Vegan
American
Organic
Raw
Juice bar
Delivery
Take-out
Fusion
Manhattan vegan raw food restaurant established since the 2000s. Reported closed Aug 2018.
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263 E 10th St (at btwn Ave A & 1st, in East Village, Manhattan), New York City, New York, USA, 10009
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Last update on 05 Aug 2018 by ChristopheC
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Added by eric on 01 Aug 2007
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26 Reviews
First Review by ivorygate
VGNFRNDLY
Points +241
Great food. Size 4 the price?.. well! - Edit
As described above.
Read morePros: fresh & Raw & organic
Cons: Expensive!
Guest
TonyaCuozzo
Points +86
one of my all time favorites - Edit
I've been coming here for a long time and they never disappoint. Very creative ways of producing beautiful food since it's mostly raw vegan. Im always satisfied, satiated and feel a bit healthier after I've eaten here. They continue to add true gems to their menu; I look forward to seeing what's new each time I come
Read morePros: mostly raw, creative dishes as well as old favorites
Guest
VegHeadNYC
Points +238
Destination for Raw Foodies - Edit
This was one of the original raw food restaurant in NYC. When I went to The Seed vegetarian/vegan market in the Altman building I got to meet the owner of Quintessence and compliment her on her restaurant. This is truly a raw restaurant, so if you like your food cooked this is not the place for you. The times I have dined in and taken out the service has been friendly, prompt and courteous. The real standouts here are the desserts; the original chia pudding, housemade ice cream and FABULOUS coconut cream pie are delectable. Though not a raw foodie, I have enjoyed my occasional visits to Quintessence.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2015-05-01
Pros: Vegan/Raw NYC Mainstay, Desserts
Cons: Bit pricey, Small restaurant
Guest
veganizalo
Points +54
Raw is not bad. - Edit
I'm not into raw food but this place proved me wrong. Everything was delicious.
Read moreGuest
jennamelanie
Points +120
Yum! - Edit
Delicious place. Portion sizes a bit small but yum food. The deserts are great. The pecan pie and chocolate lava cake thingy a must.
Read moreGuest
the.friendly.fig
Points +243
Raw Never Tasted This Good - Edit
Quintessence is a small, but lovely cafe tucked away on E 10th street (and 1st avenue). It's quiet and homey. With only five tables and one waiter, this organic raw vegan cafe is magical. From the Caesar salad to the scallion cream cheese roll, everything was delicious. And as if the meal did not impress us enough, the raw chocolate molten lava cake was devine. The decadent creamy chocolate filling encased in a raw chocolate cake, topped off with chocolate sauce and berries was pure decadence.
Read moreGuest
jackie.r.7289
Points +141
Cute place but poor food - Edit
I always want to like raw food more than I end up liking it. To be fair, I went here a few years ago with my sister (whose vegan) when we had a Groupon, so maybe it's changed since then. We had such a poor tasting meal, we literally had to walk down the block and grab more food after the fact to feel satisfied. At vegan restaurants, I usually finish the whole plate of food, since it's not so large; I simply couldn't do it here. I even went with a safe option in terms of ordering, having the pesto pizzette. The flavors just didn't work well together, and I guess I myself am more of a cooked pizza girl.
Read moreIf anything, the one star is for the ambience. It's a very cute (and tiny, so be prepared to wait) spot, that's well-decorated. Needless to say, we likely won't be back.
Guest
Lia Argolo
Points +207
cute and cozy restaurant - Edit
This was the first restaurant I've ate in my trip, and I've felt really welcoming. The place is very cozy and I've loved my choices. I've asked for the bean enchilada and the quinoa with mushrooms.
Read moreEverything was delicious!
Guest
cookiem
Points +5871
Quietly dishing up raw power - Edit
Admittedly, I haven't gone to Quintessence in my eating journeys in NYC because it is a raw restaurant. However, this place makes raw look and taste good, really good. Raw food has a new face - it is not just salads and fruit, it is what this mainstay in the raw vegan NYC scene dishes up artfully, affordably and compassionately. If you have never given raw a run, go here. If you are a raw foodie, you have been here or you will go here and be happy, very happy.
Read moreThe prices do not seem high for what they offer. The portions do not seem small for what they offer. The food is fresh, organic and raw. That means the cost they have is high, but, amazingly, they don't kill your wallet for that. In fact, I would say it's a steal. The portions are also perfectly sized unless you eat 4000 calories a day, meaning eating is your other job. The ingredients they use are packed with nutrients and the nut and coconut bases provide some hearty calories. So, you will not leave hungry. However, you will also not leave with that "oh, I ate too much, gross, what did I do" feeling. You will leave perfectly happy.
