Eat up: Counter has announced it will close in February of 2011. Counter, the clever little vegetarian bistro, is also an organic wine and…

(212) 982-5870

105 1st Ave (Between 6th Street and 7th Street)
New York, NY 10003 40.7267 -73.9861

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: East Village, Downtown

counternyc.com

Hours:

Mon-Thu 5pm-12am

Fri 5pm-1am

Sat 11am-1am

Sun 11am-12am

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Wine Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Catering Services:

Restaurant Management

Restaurant Special Features:

Notable Beer List, Family-Friendly Dining, Brunch, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List, Prix Fixe Menu

Cuisine:

Vegetarian

What People Are Saying About Counter

The Owner

Counter

Owner

At Counter we believe in letting the food speak for itself. This New York City vegetarian restaurant pairs every dish with its viticultural soulmate. Sample our tasty Marinated Vegetable Terrine or our hearty Tornados of Seitan, one of our chefs signature dishes - paired, of course, with a biodynamic Grenache from Coturri Winery in Mendocino County. Or try a completely delish Panini with Walnut Lentil Pate that people have confessed to dreaming about. But be sure to leave room for desserts like rich & creamy chocolate fondue, or a creme brule paired with a sustainable ruby porto dessert…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Set in a pleasant white room with quasi-retro aqua and pink accents, fronted by a handsome, circular wine bar, Counter has a friendly air of cleanliness and competence. The staff are well-trained, eager to please--occasionally to the point of intrusive doting--and opinionated about the food and drink they serve. – – The Food – An all-vegetarian take on mostly traditional Southern cuisine, with a few Asian and other flavors thrown in. Standouts among the Southern fare include a terrific lentil-based version of meat loaf with savory mashed potatoes, an…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Check out the bar, which features a large all-organic selection of beers and wines. Educate your palate with an $12 flight: two-ounce pours of three different wines.
ambiance
96.42999649047852% positive
  1. The only nice things about the restaurant were the ambiance, the friendly restaurant host and the organic wines.
  2. The organic wine bar is fun and you may even learn something about wine from the knowledgeable staff.
  3. also liked the atmosphere--hip, but not trendy--and the bathroom was nice and clean.
  4. Counter is a great date spot to soak up some East Village ambiance while keeping your karma clean.
  5. Nice atmosphere, very cool bar area.
  6. The food was prepared very nicely and the decor was very comfortable.
  7. The decor is warm and hip with diner-style tables that are casual enough to make everyone feel welcome anytime.
  8. the atmosphere and great food make this a must hit in the east village.
  9. VEGAN food, (not your typical, either) organic wine bar that is stunning, enjoyable atmosphere, soothing lighting, clean bathrooms (very important for me) and service that is knowledgable, attentive, yet unobtrusive.
  10. hip decor, good veggie burger
  11. Plus it has a great atmosphere, pleasant service and very good wine.
  12. my husband and i could not get over the child friendly atmosphere and service but this would also be a place to go with just the two of us later in the evening.
  13. Whether we're seeking a casual meal and sangria with friends, or a romantic evening with a bottle of organic wine followed up by one of Counter's amazing vegan desserts (the chocolate tart with berry sauce is our favorite), we always leave satisfied and i
  14. Wine tastings are fun but nothing on the "out of ordinary whites" list impressed me.
dessert
85.0% positive
  1. liked the desserts- hard to believe they had no milk products!
  2. amazing desserts that don't taste like the vegan dense, dry bricks that are far to common in this world.
  3. AND, don't forget to order dessert - Go for the chocolate torte and the ice-cream sundae!
  4. My children love the deserts they have.
  5. Whether we're seeking a casual meal and sangria with friends, or a romantic evening with a bottle of organic wine followed up by one of Counter's amazing vegan desserts (the chocolate tart with berry sauce is our favorite), we always leave satisfied and i
  6. Pomme frites were top notch paired with a harissa mayo and homemade ketchup; especially loved the raw cheesecake dessert.
  7. We skipped dessert and an entree and left shocked at what a bad experience we had after all the positive reviews we had read.
