Raw Bento

How lucky am I to have NYC’s first-ever raw restaurant, Quintessence, just a few blocks from where I’m staying?

There were good and bad reviews on this restaurant but I had to try it for myself. Perhaps the bad reviews stuck in my mind so I didn’t expect too much.

I had the best raw meal ever. I have yet to explore more raw joints but this was truly the best lunch I have had in a long time. What a treat to have raw food made with such perfection…

…RAW TACOS!!

The raw hot sauce made it finger-lickin’ good. I am still sighing from this cocoon of raw ecstasy — I don’t want to return to Tokyo where there are no raw restaurants (there were a couple but they are closed down temporarily; hopefully they will reopen soon).

I had a raw chocolate shake as my energy levels were flagging due to a freezing 90-min run I did before lunch (I nearly went for a hot vegan meal but I’m glad I stuck to my guns). It was more like a chocolate milk and preferred it that way as a thick one would’ve no doubt stuffed me to the brim.

I thought the service was attentive and the atmosphere relaxing and cosy. I would imagine it quite packed for dinner and perhaps not as serene. Here are some pictures of the place:

My verdict: I want to go back as soon as possible to try their new lemongrass Thai soup and pesto ravioli. Wait, I want to pack this whole place into my suitcase.