Oh how I love the Upper East Side-- it's charm, it's sometimes unbelievable quietness, but most importantly I love the hidden gems that consist of restaurants, cafes, and hangouts.
Today, I decided to take my Sunday stroll down York Ave. There is a cafe that I have been dying to try. It's this cute little place called the Green Bean Cafe. I didn't have much time today so I took my tea to-go! As I was waiting for my tea, I began scrolling the menu-- OMG they have so many gluten free/vegan options. I'm not talking the occasional gluten free cookie, I'm talking gluten free EVERYTHING bagels and VEGAN cream cheese. For the skeptics, which is okay, you are probably questioning what vegan cream cheese tastes like... and in my honest opinion, each time I've had it I couldn't tell the difference.
The cafe menu is extremely extensive and there really is something for everyone, even on the go! So I paid for my iced green tea and made my way back uptown. I was pleasantly surprised to find another cafe/restaurant just a few doors down. After reading the menu written on a chalkboard out front, I found out that the cafe and the restaurant were under the same management. The restaurant had just as many, maybe more, healthy options as the Green Bean.
The interiors of both the cafe and the restaurant were extremely intimate, but also welcoming to a girl in workout clothes just trying to get a cold drink (me). Another plus, and every New Yorker will love this, they are open for B R U N C H!!! I am so excited to try it (maybe next weekend!). It says a lot about a restaurant when each time you walk by it, you can tell its packed by the laughter, clanking of dishes, and line out the door that I've seen at both of these establishments. If you're on the Upper East Side, it's definitely walking distance, and if you're anywhere else in Manhattan...hop on the Uptown 6 train and get off at 77th street :)
