Beach Plum Restaurant

Location: Martha's Vineyard, MA

Ambience: Overlooking a grassy hill that led on to Menemsha Beach, sunset in the distance. In a word? Romantic. Also, the Obamas ended their summer vacay with a date at Beach Plum. So there's that.

Variety: There wasn't a vegetarian menu, but the mark of fine dining for me is the eagerness with which a restaurant accommodates our folk. With fine dining that doesn't have a detailed menu I've come to expect a "let me see what I can do" set of options from the chef. Didn't happen. Our only choice was the Black Pepper Fettucini (Heirloom Tomatoes, Grilled Summer Squash, Fresh Basil & Parmigiano-Reggiano).

Dessert was the high note: apple rhubarb crisp.

Quality: Martha's Vineyard and Beach Plum in particular are known for food. Maybe this was why I had such great hopes. As far as ingredients go, the place hit all the right notes. Great service, great ambience. But for a place the NYT says you cannot miss with only 36 hours on the island, I raised the bar a bit too high. It was good enough, I guess.

Bottom line: If you're in Martha's Vineyard and are vegetarian, lower your expectations. Dinner will be good, but you'll be left envying the omnivores. At least there's dessert. Be sure to make a reservation here, unless your last name is Obama.

http://www.beachpluminn.com/

Cafe Istanbul - Plano, TX

Location: Plano, Texas (north of Dallas) - The Shops at Legacy

Ambiance: Sat outside, despite the August heat. Overhead fans from the dark wood slatted overhang kept us relatively cool, but would probably sit inside next time. Outside patio sits along sidewalk in popular Shops at Legacy, great for people watching. Extra points: authentic Turkish music in the background. Major drawback: Located next to Twisted Root Burger Co., which announces whose order is ready by yelling the names of famous movie characters through a loud speaker. Creative but obnoxious after awhile!

Variety: Not many vegetarian options. The majority of the appetizers are vegetarian (think humus, babaganus, falafel), but only two dinner entrees qualified: Sebzeli pide (vegetarian pizza) and sebzeli guvec (vegetarian casserole).

Quality: I ordered the sebzeli guvec (pictured below) and it was AWESOME. The tomato broth was perfectly seasoned and simple, and the vegetables -- carrots, celery, green beans, potatoes -- were melt-in-your-mouth perfect. This is going to be a new comfort food for me.



I also had Kunefe for dessert (pictured below), which is described on the menu as an oven baked traditional Turkish dessert prepared with shredded wheat and Turkish sweet cheese, served on a hot plate and topped with ground walnuts. It is delicious (and of course vegetarian).



Bottom line: Poor variety but good quality. Go if you love the two vegetarian dishes or want to eat lots of appetizers.

www.cafe-istanbul.net

Artu

Location: Boston (North End), MA

Ambience: Upscale, energetic, and cozy. Luckily, this isn't the Olive Garden and the clientele doesn't need a lot of real estate.

Variety: What the restaurant lacked with a vegetarian section on the menu, it made up for with unbelievable service. The staff was incredibly attentive to our needs and knowledgeable about the variety of options available.

Bruschetta broccoli rabe, cannellini beans, gralic, evoo, grana padano ($7)

Melanzane Parmigiana eggplant, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce ($17)

Fusilli e con Broccoli Rabe cork screw pasta, broccoli rabe, garlic, evoo, chili flakes ($16)

Quality: The bruschetta was unbelievable as was the eggplant parm. I wasn't the biggest fan of the fusilli, but that's because I like my pastas like my women, saucy. Overall, the food was ingredients driven and the freshness made each bite a joy.

Bottom line: Avoid taking a large party (in both senses)--but go!

http://www.artuboston.com/

Top of the Hub

Location: Boston, MA

Ambience: Amazing view of Boston, but the beer selection left me parched. The restaurant is located on the top floor of the Prudential Tower (second tallest building in Boston, behind the John Hancock Tower).

