Moon and River Cafe — Restaurant in City of Schenectady

I am a strict vegan. I absolutely HATE things that have animal products in the "ingredients" list. It is to the point where I cannot even keep a duck feather I pick up off of the ground without feeling like a monster. Every place I went to and asked if there were vegan options handed me a salad and said "Enjoy" sarcastically. Ever since I became vegan, I never felt at home in restaurants OR cafe's, and sometimes, I actually felt threatened. I felt like everybody there wanted me out of the place and to "die with all my friends in PETA."

What's the first thing I hear when I walk inside of Moon and River Cafe from the guy running the place? That's right, "Are you vegetarian?" At that moment I felt at home. I knew that this was the best restaurant I will ever see in my entire lifetime. I told the guy that I was, but infact the more "extreme" and philosophical form which is, and we ALL know is Veganism and he gave me a list of his menu and IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY gave me a verbal list of recommendations based on my DIET and what was popular. I chose the Mediterranean Vegan Pizza (My mother had it too). I saw it and it looked extremely greasy, but then when I tried it, I realized that all it was was a mixture of oil (not much though, probably less than a tbs) and mainly the juice of the vegetables that were on the bread.

IF that were all grease, I'd feel like I drank it straight from the bottle, but I didn't. It was very delicious, and I actually wasn't satisfied, I WANTED MORE!!! It was really that good. If I had more money, I would eat like five more helpings.

Also, there aren't many people that go there at once. It may appear "deserted," but I like it that way. It's not too loud... not loud at all, and everybody gets along fine.

I feel like the food possessed me though. All I can say is that to me, this is Moe's Tavern, and I am Homer Simpson... if you forgive the simpsons reference... I just REALLY love this place. He will make a whole crapload of money from me over the coming years if I ever get a job.

Please, whether you live in Schenectady or you're just stopping in for a special occasion, come visit this place. ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE VEGETARIAN. You won't be disappointed......

I decided to check this place out after reading the positive reviews on this site, and being close proximity to my relative's house in the Stockade. I was aghast at how misled I was. The decor is a little odd; it looks like a hippie's basement. On a scale of 0 to Vermont on the granola meter, this place is radio-active. The ambiance of a restaurant is not much of an issue provided that the food is good. To put it kindly the food SUCKED. My aunt and I were the only ones in the restaurant. The waitress awkwardly took our orders, after she was done kibitzing with some random guitarist dude, who wasn't playing any music. Then 10 minutes after the food was ordered, a guy showed up at the door, who I later figured out was the owner/chef. A little while later, we got our food. I ordered the tostada, which at most restaurants is more or less a "taco salad." I've been to many Mexican restaurants, including many on the west coast, and I am well aware of what constitutes a tostada. The dish I received: two little tortilla shells with a little bit of refried beans, sour cream, jalapeños served on a 6" diameter plate, which is wicked small I might add. The "tostada" looked like it was lightly-cooked in a toaster oven or more likely an easy-bake oven. Being the somewhat-demure person I am, I ate what I ordered. Afterwards, I respectfully told the waitress that I was very disappointed with the food. She then proceeded to tell the boss, somewhat in my face. The boss rolled is eyes (he was probably high) and said: "Don't worry about it." Needless to say I will NEVER return to the...

If you are a germaphobe, don't even attempt to come here. I stuck it out for my gf which was extremely hard for me. It's not really a restaurant but more so either a rented space or an enlarged room turned into an eating area. It's definitely not clean but it's not a section 8 protect lobby either. Everything in there is just old and worn. I was going to go wash my hands and my gf said to not even go in the bathroom. Thankfully we came right from her friends house and I washed my hands before leaving there. This place only takes cash and of course right after handling money, the owner dived right into making our food. He was probably one of the nicest people I have ever come in contact with which made it difficult to up and leave. He was super passionate about what he was making us and kept engaging us in convo which made it even harder to go. Everything we ate needed to be cooked which helped my sanity just enough to stay. I kept thinking that the heat will kill any germs that were present. The food was by far the best vegan meal I had in the public. He used chick pea flour and water to make "eggs" which was cool since it was my first time having an egg alternative since being vegan. The tempeh bacon, home fries and french toast were out if this world. Please Please Please clean up a bit and wear some gloves and I...