Bohemeo's

Location: Houston, TX

Ambience: Cute cafe atmosphere. Be sure to check out their garden patio.

Variety: There are plenty of vegetarian options-from sandwiches and pizzas to tacos! However, I have been a little disappointed with their pesto; maybe I just tried it on a bad day. If there is something on the menu that isn't feasting your appetite, the friendly staff will be more than happy to accommodate any requests you have.

Quality: At Bohemeo's you get more than what you pay for...in quality/taste. And if you buy a slice of their "daily cake," then in quantity as well!

Bottom line: Bohemeo's is a hidden treasure that I can't get enough of! For UH students, it's a mere 5 minute drive from campus and offers a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of school life. With rock bottom prices, fast service, and close proximity to school, Bohemeo's is definitely a treasure worth sharing with friends!

www.bohemeos.com

Flip Burger

Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Last week I traveled down south to Birmingham, Alabama--a terrific foody city, but not necessarily known for vegetarian-friendly cuisine. Fortunately, most restaurants have added a few tasty veggie options to their menu and Richard Blais’ Flip Burger was no exception.

Ambiance: Fun. Funky. Fresh. Flip Burger gives off a futuristic 50s diner vibe. Large white booths with silver orbs hanging above line one side of the restaurant and a giant long table runs down the center. The ceiling is sky high and painted with random graffiti-esque art (is that a cannon firing into a cassette tape?) True to Blais’ Top Chef signature, an enormous liquid nitrogen tank stands behind the bar next to the milkshake station where waitresses spoon the smoking substance onto waiting shakes.

Variety: Not great at first glance, but any of the burgers are available with the “Fauxlaffel” tempura fried chickpea patty instead of the burger. I had the Southern Fried Chicken burger with chickpeas instead of chicken--delicious! The enormous sandwich came dripping in green tomato ketchup, pimento cheese, and curry pickles. As a side I ordered the vodka battered onion rings and stole some of my husband’s tempura battered sweet potato fries with chocolate salt. Yum! We also split a pistachio and white truffle milkshake with frozen whipped cream on top which was served to us still smoking from the liquid nitrogen.

Quality: Everything we ordered was great--and fun! Top Chef fans will not be disappointed in the creative menu and superb execution.

Bottom line: Flip Burger is great for a fun, casual meal. I was a bit put off by a few of the menu items (is it really necessary to have a foie gras milkshake on the menu?), but was glad that I could order almost anything on the menu vegetarian.

Upstairs on the Square

Location: Cambridge, MA

Went to Upstairs on the Square a few Fridays ago for Restaurant Week and it was Fun, Fun, Fun. We [were] so excited. Enough Rebecca Black. What the restaurant lacked in vegetarian variety, it more than made up for with talented chefs willing to creatively gap fill on their feet.

Ambience: I felt like I was in what would be Mrs. Havisham's mansion, but livelier. That's right I'm getting literary on you. It was quirky, but energetic. The place gets busy and reservations seem to be a must.

Variety: I didn't see a ton of options on the menu for vegetarians. There was an asparagus salad, a delicious ravioli and a sorbet for dessert. Though, to be fair, most fine dining is limited to one set option for vegetarians during restaurant week.

Asparagus is coming into season, so it was fitting that it made it into the salad. Though I wasn't a fan of the gelatinous blob to the right of the plate.

The pasta was absolutely divine. Creamy, freshly-made, and cheesed to perfection.

I opted for the sorbet for dessert. My goody-bag of sorbets featured blood orange, pear, and pomegranate.

Quality: Exquisite. It's a bit pricey, but I think it's the kind of place you'd want to go with your parents when they visit. For the herbivore's money, I haven't been anywhere better in the Square.

Bottom line: The menu did not scream vegetarian, but the chefs came out and talked us through how they were going to personalize it for us. It was a great touch and won me over. The waiters also listen to what you want and are your advocates in the kitchen. If you say "no egg" they'll make a beeline for the kitchen and make sure your food has no egg.

http://www.upstairsonthesquare.com/

Piccola Venezia

Before leaving for Spring Break, my boyfriend and I met a friend in the North End for dinner, and he recommended Piccola Venezia. I had a list of fancier places I was itching to try, but I was swayed as soon as I saw this one, and it didn't disappoint.

Ambiance: Appealing in a homey way. They have a big, lovely bar, dark woods, exposed brick, and just enough knick-knacks to seem lived-in, not tacky. The variety of great vintage chandeliers hanging everywhere makes up for the ceiling like an elementary school cafeteria's and unattractive ceiling fans. The place was busy at 5:30 on a Friday, but not so much that we had to wait, although it seemed like that was starting as we left around 7:00.

Variety: Fantastic. There is no separate section, but I had the run of the menu with about a third of the appetizers, one of the three risottos, half the pastas, and two different eggplant entrees to choose from.