Variety: There were a few vegetarian options: a tomato mozzarella flatbread, a black bean burger with homemade chips (pictured), a gnocchi salad, and a mac & cheese.

Quality: The food was decent, and reasonably priced. It was a shame that the margherita flatbread ($13) and the blackbean burger ($11) were so enveloped in cheese that I couldn't taste the other ingredients. The blackbean burger on its own was pretty tasty. They also have a separate vegetarian/vegan menu if you ask, featuring five salads and a pasta.

Bottom line: Go for the view of Boston. It's well worth it if you are only in town for a short time or have guests that want to see the city, but don't feel like walking it.

http://www.topofthehub.net/

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/

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.

Cheeseboard

Location: Berkeley, CA

Ambiance: Typical-Berkeley. Most people take-out. There is a small indoor seating area and occasionally there is a live band playing (check their website for the schedule). A few folks occasionally eat on the grassy meridian...that's Berkeley for you!

Quality: Great for the price ($20 for whole pizza).

Variety: There is only one type of pizza made per day-and yes, it is always vegetarian. On the plus side, you don't need to worry what to order! The menu for the week is posted online so you can plan accordingly; in general, all their recipes are far from boring.

Overall: Cheeseboard is a great casual place for locals and out-of-towners (wanting to experience the East Bay) alike. Beat the lunch and dinner crowd by arriving about 20 minutes before typical meal times. And don't forget to bring cash-they don't accept credit cards.

http://cheeseboardcollective.coop/

Clover

Location: Cambridge, MA

Made it to Clover (Harvard Square) the other day and it was good enough to make omnivores stray.

Ambiance: Imagine the inside of an Apple store. Clean, modern, straight out of unhappy hipsters. The entire joint is run on iPod touch. No, seriously, it is. You walk-in, tell someone what you want, they type it into their iPod, you pay, someone in the kitchen gets the order on their iPod and shortly after, your food is ready.



Variety: It's a vegetarian restaurant. I liked the fact that the menus were written on little white boards. This gave me the impression that the menus change frequently and are kept seasonal.

Quality: The meal cost roughly $10 and included a chickpea burger and rosemary fries. I wasn't the biggest fan of the cole slaw they used, but it added the right texture and my friends that ordered the same thing liked it a lot. To each his own, I suppose. I feel like a hypocrite for not being more jazzed about this place. I will say that the friends I went with are both ardent omnivores and wanted to come back to this place.





Bottom line: If you're in the square and want a change of scenery, the place is worth checking out. I'm definitely going back soon!

http://www.cloverfoodlab.com/

Sonsie

Location: Boston, MA

Took Giadda's advice and went to Sonsie last night.

Ambience: We were seated in the cafe area, with floor-to-cieling windows overlooking Newbury Street. Had it not been a cold Wednesday evening, the people watching would have been delightful. Behind us was an elegant mahogany bar, where I hear excellent martinis come from. Mahogany bars. So hot right now.



Variety: There was no separate vegetarian section, but finding veggie-friendly food was not that difficult. We split an appetizer and two of the pizzas. Our appetizer was unique: vegetable spring rolls with a spicy Vietnamese dipping sauce, lettuce wrap, and fresh mint. The pizzas were oven-baked, thin, and best described as eclectic: one had mushroom, caramelized onion, mozzarella, and brie cheese (pictured). The other was a pumpkin puree, with melted cheese, walnuts, and fresh sage. Word of caution, the pumpkin puree is good, but best shared. It starts tasting like baby food, albeit delicious baby food, after a couple of slices.



Quality: Chef Bill Poirier created an exciting menu with unique flavor profiles. The concepts are intriguing. And there's a sense of discovery! You look at the menu and think? Pumpkin on a pizza? This I must try. I'd call the food French-fusion, or international. For a $12 entree, Sonsie is definitely worth a shot.

