New Blends and Old Favorites

When people ask what I like most about living in New York, it's always hard to pick an answer. One thing that always tops the list, though? The food! Tonight I visited Candle 79 (my all-time favorite restaurant) yet again, with Dori, Jacquie, and Meghann and Derek, who are visiting from Orlando.

I started off with a cocktail called Centerpiece- TRU Vodka, VeeV Acai Spirit, pomegranate juice, lime, agave, rosewater, up

One of the best little touches at Candle 79 is the amuse bouche they bring you before every meal. Tonight's was almost the same as my last visit- black bean pate on a crostini, topped with pineapple salsa. For some reason though, I thought the bean pate tasted better this evening.

As appetizers, we ordered Angel's Nachos and onion rings for the table to share. It's been a few visits since I last had the nachos, and I forgot how completely amazing they are- and how generous the portion is!

Corn chips, cheddar & mozzarella, tomatoes, refried pinto beans, chili-grilled seitan, guacamole, salsa, tofu sour cream romaine lettuce


The onion rings with chipotle aioli, however, have always been a favorite of mine. The sauce is by far the best part!

As my entree, I chose the stuffed avocado salad, which I always consider but have never ordered.

Baby greens, quinoa, butternut squash, cucumber, chickpeas, grape tomatoes, radishes, toasted pumpkin seeds, chipotle-avocado dressing

I loved how simple this dish was. There was lots of different flavors and textures, but they all complemented each other well- nothing was too overpowering.

Meghann got the same avocado salad, while Dori got the Mediterranean-spinach ravioli with horseradish cream and red pepper coulis,

Jackie ordered the grilled kale salad with haricots verts, beluga lentils, red onions, turnips, spelt berries and chive vinaigrette,

And Derek chose the chili grilled seitan, with quinoa pilaf, sauteed chard, tomatillo-black bean salsa, and avocado pumpkin seed salad.

Quite the spread! Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals.

Obviously, dessert was required ;) Between the five of us, we split three things: chocolate-peanut butter bliss, with chocolate mousse, peanut butter mousse, chocolate shell and berry coulis,

The Mexican chocolate brownie, with carmelized banana (on the side, for Meghann), vanilla mole ice cream, toasted pecans and chocolate ancho sauce,

And the cannoli, with vanilla cream filling, vanilla chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate drizzle.

Can you tell we enjoyed them?

The peanut butter is still my favorite, but the brownie came in a close second. I'd forgotten how good it is!

The girls, with happy stomachs. Ignore the sparkle skin. My shirt thinks it's a necklace.

Candle 79 hit the spot yet again :) Though I have to say that the company was especially fabulous tonight- and our waiter was hilarious.

Wayyy past my bedtime. 'Night, all!