Arya Bhavan, 2508 W. Devon (report submitted 1/27/02 by Ellen Vinz):

This is a terrific restaurant for vegetarians (a vegetarian can have the bizarre experience here of being able to eat EVERYTHING on the buffet table) and nonvegetarians alike. Although Arya Bhavan has a full menu, we have always come for the lunch or dinner buffet (on weekends) because it's such a good value. The buffet begins with fresh utthapam (small pancakes made from fermented rice batter) with coconut and tamarind chutney to accompany them. At dinner they have an amazing curry, served on toasted hamburger buns "sloppy Joe" style. The heart of the buffet is the eight or so vegetable dishes, which are different every time. The chef takes some risks in that you would never find most of the dishes on a typical Indian-restaurant menu . . . this means that every time I go, there is at least one thing I've never tried or even seen before. Not all the dishes work (at least for American palates), but they're fun to try nonetheless. Standouts include chana masala (chickpeas, the best preparation I've had anywhere), vegetable jalfrezi (carrots and potatoes in a chili sauce), cabbage and pea sabji, whatever dal they have that day, and the carrot halva for dessert. Service is very good.

Arun's, 4156 N. Kedzie (report submitted 2/8/02 by Kimberly Petersen):

Though I can't speak for meat eaters, I definitely would not recommend this restaurant for vegetarians. It simply does not offer anything especially innovative or exquisite for those who do not eat meat or seafood. Too many dishes had mushrooms of one sort or another, and too many items were deep-fat-fried. The one standout was the pad thai; it was great, but not worth the price. A few dishes contained tofu, but it was the typical huge fried blocks with sauce on top. I felt that the chefs at Arun's really weren't comfortable with preparing tofu. I've experienced more vegetarian cooking innovation at storefront Thai restaurants.

There was far too long to wait between each of the appetizer dishes. I actually felt bored, waiting for each dish to arrive. Also, the appetizers seemed too similar--a lot of salad-plus-fried-mushroom items.

My dining companion and I told the waiter that we enjoyed our Thai food spicy. We were therefore surprised at how few of the dishes were spicy at all--other than dollops of spicy mustard sauce on the sides of a few of the appetizers, nothing was the slightest bit spicy except for a somewhat hot green curry dish.

I felt like I was paying for the great service and prettiness of the entrees. Was it worth $85 per person? I think not. Even if it were only $15 per person, I probably would not return.

Bolat, 3346 N. Clark (report submitted 2/12/2002 by Shelley Miller):

While this restaurant might be an enticing choice for meat eaters, I was thouroughly unimpressed with the lack of vegetarian entrees. What made my dining experience more offensive was the fact that my waiter specifically pointed out "vegetarian" options on the menu, only for me to find a few bites in my choice that in fact contained fish (and a good bit of it). I ate the white rice from my dining partner's plate, as there was nothing more substantive on the menu that didn't contain animal products.

I don't know where the person that rated Bolat for the Reader got the information about there being "many meatless dishes full of unusual ingredients"--perhaps he or she spoke with the same waiter that I did, or perhaps the meatlessness was inferred from the vague descriptions of dishes on the menu. I know that I, and at least one other party there that evening, attempted to dine there specifically because Bolat was portrayed as being vegetarian friendly by its Reader rater, which made for an unpleasant and awkward experience for both us and the waitstaff.

Chicago Diner, 3411 N. Halsted (report submitted 1/18/02):

This is complicated. We eat here a lot, since it the only vegetarian restaurant below Devon and above 75th Street. The booths are great, but the tables are too close. Everyone who works there is really nice, but some of them are pretty spacey. The food is extremely hit or miss, for example sometimes cold chewy French toast, sometimes super yummy hot French toast. It is expensive for what it is, but then again it is on Halsted near Belmont. Often they are blasting music which can be distracting and annoying, and it can be REALLY cold. But sometimes the music is not blasting, and it is nice, and it is warm enough, and comfortable. More than once I have noticed numerous customers leaving their hats on during their meal. It is exciting to have vegan cakes on the menu, but they tend to be dry and disappointing, unless you go in just for cake and coffee, when it is more satisfying than after a meal. It would be nice if they were more inclined toward organics. It is very handy that they have parking at night and on weekends.

Ras Dashen, 5846 N. Broadway (report submitted 2/14/02 by Julia Cole):

The vegetarian combo is an incredible deal for $9. You select from 12 different salads, vegetable and dairy side dishes, and entrees. Tonight I had yeqaysur salata (red beets and potatoes served cold with tangy dressing), gomen (kale, collard or mustard greens), qosta (spinach), diblik atkilt (green beans/potatoes/carrots/zucchini), and kik alicha (yellow split peas). All the dishes had a nice spice/aroma/flavor and the lentil soup is also very tasty! Takeout is available, but, it's so nice to have the ambience of true Ethiopia, with the food served on a platter to share, lying on top of injera bread. Finish off the meal with a nice cup of Ethiopian coffee, freshly roasted each night. Also, the original artwork is interesting and appealing to look at.