Gobo: Food for the Five Senses
By Tiffany Lee, Staff Writer

As soon as I walked into Gobo: Food for the Five Senses, I could immediately sense the inviting atmosphere and new experience that awaited me. Not only was the layout and furniture simple and yet aesthetically pleasing, a soft glow came from the hanging lanterns as soft music filled the room. I couldn’t help but be impressed by the open kitchen and organic juice bar as I could actually watch the chefs bustle about preparing dishes and see the drinks being shaken and stirred. Gobo (Japanese for "burdock root") specializes in organic vegetarian cuisine with an Asian flare. "Rooted in Zen compassion, Gobo is founded on the belief that delicious food and beverages using wholesome, non-meat ingredients will nourish both your body and mind." I had never been to a vegetarian restaurant before this, and so I can honestly say that I was a bit wary of what to expect.

The quality of a restaurant’s service always says a lot about the establishment, and Gobo definitely didn’t disappoint. My waiter, Rob, was quick to bring my order, and extremely helpful in giving me recommendations and answering any questions I had about the menu. This was my first time eating real "vegan" food, and so I really had no idea about some ingredients like "seitan" or "yucca." (Seitan is a seasoned whole-wheat protein and yucca, also known as cassava, is a white starchy tropical vegetable similar to the potato.) My first task was to choose a drink, and even that wasn’t easy; the assortment of drinks took up a whole menu itself, offering cool fruit smoothies with optional boosters, freshly squeezed organic juices, hot tea, and even bubble tea! I ended up ordering the homemade pineapple iced tea, which was cool and refreshing with a tangy taste of pineapple and frothy foam on the top. Rob suggested I give the homemade veggie-burger with yam and yucca fries a try. When my plate arrived, I found myself looking at colorful versions of the traditional hamburger and French fries. I took a bite of the burger and was surprised at how good it tasted. Although it didn’t taste totally like real meat, it was still tasty and definitely a lot healthier. The yam and yucca fries were closer to potato fries, just more on the sweet side. Gobo’s homemade ketchup was the perfect complement to both the burger and fries.

Although I was limited to ordering only from the lunch menu, you should definitely check out the more extensive dinner menu, which offers "quick bites" like scallion pancakes with homemade mango salsa, "small plates" like shredded carrots and cabbage moo shu, "large plates" like Singapore stir-fry mai-fan, and a variety of soups and salads like spinach wonton and chopped romaine salad with smoked tofu and almonds. The diverse selection is so unique, and yet there’s something familiar about every dish, you’ll be sure to find a favorite. Gobo is the perfect place for hardcore vegetarians, people who want to try something new, or just those looking for great food at a reasonable price.

To get a quick glimpse at Gobo yourself, check out its website at http://goborestaurant.com, where you can find the menu, directions, reviews, and other helpful info. Gobo is located right near campus at 401 Avenue of the Americas, between Waverly Place and 8th Street.