Everyone loves brunch, and I love that they have brunch all weekend. Their creative offerings from the fake tofu (aka fofu) to "bread," are impressive and satisfying to the palate. Just about every raw foodie loves avocados, and I am happy to say they bring avocados into their menu with good success. They also have a good base of nuts and seeds to make their sauces and "breads"/ bases like the nachos, pizza-like offering and "sandwiches." Traditionalists will rest easily with a hearty salad or a romaine-wrapped entree or a nori-wrapped rice-free sushi roll. Ok, maybe that's not super traditional, but it's super tasty.
They make it all raw, except, they do have cooked quinoa... which, is okay, but, I might suggest going for raw sprouted? No matter, raw foodies can eat just about everything here without reservations. Vegans can eat everything. Gluten-free concerned can also eat just about everything.
Really the selling points here for me are the brunch and the dessert offerings. Oh my, the dessert. They have berries, chocolate and coconut, not necessarily all together. Raspberry chocolate? Tiramisu? Coconut creme? Chocolate chia? Chocolate mousse in a coconut cup? Drool-worthy offerings that if you know anything about the ingredients, are very fairly priced.
Final selling point for the 5 cows for this place: the staff is happy and informed.
Pros: 100% vegan, 95% raw, 100% organic
Cons: Not 100% gluten free, Menu is too large - me want all., Too far from where I live...
Guest
DaniM
Points +2037
Excellent - Edit
This cozy restaurant serves excellent vegan meals and great drinks like a fresh matcha smoothie. The staff is very friendly and you feel absolutely comfortable there. I'd recommend to reserve a table in advance as there are only like 10 tables and it is well-frequented.
Read moreGuest
Oscar M
Points +199
Great brunch - Edit
We had brunch in this little cafe on our last day in NYC. It was a very pleasant surprise. The fofu benedictine and the avocado florentine were tasty enough to make this a memorable meal.
Read morePros: Good food
Cons: A bit pricey
Guest
loloford
Points +746
OMG! - Edit
i jusy had a blast at this restaurant.
Read morethe minipizette was fantastic, and i would have tried everything if i could.
the waitress was very nice and service very prompt.
the tiramisu was too much after such a meal, even if the quantities don't seem huge, it's very filling
Pros: quality, taste, raw
Cons: pricey
Guest
Dalibor
Points +52
excelente! - Edit
All the best for this restaurant!
Read moreVery tasty and delicious food!
Guest
leslienyc
Points +35
Modern Vegan Cuisine - Edit
Food is fresh and tasty. Variety of choices so everyone can be happy. Personally, I really enjoy this restaurant.
Read moreSeating is tight, so it's best to go with party of 4 or less.
Pros: Excellent Food, Friendly Staff
Cons: Few Seats
Guest
zenmaestro
Points +617
yum. yum. for the tum. - Edit
ever enjoy a meal that each savoury bite reminds you of love? that's how I felt thru much of this meal. awesome mostly raw food spot. love the atmosphere. seats less than 20. cozy. raw food dishes simply offer more flavor. i taste nuances in flavors of food. q's creations provide an explosion of tickles in my mouth. my 5-course meal leaves me stuffed and in bit of trance. fortunately, all the live enzymes in raw meals mean it will digest properly. feel like a cigarette now. ;-D highest recommendation.
Read morePros: yummie dishes, super service, good value
Guest
buttaflyrawka
Points +33
Eyes Bigger Than Stomach - Edit
Freshly raw, I was excited to try a few places. I was only in New York for 2 days on business, but I made sure to make my way down to this restaurant. My friend and I met there and were met with a lovely server who was well versed in every cleanse/detox there was under the sun, which helped because my friend was doing a candida cleanse. So he was able to recommend specific dishes that would be within her restrictions. This was the first time I've ever met a server that was so helpful and understanding. The food was to die for! I LOVED it! There were pages of choices, so much to choose from! I ended up getting the Big Moc and a salad, I got a juice and some of the garlic bread. Needless to say, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. It was soo good, I HIGHLY recommend going.
Read morePros: Food, Service
Guest
Loulou
Points +137
no longer completely raw - Edit
Pity they don't take reservations here.
Read moreWe went there twice during our stay to New York. The first time we managed to get a table and tried the Indian Platter and Mexican Platter which where delicious. The second time we tried to book in advance but they said they didn't take reservations but where assured they would fit us in.
We arrived and where told a table would be available in 10mins, nearly 40mins later we where still waiting outside (as it's such as small place you can't wait inside).
If we'd have known it would have been longer than 10mins we would probably have ordered a take away so where a bit disappointed once we finally got a table. The food was very good on both occasions but they do now also serve cooked food.
Pros: tasty food
Cons: very small, could end up waiting ages for a table
Guest
Take It Back
Points +404
Best raw food restaurant I know! - Edit
Raw food doensn't get better than this. One of the best restaurants in the world. Try the Pizzettes, they are mind-blowing!
