Veggie Planet

Location: Cambridge, MA

A vegetarian pizza joint by day, live music joint by night.

Ambience: If I had to take Sufjan Stevens on a date (in Harvard Square), I think I'd go here.

Variety: The whole menu. It's for us! And they let you mix & match. Pictured below is a combination of the Mexican Black Bean and Thai Tofu Pizza. Don't judge. Sometimes you can't decide between Mexican and Thai.

Quality: The dough is organic and made by Haley House Bakery. Not sure why they import the dough, other than to support a local development initiative, but whatever. I know--people are picky about their pizza. Me? I'm equal opportunity. The crust was thin, ingredients were fresh, and each bite was packed with flavor. Bonus? Cheap date. You can easily feed two for under $15 (total).

Bottom line: We needed a post in April. I mean, go. It's exactly what we want out of a restaurant--satisfaction, value, and vegetarian. These are our people, this is our place.

http://www.veggieplanet.net/

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/