"Being vegan isnt a trend, its a lifestyle," declares the website for DF Mavens, a newly-opened vegan shop on St. Marks Place. The new store graces the corner of 2nd Avenue, which has seen turnover from pizza places to coffee shops in recent years as the area continues its morph from punk hangout spot to a squeaky clean casual dining mecca. Trend or not, the menu features the kinds of buzzwords common in the urban culinary lexicon, with vegan, soy, acai, chia and juice abounding.

What began as a line of dairy-free frozen desserts has expanded into savories, health bowls and beverages, too. Hot soups, fresh juices, espresso drinks and kombucha are the name of the game here if you're feeling virtuous; ice creams, baked goods, shakes and frozen bars for times of indulgence.

The company's vegan ice creams are probably the main draw, in flavors like Chocolate Almond Fudge, New Orleans Slated Praline and Key Lime Creme. They also make their almond milk fresh on-site each day, which can be used to make cappuccinos, whipped up into a Mint Almond Cookie shake or consumed solo. Less filling drink options include a Lemon/Ginger/Cayenne "Juice Shot" and bottles of Found Elderflower Water.

37 St. Marks Place, 212-260-9800; website

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DF Mavens Brings Dairy-Free Ice Cream & Dessert To St. Marks