  8. The food was amazing, everything from our 3 Mezze Apps, to our delicious Lentil Terrine (which my husband, a meat eater, was very satieted with), to the complimentary birthday dessert.
  9. There was so much food and all of it good but I had room for the great chocolate dessert.
  10. The caramelized onion/mushroom/ricotta pizza app was delicious but the shepherd's pie entree was a glorified, layered salad.
drinks
84.25999641418457% positive
  1. Prices are reasonable and am very fussy about coffee and theirs is the best!
  2. organic and biodynamic wines--the perfect compliment to a great dining experience.
  3. The food was taking a VERY long time so we kept ordering drinks which you would think the restaurant would want but the waitress was quite rude about it.
  4. Also, expect wonderfully friendly bartenders who are always ready to recommend an outstanding bottle of wine.
  5. the waiter offered us a perfect wine recommendation for each of our courses and the kitchen whipped up a special soba and peanut sauce dish for the kids.
  6. The drink menu is brilliant and the bartender Tanya was great.
  7. The only nice things about the restaurant were the ambiance, the friendly restaurant host and the organic wines.
  8. The drinks were mediocre though.
  9. Good food, amazing wine, great service.
  10. The service at the bar was awful and tacky.
  11. VEGAN food, (not your typical, either) organic wine bar that is stunning, enjoyable atmosphere, soothing lighting, clean bathrooms (very important for me) and service that is knowledgable, attentive, yet unobtrusive.
  12. The huge selection of earth-friendly wines rocked, and the bar was a great spot for a pre-dinner drink.
  13. Love the bar!
  14. The wine was fabulous, as was the service.
  15. Great wine bar and awesome organic martinis!
  16. The organic wine bar is fun and you may even learn something about wine from the knowledgeable staff.
  17. warning: earth friendly wine/spirits/cocktails/teas may cause unending mental and/or moral 0rgasm for eco-conscious folk.
  18. Whether we're seeking a casual meal and sangria with friends, or a romantic evening with a bottle of organic wine followed up by one of Counter's amazing vegan desserts (the chocolate tart with berry sauce is our favorite), we always leave satisfied and i
  19. Plus it has a great atmosphere, pleasant service and very good wine.
  20. Their selection of organic wines was impressive and affordable and the food was delicious.
  21. The service was just ok and the wine was limited - this life-long vegan rather go to a steak house with friends and enjoy a dry baked potato & a good glass of wine.
  22. Sangria was not very tasty and citrus iced tea tasted medicinal.
  23. love wine.
  24. love the wines, all organic and great great food!
  25. Nice atmosphere, very cool bar area.
  26. and with such a huge wine list I have my work cut out for me.
  27. They had a top notch drink menu and a great variety of tasty vegetarian foods.
food quality
86.87000274658203% positive
  1. As vegetarians that are always seeking out great vegetarian food in the city, we decided to give this East Village place a chance.
  2. The flavours are delicate, and the food is filling without leaving you feeling heavy.
  3. came here with a friend who thought I might enjoy the food because of the menu (I'm vegan).
  4. The service was just ok and the wine was limited - this life-long vegan rather go to a steak house with friends and enjoy a dry baked potato & a good glass of wine.
  5. It might be that we ordered the wrong thing, but we got 4 things and of all of them I really only liked 1: The food was pretty mediocre.
  6. Counter has the best food of any restaurant in this very competitive neighborhood.
  7. the waiter offered us a perfect wine recommendation for each of our courses and the kitchen whipped up a special soba and peanut sauce dish for the kids.
  8. The food was taking a VERY long time so we kept ordering drinks which you would think the restaurant would want but the waitress was quite rude about it.
  9. wanted to like this place, but unfortunately the food quality wasn't enough to justify the cost: a meal for 2, plus sangria: $80 :(
  10. Our waiter was excellent, but bus boy kept bringing us food from another table.
  11. Awesome quality vegetarian cuisine.
  12. was in need of a big glass of anything alcoholic and some food to fill the longing belly after a few stressfilled day.
  13. Had a terrific meal at Counter tonight.
  14. VEGAN food, (not your typical, either) organic wine bar that is stunning, enjoyable atmosphere, soothing lighting, clean bathrooms (very important for me) and service that is knowledgable, attentive, yet unobtrusive.