Bonus: There is a Sai Baba picture on the wall.

Bottom Line: Would definitely go back, but I'd wait until it gets a little warmer and they open-up the cafe windows. Definitely a great spot for a first date. Seriously, you can tell a lot about a girl from what she looks for in a pizza.

www.sonsieboston.com

Photo Credit: Indulge Inspire Imbibe

Oleana

Location: Cambridge, MA

Went to Oleana for Valentine's Day and it was culinary poetry.

Ambience: we were seated near a window overlooking a patio covered in snow. I think the nicest thing I can say is that I forgot I was in a restaurant.

Quality: This is easily the best restaurant in Boston. The service was fantastic, and the food was refined. I felt a joy that I haven't felt in a long time between courses because I was excited for what was up next.

Variety: We ordered the vegetarian tasting menu (five meze and a dessert, $40), and Sortun did an unbelievable job selecting each course. Each bite was balanced and spiced to perfection. The falafel melted in my mouth and was unlike anything I've ever tasted. And the dessert? Nougat Glacé with Warm Pear & Pistachio Tarte Tatin. It was ecstasy in a bite.



Bottom line: I'm nostalgic for the meal and it has barely been 24 hours.

http://www.oleanarestaurant.com/

Sofra

Location: Cambridge, MA

Friday morning, a friend and I went to Sofra Bakery and it was exquisite. Let me start by saying that I have a soft spot for places where the menu is on the wall.

Ambience: The decor was largely unremarkable, contemporary-cramped? The cafe was pretty small and getting a table was a challenge at 10 AM on a Friday. I'd recommend avoiding this place on a weekend if you want to get in and out quickly. The parking in the back was a plus.



Variety: There were a couple of vegetarian breakfast options. For lunch, there were a number of stuffed flatbreads and like all Mediterranean food a fairly large Mezze Bar that was friendly to us. My first visit, I ordered the Turkish Breakfast (soft-boiled egg, cucumber, tomato, olives, feta, fried goat cheese, fig & thick yogurt with pear).

Quality: The place was pricey for a bakery, but I don't mind paying a premium for taste. The flavor profiles were unique and Ana Sortun (think: Oleana) can command the $13 price point for a refined breakfast. About a week later, I went back and tried their lunch offerings and had a heavenly falafel with beet tzatziki. Scrumpcious (see below).



Bonus: The chocolate hazelnut baklava with cocoa honey was unbelievable. Trust me.



Photo Credit: Delicious Dishings

Bottom line: drop everything and go now.

http://www.sofrabakery.com/

Sol Azteca

Location: Boston, MA

Last night a few friends and I tried Sol Azteca in Boston and long-story short, I would not go back.

My litmus test for good Mexican food is two-fold: guacamole and fajitas. Strike one? They ran out of guacamole. We had a 7:30 PM reservation on a Saturday. That's way too early to run out of avocados.

Strike two? Underwhelming fajitas. The fajitas were the "big-ticket" item on the vegetarian menu. Listed at $14.75, my entree should have come with guacamole, rice and beans. The rice contained chicken broth and no vegetarian substitute was available other than a bland side salad with no dressing. And to make-up for not having any avocado, they provided coleslaw.

Ambience: The restaurant's decor had an urban-hole-in-the-wall feel. The tables were charmingly tiled and the yellow brick was sufficiently exotic.

Variety: The restaurant had a decent vegetarian selection of both appetizers and entrees. Points for having a section in the menu catering to our folk.

Quality: The food was not very refined. I tried a few bites of vegetarian enchiladas that friends ordered and found vegetables like cactus over-pickled and over-cooked. I would describe this restaurant in the upper-mid-range for urban dining. Most vegetarian entrees were $12.95 and the $8.50 price point for a margarita seemed to be on par.

Verdict: You can eat like a king at Chipotle for these prices. On the bright side, the chips and salsa were delicious.

http://www.solaztecarestaurants.com/