Through the satin green leaves on fluffy trees lining the gritty silver streets of the Gramercy Park neighborhood in New York City, there sits a special spot to me and to many. Pure Food and Wine Restaurant, and around the corner, One Lucky Duck juice bar + takeaway.
Pure Food and Wine is a place where towering raw zucchini lasagna with its bright green pesto and glossy layers, vibrant vegan salads, the best vegan tamales you have ever tasted, velvety Mallomars and rippling Chocolate Mint Sundaes are carried out on shiny dishes by passionate people, amidst twinkling lights, glowing faces sipping Sake Tinis and a hum of something magical in the air. Kind of like Disneyland for people who like plants. And in place of Walt, we have miss Sarma. In the place of Mickey, we have a duck. A duck logo who Sarma says she created with kid-appeal in mind,
"..enough of a cuteness factor that kids would find it (the logo) appealing too, which is important if we’re talking about changing the future too." And in terms of changing the future, Sarma was succeeding.
If you know anything about the PFW + OLD brand, you will know Sarma's face. Shiny bobbed blonde hair, low key smile, duck tattoo, Swan Greens juice in hand, pumpkinseed salad munching at her desk, rescue pets speckling her Instagram, like her blonde-eared pitbull Leon, and Sarma's candid blog posts and voice -- all things synonymous with her brand.
But a few weeks ago I was saddened to hear that Pure Food and Wine was closed amidst a financial scandal that was playing out on a grand, hurtful, public scale..
Updated: Go Fund Me for Pure Food and Wine!
I was pretty shocked at the circumstances and images flying through "foodie" media and reports on what went down. I felt bad for the employees and vendors that were impacted by the conflict. And while common sense told me that this could be the end of the iconic raw + vegan establishment and brand, I knew for certain that this was only the beginning of an uphill climb, a raw (no pun intended) battle that Sarma would have to confront face to face, and hopefully come out on the other side of this mess with mistakes mended and wounds patched up.
Sarma's most recent blogpost, "What's Going On.. and hope", is a sort of open letter to her fans (and enemies) asking for forgiveness as she fully admits that she, and I quote, "F’d up royally."
And though mistakes were made, I found it ridiculous that some people were so quick to rip Sarma apart. Even if she was to blame - though obviously I am still just and outsider looking in. But it is scary how quickly humans can lose compassion and be quick to judge. While yes, Sarma even admits that she messed up, the bottom line is that there is no way that she or anyone with half a heart would ever want for this to happen to their business or employees.
I could only imagine how crushed she must have felt. In her latest letter she says,
"Believe it or not, my biggest fear in life is letting people down. Always has been. And in some insane way, I managed to create a situation where I did just that on a massive scale. How does that happen?.."
PFW magic..
One of my most favorite NYC meals ever, visiting one of my best friends, Gena a few years back:
Cheezy Quackers + Mallomar:
Taco Salad takeaway:
In her latest post, Sarma wrote something that truly resonated with me, and I think can resonate with anyone who has ever faced the impossible..
"If I make it through this, I will be one of those people reassuring younger people that if you believe in something with every fiber of your being, then no matter what obstacles get in the way or how many times you stumble, how bad you look, or how far you fall… don’t give up. It will be worth it. I’m hoping I can say that with assurance before too long, while sitting in the garden at Pure Food and Wine."
PFW + OLD. So WHY am I taking an entire blogpost to discuss this? I am a superfan of Sarma's brand, but also of Sarma and what she accomplished. What she created. On a purely entrepreneurial scale, I have always looked up to her with wide eyes and awe. I can recall a girl chat with a vegan blogger friend where we were discussing our ambitions and she noted a famous person who she wanted to be like one day, and I giggled and in a "hey it could happen" silly tone I said as we sipped our lattes, "I want to be Sarma." I laughed. But seriously, as real and gritty as Sarma liked to get with her fans on her blog, just look at what this superwoman has accomplished:
-> best-selling books, successful restaurant, amazing brand identity, inspiring love of animals, gorgeous face and still a super innocent sweetness and raw-ness about her (again, no pun..) that I could only say was applaudable.
Here on HHL, I have featured Sarma and her brands many times:
* The Seed NYC Trip + PFW with Gena of Choosing Raw -- food pics galore
* Raw Food Dining NYC: My Faves!
* One lucky Duck product faves + gift guide
* The Mallomar -- a must-try treat
* Ode to Cheezy Quackers -- fave snack ever
* Sarma's Veggie Girl Power Interview Series -- my interview with Sarma back in 2009
In Sarma's VGP Interview she gave an answer that I ALWAYS quote when I get in a conversation with friends of other bloggers about bullies and mean comments. At the time I was dealing with a "blog troll" who kept leaving nasty comments on my blog about how he didn't agree with all the oils and fats I used in my recipes. And he wasn't polite about it. So that was why I added this question to the interview. Sarma's answer..
