Our NYC family weekends have become a fun tradition with opera, musicals, shows and usually a nice dinner and we found a new (well, old) vegetarian spot, which also has a branch here in Bethesda, MD, called PLANTA QUEEN which really rocked.
There was a fun cocktail list, but our server Emira explained most of them tended to be sweet, so Will asked for a Mezcal Margarita which ended up coming with a salted/spicy -tajin rim that made me order one as well. Sam enjoyed Mint Lemonade and then Hudson North Cider. The wine was a tasty Cune Tempranillo 2021 but I do have to admit the wine list was short and limited.
The setting was nice with a long bar at the front and comfy seating booths at the rear. A nice change from the loud places!
The menu leans toward sharing and Sam and I started to agree on things as Will wanted his own dishes, but that changed as soon as he heard our choices and joined in warmly.
AVOCADO BEETROOT TARTARE was with pine nuts, citrus, soy sesame, cilantro and yummy taro chips (photos on FB) which was very refreshing and loaded with flavor. The Steamed Edamame Dumplings arrived with a sweet chili peanut sauce and were delish, but the Crispy Gyoza were even better with cabbage, carrot, cilantro, mushroom and a spicy chili soy dip.
Two noodle dishes were as different as could be: DAN DAN NOODLES were with Szechuan kamut (a grain like farro), a rich coconut milk sauce, sesame and cilantro. A mild spice came through, but nothing as kicky as the RAMEN CHILI CRUNCH, a noddle bowl with Kaarage "chicken", scallion and cilantro. This was fried chicken made from tofu that tasted amazing with a spicy sauce that we all declared perfection. You may not lots of cilantro and sesame, but they were very careful to advise which dishes had sesame seeds (very few) as it was often a paste or oil! Cilantro-haters would not be at home here!
Wok Fried Bok Choy with sesame ponzu was a nice side veggie and then Will got his Crispy Mushroom Roll with avocado, gochujang, pickled ginger and unagi while I tired the Spicy "Crab" Roll made from hearts of palm and spicy mayo. The rolls were nice, a tad messy to eat, but tasty. Next time I might go for the sushi instead of the single hadn rolls, but stick with the amazing tasty dishes we loved.
Will would not even taste the Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream and coconut Caramel, but it was a good dessert, even if not the perfect copy of the Yorkshire version; Sam & I were happy.
Nice to know Planta has a DC and Bethesda location--can't wait!
