Want to check out a new hood? Maya Gottfried gives you the rundown on the most vegan parts of lovely Park Slope Brooklyn;
I’m so excited to be leading a walking tour for Farm Sanctuary, exploring the very best of vegan Park Slope/Prospect Heights (neighboring ‘hoods in Brooklyn, NY). We’ll be meeting this coming Sunday, August 22, at 3pm in front of W!NK Eco Beauty Bar at 602 Vanderbilt Ave., btwn. St. Marks Ave. and Prospect Place. (subway: 7th Avenue Q / Grand Army Plaza 2,3). You can visit the Meetup page here.
Here are just a few of the spots we’ll be checking out;
The average salon manicure is hardly vegan, or earth-friendly (moisturizers, drying spray, etc.). W!NK‘s (602 Vanderbilt Ave.) savvy owner, Tani, carefully selects all of the products used and sold in her relaxing, sunny day spa to be environmentally smart. Services are either vegan, or can be provided vegan upon request. Attending the Farm Sanctuary gala and want to invest in more than your dress? Hot date for Vegan Prom? W!NK offers professional make-up application using 100% vegan products.
While making your sleepy way to the subway for your morning commute, pop into Prospect Heights Coffee, at 335 Flatbush Ave.. The cozy cafe is a vegan best kept secret. Located conveniently close to the 7th Ave. B/Q subway stop, Prospect Heights Coffee offers great vegan muffins in flavors including pumpkin spice and vanilla pear, as well as vegan scones. Take it with you on the train or park your freelance self at one of the tables, and use the free wifi.
Pan-asian vegan restaurant, Dao Palate, at 329 Flatbush Ave. offers some of the best cruelty-free dining (and fastest delivery) in Park Slope. The food is beautifully prepared and there’s a wallet-friendly lunch special. My personal favorite is the basil soy protein with zucchini, asparagus & bell peppers. Also served are vegan Thai iced tea, and alcohol-free mojitos with a flourish of fresh mint.
Bergen Street, between 5th Avenue and Flatbush, features two great hidden gems. For years, Babeland has had the reputation of being the female user friendliest of sex shoppes. Gone are the days of sinking into a stupor of guilt and giggles as you step into ye olde shoppe. The new Brooklyn Babeland location at 462 Bergen St. is cute, clean and vegan friendly. They offer a clear key indicating which lubricants do and do not contain animal products. Right next door, at 460 Bergen St., is Sun in Bloom, a cafe offering all vegan fare (gluten-free upon request). There’s an area to sit, but it’s also great for getting food on the go.
If you’re not a member of the Park Slope Food Coop (which carries just about every foodstuff and toiletry a vegan heart could desire), fear not, you can purchase (almost) everything you need to get cruelty-free clean at Slope Natural Food. Located at 61 5th Ave., on the corner of St. Marks & 5th Ave., they carry vegan-friendly brands Jason, Kiss My Face, Nature’s Gate, and more (just make sure to read the labels, not all of these companies’ products are 100% vegan). The store also stocks many vegan food staples including soy milk and Puffins cereal!
The V Spot, at 156 5th Ave., is an all vegan restaurant (and Park Slope fixture), with options including yummy chicken parmigiana heroes, desserts from Vegan Treats, and a great brunch. Close by is ‘sNice, at 315 5th Ave., providing yummy veg*n food and beverages, with vegan options clearly marked. The music is just right, and the atmosphere is bright and friendly. Their most revered dish is the vegan panini, and there’s a reason it’s loved.
I recently was strolling to, Serene Rose (an environmentally conscious clothing boutique), at 331 5th Ave., when I spotted the lovely owner, Hermian, excitedly walking towards me, I was just thinking about you! She said. As it turned out, she had just received a new delivery of vegan handbags my weakness. The shop always offers a selection of beautiful, vegan, earth-friendly purses. Best of all, they will be launching a fully ecommerce-outfitted website in September. And yes, it will be easily searchable for vegan products.
Hope to see you on Sunday!