Question: GRACE - How do you respond to negative comments from critics, in real life or on the web?
Sarma: I try to learn something from it and not take it personally. Though sometimes I fire back if I think I’ve been misunderstood, or if someone misunderstood something about us (meaning, the restaurant or one lucky duck). An example is when people get mad and email me about our prices, and then I can’t help launching into a heartfelt response on that. It happens rarely, but I feel like it’s important for people to understand how hard it is to do what we’re trying to do, and what we sacrifice to do it. Once people know then they understand.
When the comments are personal to me, sometimes they’re funny. That stuff doesn’t bother me much. Recently someone pointed out to me that negative personal comments usually say far more about the people making them than they do about you.
And lastly, I have a huge amount of thanks to Sarma as a person.
She contributed a quote of praise for my first book, 365 Vegan Smoothies, which you can read on the back cover of the book.
And the most touching thing in the world was when she sent me a hand-written letter when my kitty Nelly died in November 2013. I was at a bottom point emotionally, and when I received that card from Sarma I started balling my eyes out in gratitude over her kind, helpful and compassionate words. It made me feel a little less hopeless about the world.
So, for all of that and more, I wanted to write this post to hopefully bring some awareness to what Sarma and PFW have gone through, and more importantly, how you can help. Basically, hop on over to Sarma's blog and read her latest post -- if anything, you will be moved by her honestly, sincerity and hope. And if you know someone who can help, awesome.
Share a Memory! And if you have ever dined at Pure Food and Wine or shopped at OneLuckyDuck.com please please leave a comment on this post with a happy memory, food moment, favorite product or personal story about how PFW or OLD touched you and brought something yummy, inspirational or fun into your life. I am sure Sarma would absolutely love reading what memories you have to share. And I will start below.. 🙂
And if you are reading this and have anything negative to say about Sarma or her brand, please leave your comments to yourself or use your own space to share them. This is a space of support, support and gratitude. No bullies allowed.
PFW garden, May 2013:
Falafel salad takeaway:
anna says
What is your response now that Sarma has disappeared again?
punkrawklabs says
it's painful for me to read the nasty posts from people. i can understand why people are upset. absolutely. this is a difficult situation impacting so many. but personally attacking people never elevates or supports an argument. it is super inspiring to see how sarma has risen above the negativity and kept her nose to the grindstone. life is hard. running a business is hard. it's hard on both sides. but at the end of the day, positivity carries forward. and negativity burns itself out. keep going sarma! you are inspiring many people!! haters keep on hating too. if that's what you feel. you are creating your own karma.
Laura says
Sarma just rules, and a dinner I had at PFW last fall in the garden was one of the most magical dining experiences of my life. It was transcendent! Stunning service, pace, vibe, quality of goods etc. I work in hospitality and appreciate that level of attention to detail SO much. I hope the right people step up and restore all that good work that so many people have put in over the years.
Kathy Patalsky says
That is wonderful! Love that. It is a magical place.
Shannon Hickman says
A wonderfully heartfelt post. I remember vividly when I received a lovely gift from you from One Lucky Duck as a thanks for trying so many recipes from 365 Smoothies. It was the first time I ever got to try their products, and it meant a lot to me to get such a special package. Thanks again Kathy! 😀
Kathy Patalsky says
Oh yay yes!I swear my fave gifts to give were from OLD .. The boxes always contain so much love from the stickers to the smily faces in highlighter ink, love it all.
Heather Cunningham says
I was lucky enough to eat dinner at PFW once. It is the best meal I've ever eaten, a sensory memory experience of pure joy. We both ordered the tasting menu, so between us we sampled nearly every item on the menu that night. I ate at the juice bar twice too, though I was only in NYC for 3 days, i ate there as much as possible. I couldn't get enough. I've been dreaming of returning for another sublime experience, especially as I am yet to eat one of their legendary malomars. I was very sad to hear it had closed, but certainly hope Sarma can get it back running soon. I believe she will find a way to start again. I am lucky enough to live in Austin, just an hour and a half away from One Lucky Duck Texas, where my friend and I just had another lovely PFW experience--something special the juice bar was doing--a prix fixe 6 course meal of PFW classics. I wish I could do more to help the business and the brand to thrive again, sending best wishes to all the lucky ducks!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you for those memories Heather! You are lucky to be in Austin! Send me some quackers! kiddingnotkidding 😉
Kathy Patalsky says
Yay that is a perfect place for a wedding night dinner! Thank you for sharing Alex!