  15. probably the worst value meal i've had in the last year.
  16. Overall the meal was decent but our waitress ruined our whole dining experience.
  17. recommend this place for the burgers and sandwiches; they seemed to be of the best value, which I am very concerned with as i am a cheapskate.
  18. Their selection of organic wines was impressive and affordable and the food was delicious.
  19. How serendipitous that I would come during Rioja restaurant week where I only had to order a delicious cauliflower salad small plate to get a glass of organic Rioja together for 12$.
  20. love the appetizer with great hummus and all the other delicious spreads.
  21. even if you don't like vegetarian food you must try it out.
  22. also tried their grilled eggplant with pomogranate seeds, and their mushroom leek flat bread.
  23. the 'meat'loaf was great comfort food!
  24. My burger was delish, my sis's portabella mushroom dish was much more expensive but no better than my burg.
  25. This place has such a cool vibe and great veg food to boot
  26. at least hoped the food would be good.
  27. wonderful choice for fresh, inventive eating.
  28. The frozen sake mojito was very tasty but a bit too minty even for a mojito.
  29. love the wines, all organic and great great food!
  30. We ordered a bunch of different dishes to share and everything was excellent.
  31. For a vegan restaurant, it's a very non-vegan friendly restaurant, as in you can bring meat-eaters and they would probably be impressed a little bit.
  32. love the food here.
  33. Meanwhile, the food is brilliant.
  34. Great service; bland food.
  35. The food is amazing and we're always asking ourselves "how can this be vegan?
  36. recommend the blue plate special, the beet salad (beets are marinated in citrus, the arugula is garden fresh and the vinaigrette is bright and light) and the roasted veg napoleon--love those roasted garlic cloves!
  37. Not super tasty, but the spinach was extremely FRESH.
  38. how can the food here be so good?
  39. Cuz ordered the asian salad, which seemed refreshing.
  40. really ordinary food and way overpriced.
  41. Went here with a big group for bachelorette party and had a wonderful meal.
  42. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious.
  43. the atmosphere and great food make this a must hit in the east village.
  44. There was so much food and all of it good but I had room for the great chocolate dessert.
  45. There are numerous other vegeatrain resaurants but a third of the price that are far tastier and have way more delicious options.
  46. hip decor, good veggie burger
  47. The French Lentil and Wild Rice Terrine (this is what one of my friends got) was also delicious!
  48. Everything is fresh and healthy and prepared in interesting and creative ways.
  49. otherwise nothing adorns the walls, albeit what looks like a dirty fish tank in the back.
  50. Good food, amazing wine, great service.
  51. The artichoke farinata (a kind of crepe meets a pizza) was a great appetizer, while the risotto style cauliflower with morel mushrooms was downright delicious.
  52. Not only is the restaurant beautiful and sexy but the food blew me away.
  53. Brunch is super yummy, too.
  54. The food was amazing, everything from our 3 Mezze Apps, to our delicious Lentil Terrine (which my husband, a meat eater, was very satieted with), to the complimentary birthday dessert.
  55. The melange of flavors in this dish was EXCEPTIONAL, and one of the best meals I've EVER had!
  56. This was the first time in 6 months that I REALLY enjoyed a meal out and didn't feel like I was missing anything.
  57. They had a top notch drink menu and a great variety of tasty vegetarian foods.
  58. The food is fresh, imaginative, and tasty.
  59. affordable & tasty organic Merlot and eating some of the best food that I've had in a long time.
  60. The food was fine (although whom I found out later was the owner) but the person seating us with her mouth full of food was strange at best.
  61. Its so nice to have a place I can take even my meat eating friends too for a fantastic organic meal with a lot of style and a lot of class.
  62. However, That's when you remind yourself that there is a cost to cooking totally FRESH food from LOCAL ORGANIC producers.
  63. Cauliflower "Risotto" was super yummy and really special.
  64. The food is some of the best vegetarian cuisine that I have had in the city.
  65. The food was tasty and inventive.
  66. The caramelized onion/mushroom/ricotta pizza app was delicious but the shepherd's pie entree was a glorified, layered salad.
