Pure Food & Wine

You won’t miss the heat at this hot raw restaurant

Food

Service

Atmosphere

Pure Food and Wine may serve only raw food (nothing is cooked above 118º F) but the place sizzles nonetheless. 

The very sexy restaurant resides in the middle of Irving Place, an equally sexy area of Manhattan, where foodies flock to wine bars and an array of chic restaurants. With its red walls, smooth jazz, and sophisticated décor, Pure lacks none of the ambience its neighbors possess. It offers its well-heeled, celebrity-studded clientele (Giselle, Bill Clinton, Woody Harrelson) an extensive array of food and drink. Plus, it has something the other places lack – a “hump couch” in the luxurious back garden. (Did I mention Bill Clinton dines here? Grab a cigar!)
 
The broad wine list includes vintages from all corners of the world and indicates which ones adhere to strict vegan processing, a rarity among many vegan/vegetarian restaurants. The raw lasagna surpasses any combination I’ve ever had, and desserts include a sinfully delicious tiramisu and shortbread and mint ice cream cake. Each course is presented as a feast for the eyes as well as tongue. You won’t want to disturb the masterpiece on your plate but once you do you won’t be disappointed.

There’s a full bar with seating where specialty cocktails can be ordered along with a vegan wine, cheese and fruit plate, featuring a sampling of Dr. Cow’s raw vegan cheeses made locally in Brooklyn. Dr. Cow’s cheeses may very well be the best thing since Whole Foods came to town for vegans and raw foodists who miss snacking on a slice of hard coagulated dairy.

The restaurant is anything but ordinary. A meal with all the fixings can cost upwards of $80 per person. If you’re anxious to sample some of its fare in a more casual and less expensive setting where stools replace the hump couch, checkout Pure’s café and take out shop around the corner on E. 17th St. Either way, your taste buds, and possibly other parts of you, will thank you.