Otarian: "food fast, not fast food"

I attended a day-long conference in Manhattan Friday. I knew I didn’t want to eat the “boxed lunch” that would be provided so I checked out Happy Cow: Compassionate Eating Guide to see what vegan options may be nearby and found that Otarian was just a few blocks away.

I started following Otarian on Twitter and Facebook when they announced the opening of several NYC locations but somehow I have never had lunch there.

At noon I left the conference (after a highly entertaining keynote address from New York Times tech columnist David Pogue) to grab a quick lunch at Otarian on 8th Avenue.

I perused the menu.

Otarian offers lacto-ovo vegetarian options and vegan options (and some of the lacto-ovo options can be made vegan upon request.)

Did you know that in New York City chain restaurants are required to provide calorie information? I ordered the Indian Chutney burger and the Sweet Potato Chiplets anyway 🙂

The burger was delicious.  Spicy and hearty.

I’m a sucker for a sweet potato

and these did not disappoint.

For $10.83 I got the burger, fries and a bottle of water.

Does $11 for fast food seem steep to you?  First, it’s Manhattan! Second, it’s vegan! Third, it’s food fast, not fast food

and worth every penny.

I will definitely eat at Otarian again.

Otarian
947 Eighth Ave
New York, NY  10019
and
154 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012

Otarian on Urbanspoon