Read moreGuest
veganaurora
Points +265
Sublime eating experience - Edit
My boyfriend is trying to eat more raw and is trying to get me into it too. I have to say that if I could eat raw food like this every night I would be a very happy woman. The restaurant is a small, intimate affair. We were lucky getting the best spot by the window. We ordered a small taco to share for starters and it was delicious. But it was nothing compared to the Mexican chilli main. A warm chilli broth with pieces of tender marinated portabello mushroom, with a serving of guacamole, salad and a sort of cornbread. We also shared a sausage pizza but the chilli dish really was the best thing there. To finish we then shared the dessert platter - also yummy but I could have eaten more chilli!
Read morePros: delicious food, cosy atmosphere
Guest
MrsMaggie
Points +102
It was...ok - Edit
The first impression I got was that it is very cramped, and it is, there are 2 tables that seat 4 and and then 4 tables that seat 2 all within a very small space so you literally are almost rubbing shoulders. The food was pretty good but a lot of the food I feel is overpriced for the serving you get. For example you get a fairly large burrito and a small taco for $22 although good and filling I don't think it is worth that much. The desert upset me. I bought the valentine boxed candies they were selling for a high price. I got home to find out... they are not vegan!! I would have liked some kind of warning, they used honey in all the chocolate. This makes me wonder what else are they sneaking honey into? I will not go there again and I made sure to call them and complain about selling not vegan items in a supposedly vegan restaurant.
Read moreGuest
KATHLEEN W.
Points +92
Good raw food - Edit
I went there for lunch while I was in NYC. It is a good spot for a raw meal.
Read morePros: good food
Cons: very small eating area, slow service, no parking nearby
Guest
changoamable
Points +77
really super - Edit
small place, delicious food.
Read moreGuest
Claude
Points +48
Small but delightful - Edit
The restaurant is quite small, but the menu is quite extensive and the food excellent. We had an excellent meal. Really tasty. So much choice you didn't know what to go for. But we were blown away by the bill. It wasn't cheap. Actually, it was really expensive. And we weren't exactly full. But it was an outstanding raw food dining experience. Recommended if it falls within your budget.
Read morePros: excellent food, healthy cuisine, lots of choice for raw foodists
Cons: Expensive, Lack of seating if you go at peak times
Guest
Fredknows
Points +23
Very UNenjoyable - Edit
We've eaten raw food before, and had happy food experiences in NY at Caravan of Dreams, Rawstar in Brooklyn, and a neat place in Maui. But we found our meal at Quintessence to be very disappointing.
Read moreThe flavours of the food were poorly coordinated and the dipping sauses had no taste or a bad taste. Several of the entrees overly spiced. The salads were accompanied by a gross tasting green dressing. The desserts were the only saving grace to the meal, but most of our party were so repulsed by what they had already eaten, they could not enjoy them.
A green soup was so bad tasting, it could not be eaten but only tasted and sent back. This set the stage for an indigestion causing meal for 3 out of our party of 4 who definitely wound up eating two many different odd tasting items. A Chic Pea Soc was a overly spiced mix of guash, as was an Indian Platter (probably not the best choice, fake Indian Food). The only passable items was a Mexican PLatter (still guash).
The place is fairly small and it was pretty warm inside as the above the door air conditioner didn't cool the room well. As the other review said, the prices were quite high and the bill also came with an automatic 20% tip attached (gee thanks), although we have no complaints about the service, we prefer to give our own tip.
Pros: Dessert, Attentive Service
Cons: Bad Tasting Food, High Prices, Bad A/C
Guest
philjdomm
Points +945
Expensive and Raw - Edit
well, its small....
Read morecontemporary setting...
but even the upperclass vegans and raws in the west coast is much cheaper than my two man meal price.
Guest
ivorygate
Points +308
amazing - Edit
It is a privaledge and a pleasure to be the first person to review this restaurant. My girlfriend and I took a raw foods voyage into the Northeast, and this ws our first stop in New York City. We came back for food twice more before our short 5 days in New York City ended.
Read moreThe first evening was dinner, upon which we shared a caviar parfait, replete with chia seeds and tofu made from Irish Moss (aptly titled "fofu"). The next dish was the best one I think I ever had - a raw sausage pizza. I had been pining over the pizza menu with this restaurant, and the walnut sausage tasted exactly like how I remember it. The dessert consisted of their raw pumpkin pie with cashew nut cream.
We followed with lunch a few days later, and then brunch on the morning we had to catch our plane back to Florida. The brunch menu had fofu benedict and fofu Florentine - superb and creative beyond words.
Quintessence has been operating as a raw venture since 1999, the oldest and longest running kind in the city. Raw Soul, Pure Food & Wine, and even Organic Avenue offer superb choices for the raw lifestyle - Quintessence, however, trumps them all. A spectacular dining experience each time.
Pros: atmosphere, prices, food!
Cons: none
Guest
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