Dali

Dali, 415 Washington St, Somerville Ma
Cuisine: Spanish
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $7-9 per tapa

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With dimmed lighting, cozy tables, beautiful flowers and an eclectic array of Spanish decorations; Dali is one of the most romantic restaurants in the city. A Boston date spot, this tapas restaurant is also perfect for a fun festive evening with friends or for a girl’s night out. Dali serves great food and offers a few good vegetarian tapas that are healthy, light and tasty. Their garlic soup is a wonderful treat, it is a warm light soup filled with garlic flavor. I also love their Queso Rebozado con Miel, a fried Spanish cheese with honey and sweet onion. They also offer other vegetarian tapas such as the Setas Al Ajillo, a sautéed mushroom dish as well as the Alcachofas Salteadas, a sautéed artichoke dish. Their Sangria is fresh and fruity, a nice compliment to the meal. The tapas are $7 to $9 each and with two to three tapas a person this can be a little expensive. I wish there were a few more vegetarian tapas offered on the menu but sometimes they do have some great vegetarian specials. Since reservations are not accepted there can be a long wait, but the yummy tapas and the festive experience at Dali is well worth it.

Bangkok Spice Thai Restaurant

Bangkok Spice, 76 Haven St, Reading MA
Cuisine: Thai
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $10

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This Thai restaurant is located off the beaten path in Reading MA and has a neighborhood feel to it. It is a small cozy restaurant with a simple ambiance but serves great Thai food for the price. My favorite dishes here are the mixed vegetables in garlic sauce and the Pad See Eiw both of which can be made without fish sauce upon request. The only drawback to the menu is it does not have a vegetarian soup. Service here is friendly and accommodating and parking is on the street but is never a problem. Since the restaurant only has a few number of tables it might be a good idea to call ahead on the weekends. With the inexpensive prices and the great food, I am a frequent visitor of Bangkok Spice in Reading MA.

The Pongal

The Pongal, 786 Boston Road, Billerica MA 01821
Cuisine: Indian
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $10-$14

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Pongal is a new Indian restaurant that recently opened up in Billerica MA, on March 10th 2008 in the same location as the former Masalaa Restaurant. Pongal has other locations in Bangalore India and this is their first restaurant in the US. I went to Pongal this weekend to check out the new restaurant with my parents. As soon as I entered I was surprised to see that the ambiance was much more upscale than Masalaa and the place was filled with customers, very different than the former restaurant. The restaurant has an elegant feel to it with red and gold tapestries on the walls and classical music playing in the background. The noise level is loud but the restaurant is kid friendly as they do provide highchairs. Overall I enjoyed the ambiance but the tables were too close together and the paper placed on top of the tablecloth was informal.

I have to commend the restaurant for its menu as they have a large selection of South Indian, North Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes. Indian Chinese, like the name suggests, is a fusion of Indian and Chinese food and I have yet to find a restaurant that offers a large selection of Indian Chinese entrees in the Boston area. For an appetizer we ordered the Hariyali Paneer Tika, a homemade cottage cheese dish that is baked in a clay oven and comes with different dipping sauces. I really enjoyed the Hariyali Paneer Tika and have not seen this offered at many Indian restaurants. I also tried the papri chaat, a potato dish made with Indian wafers, and I thought this dish was just okay as it had more potatoes and very few papri/wafer pieces. I enjoyed the sweet corn vegetable soup as well as the Tangy eggplant and the Vegetable Hakka noodles. We opted for the Mango Kulfi as they ran out of the Pistachio Kulfi. The presentation of the Mango Kulfi, was good but the taste was okay, as it had too many ice crystals and less cream. In addition to dinner, Pongal is open for a lunch buffet every day of the week.

Pongal was well staffed and the servers were very attentive to your needs. Overall I enjoyed myself at Pongal and with their wide selection of vegetarian offerings I will surely be back for seconds.

