Business of the Month: Divya’s Kitchen, 25 1st Avenue
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Eating out in New York these days has become eating outside, and a way of offering support for small businesses coping with the pandemic. In terms of our own coping, what we put in our bodies is an essential ingredient of our health and well-being, both mental and physical. That’s why we’re celebrating one local restaurant that has been called “the healthiest restaurant in NYC,” which also happens to make some of our city’s most delicious food: Divya’s Kitchen at 25 First Avenue, our November Business of the Month.
At Divya’s they believe that food can heal, and that’s why they’re devoted to serving their customers delicious food that nourish both your body and mind. Their fresh, balanced meals are prepared with love, deeply rooted in the authentic tradition of Shaka Vansiya (SV) Ayurveda that “meets us where we are today.” Devotees of Ayurveda (the ancient medical science of India) are given a path designed to maintain balance on all levels, with food as an important element for restoring SNR fortifying our innate ability for healing and wellness.
Divya’s Kitchen has a plethora of delectable dishes to choose from — both particular to their Ayurveda and some amazing and delicious twists on some familiar dishes.
Their most popular dish is vegetable curry in cashew sauce — a balanced bowl of vegetables, grains, and lentils, with a side of cilantro-mint chutney. This is followed closely in popularity by their lasagna, which can be prepared “classically,” with mozzarella and a cashew bechamel, or in a vegan, gluten- and nut-free version, with sunflower-based mozzarella and bechamel. It’s hard to tell the difference between the two equally delicious versions. You can wash it down with a ginger mint lemonade elixir, and follow Divya’s Kitchen on Instagram to see more of the colorful bounty.
One of the most appealing aspects of Divya’s Kitchen is the diversity of their clientele. Their one-of-a-kind take on classic and beloved dishes keeps attracting locals and people of all walks of life. Their menus attract vegans, vegetarians, people with food sensitivities, as well as folks just looking for a healthy, delicious home-cooked meal. The quality of food combined with their elegant yet approachable decor makes Divya’s a destination for a broad cross-section of locals and New Yorkers alike.
This October marked Divya’s fourth anniversary in their current elegant space located below their friends upstairs at The Bhakti Center. As Danielle Brizel of Divya’s Kitchen noted to me “The East Village is known to be one of the most progressive, ever-changing neighborhoods in New York City. People come to the neighborhood for that reason, whether to live or just visit. We feel fortunate to have neighbors and customers that have always been so kind and welcoming to us here. We hope to bring that same energy to everyone that comes to dine with us.” And they sure do.
As you can see for yourself on a visit, Divya’s Kitchen has grown a warm and dedicated community of downtown regulars while also attracting patrons from across the city, region, and even world, who make their way here for the unique and superlative food and dining experience.
Do you have @divyaalter‘s cookbook? You can now purchase it on their website, along with any of their retail products.
Divya’s also has a line of healthy products you can buy in-store or online, as well as offering catering for events and workshops, and cooking and food preparation classes for you or a group.
The restaurant industry has always been a difficult one for success, and never more so than now. But Divya’s has found a way by using high quality ingredients, cooking everything fresh daily, and working hard to ensure that every customer is satisfied.
We look forward to many more years of success for Divya’s Kitchen, our November Business of the Month.
What special small business would you like to see featured next? Just click here to nominate our next one. Thank you! #shoplocalnyc
And here is a handy map of all of our Businesses of the Month: