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Natural Awakenings Westchester / Putnam / Dutchess New York

Casual Vegan Dining in Westchester: At Jolo’s Kitchen in New Rochelle, NY

Chef Jolo at Jolo’s Kitchen in New Rochelle, NY

Jolo’s Kitchen has been bringing delicious and affordable vegan meals to the Westchester County community for seven years, but Chef Jolo first started researching vegetarianism and incorporating it into his diet 25 years ago. He found himself drawn to Ital, the Rastafarian dietary guidelines that encourage the use of fresh vegetables; vegan, plant-based proteins; and natural, plant-based ingredients. Those were the guidelines he followed when he opened Jolo’s Kitchen.

“We only serve plant-based foods,” Chef Jolo says. “We appeal to humane, conscious eaters because they know our ingredients meet a high standard of quality that they can trust. But customers also come back because our daily specials are so diverse—they’re full of creativity, fresh ingredients and variety.”

Jolo’s Kitchen serves lunch and dinner, including vegan desserts, and operates a full juice bar. Customers can dine in or order takeout, and the restaurant also caters.

Chef Jolo says his most popular dishes include “Vegan-Ribz” and the portobello mushroom in coconut sauce. Kale cooked with sun-dried tomatoes is another customer favorite. The restaurant’s vegan desserts are made with organic ingredients and include both baked and raw offerings, he says.

Jolo’s Juice Bar has protein shakes, wheatgrass shots, raw juices and smoothies. For athletes, Chef Jolo often recommends the Peanut Punch. “It’s a protein-packed blend that is a must for many bodybuilders looking for an energy drink before a workout, or for people who need a liquid lunch,” he says. For sheer nutritional value, he recommends the Super Green—“a totally green vegetable and fruit drink that’s a yummy way to add greens into a diet.”

The restaurant hosts jazz shows and music nights on a monthly basis, and it now also hosts a weekly yoga class. “The yoga class is as an extension of our goal of sharing and promoting natural healthy living,” Chef Jolo says. Held in a location two blocks from the restaurant, the class is open to the public and is offered to customers on a donation basis.         

Jolo’s Kitchen is located at 412 North Ave., New Rochelle, NY. For more information, call the restaurant at 914.355.2527 or visit it online at JolosKitchen.com or on Facebook at JolosKitchenRestaurant.