3 Questions

Blossom • Organic Vegan • 187 9th Ave, New York, New York 10011 • Map • VeggieTrip Review

An interview with Steven, from Blossom Restaurant in New York.

1. Why did you create a vegan organic restaurant?

The owners of Blossom, Pamela & Ronen, are first and foremost animal caring. Being vegans themselves and living in Manhattan, they knew there was a definite need for an upscale vegan restaurant in New York City. They wanted to create an intimate, chic and romantic spot where people could enjoy gourmet vegan food, have a unique dining experience and most importantly start to understand that one doesn't have to use meat or any other animal product in order for food to be delicious. The countless animals that suffer from being mistreated and slaughtered for food is outrageous and completely unnecessary. Ronen and Pamela also know of the many health benefits that an organic vegan diet can offer. It is interesting that what can help us to be healthy isn't eating the animals and/or their by-products, but it is vegetables, fruits, whole grains, herbs, etc., etc., the body wants and needs to thrive.

2. What are the challenges to serving a vegan organic menu?

I don't know if there are many challenges aside from trying to offer their organic food at a comfortable cost for the clientele. Organic is very, very expensive and we only have the highest of quality. The owners knew from the very beginning exactly what they wanted the menu to be. Of course a number of items have changed along with the seasons, but the basic core of the menu is steady and exciting.

3. Where are your favorite vegan/vegetarian places to eat when you travel?

Unfortunately, they find it extremely difficult to find places to eat when they travel and so do most vegans simply because the offerings are so sparse. When traveling to Mexico, they tend to find tiny family owned places that will prepare a good vegetable dish for them with perhaps pasta or rice and a healthy salad. Traveling within the US is a big challenge and very frustrating. They've heard that Millennium in California is supposed to be very good and they are looking forward to going there when they go west.