Restaurants that will be missed (Part 1)...

There was a great restaurant called Monsoon. It was a unique, fine and exotic restaurant. I never knew what happened to it, all I know was that one day I went to eat there and it was closed. I had thought maybe it was just a temporary closing but (I kept checking and) it never came back again. In its honor I will share what was so great about it and why it is missed.



Monsoon was a vietnamese restaurant that had the best dim sum ever. It was a cozy restaurant that had a large wood element to try to invoke vietnam. They had a ginger lemon grass tea that was sweet, gingery and very green. I always ordered the vegetarian (vegan) dimsum which made of vegetables and clear rice dough with two dipping sauces one peanut and the other a soy and rice vingegar sauce.



They also made a great grilled tofu with lemongrass which was delicate (not too lemongrassy) and slightly smokey. They did a really cool thing with the tofu they would thinly slice it and stuff it with a mixture of lemongrass, ginger, red pepper and soy sauce and then they would grill it. It was the first time I ever saw and tasted a tofu prepared this way. I have attempted to make this tofu at home but have yet to master their unique technique. I would go back to try to find their secret but they are gone forever, or so it seems.

If you got to eat at Monsoon you were a lucky person. For all that didn't don't worry I will try as many vietnamese restuarants as I can till I find one that is as good or even better, till then keep tasting =)

Otto

When I was vegetarian I used to love eating pizza. I would enjoy trying new and varied toppings. But when I became vegan pizza became more bland. I love going to Viva Pizza but sometimes i like to go to a fancier more hip place and that is Otto Pizzeria.
As soon as you walk in to the Pizzeria you feel the energy. It is usually very busy and full of people. When you ask for a table if you have to wait they give you a ticket with an Italian region's name then you look at a train station board. It is a funky touch.
You get seated in a low dimmed room. The decor is pretty common but it still creates a warm feel.
I recommend that you order the vegetable antipasti. My favorites are Eggplant Caponatina, Cauliflower "alla Siciliana", Brussels Sprouts & Vin Cotto eat a little bit but not all because they are your pizza toppings. The only vegan pizza is the marinara but with all the antipasti toppings it is like you have a bunch of different pizzas. Of course eating the plain pizza marinara is delicious itself. It has a simple and clean taste with a kick in the end from the chiles.
To end this delicious meal you have to eat the lemon sorbet which is the best lemon sorbet that I have ever had. It is sour, sweet and a little salty and ever so refreshing.

Otto
1 5th. Avenue
New York, NY 10003