"Open since 2008, this influential vegetarian spot proved that veggies could be fun—and not just fun, but inventive, playful, and possibly even deep fried. Now on the Lower East Side, Dirt Candy serves a $110 five-course tasting that’s a good value for an upscale, meat-free special occasion, especially considering the house no-tipping policy. The menu changes seasonally, but you might be greeted with a tin of briny seaweed caviar, then sent on your way with a savory-sweet jimmy nardello pepper pâte de fruit, glittering with basil sugar." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, neha talreja, kenny yang