Client Praise | Truffle Praise | Press

Here's what our lovely clients say about us:

Just had to tell you--the noodles, citrus salad, and slaw? Awesome!
What a great little cold dinner!

Then I started looking at the flan and thought: how did she do that without adding cream??? Then I cheated and read the ingredients list. VERY tricky and creative.
Susan, Highland, NY

I just read "In Defense of Food" and yay for common sense and eating real unprocessed local food! It sure was a nice change to read a book about food that supports what I'm *already* doing. So I just wanted to say thanks again, because without you, I would be eating a lot more junk. Thanks!!! :)
Cassie, Manhattan

I always taste everything when it comes, bc I transfer all the food into glass containers..and WOW! Everything this week is INCREDIBLE. Thank you so, so much for this amazing service, it has changed my life.
Kelly, Manhattan - "One of the best yogis in New York!" Check out her site here.

We just got our delivery... everything looks so good! I just wanted to share some pics of Roebling, the bunny, enjoying Kira's mix...I had some of Kira's mix too and I also like it. We just ate the jerk seitan & yams and it was so delicious! I was telling Kevin (my boyfriend) that I probably wouldn't
order that in a restaurant. It didn't sound like something I would like - but I LOVED it! .
Kate, Brooklyn - watch her bunny here and learn about Kate and Kevin's business here.



I must say that I'm shocked it has already been two years since I discovered your fabulous food, and grateful every week to be eating it.
Pam S., Manhattan
 
the refried beans of a couple of weeks back were very confusing:  were they a side, a main course, an appetizer, a desert or just an aphrodisiac?  They were about the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth..
Hal H., Manhattan (check out his great website!)

You are a wonderful cook.  I can't tell you how much we look forward to the delivery -- we feel very taken care of when we eat your sparkly, beautifully flavored food. It's like having someone who cares about you and wants to keep your palate refreshed in a healthy way, cooking thoughtfully right in your own kitchen. A friend of mine came for lunch and had the cabbage rolls -- he said "They're like a vegetarian reuben!" Thank you.  We can't wait to see what spring will bring!
Mary B, Manhattan
 
I received your meals. They smell and look great. What surprised me was BURDOCK! The way you cooked is just like my mother used to do. I'm from Japan, so I know GOBO cooking. What a pleasant surprise! Also I like your design of the newsletter. The design is nicely friendly and fun. I'm a professional graphic designer. I'm naturally inclined to pay attention to anything on print.
Kote, Manhattan
 
My husband thought your tamales were the best he's ever eaten, anywhere, which says a lot considering he lived in LA for 10 years!
Ani, Manhattan
 
Lagusta, I hate to use silly, juvenile terms to describe your gourmet, carefully prepared food, but....these sloppy joes ROCK!  They ROCK! Love the taste of these greens, the toraziroh.  Never heard of it before, but it's a great flavor in this context. Thanks!
Diane, Manhattan
 
Your stealthy delivery people are great and I've been spreading your praise to all. :)
Hae, Gardiner

I want you to know how fabulous our experience has been, how great it felt to be eating so healthfully, and how I actually learned so much from you. It was especially helpful top me when I was in school full time! The food was always delicious, and always varied. You have been wonderful to do do business with and to get to know. I hope you have a great year and I will pass your name around and sing your praises loud and clear!
Lauren, Brooklyn

Thank you for another fantastic delivery...you are really a fantastic cook -- not only are you having me eating things I would normally not try, but I'm really enjoying everything....MMmmmmm...love the cookies, love the mushrooms, love the pasta!

Again, your delivery people went "above and beyond" what I could have
expected from them! I don't know their names, but the two of them were able to make my food delivery, retrieve the old cooler, and collect payment from me despite my not being home -- and when we did cross paths the two of them were SMILING! They are so good natured! They really are terrific!
Robin, Ft. Lee, NJ

I had the cornbread, collard greens, and black-eyed peas & rice last night. It was excellent!!! I grew up in a southern family, so I know good greens, cornbread & peas. I loved it so much I only ate half so that I can have the other half tonight.
Tonya, Manhattan

I love your food so much. You know what I like best about it? I can feel the care you give when you prepare the food and that makes it really special for me. And of course is very-very delicious everything you make.
thank you
Melinda, Queens

I just wanted to quickly tell you how AMAZING your food is.

