cafe ⓥ marketplace

From New York ...
We started with a food blog from the kitchen of our farmhouse in Callicoon, a historic river town in the scenic Catskills of upstate New York. We created recipes and videos to share our passion for delicious 100% plant-based dishes. Next stop ... an appearance by founder, Ron Badach on ABCs The CHEW where Callicoon Kitchen's classic black bean burger stole the show.

After The CHEW, the blog became a website and social media outlet where people from across the country and around the world began to connect with us about how to transition to a plant-based diet. It was clear that people had different motivations to make the change -- a desire to improve their health (for themselves and for the people who love them) -- concern for animal welfare -- a determination to eat a more earth-friendly diet. Regardless of their reason, people were inspired by a chance to make a change to a plant-based diet without having to compromise the taste and the joy they receive from food.

To Virginia Beach  ...
Our commitment to share the excitement of plant-based cooking moved with us when we made the big decision to move our family from New York to Virginia Beach in 2014 and start Living the Life.  It took a few years but we finally made the leap in 2020 to open a restaurant and start cooking!  Things may be a bit uncertain these days, but what better time to offer our VB neighbors an alternative to mainstream dining and offer delicious, healthy and comforting food.

All of our dishes are carefully crafted and are 100% plant-based. We have never had to compromise our passion for food and now neither does Virginia Beach. We look forward to welcoming you.