So last week I was in Manhattan for the day, and convinced my non-vegan colleague Brian to lunch with me at Angelica Kitchen in the East Village (300 E. 12th Street)

(Sorry for the glare in the photo – sunny day in NY even if quite cold).

Their menu offers a good variety, supplemented by daily specials.

I had the Tempeh Rueben, as a half-sandwich, with an excellent spicy-black-bean soup:

Warm Tempeh Reuben Sandwich – our version of this classic features baked marinated tempeh, seasoned with caraway and cumin, tofu Russian dressing, sauerkraut and lettuce. Served on choice of mixed grain bread or sourdough spelt bread.

Brian had the Olé Man Seitan, which is basically a burrito:

Olé Man Seitan – Homemade seitan & roasted vegetable mix folded into a warm whole wheat tortilla; dressed with smoky molé, lime-jalapeño tofu sour cream and a slice of sassy pimento.

The food was absolutely top-notch – even my carnivorous colleague had to admit it was “really, really good.”

For desert, I had the Fig Newton and Brian got a Maple Tofu Whip, which was a kind of pudding/mousse concoction.

For lunch this good, I’d even consider living in NY. Well, until I see the size apartment I could afford.