Mexico Lindo

Mexico Lindo, 449 Main St, Melrose MA
htp://www.mexicolindomelrose.com/
Cuisine: Mexican
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $10

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When in comes to great Mexican food, look no further than Mexico Lindo, an authentic Mexican restaurant tucked away in downtown Melrose Massachusetts. The food here is excellent and is one of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever been to with great vegetarian options. This restaurant is worth driving to and the ambiance is fun with Mexican artwork and curtains hanging from the walls. The restaurant also features outdoor seating which is a great option during summer. Although this restaurant is small, I find it a nice change from the standard Americanized Mexican chain restaurants and the food is affordable with vegetarian entrees averaging around $10. My favorite dish is Enchiladas Mexico Lindo, stuffed with spinach, mushrooms and other vegetables baked in a tomatillo sauce for $9.25. My only complaint is that the wooden booths can be a little uncomfortable but they do add to the rustic décor. Mexico Lindo is the place for authentic Mexican food in a fun casual setting.

Wagamama

Wagamama Quincy Market Building, Boston MA
http://www.wagamama.us/
Cuisine: Japanese
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $10

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This London based branch now has two locations in Massachusetts, one in Fanuel Hall in Boston, and the other in Harvard Square in Cambridge. The two locations are similar but I prefer the Cambridge location for its beautiful view overlooking Harvard Square. I enjoy Wagamama for its inexpensive good food and its array of tasty vegetarian options. The atmosphere is modern, yet casual and I thought the ledge under the table for your pocketbooks and other belongings was a nice touch. Green tea is complimentary with the meal but is only available upon request. Wagamama offers wonderful fresh juices and I recommend ordering their Fruit Juice for a refreshing treat. The Ysai Goyza, their version of vegetable dumplings, I felt was pretty standard. However, I enjoyed their Miso Soup with pickles on the side.

There are six different vegetarian entrees, my favorite being the Yasi Yaki Soba, a whole wheat vegetable noodle dish made with a touch of vinegar. I have tried the Moyoshi Soba, a vegetarian noodle soup dish ( a hard find in the Boston area) and thought it could have been more flavorful but perfect for a cold winter night. I wasn't too impressed with the Yasi Chili Men, a whole wheat noodle dish cooked in a spicy sauce. I felt this dish was too heavy and the sauce didn't blend well with the noodles. I also tried their Chocolate Fudge Cake which was okay but I was happy to see they offered a wide range of dessert options.

Service can be a little slow depending on the night. Overall Wagamama serves good food for the price and the ambiance makes for a fun dining experience.

Tantric Bar & Grill

Tantric Bar & Grill, 123 Stuart Street, Boston MA
http://www.tantricgrill.com/
Cuisine: Indian
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $12-$14

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This Indian Restaurant, located in the theater district, is a nice alternative to the standard pricey restaurants that you will generally find in this area. This is one of my favorite Indian restaurants and its trendy sheik ambiance separates it from the rest. In the summer outdoor seating is available, but I always prefer to sit inside and enjoy the atmosphere. My favorite dish at Tantric is the Paneer Makhni for $12.95 , which is very creamy but truly an enjoyable treat. Tantric offers two tasty appetizers which are unique to the restaurant. The Paneer Achari, is perfect for paneer lovers (like myself) it's a tangy dish made with bell peppers, onions and is sauteed in an Indian pickle sauce. The Gobi Maunchurian is a spicy Indian Chinese dish made with Cauliflower and is their take on a popular entree that can be found in many Indian Chinese restaurants in India. This restaurant also offers South Indian dishes, a difficult find in the Boston area. If you get a chance, check out their unique drink list which features drinks such as the Mango Clove Martini and the Kama Sutra. Depending on the week night service can be slow and the bathrooms could be cleaner, but I still keep coming back for their great food and ambiance. Tantric is a trendy, modern Indian restaurant with a unique twist on Indian food.

Addis Red Sea

Addis Red Sea, 1755 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA
http://www.addisredsea.com/

Cuisine: Ethiopian
Price: $10-15
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly

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This was the first time that I had tried Ethiopian food but it is surely not the last. Addis Red Sea has two great locations, one in the trendy South End Boston as well as the artsy Porter Square in Cambridge MA. I dined at the Porter Square location (decided to avoid the parking hassles in Boston) and had a great experience. I ordered the vegetarian combo for $14.95, comprising of small vegetarian dishes and a tangy tomato salad. The dish I enjoyed the most was the Yesmir Wot, a spicy lentil dish. The other dishes were tasty but maybe a bit on the bland side. Addis Red Sea has a great selection of beverages including a tropical guava juice. The atmosphere was exotic with dimmed lighting, and small woven Ethiopian tables, a perfect place for a date. Be prepared to get your hands dirty, all these dishes come with Injera, a tasty sponge like bread that soaks up the juices from the dishes. Be sure to check out Addis Red Sea for a fun, ethnic, dining experience.