First of all, I think it is teaching me something: Food is supposed to have MANY flavors in it, not just one. Like when you eat a meal in a restaurant usually each item on your plate has one taste. So maybe you mush them together or take a bite of each to get more flavor in your mouth. BUT YOUR FOOD has all this flavor inside it; so as you eat there are surprises and you want to keep eating. I honestly never realized food is supposed to be like this.

Also your food seems somehow ALIVE, without of course having killed some living thing dead in order to have that sensation. I mean alive like flavorful, hearty, and definitely healthy. I've been feeling really sick with this cold and haven't really been hungry but I CRAVE your food.

And last but not least, B. is completely in love with your food. Understand that he eats the typical American diet; flavorless, salty horrible meat with white bread and flour. He overeats because it never satisfies him. Yet your food really fills him up so he eats a normal portion, and he LOVES IT!!! I wasn't sure he would even like it but he loves it.
Andrea, River Edge, NJ

Every week I'm excited to receive your food, and today was no exception.
Pam, NYC

The worst thing about cooking, for busy people, is figuring out what to make when you're bored with your repertoire. The best thing about Lagusta is she uses her imagination and skill to take you (culinarily) to places you wouldn't (& couldn't) go on your own...and the meals are as fast and easy to prepare as you can possibly hope. Thanks a million!
KJ, Montclair, NJ

AGAIN, I had the best lunch yesterday! Guess what I had?? The crepes!! And then for a quick snack last night before swim practice, I had a couple of those bean curd rolls. They gave me the perfect amount of energy for swimming -- I was on fire! :)
Christy, Brooklyn, NY

My delivery came an hour ago. The menu looked so interesting that I had to taste something. That something turned into a bite of everything! Oh my God....everything is delicious!!!! I can't even believe it. I've already decided to have a standing order. Shamefully, I don't know if I want to share it with my husband. I will be sad when our kitchen is finished in a few months.
Melanie, Montclair, NJ

Well, I'm off to California. Thanks for the many delicious meals over the last almost-year. Let me know if you open a restaurant someday...I'll fly over to have one of the first dishes.
Ron, Teaneck, NJ

The food is amazing. Seriously. The selection is diverse and exciting, and always has taste and nutritional health and well being in mind. What more could you ask for in a food delivery service? I still have dreams about the seitan stroganoff!
Nelson, Brooklyn, NY

Lagusta's meals are not only healthy but more importantly, Lagusta herself really cares about your overall well-being in terms of health and will work with you to nourish your body properly. She runs her food delivery service not like other ones who tend to be more corporate and distant like but with a personal touch with her little tidbits of information and directions on how to heat up all your meals every week.
Jeanne, Manhattan, NY

It is truly a pleasure to barter with Lagusta! Her food is delicious. I am especially fond of her desserts, but everything she makes is so flavorful and the combinations are creative. I feel like I got the better end of our bartering deal!
Lisa, Brooklyn, NY

The walnut-date dessert this week is the most fun I've had in a while.
Ruth, Jersey City, NJ

About our Truffles (scroll down to read truffle press):

Hey! Treehugger said our truffles are "one of the best-kept confectionery secrets in the country."

LOVE your truffles! They exceeded all my expectations, and were actually more delicious than the dairy-laden Godiva chocolates we received from someone as a gift. As an added bonus, your personal and friendly customer service is a delightful surprise in this day and age. Thanks for everything and happy new year!
Dawn, Sacramento, CA

Hi!
Yes, the truffles arrived safely and intact.  They are soooo delicious!
I’ve never had anything so rich or flavorful!  I’ve been allergic to milk since birth, so truffles are not usually something I can eat.  I was so excited when they came in and I was not disappointed!
You have the best candy I’ve ever had, I’m definitely going to be ordering these again!
Dana, Florida

hi lagusta,
i just wanted to let you know that i really enjoyed the truffles - they were amazingly good. my fiance and i enjoyed one a piece every night after dinner for days after Valentine's until they ran out. i definitely plan on ordering more for upcoming special occassions. actually we're getting married in june ... hmm.
keep up the good stuff.
Heather, Chicago, IL

