Sacred Chow

Living up to its name, Sacred Chow has a spiritual bent, with a bubbling mosaic fountain that imparts a soothing background of tinkling water as you eat. There's also a mood of playfulness, with dishes like Mama's soy meatballs with spicy Sicilian sauce or a "hot diggity" soy dog with tangy sauerkraut. And who wouldn't want a "gym body"? (In this case, a fruit smoothie with bananas, toasted almonds, cinnamon, flax oil and soy milk.) A bohemian NYU crowd inhabits the red-hued, inviting space. For those with low-glycemic, gluten-free and wheat-free diets there are plenty of options. And with the (wheat-free, gluten-free) velvet triple chocolate brownie, you won't sense any sacrifice.