Kathy Patalsky says
Aw I love that Caitlin! Beautiful memories. PS. how was Book of Mormon? I still need to see that! I wish I had seen it with the original cast! Though I'm sure the current cast is fab too 🙂
John Hartil says
What a shame this is but it is so difficult in the food business in NYC. My daughter and myself often had a lunch there when I am over visiting and it was always an enjoyable experience both the food and the ambience.
Kathy Patalsky says
thank you for that John!
Lisa Borden says
Our community needs Pure Food and Wine to come back - stronger than ever, restoring the positive, healthy and inspiring energy and incredible menu that this beautiful space has offered us.
In every one of my trips to NYC, I have been there for multiple meals - a lunch, a dinner and lots of take-out, especially for the trip home. It was always a pleasure to spend my money at Pure, understanding that I was making myself happy, nourishing myself healthily, often showing off the brilliance and deliciousness of raw, vegan cuisine to others, supporting the kind of food system we need, and making compassion a thing of luxury.
I do hope very much - that Pure can open it's doors, and light up that magical garden again - for everyone's sake, and because that sundae is life changing. 🙂 Let's be part of the solution.
Kathy Patalsky says
Agreed on all fronts Lisa!
Amanda - Create N Plate says
What a beautiful post! I love Pure Food and Wine so so much! Thank you for sharing this Kathy!
- I was there the night before they closed in January with my friend. We both just arrived from out of town and went straight there. We had salads and mint sundaes, spending the afternoon laughing and gushing about how much we both loved dining there.
- I spent my 21st birthday there with a group of my friends. It was a late October evening but it was still warm enough to spend it in the garden making the evening that much better.
- Every time I leave the city I load up on treats from One Lucky Duck. I always get a caesar salad, taco salad, and a few desserts to take 5 hours back home with me.
- I did my teacher training in NYC in 2013 and I spend almost every Saturday evening at Pure Food and Wine for 2 months straight. I loved working my way through the menu and trying the random surprise menu items that they shared on occasion.
There are so many other amazing memories that I can think of as well. Pure Food and Wine will always hold a special place in my heart and is absolutely my favorite restaurant. I am wishing everyone involved in the recent events the absolute best and hope to be able to dine in the garden again this spring!
Kathy Patalsky says
thank you so much Amanda, this is a beautiful comment. Thank you for sharing those lovely moments.
phoebe says
I've never been but friends have. It was on my to-do list and I'll leave it there for the time being. I have raw-cooked through her cookbooks and love her collard greens wraps recipe.
It's one of the fears for we women in small business, making the wrong decisions. Blaming others for our failure can be the easy road. It takes some real courage to take this head on. Best wishes!
RickiHeller says
One of the best meals--and experiences--I ever had was the first dinner I had at Pure Food and Wine. I met a bunch of blogger friends during a visit to NYC and was just blown away. We had a fabulous dinner, incredible conversation, and totally memorable evening. It's one of my fondest memories of all my trips to the city--and I really love that city! I do hope they manage to reconstruct and restore such a lovely, inspiring and energizing place.
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you for sharing that Ricki. I share your sentiments.
Cara Reed says
My first experience with Sarma was through her 2nd cookbook. I bought it 4 years ago and it became one of those books that stayed by my side wherever I went. Only a few cookbooks have made it to that status. Not only did I love her message about not attaching to a label when it comes to a diet but her recipes were beyond inventive, creative, and delicious. From that point on it became a dream of mine to visit Pure Food and Wine. I finally did this past Christmas and it was such an incredible experience, it was everything I had hoped over these years of daydreaming. From the ambiance, to the energy in the restaurant, to the food...it was an experience I don't get often from most restaurants. Sending all my love to the restoration of the brand!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you Cara that is a wonderful comment to share, thank you for that
Kathy Patalsky says
Some of my favorite PFW memories:
* Brunch with my husband and one of my best friends since high school, Stacy, where we giggled and laughed and ate amazing food and finished our meal by sharing two desserts. Mint Sundae being one of them.
* Spring dinner outside in the garden with Gena, photos in this post. So happy + delicious.
* One NYC day, after waiting in line for 7 hours to audition to be on Food Network's Next Food Star reality show, I was mentally and physically exhausted. I felt a bit defeated too. I strolled over to One Lucky Duck and ordered a smoothie. It made everything better and I remember how happy I felt strolling back downtown sipping those blissful berry flavors. I wrote about it here: http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/08/my-food-network-nfns-open-call-nyc.html 🙂
(there are more, but I really want to hear YOUR memories!)