• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

HealthyHappyLife.com logo

  • about
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • BLOGGING
  • VIDEO
  • SHOP
  • Cookbooks
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • My Books
  • Videos
  • About
  • holiday
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » This and That » Jean Georges Likes Vegetarians. Even Vegans.

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Mar 14, 2020 · published: Feb 24, 2009 · About 3 minutes to read this article. 10 Comments

    Jean Georges Likes Vegetarians. Even Vegans.

    One of my favorite blogs to read is that of world-renowned chef Jean Georges.

    So when I saw that his signature restaurant Jean Georges was offering a four-course $58 dinner featuring his favorite dishes (none being vegan), I had to inquire about diners like me.

    I posted this comment to JG on his blog:
    “Any vegetarian options available? I am veg, my husband is not and adores your restaurant.”

    JG quickly responded with:
    “Absolutely. We always have delicious vegetarian options and will for this menu as well. I hope you and your husband have a lovely meal together. -Jean-Georges”

    Nice! Now I know what you are thinking. Kathy, you’re vegan not vegetarian! True. I wanted to start slowly. Luckily, I no longer have fear to ask top chefs about vegan options: “Executive Chef says: Pay Attention to Vegans”.

    So, today I directly called Jean George’s Columbus Circle NYC restaurant, to ask if they indeed accommodate vegan diners.

    Click ahead to find out what the hostess said, and more of my favorite JG restaurants…

    Calling Jean Georges:

    Me: ” Hi, I was wondering if you are able to accommodate vegan diners?”

    JG Hostess: “Yes.”

    Me:
    “For lunch or dinner?”

    JG Hostess: ” Yes. For lunch or dinner.”

    Me: “OK great, thanks so much.”

    Success!

    Now I really knew that they would most likely say yes. I have quickly learned that the upper-crust restaurants here in NYC and around the world will usually accommodate any special request. I had the most amazing vegan dinner at Le Bernardin in NYC for a special event. They were incredibly accommodating and didn’t look at me like, “Are you kidding me?” (The face I experience at a few less-wonderful non-veggie restaurants.)

    Jean George: Mercer Kitchen and Spice Market

    Two of my favorite restaurants that I frequent often are both JG restaurants. Mercer Kitchen in Soho at the Mercer Hotel (yes, where Russel Crowe threw the phone in the lobby.) and Spice Market in the meatpacking district.

    Spice Market has an entire section of the menu devoted to vegetables, noodles, and rice dishes. And the house made ginger ale is to die for!

    Mercer Kitchen has seasonal salads and plenty of veg-friendly sides like wild rice and steamed or grilled veggies. I always get one of the pizzas with no cheese. They are always amazing. has the best seasonal pineapple mojitos in NYC.

    JG Dishes and Books

    I did a bit of research and found this yummy recipe for Napa Salad, it’s vegan and sounds divine. You can get the recipe at NYMag.com.

    Here are the ingredients for the Napa Salad:

    4 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
    2 cups shredded carrot
    2 cups shredded daikon
    1 cup sliced red onion, salted and rinsed
    1 cup julienned mango
    1 cup chiffonade of mint
    ¾ cup Jean-Georges Passion Fruit Vinaigrette*
    8 sprigs cilantro

    **I am very motivated to seek out Jean George’s Passion Fruit Vinaigrette, which is available at from ABC Home, Citarella, Zabar’s, and Balducci’s. Yum.

    Asian Flavors Cookbook

    I own Jean Georges new cookbook called Asian Flavors. It is amazing. And it does indeed have many vegetarian recipes and ones that I can easily modify to make vegan. His craft and skill with flavor combinations is genius. And the photos almost make me want to try sushi! Not really… My husband who loves sushi and Asian flavors is in love with this book.

    TOP CHEFS KNOW TO ACCOMMODATE VEGANS

    In a previous post, I noted that the former Executive Chef at 21, mentioned how important it is to pay attention to Vegan diners.

    JEAN GEORGES NYC

    So if you are in NYC you should definitely consider visiting JG for s special dining experience.

