Share your Vegetarian Restaurant Dining out experience

[Manjula JainKeymaster]

For October 2012 contest, you just have to share any Vegetarian Restaurant Dining out experience. I would like to hear what your favorite vegetarian restaurants are in your area. What items on the menu are especially appealing? Did they inspire you to try new recipes at home? You can share anything else that you like. Two winners will be selected at random at the end of this Month (10/31/2012).

[Q_veganParticipant]

Portland is a great city to be vegetarian; we have so many options. A personal favorite is Vegetarian House in China town. In addition to having a huge menu with a bunch of avant-guard faux meats, on weekdays they have an all you can eat buffet. I like it, but I cannot go too often because I always wind up eating much more than I should. It is very comforting to know that everything on the menu is vegan; it permits me to be more adventurous.

It is hard to pick appealing menu items because there are so many, but I am fond of the orange “chicken” (it’s made of TVP) because it is very simple, but it has a rich, complex flavor. They flavor the sauce with dried chilies and blackened orange peel. I am also fond of their vegetarian shrimp (they’re made of konjac) which have an amazingly sea-food like texture.

As far as what they have inspired me to do, I have purchased some mock shrimp to use at home in stirfries, but they never wind up tasting as good as in the restaurant. I think that they have more choices for brands because they can buy in bulk, whereas I have only found one.* They have also inspired me to try more Chinese cooking, like eggplant in garlic sauce, and kung-pao tofu.

*The brand of mock shrimp I found is called “Sophie’s Kitchen,” and while I’m not crazy about the veggie shrimp in stirfries, I have found that their breaded ones are very good. Also, their breaded calamari rings are to die for.

[SuzzyParticipant]

Eat, Pray, Love.. For now let’s just Eat I recently happened to go to this restaurant called “Maharaja Bhog ” in Houston(http://www.maharajabhog.com/index_1.html).I have realized that little things in Life are priceless. As soon as we sat down they served us a tumbler full of Jal Jeera and Spiced Buttermilk. This was followed by the server bringing warm water to wash our hands.Then they began serving appetizers, main course and dessert.Food is something that involves all five senses. You look, you touch, you take in the aroma before you take that first bite, and after that you hear a happy voice in you head telling you how good it tastes.. And then you smile. So you never really just EAT something.. it’s always so much more…Every morsel tasted like ambrosia and the owner’s care and concern added a whole new special feeling for that place.

Dishes served:

Butter Milk

Jal jeera

3 Different kinds of veg curries

3 types of bread

Ghee

Rice

Khichadi & Kadi

2 types of Dal

Mango Shrikand

Hot and Juicy Carrot halwa

2 Types of Chutney

Pickle

Curd Rice

Pappad

samosa

Dhokla

I loved every bit of this food!! It was worth every penny.Just felt like a Trip back to India

[dinaliParticipant]

I live in Boston, and although the vegetarian scene isn’t the greatest here, there are a few wonderful vegetarian options. One of my favorites is called Life Alive in Cambridge. This restaurant is heavenly for the health conscious vegetarian, with an artful mix of lightly cooked and raw meals. My favorite is a warm wrap with steamed kale and broccoli, brown rice, and a lemon-flax sauce, appropriately called the Healer. A must get along with the wrap is one of their decadent smoothies. Coconut Alive, my personal favorite, is a mix of Coconut Oil, Banana, Vegan Ice Cream, and Rice Milk. We love the combo so much, that we even make it at home on weekends.

[morazdaParticipant]

Here in Boston we have quite a few great places for Vegetarian and Vegan food. Being that I am a Vegan, I tend to stick with the places that place greater emphasis on Veganism.

My favorite place to go Thai Bubble, in Chinatown. It is the only (100%) Vegan place in all of Chinatown, and they have been going there for the last 10 years, longer than I have lived in Boston. Whenever friends come to visit, it’s the one place I always take them too.

They are a Thai and Vietnamese place, they also make cakes and smoothies as well. The restaurant is a real mastery of how to make seitan taste like meat and fish, so much so, that I have brought fake beef and pork dishes with me to friends, not told them it was Vegan, and it completely fooled them.

