If you tried Healthy As A Motha when they were operating as just a cloud kitchen in Queens or when they popped up at NYC’s first ever Vegan Night Market this past summer but you desperately wanted more, you’re in luck.
After gaining popularity and traction through pop-ups across NYC and Long Island, Healthy As A Motha (HAAM) is on track to debut a permanent restaurant in Williamsburg this month!
The plant-based Caribbean eatery was first inspired by Chef/Owner Yesenia Ramdass’s Dominican heritage and her husband Randy’s Trinidadian background. Ramdass, a born and raised New Yorker, became vegan at 17 years old despite growing up with a food culture that revolved around meat.
She began developing recipes that stayed true to her Dominican roots but followed her plant-based diet, and eventually HAAM was born, blending tradition with innovation and celebrating the vibrancy of the Caribbean in a healthy, sustainable, and approachable way.
What she came up with was a number of mouthwatering dishes that you can’t even tell are plant-based!
Sample menu highlights include Island Onigiri with BBQ oyster mushrooms, sweet plantain, avocado mousse, and spicy mayo, Yucca Mash with King Oyster “Scallops” in a rich garlic sauce with broccolini, Yuh Motha’s Mofongo with chicharron de lions mane and curried cream sauce, and Buss Up Shut Roti Plate with curry jackfruit, pumpkin, and curry mango.
To drink, HAMM will offer a selection of Caribbean drink specialties like 100% natural fresh cold-pressed sugarcane juice, house made tamarind juice, sorrel juice (a hibiscus beverage native to Jamaica), and Morisoñando (a traditional Dominican drink which blends milk and orange juice), as well as vegan wine, beer, and cocktails.
As for the space, the 1,000-square-foot outpost seamlessly blends modern sophistication with Caribbean charm.
The restaurant seats 30 guests (plus six seats at the bar) and features black and white mosaic marble floors, vibrant green accents, and natural materials like wood and straw that throw a nod to the Caribbean’s lush landscapes.
Cherished objects and heirlooms significant to the Ramdass family can also be seen in the space, along with a hand-painted mural by Brazilian artist Livia Mourao that serves as a tribute to the matriarchal figures who brought the HAAM brand to life.
HAAM is set to open on Wednesday, November 15th at 234 Union Avenue in Williamsburg.
Learn more on their website.