Avant Garden, Mother of Pearl and Ravi DeRossi

What a treat!

Up until yesterday I had no idea who Ravi DeRossi was. I still don't know him of course, but man, do I like what he's doing! Yesterday I had the pleasure of dining at his vegan restaurant Avant Garden in the East Village, New York. And what a delight that was! 

"We're confident that anyone who feels skeptical about vegan cuisine will experience a major shift in their convictions after one bite at Avant Garden, and we like to think that through this act of changing hearts and minds, we're helping to make the world a little bit of a better place, one beautiful dish at a time."

The restaurant is small, intimate, cozy and cool at the same time. Service was on point and friendly. And the food...whether you're vegan or not, everyone should try this! It was so good, to say the least.

Parts of our menu was:

Cremini Mushroom Toast with onion marmalade and walnut puree

Scorched Cauliflower with fried capers and toasted garlic

Paella with merguez royal trumpet and red pepper cream

We did have a couple of other dishes, but I just don't have pictures of them. The bottom line is, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS! I could go for one of those toasts right now as a matter of fact. 

Finished of the evening at Ravi's cocktail bar "Mother of Pearl". A Polynesian style bar with delicious Tiki cocktails, really funky decor and great bartenders.

Tiki Peat to the left and Tide is High to the right

I really hope I get to meet Ravi one day, I would love to collaborate with him since I think we have a lot in common!