I have ordered previously and been THRILLED with your product....Thank you for your time and
for the truffles that remind me why being Vegan is great, CUZ IT TASTES BETTER
Stephen, Cincinnati, OH

Mouth Watering - Truffles,
I am the only Vegan in my family, and everyone loved them. The chocolate literally melts in your mouth. They're excellent :)
Celia, La Verne, CA

Just wanted to let you know how much we are enjoying the truffles -- they are amazing! 
Ellen, NY

Best Truffles Ever. Imaginative flavors. Expert execution. We share them with all our friends, vegan or not, and they all agree. Thanks, Lagusta!
Randy and Lacey, Omaha, NE

Thank you so much for your support of Farm Sanctuary's Farm Animal Forum by hosting a food booth. Your truffles were a HUGE hit!
Lorri and Gene Bauston, Farm Sanctuary Founders

Even my 96 year old Aunt Bea, who has tried everything in her lifetime, thought these were too good to share! 
Rosie, CT

awesome, I'm going to tell everyone I know about them. :) We'll definately be ordering from you again. Keep up the good work!
S, Hillsboro, ND

Are you a current or former client? Submit a testimonial here!

Truffle and meal delivery service press:

These chocolates rank right up there with the best truffles I've had, including those with loads of cream, so the fact that they are vegan is a tribute to the chocolatier whose talent
really shows in these confections.
Organicnote.com, March 2008

Rarely am I at a loss for words, but that's exactly how I feel when it comes to Lagusta's Luscious truffles.
indiependence.blogspot.com, March 2008

Feast on This
Lagusta’s Luscious, a woman-owned-and-operated, socially responsible, vegetarian home meal delivery service, takes vegetarian cuisine from humdrum to adventurous and then delivers it straight to your home or office by hybrid car. Ninety percent of Lagusta’s clients are not vegetarian, so consider purchasing meals for anyone who doesn’t have the time, skill, or interest to cook but loves a flavorful, ethnically varied menu. All meals are organic when possible, use locally grown ingredients, and never contain animal products, chemicals, preservatives, dyes, or white sugar. Plans run from $90 to $125 per week and include four to eight packaged meals with reheating instructions. Please keep in mind, there will be no deliveries from December 18 until January 22, but certificates will be sent to notify recipients of their gift.
Chronogram Magazine Holiday gift guide, December 2007 (and how lovely to share a page with sweet sweet Billiam - buy his apples!)

Lagusta's Luscious' truffles remain true to their name to the last flick of your tongue. Pop one of these delectables into your mouth and the delicate crunch of chocolate between your teeth soon gives way to the silky, creamy lusciousness of melt-in-your mouth ganache, its flavor often co-mingling with unexpected—but surprisingly harmonious—pairings such as sea salt and taste-bud-tingling wasabi.
Created by two vegan chefs from upstate New York, the velvety-smooth vegan truffles are handmade in small batches and sent out only every six weeks, giving them a heady aura of exclusivity (and attention to detail) and making them one of the best-kept confectionery secrets in the country.
Lagusta's Luscious' dedication to sustainability is apparent—the saga of how it selected one particular organic and fair-trade chocolate over all others, after a protracted trial-and-error research phase, is well documented on its Web site. A box of 8 truffles costs $13; a selection 28 truffles are priced at $42. You can still make the Oct. 26 shipping date if you have an itchy mouse-trigger finger.
Treehugger.com, October 2007

