Sutra NYC
Chef Matthew Kenney is at it again! I’ve been to almost all of this celebrity chef’s restaurants in NYC, so as soon as I heard about Sutra, I was first in line. Sutra is unlike any other Matthew Kenney (MK) restaurant I’ve been to. I’ve ventured into the plant-based cuisines of the vegan world, but I’ve never tried raw vegan foods specifically. Check out my experience at a new plant-based restaurant and rooftop created by the creative Chef Matthew Kenney in partnership with Alo Yoga.
The Deets
Sutra is located 164 5th Avenue in Flatiron. Yes, in case you already figured it out, Sutra is in the same building as Alo Yoga Sanctuary, Studio & Café. It’s on the 4th Floor in the same building of Alo’s flagship store. It’s pretty convenient to get to wherever you’re coming from in the city because Flatiron is a common transfer point for the 2, 3, 6, N, R, and W subway trains. It’s also within a block or two from Madison Square Park, if you’d prefer to grab a latte or juice to enjoy outdoors or want to avoid any crowds.
In case you’re worried about not finding Sutra, just walk inside Alo and ask someone who works there. The restaurant manager was already waiting downstairs at the elevators when I arrived because he was expecting me. I made a reservation on OpenTable, which wasn’t really necessary but I’ve gotten into a habit of making reservation for everywhere I go no matter what time or day it is because of COVID-19.
The entire staff was so friendly, which is not a surprise because the quality of service at any MK restaurants is always top notch. The manager’s name is Thomas and my waitress’s name was Hannah. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and its specific ingredients, which is helpful for non-vegan diners like myself.
Food
The Cauliflower Fried Rice is great gluten free opinion with just the right amount of crunch and some spiciness. Just an FYI, the “fried rice” is served cold and so is the entire food menu because it is raw plant-based food. The Pineapple Adobo Tacos are $8 per tacos and are also gluten, soy, and nut-free. Because I was attempting to taste as many menu items as possible, I only ordered one. But, I would say two or three of these tacos will fill you right up for light lunch. Or you could probably just do the “fried rice” and a taco or toast as a full lunch. The Avocado Toast is also $8 per piece, as well as gluten and soy-free. The Avocado Toast was probably my least favorite, which might be because I was expected more avocados than cucumbers, but it was still a refreshing snack. And to finish off my meal, I indulged in the Golden Milk Banana Cream Pie. This dessert, like most on the menu were both gluten and soy-free, but unfortunately not nut-free. So if you’re allergic to nuts, you might be out of luck for something sweet at Sutra.
Food Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
For any non-vegan/vegetarian readers who are weary of trying out this place, just try to stick with something similar to foods you do like. Everyone loves pasta, right? Give the Carrot & Zucchini Pasta or Cacio e Pepe a try. I’ve also heard great feedback about the Young Papaya Salad. The menu is very diverse for anyone is is allergic to gluten, wheat, soy, dairy, or nuts. If you are a non-vegan reader with allergies and have any concerns, just mention these dietary restrictions to your waiter or waitress. Although from my experience, wait staff at MK restaurants always ask about food allergies and dietary restrictions.
Drinks
This section of the menu serves up fresh-pressed juices, basic coffee, cappuccinos, and specialty lattes. I ordered the OM Juice with was a combination of apple, carrot, pineapple, lemon, ginger, and cayenne. If you’re not a huge green juice person, this would a good start because the flavor combines the sweet flavors of the fruits and has a nice spicy kick from the crushed cayenne pepper. Other OM Juice options include Beetroot Chakra and The Flatiron. I can totally picture myself heading up to the rooftop at Sutra for some fresh-pressed juice after a yoga class on a nice Summer day, or even just a walk through the Flatiron District. I plan on trying the Turmeric Latte or the Dirty Chai Latte during my next visit. Huge fan of turmeric! Fun fact: Turmeric helps reduce inflammation. For anyone looking for a basic latte, the Latte is an option, but so are the Matcha Latte and Chai Latte. Non-dairy options include oat, soy, and almond milk.
The Check
Here’s the damage! This café type of restaurant is a pretty good bang for your buck. And I felt that the portions, down to the serving size of my OM juice, was generous.
I definitely splurged because I skipped breakfast today, but on a normal day, the bill might come out to $25 or so for a latte and dessert item. I noticed other parties that all ordered either a coffee and dessert item or a juice and multiple food items to share with the table. I typically go this route if I’m dining out with friends or family, but can’t decide on one dish to order. Plus, my indecisiveness on what to order from a menu is usually a good sign that I’m going to love the restaurant and come back until I try everything on my “wish list.”
The Venue
Here are some pictures of the interior from my visit to Sutra. The venue is very modern, but the vibe is very relaxing. The zen vibes are probably from the all white walls, tables, and everything. And I love the modern artwork. This space is like a café and lounge coupled together.
The rooftop has a beautiful view of the Flatiron District neighborhood and a quick glance at Madison Square Park. Unfortunately when I was there, it was raining, so the rooftop was covered up with a white tent.