Quality: The fare is extremely traditional - picture what you've seen people eating on The Sopranos - which is not what I expected to seek out in such a culinary hotspot. But the promise of a really comforting, homestyle Italian meal won me over the minute I saw the menu outside. My gnocchi fit the bill exactly: piping hot, the fluffiest I've ever tasted, in a huge portion with a fresh, rustic red sauce. My boyfriend and our friend devoured their food as well, so the place was officially a hit.

Bottom line: I'll be going back to try the eggplant the next chance I have. If you're ever in the mood for Italian food that your mom would cook if she were Italian, give this place a try.

The Slanted Door

Location: San Francisco, CA

Ambiance: Situated inside the Embarcadero Ferry Building, The Slanted Door offers a taste of SF's Asian cuisine with a breathtaking view of the Bay Bridge. The atmosphere is nicer-than-casual but not so fancy that you would feel under-dressed.

Variety: There are a handful of vegetarian items on both their lunch and dinner menus-ask their friendly staff for suggestions on what to eat!

Quality: The portions are generous and the veggies are deliciously fresh-no disappointments here!

Bottom line: This is a great place to stop by for a meal for locals (before purchasing groceries at the weekly farmer's market outside the Ferry Building) and out-of-towners (who want a taste of SF with a great view). Because it is quite popular, be sure to call ahead and make reservations (although there are comfy sofas at the waiting area). As with most places in SF, try to avoid bringing your gas-guzzler--the restaurant is conveniently located a few blocks from the Embarcadero BART.

http://slanteddoor.com/

O Ya

Location: Boston, MA

Last week a friend and I had dinner at O Ya and it was pretty incredible. We had high expectations for the place as it has been called one of the best sushi places and best new restaurants around by trustworthy sources like the NYT and Food & Wine (it’s not so new anymore). Sushi is not exactly a vegetarian’s best friend so I was interested to see what they’d have in store for us.

Ambience: Modern, rustic and elegant all at the same time. The place is small with only about five tables and a large bar area known as the Chef’s Counter where we sat and where you can watch some of the chefs work their magic.

Variety: Before we could even scan the menu for vegetarian options, the waiter asked us about our dietary restrictions and assured us our “vegetarian/no fish/no egg” diets would be accommodated, and with a smile! He thought we should know about the fish-based ingredient in many of their sauces and dishes and said the best option for us would be to let the chef create personalized dishes for us. What followed was a true culinary experience with 6 or 7 (I lost count) dishes ranging from vegetable sashimi and tofu tempura to a beautiful beet salad and glazed mushrooms. Every dish was inventive and presented as a piece of art.

Quality: The food was delicious and everything was prepared with great care and attention to detail. It was clear that the chef wanted us to have the “O Ya experience” despite our inability to eat fish. As far as vegetarian sushi goes, it was definitely the best I’ve ever had.

Bottom line: If you’re willing to splurge for a special occasion, go for the experience of having uniquely prepared vegetable dishes at a high-end sushi restaurant. It was pricey ($140 for the both of us) but understandably so and worth every penny. This place is always booked so make a reservation well in advance. And don’t forget to order the coconut almond gelato with a dash of warm espresso for dessert, it is heavenly.

http://www.oyarestaurantboston.com/

Harvest

Location: Cambridge, MA

The thing about fine dining is that you leave the restaurant comfortable. That cuts both ways for me. Within an hour of the meal, my girlfriend asked me, "did you eat something yet?"

Harvest has been home to New England's most celebrated chefs. Think Lydia Shire, Chris Schlesinger, Barbara Lynch, Frank McClelland, Sara Moulton, Bob Kinkead and Scott Bryan. Now the kitchen belongs to Chef Mary Dumont and she put together a great meal. The food told the story of the seasons and was New England with French inspiration: a veritable mix of the Seine and Charles. I think that's supposed to sound appetizing?

Ambience: Tucked along a cobblestone pathway, the restaurant decor delivers on what its name promises and provides understated elegance. We were seated facing an outdoor patio with a fire burning.


Source: Architecture Boston

Variety: We had a set meal for Restaurant Week ($38) that featured three courses. There were two vegetarian starter options, and one entree option. I was pretty happy with each course, though I would have liked to choose between entrees rather than giving the nod to the only one I could eat.

Organic Mixed Greens: Great Hill Blue Cheese Terrine, Walnuts & Cider Gastrique


Wild Mushroom Tart: Quinoa, Parsnips, Spring Onions & Herb Salad


Lime Gingersnap Parfait: Lemon Ginger Sauce & Raspberries


Quality: The idea of the restaurant was to celebrate New England ingredients and styles. Harvest made farm-to-fork New England cool before most other restaurants caught-on. And I found innovation in each course. The problem was that I just couldn't connect to the food. And that's usually not a problem for me. I usually connect a little too much with my food. Not sure what was missing. It was a great meal, but forgettable.

Bottom line: Give it a shot. People that know much more about food than I do love this place. I personally think there are better options at this price-point for vegetarians.

http://www.harvestcambridge.com/

Crema Cafe

Location: Cambridge, MA

I love this place so much that I hesitated to write about it until now because I didn't want to share. That's what love is, right? That feeling you get around food?

