Ital Kitchen BK: A Look Into the Jamaican Plant-Based Oasis of Crown Heights, Brooklyn

Last month for Black History Month, United Way New York City took the opportunity to celebrate Black-owned restaurants that have made significant contributions to the city’s food culture. As part of this initiative, Ital Kitchen BK, a Crown Heights-based eatery, is in the spotlight. 

“No one else is doing what I’m doing,” Chef Mike told One Green Planet.

Source: Ital Kitchen

At Ital Kitchen BK, “happy food creates happy souls.” That’s the motto of Chef Mike Gordon, who founded the restaurant in 2013. The establishment prides itself on its commitment to offering 100% vegetarian, raw dishes that promote physical and emotional wellness. The name “Ital” is derived from the word “vital,” as the food served at Ital Kitchen is intended to sustain and preserve life.

“Obfuscation should be a crime in the kitchen ..no hidden agenda about the food you’re eating,” Chef Mike told One Green Planet.

Source: Ital Kitchen

As a “Rasta-man,” Chef Mike believes in the vitality of plant-based food that’s fresh and alive. Born in Jamaica, he grew up in Queens, NY, and studied French cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu in 2010. His passion for vegan food is evident in every dish, which is fresh, healthy, and prepared with love while listening to Miles Davis and John Coltrane. 

The menu at Ital Kitchen is full of delights, from the Creation Rebel and Vegan Oxtail to the Rasta Pasta and Stir it up Nice, all of which come highly recommended. The restaurant is BYOB, with a corkage fee per glass of $10. Ital Kitchen also uses the most refined produce from the local Park Slope Food Coop, ensuring that every dish is of the highest quality and 100% authentic organic.

Source: Ital Kitchen

Ital Kitchen BK is a place where food and atmosphere heal. The restaurant boasts a beautiful ambiance contrasting many of the area’s no-frills Caribbean spots. There are no gimmicks, trends, or culinary tricks – just heart-warming food in a heart-warming setting. It’s a sit-down setting that welcomes everyone, making it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or, even better, a family meal.

“As a connoisseur of ganja, as we normally call the herb in our Rastafarian community, I’m always looking for a healthier way to consume the sacrament,” Chef Mike told One Green Planet. “With the legalization of marijuana and the green rush by dilettantes, I felt isolated and wanted to be a part of the new wave of marijuana business ..Hence my new superfood-infused juices were born.”

Source: Ital Kitchen

But it’s not just about the food and infused juiced at Ital Kitchen BK. Chef Mike and his team are committed to promoting environmental sustainability, achieving this through several initiatives. For example, they’ve implemented a recycling program that allows them to reduce waste and create a positive impact on the environment.

Ital Kitchen is not just a restaurant; it’s a community. The eatery is part of a broader effort to empower Black-owned businesses and make them more visible. Chef Mike wants to explore having his wonderful healthy dishes as a mail food prep delivery service where he delivers kits to make his dishes at home.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the work of Chef Mike and the entire team at Ital Kitchen BK. Their commitment to offering healthy, fresh, and delicious food is inspiring, and their efforts to promote environmental sustainability are noteworthy.

We encourage everyone to Support Black-owned businesses like Chef Mike’s Ital Kitchen. Visit Ital Kitchen BK and experience the magic of happy food. And let’s all take steps to reduce waste, promote sustainability, and make the world a better place.

Chef Mike is wearing the Solution Not Pollution Tee from TinyRescue.Org’s Climate Collection

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• Tracye McQuirter is on a Mission to Inspire 10 Million Black Women to Go Vegan
• 10 Empowering Black Documentaries in the Public Health, Animal Rights, and Green Space
• Celebrating Black Excellence with These 15 Plant-Based Recipe Creators You Need to Follow!

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