GOING RAW AT ONE LUCKY DUCK


I walked into the carnal red room hearing violent blades whirring against raw vegetables, shredding, grinding and juicing. As I advanced to the counter, I studied the neatly organized shelves of organic vegan food: chia seeds, flax seeds, goji berries and raw carob powder, and stacks of books on living and eating raw.  I was met by a modern day urban hippie standing behind the counter sporting a slouchy hemp beanie, I looked closer and everyone behind the place wearing a hemp beanie. Eerie, like deja-vu. All they needed were tie-dyed shirts and burning incense to fulfill the stereotype, and I would have been completely transported back to my hippie days at Berkeley hanging out and living with hardcore vegans.



"Man, this place totally reminds me of Berkeley!" I exclaimed with unexpected enthusiasm. Surprising coming from a gal who no longer shows any residual style from her hippie days at Bezerkeley.
"Really? Thanks!" Hippie guy responds.
"Have you been to Berkeley?" I asked curiously as if Berkeley had a patent on raw vegan themed restaurants. Silly me.
"No, but I've heard a lot about it. I actually grew up in New Jersey."
"Oh really? Well, this place totally reminds me of Berkeley."


It was true. As soon as I walked through the doors off of East 19th from the urban concrete jungle of skyscrapers, I felt like I had been welcomed into one of my old college friend's homes, seeing beaded pillows and three communal tables for diners to share while they eat their raw vegan meals. Don't know the person you're sitting across from? No problem. Nobody else does either.

Since One Lucky Duck gets pretty full, I arrived early to snag two seats to make my first time meeting of food blogger Liz from VeggieGirl more comfortable. Liz is an Ohio native, young, bright and ambitious, accomplishing great things even before she's achieved her bachelor's degree in journalism. She flew into New York, her favorite city, to savor the last few days of Christmas break before she resumed the endless piles of papers, mid-terms and sleepless nights at school. I was happy to have a chance to meet Liz in person. VeggieGirl chronicles her life living with Crohn's Disease and several food allergies, an issue that I lament I have not been knowledgeable about or sensitive to until I sat down with Liz.


When she arrived, I gave Liz a light hug, almost afraid that I would have crumbled her if I gave her anymore of an enthusiastic welcome. We sat down in front of two salads to talk about her visit to the city and all of the exciting meetings she had for potential career opportunities after college. Liz had the S&M salad, a mix of baby green lettuce from Satur Farms in Long Island, dulse, lemon dressing and dense, hearty rosemary crackers ($10).


I had a dulse, shredded beet and carrot salad with a rice vinegar and sesame oil dressing, which was refreshing with vibrant doses of lemon and green onion accents ($10), accompanied by a hot pink very spicy ginger beet juice ($8). When I initially saw the pile of seaweed I seriously thought that it was going to be an afternoon snack. Half an hour later working through the last shreds, I was completely full. It was mean, good and satisfying. That's making quite a statement coming from a girl who likes her steaks medium-rare, well-marbled and hugged by a sizzling layer of fat, and who also carnivorously devours it as soon it hits the table.  


Each person I meet from the blogging world offers a special friendship that makes me grateful to be part of the community. I am appreciative to have had the opportunity to meet Liz who is one of the sweetest souls I've encountered. I'm proud to be a new member of her support network, encouraging her through her journey and rooting for and sharing in her successes. Thanks VeggieGirl!

42 comments:

Lori said...

I'm always amazed at how creative and beautiful raw food can be, not to mention tasty. So great that you got to meet Liz. I enjoy her blog.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Delurking to say just how much I love this post - it brings back fond memories of dining, chatting, and just having a great time with you while in NYC. Your Berkley memories are hilarious, and I'm always glad that the sea vegetable salad was filling after all, haha ;)

Hugs and see you again soon!

Joanne said...

This sounds like a fantastic meet-up! I've been meaning to check out some of the raw food places here in the city.

Some of the NYC bloggers are thinking of having a meet-up this coming Saturday in Queens at 5 Burro Cafe. Let me know if you can/are interested in going!

Kathleen said...

I am amazed by how great most of the people in the blogging community are! I've never had raw food. I think I've got to drive up to LA to find a place that serves it.

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

The salads look & sound amazing. Well, I decided a while ago that if I ever make it to NYC, I'll get "Veggie Girl's" S & M salad at One Lucky Duck. One day, I'll make it! :)

I'm glad you guys had a nice time! :)

Chef E said...

This makes me miss my health food store cafe that closed due to health food store was a mom n pop, and business was not supportive of our endeavors in Ewing (bad location).

How fun, I love meeting blogs as well, and have met so many nice ones that we all still stay in touch!

I am meeting one Feb 10th in NYC, I will let you know more, maybe you can suggest the place!