  67. Po Boy sandwich was excellent and ginger crepes were delicious.
  68. loved their grilled romaine salad and cauliflower risotto with wild mushrooms.
  69. he's a vegetarian, im not (though i do LOVE my share of yummy veggies, tofu, tempeh, et all) both of us were not impressed.
  70. I'm a huge fan of the homemade sangria & the walnut-lentil panini, and he loves the veggie burger.
  71. The food was prepared very nicely and the decor was very comfortable.
  72. Whether we're seeking a casual meal and sangria with friends, or a romantic evening with a bottle of organic wine followed up by one of Counter's amazing vegan desserts (the chocolate tart with berry sauce is our favorite), we always leave satisfied and i
  73. Sangria was not very tasty and citrus iced tea tasted medicinal.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The huge selection of earth-friendly wines rocked, and the bar was a great spot for a pre-dinner drink.
  2. great menu and service
  3. The drink menu is brilliant and the bartender Tanya was great.
  4. came here with a friend who thought I might enjoy the food because of the menu (I'm vegan).
  5. But, quickly all would realize that most items on the menu are grease-laden, and the portions are so big that you'd get tired of the flavors before you finish half a plate.
  6. They had a top notch drink menu and a great variety of tasty vegetarian foods.
  7. love the variety of raw foods they have.
  8. because the flavors are so rich and diverse.
  9. There are numerous other vegeatrain resaurants but a third of the price that are far tastier and have way more delicious options.
  10. Their selection of organic wines was impressive and affordable and the food was delicious.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. What a great place to unwind the knots that were so tightly bound throughout the week.
  2. Its so nice to have a place I can take even my meat eating friends too for a fantastic organic meal with a lot of style and a lot of class.
  3. think I have found my new favorite restaurant--Counter!
  4. The actual restaurant was quite beautiful and I thought it would be a great place for a date.
  5. I'm vegetarian, my fiance is not, and Counter is by far our favorite restaurant.
  6. The only nice things about the restaurant were the ambiance, the friendly restaurant host and the organic wines.
  7. As vegetarians that are always seeking out great vegetarian food in the city, we decided to give this East Village place a chance.
  8. Counter has the best food of any restaurant in this very competitive neighborhood.
  9. If you want bland, "well everything is great," pollyana-type waiters, this is not the place for you.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. wouldn't return back to the place unless I had rich vegatarian relative in town picking up the bill and fortunately for me I don't.
  2. But because our entrees were so good, I'd definitely return!
service
83.97000312805176% positive
  1. the look of this restaurant is cool and hip but unpretentious and the same goes for the wait staff.
  2. The entire staff (from bussers to owners) is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and genuine.
  3. Our waiter was excellent, but bus boy kept bringing us food from another table.
  4. am so grateful to have met more of these wonderful people and looking forward for a life in NYC if it'll continue to have me!
  5. The waiter we had was a little slow but maybe he was new and couldn't handle such a big group of demanding people :) I guess he deserved the 20% included tip @ the end.
  6. Kinda rude.
  7. The food was taking a VERY long time so we kept ordering drinks which you would think the restaurant would want but the waitress was quite rude about it.
  8. The service is not the best in the city, to be polite, but that's fine.
  9. The drink menu is brilliant and the bartender Tanya was great.
  10. warning: earth friendly wine/spirits/cocktails/teas may cause unending mental and/or moral 0rgasm for eco-conscious folk.
  11. Service was attentive yet not intrusive and our server, Kirstin was knowledgeable and helpful - going back next week.
  12. Whether we're seeking a casual meal and sangria with friends, or a romantic evening with a bottle of organic wine followed up by one of Counter's amazing vegan desserts (the chocolate tart with berry sauce is our favorite), we always leave satisfied and i
  13. Good food, amazing wine, great service.
  14. The organic wine bar is fun and you may even learn something about wine from the knowledgeable staff.
  15. have heard people complain that the portions are on the small side and the place is a bit pricey.
