As a surviving classic, it makes sense they'd try something new to stay in the game.
On a recent trip, with a craving for meatballs, I discovered their new "Vegan Italian Specialties" menu. It includes such dishes as Seitan Scallopini and Seitan Parmigiana, whole wheat and gluten-free pasta, as well as gluten-free cannoli, and vegan ice cream from Lula's Sweet Apothecary.
John's notes on the vegan menu: "We want everyone to be able to enjoy our Italian specialties made with the freshest ingredients available! All of our vegan dishes are plant-based and contain no animal ingredients whatsoever. We use dedicated cooking utensils for preparing vegan dishes."
I'm not vegan, so I can't review the food. And while I may look askance at gluten-free cannoli (that's not how Grandma made them), I applaud John's for making a change that may help it to survive without ruining the spirit and atmosphere of the place. Vegans, spread the word.
Keeping up with the changing world of food, in addition to their vegan menu, John's is also on Facebook and Twitter.
I think maybe anyone can review vegan food, except people who must eat meat/eggs/dairy in every bite.
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited to hear that John's is doing well, and that I have a restaurant I can go to with my girlfriend, who is allergic to gluten!
The owners of John's are my landlords. They said they have been working on this menu for an entire year before debuting it to make everything perfect. They are very excited about it. And to think, when I moved in upstairs, I was reluctant to tell these guys I was vegan!
ReplyDeleteWow--these dishes sound good. I cook a seitan burger-cooked in a miso based sauce for a while--then topped with soy cheese and put on a whole wheat bun. John's is a great place and I am glad they are doing well.
ReplyDeletegood point ivanova--i'm afraid my meat-loving ways would skew my review. i go to John's with meatball cravings.
ReplyDeleteMelanie, maybe you could give the Seitan Parmigiana a try and let us know?
Oh, I forgot to mention the food! How silly. The seitan parmigiana was amazing, and tremendous with a side of pasta. I had half for lunch the following day. They make their seitan themselves and are very proud of that. The caesar salad was OK, my favorite is at Kate's Joint though! Next time will try the scalloppini. Their chef of 37 years was trained by a vegan holistic chef to make all of this fantastic stuff, impressive to me. I had no room for dessert, sadly!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan. I just wasted $20 on an egg brunch so next month I will spend some more money and try it. I don't dine out all that often anymore but this is worth trying.
ReplyDeleteI've been eating there since the 60's. One of my favorite restaurants in NY! It would kill me to see that place close. I hope they can weather the storm of gentrification that is sweeping that neighborhood. Small places like this, and Il-Faro, which used to be on 14th between 1st & 2nd (closed years ago) can always be counted on to serve incredible food visit after visit.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's so cool. I am on a vegetarian kick lately so I will have to go there to get some seitan parmigiana :) I find it touching that they put so much effort into this new menu!
ReplyDeletefantastic. I like John's old world menu, though some of it is pretty crusty, literally and figuratively, but Italian food can be very unhealthy. John's is leading the way.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they're trying to compete with Angelica Kitchen next door.
ReplyDeleteyoure saying i cant get a piece of grilled fish? w/some brocolli? whats not healthy about that? seitan is cheaper than fish. also it has MSG & many chemicals that would cause me to have a migraine. unless they make the seitan themselves? douteful! as johns switched from real potatoes to fake potatoes in a tube, like 6 yrs ago! i spit them out. i complained to the owners, myron & the other one. then they stopped buying salmon, believe me me it started to change. i dont mind some vegetarian dishes (thats good), but no fish or chicken? when i need strong food i don't want a dish of pasta w/wheat gluten ("seitan"). this was a real italian resturant. i ate there every time i went back to new york sometimes after a 12 hr plane trip. i would go across the street, have a good fish & talk to the bar tender, & waiters. they knew me they were great. now they sold out! bet they will have incense & new age crap right? another concept in my face? whats wrong w/traditional food?ill pass on johns.
ReplyDeleteIVONOVA: seitan IS wheat gluten right?? theres MORE allergies there.
ReplyDeleteTo those expressing concern, I'm sure the old dishes are still available, and that John's has merely expanded the menu in order to stay competitive.
ReplyDeleteGood for them, I say. I've patronized John's for four decades, and pray they outlive me. Can't wait to try the Seitan Parmigiana!
that's right--nothing has changed except these vegan dishes have been added as a special menu. no worries.
ReplyDeletethanks J& brooks! finally, something is reasonable & moderate. (the post was unclear). yes they may attract more customers. not everyone wants angelicas. & groups of people can all be happy. let me know if they makes their own seitan. after "ginos" closing i got scared!! thats for clarity.
ReplyDeleteSo now they've broadened their appeal while keeping all of us who love & frequent them. There are few of the oldy goldies around (Italian). I believe Marinella's on Carmine St is one of those - with great Italian food. I use to see the artist Jack Levine there all the time. Trattoria Pesce Pasta has only been around maybe 10 years (also on Bleecker) but also good.
ReplyDeleteGood to know! Just made plans for birthday dinner there with vegan friend. It can be tricky to find a restaurant that's not completely vegan, yet has features carefully prepared and appetizing menu choices for vegans
ReplyDeleteFantastic! This is what I like to see! A mix for everyone. As a vegan, this makes me so happy. This will be the first place I eat when I finally visit NY.
ReplyDeleteNot to worry. I work there and this place is definitely not closing. In fact...going strong! The restaurant owns the building. Something that not every place can say. That is the main ingredient to surviving in manhattan. No landlord!
ReplyDeletethis is great. i am looking forward to try this restaurant. thanks for posting/
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