New York is full of healthy shops and restaurants, and I would love to live there for a year to try everything out. My black book is now full of green tips because I spent an afternoon with models Anne-Marie van Dijk and Lonneke Engel drinking smoothies, I now know the places to be for a healthy meal. I will share them with you. I haven't been to all of them myself, just so you know, but if they say it... And for me, it's another good reason to fly back to The States soon.
Pure Food & Wine
Look, the name says it all and exactly indicates what I stand for. Healthy eating, but with wine please. It's a nice vegetarian restaurant and that's impressive because I always find most veggie places a bit dusty and granola.
Juice Press
This is a cold pressed juicery bar with refrigerators full of colorful bottles with delicious juices. You can also order smoothies if you're a bit hungrier, but for an energy kick or a mini detox cure, there are also shots on the counter. Just be aware, you will pay a fortune. But I'm willing to spend it.
ABC Kitchen
ABC Kitchen is a large establishment in Union Square with a menu full of organic seasonal dishes. Behind the stove is star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. I don't know the man (yet), but for Anne-Marie, this is an incredibly nice healthy hotspot to dine.
Blossom
Here they make the best veggie burgers in town, so we all have to go there. A recommendation is the soy burger.
Local
In Local, I have arranged to meet Lonneke. A very small place run by a family. Not super duper hip at all, and only locals come here, but I actually find that quite nice. The entire menu is gluten-free, but if you order a toastie, you can't taste anything of it, so they can bake gluten-free bread. If you can snag a bench outside, it can't get any better.
Quintessence
You can find raw food here. You have to love it, but even if you don't really like it, this is the place to eat raw, because it has nothing to do with salads with raw carrots and walnuts. This is real, but raw. Just try the avocado florentine. Eggs Benedict you are eating.
Caravan of Dreams
An organic vegan restaurant with the tastiest salads and smoothies. Often there is also live music during brunch on weekends or in the evenings during the week. A recommendation is the homemade ravioli.
Hu kitchen
From the kitchen comes gluten-free, organic and paleo food. So, a mouthful. This must be healthy. Lonneke orders her food here a few times a week. Especially when she doesn't feel well, she immediately gets a boost from this “clean” food. Especially the noodles and sushi are her favorites.