  16. Attentive service.
  17. The wine was fabulous, as was the service.
  18. Also, expect wonderfully friendly bartenders who are always ready to recommend an outstanding bottle of wine.
  19. however, for some reason, people really liked the blandness.
  20. VEGAN food, (not your typical, either) organic wine bar that is stunning, enjoyable atmosphere, soothing lighting, clean bathrooms (very important for me) and service that is knowledgable, attentive, yet unobtrusive.
  21. Overall the meal was decent but our waitress ruined our whole dining experience.
  22. The service at the bar was awful and tacky.
  23. The service was great.
  24. We were not only tended to by an excellent waiter, who though very busy, gave us wonderful service, but also the GM who made sure my birthday dinner was perfect.
  25. Our server whom was nice (thin female- sorry no name) had to apologize three times for her work mates actions.
  26. Portions were generous but not overwhelming, service was impeccable, and not once did we feel rushed.
  27. The owners are friendly and the service is great.
  28. the waiter offered us a perfect wine recommendation for each of our courses and the kitchen whipped up a special soba and peanut sauce dish for the kids.
  29. Definitely go here, if for no other reason than to get outstanding service.
  30. The huge selection of earth-friendly wines rocked, and the bar was a great spot for a pre-dinner drink.
  31. my husband and i could not get over the child friendly atmosphere and service but this would also be a place to go with just the two of us later in the evening.
  32. The only nice things about the restaurant were the ambiance, the friendly restaurant host and the organic wines.
  33. For a vegan restaurant, it's a very non-vegan friendly restaurant, as in you can bring meat-eaters and they would probably be impressed a little bit.
  34. Great service; bland food.
  35. The service was just ok and the wine was limited - this life-long vegan rather go to a steak house with friends and enjoy a dry baked potato & a good glass of wine.
  36. Plus it has a great atmosphere, pleasant service and very good wine.
  37. Service was friendly.
  38. great menu and service
  39. If you want bland, "well everything is great," pollyana-type waiters, this is not the place for you.
value
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. really ordinary food and way overpriced.
  2. The huge selection of earth-friendly wines rocked, and the bar was a great spot for a pre-dinner drink.
  3. Their selection of organic wines was impressive and affordable and the food was delicious.
  4. I'm a huge fan of the homemade sangria & the walnut-lentil panini, and he loves the veggie burger.
  5. But, quickly all would realize that most items on the menu are grease-laden, and the portions are so big that you'd get tired of the flavors before you finish half a plate.
  6. Overall it was a good experience and definitely worth a try.
  7. and with such a huge wine list I have my work cut out for me.
  8. Good prices -- most are in the $20 and $30 per bottle range.
  9. My burger was delish, my sis's portabella mushroom dish was much more expensive but no better than my burg.
  10. Portions were generous but not overwhelming, service was impeccable, and not once did we feel rushed.
  11. recommend this place for the burgers and sandwiches; they seemed to be of the best value, which I am very concerned with as i am a cheapskate.
  12. have heard people complain that the portions are on the small side and the place is a bit pricey.
  13. affordable & tasty organic Merlot and eating some of the best food that I've had in a long time.
  14. There are numerous other vegeatrain resaurants but a third of the price that are far tastier and have way more delicious options.
  15. probably the worst value meal i've had in the last year.
wait time
35.0% positive
  1. affordable & tasty organic Merlot and eating some of the best food that I've had in a long time.
  2. The food was taking a VERY long time so we kept ordering drinks which you would think the restaurant would want but the waitress was quite rude about it.
  3. Only drawback is that they seem nervous about the slow start.
  4. The waiter we had was a little slow but maybe he was new and couldn't handle such a big group of demanding people :) I guess he deserved the 20% included tip @ the end.
  5. The service was just ok and the wine was limited - this life-long vegan rather go to a steak house with friends and enjoy a dry baked potato & a good glass of wine.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/05/11

