This month, we hop down to the East Village to Hearty & Healthy which opened this month for those with a wide range of options that are great for guests with diverse dietary preferences (vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians, gluten-free) who want to dine together, along with creative cocktails and mocktails. Chef/partner Eder Hernandez first launched this concept 3 years ago as a pandemic virtual kitchen that has since delivered over 300,000 meals. With such demand for healthier comfort food in the area, he and industry veteran Andee Rosario opened this brick-and-mortar restaurant and bar.

For lunch, we suggest that you try the Signature Harvest Salad with roasted butternut squash, quinoa, apples, avocado, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and kale; Blackened Salmon Salad with avocado, tomatoes, quinoa, feta cheese and lemon vinaigrette; and BLTA Sandwich with smoked crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickles and chipotle aioli on sourdough.

For dinner, we have our eye on the Black & Blue Salad with 100% certified grass-fed steak over organic mixed greens, tomatoes, avocado, carrots, crumbled blue cheese and Caesar dressing; Seafood Stew with clams, shrimp, scallops and mussels; and vegan baked Spaghetti Squash with house-made marinara, spinach and tofu cream.

Our favorite meal of the week is Brunch and we're thinking about their Hangover Benny with crispy smoked bacon, prosciutto cotto ham, and hollandaise; Chorizo Skillet with scrambled eggs, Mexican chorizo, queso fresco, jalapeño, salsa, guacamole and soft tortillas; and Vegan Pancakes with seasonal berries, blueberry compote and maple syrup.

As we transition into colder weather keep these on your radar: Grandma’s Chicken Pot Pie; braised Short Ribs with mashed potatoes and carrots; fresh pasta with house-made Grass-Fed Beef Bolognese; and vegan Eggplant Pot Pie with basil tomato sauce, mushrooms, quinoa, chickpeas, cashews and tofu cream cheese.

The bar program highlights mezcal, house infusions like jalapeño tequila, spicy cinnamon whiskey, limoncello vodka, and spirit-free cocktails. Creative, aromatic drinks include Sunrise Mezcal with mezcal, ginger syrup, fresh lime and pineapple juice; Tequila Road with tequila blanco, housemade chile morita syrup, fresh lime and grapefruit juices; plus mocktails like Little Miss Pumpkin Spice with pumpkin puree, fresh apple and lemon juices, and cinnamon syrup; and Rosemary Paloma with fresh grapefruit juice, rosemary-infused syrup and lemon off the fun What To Drink When You’re Not Drinking menu.

HEARTY & HEALTHY

103 1st Ave

NY, NY10009

heartyandhealthynyc.com

IG @heartyandhealthynyc

PHOTO CREDIT | Michael Tulipan