Ambience: half-coffee shop, half-bakery, half-inspiring. The menu is on the wall, the real kitchen is in the basement, and if you avoid rush hour, there's ample seating. Their "about" page says it all: [a] “third place” is somewhere that many of us naturally seek out- a place between home and work where we can feel relaxed and comfortable, yet also connected to our community and the outside world. Crema Cafe is our definition of that third place.



Variety: They have a number of vegetarian offerings. I have a soft spot for the sweet potato sandwich: avocado, green apple, sprouts, hummus & caramelized shallot vinaigrette on toasted wheat ($8). The sandwich can be topped off with delicious baked sweet potato chips that add just the write amount of guilt-free crunch. They also have a number of simple sandwiches with a twist. The Thai peanut is incredible. Even the grilled cheese: monterey jack & gruyere pressed on light rye. The beauty is in the simplicity.



Quality: It's all about the ingredients. Owners Liza Baer-Kahn and Marley Brush George spared no expense: Howell Coffee Company (they serve French press!), tea from MEM (the almond earl grey is elegant), and Iggy's bread (tasty/local). It's a place where you can go for any meal of the day and come out satisfied. You leave the place with a feeling described in Hindi as santosh, or contentment.

Bottom line: become a regular. Bring cash. And try the chocolate chip cookie(s).

http://cremacambridge.com/

Continental Divide

Location: Charlottesville, VA

Noticing the neon "Get In Here" sign in the front window is the only way you'll know you're in the right place if you choose to go to Continental Divide in Charlottesville, VA. But when you leave, you won't doubt it was worth it. Continental Divide is a tex-mex restaurant located directly across from the Amtrak station, sort of in between the historic downtown pedestrian mall and "The Corner," or the popular strip of bars and restaurants in the heart of UVA's campus. It's one of my favorite places in town.

Ambiance: Their t-shirts say it all: "Too Small, Too Crowded, Too Loud, Too Bad." This restaurant only has 7 or 8 booths (which, to be fair, can seat up to 8 people if you squeeze), a few two-seater tables, a small bar, and very little standing room. While waiting for a table, you can feel like you're always in the way. My recommendation: get a margarita and quit complaining. This place it worth it.

Variety: The margaritas are renowned as some of the best out there. They have a wide selection of tequilas and some pretty good beers, too. The menu isn't huge. We got the "Red Hot Blues" nachos for an appetizer, which comes with goat cheese, red onions, and some other yummy stuff (no meat). The nachos are dusted with some kind of dry spice, which really adds a bite. These are the only appetizer I've ever had here, but they're so good I keep coming back to them. The dinner menu has three solid choices for vegetarians. The bean and cheese burrito is always a good bet. It's pretty big (actually two burritos side-by-side), covered in some kind of mole sauce. The second vegetarian option is the spinach and mushroom enchiladas. Pretty good, but it's my least favorite. The best, if you eat fish, is the tuna tostada. You really have to make sure to ask them to cook it rare, or else you risk it being a bit overcooked (for my taste, at least). It comes smothered in pureed black beans, red pepper coulis, and a big dollop of goat cheese. It's impossible not to lick the plate.

Quality: I'm being pretty transparent here, but this is one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville. If you can get past the semi-chaotic atmosphere, the food is 100% worth it. The pumpkin muffin comes as a side for some of the meals, but I'd recommend asking for it no matter what. One of the nice things about Continental Divide is that the vegetarian (or pescetarian) options are also the best dishes on the menu.

Overall: Like they say, Get In Here. The bartender and staff are friendly, the food is top notch, oh... and it's CHEAP. Dinners range from $9-12, which is a steal for this stuff. Since it can get pretty crowded, it's best to go early or really late, which might save yourself a parking headache, too.

Note: They will not do separate checks, but they will split the bill evenly between a number of credit cards.

Olé

Location: Cambridge, MA

My boyfriend took a big group to Olé Mexican Grill in Inman Square for his recent birthday, and although I'd been before, I figured it was never too late to share my impressions here.

Ambience: The decor is festive while keeping it classy, perfect for a low-pressure date or a party venue that signals you aren't hoping to end the night with a friend puking on your shoes.

Variety: Decent, and actually improved since my prior visits (and the latest update of their online menu, as of today.) We don't get a separate section on the menu, but the small plates section is the place to be, with one great vegetarian option after another, from the huitlacoche crepes and queso fundido to my own choices, the transcendent Mexican street corn and enchilada suizas. For entrees, we can basically choose from two: the chilaquiles ("Mexican lasagna") and chiles rellenos with a vegetarian option. Fortunately, both are so excellent that I don't really find myself wishing for others.

Quality: Great, which is really saying something for Mexican up here in the frozen North. Being from Texas, my boyfriend and I tend to groan when a friend suggests Border Cafe, the deeply inauthentic "Tex Mex" place with inexplicable popularity around here. Olé is more Interior Mexican than the food we miss from back home, but it's so much closer - and its margaritas taste enough like actual tequila! - that I really consider it a can't-miss.