Washington, D.C., Vegetarian Restaurants

In our nation's capital deals are often made over a meal of filet mignon, lamb chops or smoked salmon. Hundreds of top-rated restaurants cater to the wealthy and powerful. However, there is a more humane side to Washington, D.C. A side equally delicious but more difficult to find and usually patronized by people whose agendas do not include lobbying, negotiating or pandering.

One such restaurant is Nirvana, an Indian Buffet at 1810 K St. Each day of the week the buffet features food from a different region of India. Selections like biryani, coconut chutney, and dosa are done to great justice. A menu is also available for those who prefer to stay seated and served.

Just up the street is Maoz, a new restaurant at 1817 M. St specializing in Middle Eastern Vegetarian cuisine. Their falafel sandwich is a must try. A soft pita loaded with falafel can be dressed at their extensive accompaniment bar. Orders can then be taken to go or eaten at any of the large communal tables that are often shared by strangers.

The Adams Morgan neighborhood once had a wonderful, colorful vegetarian restaurant called Yazuzu but sadly it has closed, leaving area residents and visitors an equal but very different choice in "Busboys and Poets". Located at 2021 14^th St. NW it is a great place for lunch. While not officially a vegetarian restaurant, many of their entrees are vegetarian and great prices and service make up for the few non-vegetarian choices on the menu.

Soul Vegetarian's Exodus is another vegetarian choice in the neighborhood at 2606 Georgia Ave. The service style is like a New York Deli and the atmosphere has the same feel. (Call it inner city chic.)The food however, tastes wonderfully home-made and unlike any to be found in the metro area. Vegetarian gyros and macaroni and cheese are two favorites.

Vegetate Restaurant and Lounge is also now closed but Java Green just 10 streets East at 1020 19^th St. is more than comparable. Their cups and cutlery are made of biodegradable corn, they don't use paper menus, and they are just a short walk from the red line so even getting there is ecologically friendly. Food choices are diverse and delicious. The place is small so it is often standing room only with a waiting line. Most people get take out, which is why their lunch business is always booming.

D.C. has many outstanding restaurants but as noted by the closure of Yazuzu and Vegetate, even good restaurants fall by the wayside without loyal patrons. This vegetarian recommends try these choices, if you like them return and don't forget to tip your wait staff.