DINING OUT WITH TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP

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Franchia
12 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 213-1001

Franchia Website
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Restaurant Review And Photos By: Ann Watt
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Tofu And Roasted Kabocha Pumpkin In Sesame Soy Sauce

Pumpkin Noodle Salad

Franchia is a colorful Korean restaurant and another addition to New York City's growing teahouse movement. Owned by the folks behind renowned vegetarian restaurant Hangawi, Franchia is reminiscent of the Far East. The space is a serene oasis with light vegetarian fare for both lunch and dinner, and teatime between 3 and 5 pm. If you fancy prix-fixe, Franchia offers it both for food and for tea, at $24.95 per person. In the mood for something stronger? Order a Korean beer or a glass of wine. My friend Dr. Wang and I shared an afternoon lunch dining outside on a beautiful sunny day. We enjoyed the people watching on Park Avenue at 35 Street and ordered a variety of vegetarian items from their menu. A little on the pricey-side, a meal with appetizers for two cost around $60 for lunch, but well worth the price. We ordered Soy grain “meat” sticks with Peanut sauce (9.95), Pumpkin noodles salad (9.95) and Tofu and roasted kabocha pumpkin in sesame soy sauce (16.95) with a side of brown rice and spicy kimchi with an iced-cold glass of Shissandra tealatta (6.00) and for dessert, we shared a slice of non-dairy Blueberry Coconut Cake (7.00). I browsed Franchia’s tea and gift shop noticing that their signature white ceramic tableware inscribed with tea poems, beautiful tea cups and pots, wild green teas and cookbooks were available for purchase, too.In addition to their sit-down service, they also serve a take-out lunch box ($9.95) with either a tofu or mushroom entrée, appetizer, brown rice and choice of soup or salad. Eat in or take out, their business hours are Monday to Fridays noon till 10PM (last seating) and weekends 1PM till 10PM. I recommend this restaurant to vegetarians and carnivores alike!