The Bestfriend's Guide To Vegetarian Eating and Thrifting in New York

As Jamie mentioned in the previous blog, my bestie road-tripped across the country (something I hope to do in this lifetime) to her permanent destination: Arizona. There was no way in hell I was going to let her leave New York without giving it a proper goodbye. We decided to revisit all our favorite places to shop and eat in Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan. 

Manhattan

Pomme Frites
J introduced me to Pomme Frites back in our college years, she raved how these fries were one of the best she ever had. She wasn’t wrong. In fact, they are so good, that’s the only thing they serve and its filling all on its own. You pair these fries with their specialty dips (there’s a lot!), the only and best dip we’ve ever ordered together was the Sweet Mango Chutney sauce.

Red Bamboo
I was also introduced to Vegetarian/Vegan cuisine through her. Although I do eat meat, I’m not some kind of meat elitist- any type of food can taste great if prepared correctly. Red Bamboo is one of those restaurants that delivers in both food and atmosphere. Do try the Barbeque Buffalo wings!

Metropolis Vintage
Nothing kills our mood more than commuting to the city from Queens, but I’m glad we did one last time. It’s almost impossible to find good vintage band tees in any thrift store but this shop is the MECCA of vintage band tees. The most impressive thing is that they categorize the tees based on year and genre. They even have sections dedicated to movies, shows and video games. We walked out with a Mega Man tee, an Incubus tee and The Cure tee.

Brooklyn

Champs Diner
This amazing Vegan diner has become a staple every time we venture out to Brooklyn. We were so bummed we couldn’t eat there one last time since the pandemic. Her love for their Cuban Sandwich is something she says she will dearly miss when leaving NY. I’m obsessed with their breakfast platter of tofu eggs, soy-sage and hash browns.

The Bedford Strip
Not sure if that’s an official title like the Vegas strip but it’s what J and I call Bedford Ave in Williamsburg. It’s the most “happening” street filled with shops, bakeries and restaurants that stretches for 12 blocks. I urge you to check the many shops located on its side streets, like N6 Street, where you can find this adorable gift shop called Adore Brooklyn or Crossroads Trading Co, our go-to thrift store.

Long Island

The Witches Brew Coffee House
Themed cafes can either be hit or miss. However, this place is not so much a theme as a lifestyle - a witchy lifestyle. It’s rich with vintage decor and the darkest atmosphere-literally. It’s purposely not well lit which adds to the spookiness. They have a really cool selection of teas/coffee and healthy vegetarians dishes. We usually go there for their raspberry tea and vegan brownie sundae!

Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices
Here in Queens and Long Island, we have so many locations of this ice cream shop that it never dawned on me that its only unique here in New York. Their selection of cream ices is unreal; Start with Vanilla Reese’s, Coconut Raspberry Tart and Crazy Coconut!

Queens

The White Noise Coffee Co.
This trendy coffee shop does not play when it comes to their coffees. J is really picky about her matcha lattes. So rest assured that you’re going to get the best matcha latte -hot or cold! I recommend you try their dark mocha latte too.

Bodai Vegetarian
This Chinese vegetarian restaurant is special to my heart, mostly because J has celebrated almost all her adult life birthdays here. I beg you to try their crispy, breaded roast pig appetizer and their Teriyaki Steak.

We had plans to turn this into a video for our Youtube Channel, serving as a guide to New York through the eyes of real locals. However due to the current state of the world, my bestie being pregnant and packing all her life in boxes, we were only able to film for 2 days. In the video, we barely scratched the surface of what we wanted to revisit but we did end up seeing new things together and at least trying those God sent fries one last time!

Pomme frites
128 Macdougal Street NY

Red Bamboo
140 West 4 Street NY

Metropolis Vintage
803 Broadway NY

Champs Diner
197 Meserole St, Brooklyn

The Witches Brew Coffee House
311 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead

Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices
531 Franklin Ave, Franklin Square
or Find a location anywhere in NY

The White Noise Coffee Co.
41-02 162nd St, Flushing

Bodai Vegetarian
136-20 Booth Memorial ave, Flushing