Avant Gardner

"If your resolutions involve going greener next year, consider starting things off early with Avant Garden’s $125 prix fixe. The East Village vegan restaurant is known for things like artichoke toast, and big, meaty chunks of roasted hen of the woods, so we’re sure their six-course, special occasion menu won’t disappoint. And the space, with a hodgepodge of suede, shrubbery, antique wood and vintage fixtures, looks like a speakeasy for fairies and elves. All guests get tickets to their after-party at the Poison Ivy Club until 2am, so your whole night is covered. Reserve a spot in the bar or main dining room here. " - neha talreja

"What It Is: The second, Williamsburg location of a vegan spot we like Perfect For: Keeping It Kind Of Healthy, Date Night Avant Garden’s name isn’t doing it any favors - but this restaurant does make some very good vegan food. We stopped into the new location in Williamsburg and found a setup that’s similar to the original in the East Village: fancy (but not pretentious) plates of vegetables that won’t make you miss the presence of meat, in an intimate space that would be good for a low-key date. Skip the cocktails and try something off their interesting wine list instead, and get the eggplant toast - which is excellent, and one of the new menu items that’s only available at this location. The Verdict: There isn’t much like Avant Garden around this location in Williamsburg, and we plan to come back soon to eat more vegan food that doesn’t remind us we’re eating vegan food. It’s going on the Hit List." - hannah albertine, bryan kim, katherine lewin, hillary reinsberg, chris stang, matt tervooren

"This is the second location of an East Village vegan spot, and it’s in the space that used to be Post Office (a great Williamsburg whiskey bar that served chicken liver bacon sandwiches). While you may feel like this is reason for existential panic, go to Avant Garden, try the food, and you’ll feel better. The dishes - like eggplant toast and paella with trumpet mushrooms - are all good, and the dimly-lit space works well for a date or healthy dinner with a friend." - bryan kim, matt tervooren

"Though not exclusively queer, many LadyFag parties (some of the best gay events in the city) are hosted in this massive complex in Bushwick known as Avant Gardner - which has three indoor spaces (The Great Hall, The Kings Hall, The Circus) and one outdoor space (Brooklyn Mirage). These parties are a cross between performance art and a house/techno club, and people usually take off their shirts within the first hour of being inside. The venue requires you to connect your credit card with a wristband to pay for everything from coat check to your drinks - a system that leads to insane efficiency, and will make your next coat check experience feel like the seventh circle of hell." - Rob Anderson

"Avant Garden’s name isn’t exactly doing it any favors - but this restaurant does make some very good vegan food. They just opened a new location in Williamsburg with a setup that’s very similar to the original in the East Village: fancy (but not pretentious) plates of vegetables that won’t make you miss the presence of meat, in an intimate space that would be good for a low-key date. Skip the cocktails and try something off their interesting wine list instead, and get the eggplant toast - which is excellent, and one of the new menu items that’s only available at this location." - Katherine Lewin