Chef E said...

Oh I did meet a Brit Blog at Pure Food, and was my second visit, yummy place! How funny I think the one you went to is their second location!

♥peachkins♥ said...

wow! I wish I could do the meet up thing. The food there looks great and it looks like you had fun..

Unknown said...

Everything looks so fresh! I agree - it's so nice to meet up with blogger friends (and I don't feel anxious about taking so many photos of food!)

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

I'm always afraid I won't be full with a raw meal but I've been waiting to try Pure Food & Wine, though it seems pretty expensive.

Mardi Michels said...

How fun that you got to meet Veggie Girl!!!! That looks like an amazing place, would love to try some of those dishes. It's amazing how stuff like that can fill you up and satisfy you even if initially you are skeptical...

Anonymous said...

meeting up with the famous Liz in person must have been really fun, specially eating raw food with her! :)

Nancy said...

Yes - this place reminds me of Cafe Gratitude in Berkeley. I've been to Pure, now I'll have to try one luck duck!

Tara said...

What a fun girls day out! I wish I could have joined (: I'll have to check out her blog as well.

Velva said...

Cheers to Liz! You have had another wonderful encounter with a fellow food blogger-awesome.

I have wanted to have a raw food experience. I have to remember to ask you when I return to NYC about the raw food restaurant One Lucky Duck where you and Liz enjoyed your meal.

You will soon to be off to France-YEAH!!!

Yasmeen said...

What a wonderful meet-up.The crunchy raw salad and beet juice is right up my alley :D

chow and chatter said...

cool another meet up what fun, salad looks great you a hippy post a pic I have to see that!!!

Tina said...

What a cool post, I really enjoyed reading that. Cheers to Veggie Girl! Love the salads, look good.

Angie's Recipes said...

I LOVE LOVE both salads! You look so sporty!

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

Awwww, lovely post! Meeting bloggers in real life is always special. I hope to meet you some day too! :)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post! How nice to meet over a raw meal ;-D) and have the opportunity to chat face to face with a bloggy friend.
I am officialy jealous!;-]
XOXOXO.

Simply Life said...

Oh what a fun meal out!!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I have been to One Lucky Duck and it is amazing. It's hard to believe all of the different flavor and color combinations they assemble, without ever cooking the food.

Reeni said...

I adore Veggie Girl! How fun that you met. The salads look absolutely delicious!

Kim said...

I'm so glad you posted about your visit to one lucky duck. I was very curious when you posted about your drink the other day. Looks like a fun place with absolutely stunning food. How fun to meet with other food bloggers. I wish there were more of us here in KY.

Megan said...

How fun to meet another blogger. I love the salads. They do remind me of Berkley! :)

Megan said...

How fun to meet another blogger. I love the salads. They do remind me of Berkley! :)

Emily said...

One Lucky Duck sounds amazing! I'd love to visit someday. I'm so jealous that you met the fabulous Veggie Girl, too!

Beth said...

I can't imagine actually eating raw all the time, but it might be something worth trying out on occassion!

Esme said...

I envy you meeting all these other bloggers.

Lucky you. If I do not get back to you-ENJOY FRANCE.

There is a new deli/chacturie/cheese shop in town-I bought some truffle cheese thinking of you.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

old hippies have to have something to do!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I thought the food looked really good and it is great you met Veggie Girl and for us to know that she is as nice as she sounds.

The Paris Food Blague said...

wow, these look fantastic. where will you be in france? let me know if you need any recommendations!
a bientot
The Paris Food Blague

Deb in Hawaii said...

Always fun to meet new foodies. Although I could not do raw full time I love some of the food and am amazed by the tastes.

Sarah said...

Some of my favorite food at the farmers market comes from a vegan vendor! How lucky to meet another food blogger.

MaryMoh said...

Great to have such meet up. I have yet to meet a food blogger face to face. Would be so exciting and so fun. Love this raw salad....beautiful presentation. I don't mind to eat it often.

Divina Pe said...

It is always a great honor to meet a fellow food blogger. I've always wanted to eat there. I think I'll just dream about it for now.

Post Grad Hair Cut said...

I am so intrigued by raw food. There is one raw food restaurant in our city that I am aware of and I am definitely going to try it out.

nancy at goodfoodmatters said...

What a fun meet-up. i love your introduction of the berserkley-like vibe of this place!

Katy ~ said...

How fortunate you both were to meet and share a healthful and well presented meal like this. An excellent day.

Unplanned Cooking said...

We have a raw food restaurant in town I've been dying to try. And how fun that you got to share your visit there with a fellow food blogger.

TKW said...

WOW. I am drooling--it looks so beautiful! I am so anxiously awaiting your account of all of your adventures!