Lagusta and Jacob, two long-time vegans, set out to make truffles that would rival the non-vegan champions of indulgence.  I think they just might have succeeded.  They knew that to create the best tasting truffles, they would need to use top quality ingredients, which means real food rather than low-fat imitations.  Lagusta’s truffles are rich with organic coconut milk, organic coconut butter, and organic fair trade chocolate from Callebaut. 
I know what you are thinking…probably the same thing I was.  Vegan, organic, fair trade, hand made…these things must cost a fortune!  Oh how wrong we are.  Enjoy the review and the pricing information, which follows it.  I have a feeling you will be purchasing your first box of Lagusta’s Truffles soon. 
Lagusta’s Luscius Truffles are sold in small box collections:  Fruity, Nutty, Boozy, and Wild.  Each contains eight good-sized truffles divided among four to six flavors.  For my first samplings of these hand made gems, I chose the Fruity box, if for no other reason than to trial the latest trendy flavor, pomegranate.
Each truffle is enrobed in a thin, delicate bittersweet chocolate shell.  This leaves ample room for the soft, chocolate inspired fillings within.  Though this was a truffle tactic I had seldom seen, I really liked the higher filling to chocolate coating ratio.  As a whole, each truffle variety was very similar.  They all had the same thick, creamy center of chocolate, coconut milk, and coconut butter, enclosed within a layer of Scharffenberger chocolate.  However, the flavors themselves made each selection distinctively different....
Alisa Fleming, GoDairyFree.org, April 2007

Lagusta's Luscious is a vegan food home delivery service run by namesake Lagusta out of New Paltz, New York. LL emphasizes organic, healthy, whole foods with a gourmet angle, e.g. Meyer lemons cured in olive oil and sea salt for thirty days, brown rice soaked at high temps in a fancy cooker to increase levels of fancy amino acids...The tofu and greens, lavender roasted vegetables and brownie bites were particularly tasty, even great.
SuperVegan.com, March 2007

(A little tidbit about an essay I wrote for a recent cookbook by friends of mine, which you can buy here!): We had a chance to browse Selma Miriam and Noel Furie ’s brand-new, two-volume cookbook, The Best of Bloodroot , and were fascinated by the essays we found therein. Particularly interesting is the treatise by Lagusta Yearwood that examines the virtues and flaws of the coconut as a replacement for dairy in the vegan diet....
Lorraine Gengo, Fairfield Weekly, April 2007

Lagusta Pauline Yearwood is passionate about vegetarian food, even though only about 40 percent of her clients are vegetarians. She calls her food "secretly vegan," as she seduces customers through their taste buds. A typical week's delivery might include wild-rice crepes with oyster mushrooms and miso-mushroom gravy, a tarragon-leek soup, and strawberry shortcake. It might also include artisanal calzones with flaky crust, sun-dried tomato pesto, artichoke hearts, and roasted fennel; cactus gumbo soup; and ginger crinkle cookies.
Jennifer May, Chronogram Magazine, June 2005

Check out the lovely and long and glow-y page about Lagusta's Luscious' meals in the book "Vegetarian New York City" by Suzanne Gerber (forward by Paul McCartney)! (It's impossible to find in the index, so just go to page 303). An excerpt:

Busy professionals seeking healthy, flavorful vegetarian food at reasonable prices know where to turn in New York City. They call Lagusta's Luscious, an affordable alternative to eating out or hiring a private chef...Proprietress/chef Lagusta Yearwood, a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Cookery School, is a longtime vegan, and all her meals are vegan, organic, and seasonal (she does much of her shopping at the Greenmarket). She eats the meals herself and calls them her "health insurance."
Emily Park, in "Vegetarian New York City"

Lagusta doesn't aim to provide all meals for her clients. Her $125 weekly plan includes food for seven to ten meals. Interestingly, most of her customers are not vegetarians. The weekly menu I sampled included a hearty version of the Dominican classic, picadillo, accented with olives and capers, and chickpea flour crepes stuffed with winter vegetables, barley and tempeh accompanied by a mushroom wine sauce that had depth of flavor I rarely taste in vegetarian food. This was delicious, satisfying stuff with lots of zip in the seasoning.
Alys Kremer, Who What Where Magazine, April 2004

Operated by a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Cookery School in New York City, Lagusta's Luscious delivers organic vegetarian fare to residents of the New York City Metropolitan area. Sample entrees include coconut curried tempeh, wild rice crepes with oyster mushrooms and miso mushroom gravy, lemongrass-ginger seared tofu with red Bhutan rice and baby spring vegetables in a coconut-lemongrasss sauce.
Sandra Gordon, Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, December 2003