For many reasons, this life-long meat eater and Manhattan denizen was inspired to try a meatless May. Hence, many peers and acquaintances have made the switch from Knockwurst to Beyond, and to my surprise and from the onset, I quickly discovered that plant-based eating could be a delicious learning journey both in the kitchen and out. Today’s lunch inspiration was Beyond Sushi, a restaurant found on the Seated reservation app.
Beyond Sushi Bar and Seating Area. Photo by Edward Kliszus
Miraculous Textures
Beyond Sushi restaurant was a fun, friendly, and comfortable place, delivering an ergonomic experience beyond my expectations. Entering, as my mind briefly drifted into a hazy sentimental sojourn of cheese babka, burgers, pizza, zeppoles, and sausage and peppers, I was mesmerized by the establishment’s skilled chefs who created miraculous textures, flavors, and the beauty of an innovative sushi roll.
Beyond Sushi QR code for To-Go Menu. Photo by Edward Kliszus
Culinary Masterpieces
First in the restaurant at 11:30 am. I chose the lunch special for $17.00, which included a choice of two items from the following categories: Beyond Sushi Classics, Maki Rolls, Dumplings, and Miso Soup. I chose the Shiitake Truffle Dumpling and the Charred Avocado Maki Roll. The servings were considerable and beautifully presented. I discovered my meatless May in a delicious amalgam of sushi-vegan culinary masterpieces!
Charred Avocado Maki Roll closeup. Photo by Edward Kliszus
Charred Avocado Maki Roll. Photo by Edward Kliszus
Sushi Heaven
A bottle of soy sauce was on the table, and the Maki Roll came with freshly sliced ginger and wasabi. The jackfruit crab and cucumber were coddled by white rice and topped with charred avocado and black truffle caviar. Dipped in a little soy sauce and wasabi topped with ginger, I dove into meatless May sushi heaven free of dark thoughts of seafood mercury or cholesterol.
Shiitake Truffle Dumpling.Photo by Edward Kliszus
The dumpling was thin and light, yet it encompassed a delicious world within– braised shiitake, baked tofu, spinach, dark soy, and porcini mushrooms. Moreover, it was beautifully topped with chili panko, micro arugula, shiitake truffle, and spicy bean sauce. While savoring these delightful morsels, my ruminations about pork gyoza evaporated.
While chatting with the friendly waitstaff, I learned that Beyond Sushi is part of the City Roots Hospitality Restaurants and Catering Group, and they have several vegan restaurants throughout the city:
Beyond Sushi (four locations throughout the city)
Willow “Cozy and contemporary comfort food” in Chelsea
Coletta “A fresh culinary perspective to Italian cuisine” in Gramercy
Anixi “Mediterranean Brasserie” in Chelsea
Delicious
I highly recommend dining in or taking out from Beyond Sushi for lunch, happy hour, or dinner. In addition to a delicious luncheon experience, Beyond Sushi indeed helped me along my plant-based learning journey, which may lead me beyond a meatless May. Next stop, Chelsea.
I recently acquired the remarkable new “Seated” app. Notably, this app lists participating restaurants and has a great program with almost immediate rewards. A friend referred me, and I’ve already shared it with a few people. It’s worth a look. My code is “edward1533” or you can scan the barcode below. Either way, check it out if you frequently dine out.
Qr code for Seated
Beyond Sushi- Upper East Side
Sushi, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free
1429 3rd Avenue, (81st Street)
New York, NY 10028
Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Yama Japanese Restaurant, Wagamama and The Robert Cray Band.
