There's a New Vegan Sandwich at Regina's
You’re so well known on the Lower East Side. How did this collaboration come to be?
Vashtie— I’ve known Roman for probably 20 years. We’ve come up together in many different ways, as well as a lot of our other friends who have businesses on this block. It’s really fascinating to think about because we used to be these dirtbag kids who didn’t have much money. We were trying to figure out our lives, our businesses, and now we’re establishing ourselves – which is really cool.
Why Regina's?
Vashtie— Roman is my friend. It’s an extension of him and his brand, his family, his culture, all of the things that are important to him – which I also support and think is really important. The landscape of New York is constantly evolving, and I think with all of these big businesses moving into these communities, it’s important to really support local businesses. These are businesses that really add culture to the city that we love. Corporations aren’t adding culture to the city, so to me it’s a representation of New York; the community, the culture, of why I moved here a hundred years ago. I hope that it continues to thrive, which I know it will.
What ingredients of The Vash stand out most to you and why did you choose them?
Vashtie— Firstly, it’s vegan mozzarella, which is important because I’m vegan. It’s essentially the first vegan sandwich at Regina’s. I’ve been vegan for a very long time, so it was important for me to find the right ingredients that would be delicious, but also fit in with the DNA of Regina’s. Another ingredient that’s imperative is the olive tapenade. I’m obsessed with olives. Any kind of olive out there is my thing. There’s also a chickpea mayo. I feel like for me, chickpeas are a main ingredient in a lot of dishes I eat, so it came together quite naturally.
Are the ingredients related to your pregnancy cravings as well?
Vashtie— I have been craving Italian sandwiches specifically.
Roman, when Vashtie gave you the ingredients, what was your thought process?
RG— Vash knows what she likes and she’s been to the store before… Her specification was that it had to be vegan so that was easy because chickpeas are in a ton of Italian recipes and it’s something that we know. You pinpoint little things that make sense for you and try to add them in then figure out what's potentially missing and go from there.
Have you made a vegan sandwich before?
RG— We thought about it and never fully did it. Vegan was something that was super interesting to us because it just wasn’t something in our life growing up — you put cheese or some kind of dairy on something first thing in the morning.
Is Regina’s a generational business?
RG— No, starting this was more of a testament to myself. I wanted to be in my food my entire life, but culinary school was crazy expensive so I thought that if I could do it for somebody else, maybe I could do it for myself. The idea was originally supposed to be called Mama’s Boy – like a corny Subway kind of thing. My mom harbored me and all of my friends. There are so many elements to the name Regina that just fit what we were; a bunch of rough knucklehead kids and it made us a little bit more delicate. My mother is a beautiful part of all of our lives.
What does collaboration mean to both of you?
RG— I come from a collaboration world. I feel like it’s a world I’m most comfortable in and I’m going to continue to do them. If you can tie things in to make them fun and authentic collabs, I think it’s what keeps us going. Otherwise, I’m another two-pound sandwich that no one really cares about. We have a younger approach to it all – even the vegan sandwich is a younger approach. You go to Parisi and ask what vegan is, they have no idea.
Vashtie— Collaboration has always meant an extension of self. You’re extending yourself with another entity. For me it’s very intimate. Not only is it your time and energy, it’s also your likeness, your name, and all of those things that are involved in representing who you are. I feel like when choosing, it’s important for me to find things that are authentic, represent me, and feel good.