Radius

Radius, 8 High St, Boston Ma
http://www.radiusrestaurant.com/
Cuisine: French Modern
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Selective
Price: $32-60

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This French Modern restaurant is located in the financial district and is truly a luxurious experience. I recently went here for a friend's birthday and was very impressed with the food, the ambiance, and the service. The urban décor is stylish, trendy and sophisticated, a restaurant that would be approved by the characters in Sex in the City. The prices are very expensive but a great place for special occasions. We were both a little nervous that the portions would be small being a French restaurant but to our surprise this was truly not the case. For an appetizer we ordered the Gnocchi and requested it without the bacon. I am usually not a fan of Gnocchi but I really enjoyed this creamy dish. For dinner I enjoyed the Vegetable Five tasting menu for $32 which was made with five different vegetables prepared in ways that I have never experienced before. The other vegetarian option is a four course vegetable tasting for $60, but I was glad I ordered the $32 entrée which was one of the most delicious dishes I had ever had.

Flatbread Company

Flatbread Company, 213 Burlington RD, Bedford MA
Cuisine: Pizza
http://www.flatbreadcompany.com/

Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Selective
Price $10

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Sometimes I get tired of the cozy quaint restaurants and want to go to a restaurant that is fun and alive. Flat Bread pizza is a great place that has 100% organic pizzas that everyone can enjoy. I think it is truly one of the best pizzas I have ever tried and is inexpensive with a small pizza averaging at $10. The ambiance is fun with high ceilings and has an industrial look to it. My favorite pizza is coevolution which is made with goat cheese, kalamata olives and roasted red peppers. A small pizza is a good size for one person and I love their organic salad which is made with toasted sesame seeds and arame seaweed. This place has great food, is a family restaurant and a nice change from ethnic food. There is nothing like a good pizza and a cosmopolitan to go with it.

Martsa's on Elm

Martsa's on Elm, 233A Elm St, Somerville MA
Cuisine: Tibetan
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $10

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This is another Tibetan place right down the street from the House of Tibet in Davis Square. Both of these restaurants serve Tibetan food but each have their own distinct flavor. Martsa’s on Elm carries spicy and creamier dishes, both are equally good but depending on my mood I determine my preference. The prices are inexpensive, around $10 for a dish but unlike the House of Tibet the entrees do not come with lentil soup or salad but the dishes here are filled with flavor and unique spices. Some of the dishes here I find are similar to Indian food. My favorite dish here is a tofu and vegetable dish made in a mango sauce. It’s absolutely delicious and one of my friends who is a non-vegetarian actually prefers this dish to any of the non-vegetarian options. I also love the vegetable curry it’s a great choice if you are looking for something spicier. The only drawback to this place is that it is small and the tables are close together but the inexpensive, flavorful dishes make it a great choice for a vegetarian meal.

House of Tibet Kitchen

House of Tibet Kitchen, 235 Holland St. Somerville MA

Cuisine: Tibetan
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $10

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This Tibetan restaurant is a great place if you are looking for inexpensive, healthy, simple but tasty Tibetan food with a plethora of vegetarian options. The ambiance makes you feel like you are a guest in a little Tibetan Kitchen. The food here is not spicy; maybe at times even a little bland, yet it has almost a homemade taste to it. The dishes are light but filling and all the entrees come with a Tibetan lentil soup and a shredded cabbage salad. One of my favorite dishes here is the Tsel Gyathuk Nogpa. It is a stir-fried noodle dish with veggies and is available with tofu. It’s only around $10 and is different than the standard greasy noodle dishes that are offered at most restaurants. Also depending on the entrée, you can opt for tigmo instead of rice, which is steamed Tibetan bread. The only downfall to this place is that the food can sometimes taste a bit bland however the inexpensive, tasty, healthy food makes it a great a choice for a vegetarian meal.