were tasteless - bringing to mind visions of canned Chow Mein (or french green beans, bathed in veggie stock.) And those little taro springs rolls were there yet again - a little oily, small, and...well...unremarkable.
Not to be harsh - the meal wasn't bad. But neither was it memorable - standing in stark contrast to the culinary delights of a Red Bamboo or Vegetarians Paradise.
They say that the Union Square location is better. But that's two strikes already. Is it worth going for three?
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