FRANCHIA
12 Park Ave. New York, N.Y.
Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-10:30 p.m. Friday; 1-10:30 p.m. Saturday; 5-9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Menu: https://www.franchia.com/menu.htm
Suitable for: Vegetarians, vegans, omnivores, lovers of Korean food.
I’ve mentioned in other posts (and on Instagram) that LeeLee and I were in New York recently to enjoy a Queen show, watching my very favorite band take the stage at Madison Square Garden. This was our first trip to the Garden, and seeing such a historic band play at such a historic place gives me goosebumps even now just thinking about it. So, naturally, we knew we wanted a celebratory dinner before the show began to toast the night and all it was bringing.
But we were in a bit of a dilemma. We wanted a great meal, naturally. But we needed to eat it rather early in order to hop in the security line at a decent hour. And because one of us (ahem) was in her favorite Queen tour shirt, it really couldn’t be a super-fancy place.
One thing I’ve found is that if you present New York City with a problem, it always comes up with a solution. And on this particular night, the solution was a little Korean restaurant called Franchia, located just blocks from Madison Square Garden and recommending a casual dress code. And they’re open all day.
Oh. And did I mention Franchia sports an all-vegan menu? Yes, ma’am, this place fit the bill to the T.
I made reservations a little earlier in the week and LeeLee was teasing me mercilessly about it. “Who needs a reservation for 5:15 p.m.?” he chided me as we walked down the street to the restaurant. But I got the last laugh when we walked in and found we were seated in one of two empty tables in the whole place. Turns out a lot of people need a reservation for 5:15 p.m., LeeLee. In yo face.
But let’s not get off track.
First things first: The ambiance is wonderful. It’s warm, it’s welcoming, it’s dimly lit but not dark. Candles adorn the tables on each of the three cozy floors, and while parties are seated near one another, it’s never close enough to be obnoxious. And, I should add, though the dining rooms were chic and stylish, I never felt underdressed in my Queen gear. Some folks came in after work in suits and ties; some came in and shorts and tees. And everyone seemed to feel right at home, which was a relief.
We started off ordering Peking buns with vegetarian “duck.” I’m a fool for Peking buns on a good day, and these just sent me right over the moon. The buns were appropriately spongy and savory; the veggie-duck and scallions that adorned the inside had tang and a good meaty texture. I’m not ashamed to say they barely lasted three minutes at our table, and if given the opportunity I would mow them down again just as fast.
Then it came time to enjoy the main course. LeeLee and I agonized and agonized over our decisions, but in the end I knew I had to go with a dish containing veggie-shrimp, my very favorite of all the mock meats. Javanese noodles goreng it was, and my decision was instantly reinforced with one bite. The noodles were stir-fried with chik’n and the aforementioned shrimp, as well as lots of wonderful vegetables, with a sweet-and-salty soy sauce holding it all together in the most appealing way. I was admittedly afraid the dish would turn out too oily – stir-fried noodle dishes sometimes do that – but oh, how wrong I was! These noodles were perfectly cooked … and I ate every bite.
LeeLee, meanwhile, ordered the spicy vegan meatballs and soy chik’n in garlic sauce, and it was perfectly as advertised – and then some. Like the noodles goreng, it was teeming with perfectly crisp-tender vegetables, which played a lovely contrast with the softer, chewier meatballs and chik’n. Served alongside white rice, the sauce fused everything together so wonderfully, with enough garlic to let you know its origins, but not so much that it overpowered the rest of the plate. LeeLee, too, finished every morsel (with a little help from yours truly, as he had helped with mine!).
Though there are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of veg-forward restaurants in New York, I must admit that Franchia is high on our list for a revisit the next time we’re in town. I sort of want to make reservations already!
:)