Pure Vegan Dinner

One can't overemphasize the joy a vegan feels when new animal-free dishes are created in this pork belly-loving day and age—especially when Mohawk Bend's three-course meal is dedicated to Pure Vegan cookbook author Joseph Shuldiner. In a vegan edition of Meatless Monday, a veggie-friendly menu that includes celery root and fennel chowder, polenta with wild mushrooms and pistachio olive oil cake will be whipped up, while the author chitchats with guests and signs copies of his book. The dinner is offered with a signed copy of Pure Vegan ($40), or nosh only ($20) on the guilt-free spread. For a buzzy evening, a cocktail or beer pairing ($10) keeps the booze flowing.