I tend to always get their fresh rolls (the best in Boston), their Vietnamese Bun with fake beef, but sometimes I also get fried dumplings, a jackfruit+coconut+pineapple smoothie, and a slice of carrot cake. Sometimes, if I am feeling bold, I get their sizzling platter as well, which is a plate brought to your table sizzling hot, with all the different fake seitan meats that they make there.

The restaurant hasn’t inspired me to make anything at home. I do make my own seitan now, and I can make a few Vietnamese dishes, but these days, my home kitchen has been all about Mexican and Indian Vegan food.

Also, if you are ever in Boston, you MUST go to FoMU. It is not only the best Vegan ice cream shop I have ever been too, but it is also the best ice cream shop period, I have ever been too. They only make Vegan, coconut-based ice cream, but the food there is unbelievably amazing.

[MariParticipant]

I am in small town – Bloomington, IN and we only have 2 completely vegetarian restaurants here. My favorite by far is The Owlery (also just my favorite restaurant in town!). I recently left the country for an extended period of time and brought my family there for a farewell brunch. On Sundays they serve a delicious brunch. I always order the basic breakfast, which includes a tofu scramble, home fries, and toast. Everything is vegan there unless otherwise specified (they serve local milk, eggs, honey). I’m not sure what they put on their toast but my father loved it so much he wanted seconds, and was shocked when I told him it was not butter. My whole family was pleasantly surprised with their food and all said they would go back with me.

My favorite item on the menu was the lasagna. As a vegan it is pretty easy to make a delicious lasagna but difficult to find others to share it with. When the restaurant moved locations, however, they took the lasagna off the table (so to speak) and revamped their menu. My favorite item now is the fried chicken dinner. It consists of breaded tofu and mashed potatoes, which a choice of a second side. I usually order the coleslaw or the side salad. Their mac and cheese is also pretty good, but too much with the tofu and potatoes.

They have a Philly Cheesesteak and a Reuben which I have yet to try but have heard good things about. They also have a yummy “fish” and chips which I would consider my second favorite. I have never had a meal there that I disliked, and could probably eat there everyday. I would like to try and recreate their tofu chicken. Though it doesn’t taste how I remember chicken tasting, it is quite delicious and I love every variety of it they have (on salad, sandwich, strips, etc.).

Writing this post really made me hungry. Wish I could go there now!

[lotusdragonflyParticipant]

Saturn Cafe Berkeley- I’ve been there several times and it is consistently good. As a lifelong vegetarian and a vegan for many years now I am always looking out for places I can find plenty of options and Saturn Cafe is one of my favorites. It’s also somewhere I can take my carnivorous friends and they surprise themselves by eating a vegetarian meal and enjoying it. The menu pays homage to the traditional American diner with a 100% vegetarian/vegan twist on the theme. I am a big fan of their burgers and their daily soup which I prefer as my side rather than the ubiquitous fries. Fries are just fries but Saturn Cafe’s soups are great. My husband and I shared the vegan sampler to start our meal when we were there a few weeks ago and had a burger each, we were well and truly full by the time we were done. There is a Saturn Cafe in Santa Cruz which we have been to a few times too and it’s equally delicious.

http://www.saturncafe.com/berkeley/index.html

[helyndunnParticipant]

We live near Asheville, NC… a fabulous city to find vegan and vegetarian fare! I recently had the pleasure of dining at ROSETTA’S KITCHEN. The have a huge menu with lots of goodies to choose from! I had the Family Favorite platter which is collard greens, mashed potatoes with vegan gravy and peanut butter crusted tofu. Yum! Very filling and delicious. One of the things that I really like about Rosetta’s is their “Everybody Eats” policy. They offer a beans and rice dish with a SLIDING SCALE price starting at only $2.00! They do this so that if someone is indigent and in need, they can always get a nutritious meal there for a small cost.

http://rosettaskitchen.com/

[swaroopguruParticipant]

