Franchia Vegan Cafe located at 12 Park Ave (between 34th and 35th Streets) in New York City is my husband’s favorite vegan restaurant. This is really saying a lot because I shlepp him just about everywhere for vegan food!!! Anyway, he chose to have a family meal at Franchia for Father’s Day. We have been there many times and my teenage kids like it too!! I think that the casual, informal and intimate setting of Franchia is as appealing to my family as the wonderful food.
As appetizers, we shared the Assorted Steamed Dumplings, the Sweet Corn Cilantro Pancakes, the Crispy Scallion Pancakes and the “new” Franchia Vegan Crepes (with turnip, jicama, bean sprout, lettuce leaves & peanuts with soy bean sauce). Everything was truly delicious, but my favorite appetizer has always been the Sweet Corn Cilantro Pancakes.
For our entrees, we shared the Soy “Beef Cutlet” Bibimbap, the Mediterranean Bibimbap, the Vegetarian with Mountain Greens Stone Bowl, and the Crispy Mushrooms in Sweet and Sour Sauce. Again, each dish was great but we all agreed that the “standouts” were the Mediterranean Bibimbap and the Crispy Mushrooms in Sweet and Sour Sauce.
For dessert, we shared the tofu cheesecake with soy ice cream and the banana fritters. They were both excellent!! In the past, we have had the blueberry coconut cake (which I highly recommend) but they were out of it this particular night.
In addition to the wonderful food, Franchia has a wide selection of teas. I have sampled many of them and my favorites are the Korean Plum Tea, the Ginger Tea, the Snow Dew Tea and the Organic Tangerine Peel Tea.
I highly recommend Franchia Vegan Cafe for anyone who wants an excellent vegan meal in a relaxed and informal setting.
