Strictly Roots
$ - inexpensive
Caribbean
Ital Caribbean in Harlem
Strictly Roots is an all-vegan ital Caribbean restaurant in the heart of Harlem.
Dishes are ordered individually - they range from $1 a serving for sides to $3 a serving for main dishes.
Side dishes include peas and rice and fried plantains, main dishes include fake meat dishes, tofu tempura, lasagna, etc. There are also usually bean stews for $2 a serving.
The cheese they use is Toffuti brand - kosher and vegan, no casein.
They usually have at least 1 dessert for $2.50.
Strictly Roots is at the corner of Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd (7th Avenue) and 123rd Street.
The 125th Street stops of the 2, 3, A, B, C, and D lines are all within a few blocks.
Added by phavardel on Apr 12 07 (updated Oct 18 07)
Reviews
I usually go to Uptown Juice Bar because they have a wider selection, but they usually have the same thing over and over, so Strictly Roots is a nice alternative. This place also has a cozier and more authentic atmosphere than Uptown Juice Bar.
They don't have many options, but whatever they do have is good and the staff is friendly. I had lasagna and fried plantains and they were both really good. I tried the cassava dessert but didn't really care for it.
I ate at Strictly Roots right after eating at Uptown Juice Bar, another Harlem vegan Caribbean place.
Although the selection was wider at Uptown Juice Bar, I liked the food a bit better at Strictly Roots. It felt a little more authentic, being ital and run by Caribbean people. The plantains were particularly good.
I also tried a desert - a cassava squared with raisins and shredded coconut. It was unique and quite good - it may have even been raw.
Strictly Roots fills the need for a vegan soul food restaurant in Harlem. The service was friendly, but a bit slow. I was impressed with the taste of their buffet items, especially the tvp pasta and the fried tofu filets. Their vegan mac and cheese wasn't so great, however, and tasted more like bell peppers and water than anything else. Prices are extremely low (most items are under $4-5) and portion sizes are good.