Hi there,im from Auckland-NZ.There are a few good vegetarian restaurants here.My favourite would have to be”Rasoi”Indian Vegetarian Restaurant.The interiors are very basic and unassuming.Its top notch authentic Gujarati restaurant.Always clean,the service is excellent.I have been going to Rasoi for about 10 yrs and have never been disappointed.My favourite is The Deluxe Thali here-Comes with rice, 2 x curries (usually potato and eggplant), dhal soup, yoghurt soup, a papadam and a samosa.Portions being generous and the food very flavoursome,it’s the kind of meal that can get you through the longest of days.We usually finish the meal with a zingy cup of spice-laden masala tea and a piece of sweet cashew barfi.With very good food and good prices,it’s quite easy to fill yourself up at ”Rasoi” and come away feeling delightfully well fed.A great place for a hard earned lunch after a day of shopping!.

[justforfoodiesParticipant]

Although not a vegetarian restaurant, Sitar has a lovely lunch buffet, with plenty

of goodies for vegans to enjoy.

Samosas rank high on my list as do the pakoras.

My Jain friend and I enjoyed the gajar ka halwa the most.

It was so tasty that I actually ran home and made my first batch!

Sitar Indian Cuisine

618 E Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91101

Phone : 626-449-5954

Fax : 626-796-0513

Web : http://www.sitarindiancuisine.com

Email : sitarindiancuisine@yahoo.com

[spicytofuParticipant]

My favorite vegetarian restaurant is Sipz Vegetarian Fusion Cafe located in here in Southern California. They are not only 100% vegetarian but mostly vegan as well. My favorite dish is their Wok Fried Drunken Noodlez! The big, flat rice noodles are so delicious and fresh that you will feel drunk with happiness after eating it! I normally order this with tofu and my bowl is immersed with carrots, bean sprouts, celery, onion and broccoli. Noodles with a hot bowl of Tom Yum soup with just a hint of lemongrass and veggies puts me in a happy place. And just before I leave, I always take home 2 or 3 sunshine buns. What is that you may ask? It’s a sweet, tender steamed bun with soy meat and veggies. Break open one of those, and you will see a ray of sunshine! And you can enjoy that anytime, because it’s not limited to breakfast either. This is a great place to eat when you’ve finished a few hours of riding on your bike and you need a place to go eat that feels like home. Come check it out! http://www.sipz.com/

This place has inspired me to be more mindful of what I eat, so I try to cook as much as I can at home. I try to make my own sunshine bun from scratch, chinese style.

[TeePeeBParticipant]

Maggie’s Raw Love Cafe at 202 Merrick Road in Rockville Centre, NY 11570. We had Pad Thai for the first time. It was a very big portion and very tastey. Then the owner let me taste two other things: macadamia eggless salad and Kimchi. Wow, I loved the Kimchi. It’s like raw sauerkraut with a kick. I found the following recipe:

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/01/homemade-vegan-kimchi-recipe.html

I hope it turns out as good as the one we tasted. Sincerely – Tom

P.S. – Manjula – your website is very appreciated. Thank you.

[safiaParticipant]

I love the vegetarian options at Cafe Trang which is a Chinese restaurant where I live. They have a delicious red curry tofu. The first time I tried it I fell in love. If you ever get a chance try the red curry tofu <3

[seethaParticipant]

I live in NJ. Whenever I visit NY ,I prefer to go to Saravana Bhavan, Lexinton Avenue

26th street Manhattan.Being a strict vegetarian, I am very happy to visit this Vegetarian Restaurant.I love to eat Vada Sambar and their spicy Uttappam. They make a tasty and spicy Uttappam. I am a regular visitor to this restaurant.

[Harini SureshParticipant]

I live in Chicago,IL now but, a few years ago, my husband had a job in Bahrain and I had the best dish I ever tasted to date over there. The restaurant was named Rasoi and when we had the thali there was a bittergourd, potato and onion dry curry as a side dish. I have never been a great fan of bittergourd while growing up. My mom and dad had tried different ways to entice my brothers and me to try it but it was a tough sell for them. This dish was just perfect in every way. The bitterness was just slightly present and the potato and onion accompanied the bittergourd to perfection. From that moment on this dish has become a staple in our diet now. I have never turned my back to any dish from want of trying and that’s what I advice my kids too. I tell them, “Don’t say no to any dish without trying it at least once”.

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