Mission Statement
Candle Cafe Hospitality aims to share delicious, wholesome, plant-based food that energizes and amazes without compromising flavor or satisfaction. Our chef-driven menu features locally-sourced sustainable ingredients in their most natural form to create inspired dishes made by us daily. We are passionate about feeding our customers hearty, nourishing meals made from whole ingredients meant to have a positive impact on their overall well-being.
We are focused on maintaining an earth-aware lifestyle and actively contribute to lowering our carbon footprint and preserving our planet’s natural resources through our animal-free menu, mindful ingredient sourcing and eco-friendly packaging.
We are focused on maintaining an earth-aware lifestyle and actively contribute to lowering our carbon footprint and preserving our planet’s natural resources through our animal-free menu, mindful ingredient sourcing and eco-friendly packaging.
Our Team
We are committed to delighting guests with extraordinary food and excellent customer service. Our dedicated and professional staff hails from some of the culinary meccas of the world and is recognized for their attention to detail, unwavering pursuit of perfection and the highest levels of quality and customer experience. The group has its sights set on new locations for growth, and we welcome career inquiries. Learn more by writing us here.
History
The Candle Cafe story began in the summer of 1984, when Bart Potenza purchased Sunny’s, a landmark health food store and juice bar located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. In honor of the previous owner's nightly ritual of lighting candles to bless their establishment, Bart renamed it the Healthy Candle and made it his own.
In 1987, Joy Pierson began frequenting Healthy Candle as a customer and friend. She eventually became the in-house nutritionist for the fast-growing eatery. Bart was so impressed by her commitment to the vegetarian and holistic movement that he made her a partner in the business.
As their mutual passion for their mission grew, so did their power as a team in the vegetarian movement. In its 10 year history, the Healthy Candle evolved from a juice bar and vitamin shop, into a full service juice bar and cafe featuring a vegetarian menu of homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and entrees.
Customer demand overwhelmingly confirmed that Healthy Candle could make a difference in people’s lives by feeding them fresh, wholesome, vegetarian food. Bart and Joy knew they had to expand, but how? They asked, and the universe answered: on Friday the 13th, 1993, Bart and Joy won $53,000 in the take-five lottery, and Candle Cafe was on its way!
In 2003, demand for growth called again, and Candle 79 was born just five blocks away. This two-story upscale dining experience incorporates the famed organic plant-based cuisine in a more formal setting featuring organic wine and full eco bar. This once again filled a void in the market for the conscientious yet sophisticated eater. Candle 79 has twice been rated as Zagat’s #1 vegetarian restaurant, with a local and international reputation that has a regular clientele that includes neighborhood residents, celebrities, politicians, and corporate executives from around the world.
Candle Cafe West opened its doors in April 2012. Deemed a hybrid of the original Candle Cafe location and Candle 79, this gorgeous space is located on Broadway between 89th/90th streets. It accommodates around 100 guests at one time, with a spacious eco-cocktail bar and elegant touches. The Candle Cafe West menu has similar items as the other two locations, with a full bar including organic spirits, wines and beer and specialty cocktails. Candle Cafe West is also certified kosher.
Since 1994, Candle Cafe has been serving a vegan menu composed of the freshest ingredients available and has been continually rated as one of the best vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the country by both traditional and holistic communities.
In 1987, Joy Pierson began frequenting Healthy Candle as a customer and friend. She eventually became the in-house nutritionist for the fast-growing eatery. Bart was so impressed by her commitment to the vegetarian and holistic movement that he made her a partner in the business.
As their mutual passion for their mission grew, so did their power as a team in the vegetarian movement. In its 10 year history, the Healthy Candle evolved from a juice bar and vitamin shop, into a full service juice bar and cafe featuring a vegetarian menu of homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and entrees.
Customer demand overwhelmingly confirmed that Healthy Candle could make a difference in people’s lives by feeding them fresh, wholesome, vegetarian food. Bart and Joy knew they had to expand, but how? They asked, and the universe answered: on Friday the 13th, 1993, Bart and Joy won $53,000 in the take-five lottery, and Candle Cafe was on its way!
In 2003, demand for growth called again, and Candle 79 was born just five blocks away. This two-story upscale dining experience incorporates the famed organic plant-based cuisine in a more formal setting featuring organic wine and full eco bar. This once again filled a void in the market for the conscientious yet sophisticated eater. Candle 79 has twice been rated as Zagat’s #1 vegetarian restaurant, with a local and international reputation that has a regular clientele that includes neighborhood residents, celebrities, politicians, and corporate executives from around the world.
Candle Cafe West opened its doors in April 2012. Deemed a hybrid of the original Candle Cafe location and Candle 79, this gorgeous space is located on Broadway between 89th/90th streets. It accommodates around 100 guests at one time, with a spacious eco-cocktail bar and elegant touches. The Candle Cafe West menu has similar items as the other two locations, with a full bar including organic spirits, wines and beer and specialty cocktails. Candle Cafe West is also certified kosher.
Since 1994, Candle Cafe has been serving a vegan menu composed of the freshest ingredients available and has been continually rated as one of the best vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the country by both traditional and holistic communities.
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