Location, location, location – Indian Road Cafe

Type of Restaurant:  Farm to table restaurant and coffee bar

Situated at the tippity top of Manhattan, you practically need an oxygen supply to get there it’s so far north (quote from our downtown friends).  In reality it is situated alongside the beautiful Inwood Park, where there is still some of the very last primeval forest in Manhattan.  It is a perfect place to bring friends and family to wander around in the Park before or after a lazy brunch (only at weekends), breakfast or lunch (in the week).  The restaurant is also open for dinner in the evenings, when the resident chef brings a range of Hudson valley farm products to the table.

We came in for lunch on a lovely sunny day.  The restaurant is open and relaxing, with half decent wi fi and table service.  The lunch menu has options for vegans, with guacamole ($14), French fries ($13) and hummus ($11) in the appetizers, a spring salad ($12) and a BBQ tofu sandwich ($15) in the lighter bites and a tofu scramble ($14). 

In general, the food promises much and delivers mediocrity.  Portions of some dishes are very modest and prices are high for what you get.  We went for the tofu scramble, which came with whole wheat toast and a slice of melon.  It was OK.  For example, we got a single slice of pre-sliced, dry toast on the side of our plate.  Strictly speaking it does what it says on the tin, but no more.  A bit disappointing.
 
The barista coffee bar does have a good range of teas, coffees (well made and flavorful), cakes and pastries.  There is a vegan option in the form of a ‘vegan peanut butter cookie’ ($2.5).
 
All in all, this place is a real community hub up in an area with little competition.  However it is over-priced, which is a shame as the food ethos is sound and it would be nice if it was a bit more accessible to all.  Vegans are relatively well catered for overall, although the evening menu looks more restricted.
 
Address etc:   600 W218th St, corner of Indian Rd, New York City
            (212) 942-7451
            Open 7am-10.30pm Mon-Fri, 7am-11pm Sat & 8am-10pm Sun