    Jean Georges
    1 Central Park West
    Reservations Open Table
    Phone: 212.299.3900

    Jean Georges Blog

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • Nespresso Espresso Machines: My review
    • Persimmons: Simply Sweet or Super Fiber Food?
    • Cookbook-Artbook Hybrid by Fashion’s Top Designers
    • Recipe: “Red Carpet Ready” Strawberry Upside Down Cake

    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

    Vegan Linzer Cookies

    5 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Pie

    Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

    Vegan Oatmeal Cookies, Lunchbox-Ready

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lydia says

      March 20, 2020 at 7:36 pm

      Good to know. I have also found that most high end restaurants and chefs will change menu items for vegan or allergic diners. Allergies are a big thing, as they can be deadly. And assisting a special diet is just the sign of a well trained chef and staff.Lydia

      Reply
    2. Heidi says

      March 20, 2020 at 7:36 pm

      Me too. I would love an index of five start restaurants that will be kind to veggies and vegans. Does such an index exist?I also love Jean Georges. I’ve been to Spice Market in New York City and it was such a high energy place. I was shocked that the food was so incredible. In the summer they open all their windows and it becomes an open air dining experience. Felt like somewhere exotic right in Meatpacking.Thanks Jean Georges for that great spot.*Heidi

      Reply
    3. SunPower Natural Vegan Cafe says

      March 20, 2020 at 6:28 pm

      We always love accomodating chefs. I think most good chefs can and will help us vegans out, especially these days; but maybe not 20 years ago.

      Reply
    4. Heidi says

      March 20, 2020 at 6:28 pm

      Sorry, I meant five star, not five start restaurants. fast typer is me.*H

      Reply
    5. SunPower Natural Vegan Cafe says

      May 12, 2009 at 3:23 pm

      We always love accomodating chefs. I think most good chefs can and will help us vegans out, especially these days; but maybe not 20 years ago.

      Reply
    6. Heidi says

      February 25, 2009 at 4:20 pm

      Sorry, I meant five star, not five start restaurants. fast typer is me.

      *H

      Reply
    7. Heidi says

      February 25, 2009 at 4:19 pm

      Me too. I would love an index of five start restaurants that will be kind to veggies and vegans. Does such an index exist?

      I also love Jean Georges. I’ve been to Spice Market in New York City and it was such a high energy place. I was shocked that the food was so incredible. In the summer they open all their windows and it becomes an open air dining experience. Felt like somewhere exotic right in Meatpacking.

      Thanks Jean Georges for that great spot.

      *Heidi

      Reply
    8. Anonymous says

      February 24, 2009 at 9:57 pm

      Thanks for this post! I love hearing about places that are very accommodating to vegans.

      Reply
    9. Lydia says

      February 24, 2009 at 9:38 pm

      Good to know. I have also found that most high end restaurants and chefs will change menu items for vegan or allergic diners. Allergies are a big thing, as they can be deadly. And assisting a special diet is just the sign of a well trained chef and staff.

      Lydia

      Reply
    10. Anonymous says

      March 20, 2020 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks for this post! I love hearing about places that are very accommodating to vegans.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    newsletter:

    Trending

    my cookbooks

    my cookbooks

    Disqus Latest Comments

    1. s

      s: Absolutely one of the best things I've ever baked. Used dairy butter…

      Commented on: Cinnamon Toast Morning Muffins, gluten-free and vegan

    2. JanetS

      JanetS: Neither of those non-grain flours will substitute for oats or wheat. As…

      Commented on: Cinnamon Toast Morning Muffins, gluten-free and vegan

    3. disqus_LfP7ofaP87

      disqus_LfP7ofaP87: Earth Balance brand HAS PALM OIL, as do most of the vegan…

      Commented on: Sticky Banana Bread Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

    about kathy

    kathy patalsky

    featured: peach coconut water smoothie

    browse recipes

    Breakfast  |  Entrees  |  Desserts  |  Smoothies  |  Sandwiches  |  Salads  |  Beverages  |  Soups |  Appetizers |  Snacks  |  Sauces  |  Sides   /  Cooking Videos  |  Round-Ups  |  Fan Favorites  |  Holiday  /  All the Recipes

    browse:

    • reviews
    • travel
    • vegan topics
    • people
    • videos
    • beauty
    • wellness
    • Mom Life

    my ttc + baby journey

    Footer

    BROWSE BY:

    Category:

    DATE:

    looking for something?

    contact   |   about   |   kathy’s cookbooks  |  press  |  findingvegan  |  meal plans  |  shop  |  vegan recipe index  |  privacy policy  | start a blog

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Services | Work with me