Good Vegan

by Danielle Finkler at Citysearch

I'm a vegan and pretty picky when it comes to my food but this place did it right. Prices are reasonable depending on what your getting but not too bad. Thanks to the new chef I have to say that this place is an excellent vegan spot that I will returning to shortly.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/29/10

Wonderful Evening

by KimBar at Citysearch

Had a terrific meal at Counter tonight. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious. Highly recommend the beet and arugula salads. Pomme frites were top notch paired with a harissa mayo and homemade ketchup; especially loved the raw cheesecake dessert. Prices are reasonable and am very fussy about coffee and theirs is the best! Service was attentive yet not intrusive and our server, Kirstin was knowledgeable and helpful - going back next week.

  • Pros: Excellent in all areas
  • Cons: None
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/23/10

Lots of counter space

by truetildeath at Citysearch

I had first visited Counter as a vegan while in college, many years ago (vague, as I am not trying not to date myself), and I must admit, because of this previously underwhelming experience, I was hesitant to return. However, upon hearing that they had a new chef and revamped menu, I decided to try it again, now as a vegetarian. Honestly, I felt stupid for not trying Counter sooner, after sampling several amazing "small plates" including intelligent pairings of quinoa, brussel sprouts with goat cheese, as well as a main course of seitan that changed my life. Portions were generous but not overwhelming, service was impeccable, and not once did we feel rushed. The vegan dessert selection trumps any other vegan dessert in the city and includes home made vegan ice creams and small cakes. Overall, Counter has been one of the best vegetarian experiences I have had in the city, and I now pledge to make it one of my regulars.

  • Pros: food, price, desserts
  • Cons: none
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/08/10

Sustainable In Name Only

by MovieMax at Citysearch

What self-respecting vegetarian who cares about animal rights, "organics" and "sustainability" would eat in a restaurant that covers all its furniture in dead animal skin? Uch! I mentioned the seemingly perverse "oversight?" of universally leather-upholstered furnishings to the host and he simply giggled, shrugged and muttered something like, "Well, maybe its fake leather." Wink wink. Is this place a sociological case study in the stupidity of well-intentioned New Yorkers???

  • Pros: Decent food, though nothing inspirational
  • Cons: Gross hypocrisy
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/29/10

Bland and Overpriced

by phelanclancy at Citysearch

I came here with a friend who thought I might enjoy the food because of the menu (I'm vegan). But I found the food boring and way too "earthy" for me. The service was just ok and the wine was limited - this life-long vegan rather go to a steak house with friends and enjoy a dry baked potato & a good glass of wine.

  • Pros: Great Space
  • Cons: The Food!

The Details on Counter

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • great service
  • great place
  • favorite vegetarianvegan restaurant
  • fresh everything
  • nice atmosphere
  • fantastic organic meal
  • loved cauliflower risotto
  • love wine
  • unexpectedly fabulous dining experience
  • amazing vegan desserts
  • extremely knowledgeable entire staff
  • good prices
  • not like vegetarian food
  • very cool organic wine bar
  • delish veggie burger
  • enjoy good glass
  • romantic evening
  • warm decor
  • great date spot
  • always loved counter
  • much more expensive portabella mushroom dish
  • helpful kirstin
  • helpful server
  • clean bathroom

Message from Counter

  • Organic Wine Bar
  • Full Organic Menu
  • 100% Organic Martinis

At Counter we believe in letting the food speak for itself. This New York City vegetarian restaurant pairs every dish with its viticultural soulmate. Sample our tasty Marinated Vegetable Terrine or our hearty Tornados of Seitan, one of our chefs signature dishes - paired, of course, with a biodynamic Grenache from Coturri Winery in Mendocino County. Or try a completely delish Panini with Walnut Lentil Pate that people have confessed to dreaming about. But be sure to leave room for desserts like rich & creamy chocolate fondue, or a creme brule paired with a sustainable ruby porto dessert wine. "Best Vegetarian Restaurant." -Time Out NY

Counter

Events

  •  

    Special Event at Counter

    Anita Lo & Bloomer Creek Dinner

    When: From 02/03/107:00 PM

    Price: $65

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