new york city vegetarian restaurants Kajitsu

new york city vegetarian restaurants   Kajitsu

Kajitsu
414 E. 9th St., 212-228-4873, East Village, Manhattan
Kajitsu was recently awarded two Michelin stars, an astounding honor for a Japanese vegan restaurant. The focus is Shojin cuisine, an ancient cooking practice developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries. Executive chef Masato Nishihara honed his exquisite skills in Kyoto and Nagano restaurants. He makes monthly alterations to the two tasting menus: four courses are $50 and eight courses are $70, presented on hand-carved wooden trays with expert precision by the well-trained staff.

There might be black beans with gold leaf, a shiitake mushroom cap stuffed with tofu and mountain yam, and crispy phyllo dough wrapped around mashed potatoes to be topped with a thick sauce of ponzu, daikon, cucumber and cabbage. There are just 28 seats and reservations are recommended at least a week in advance. The bamboo-detailed dining room is soothing and austere, and so quiet that even the clink of sake cups is jarring. Despite the formality of the proceedings, this is still the East Village, so dress is casual. 

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