Victory Sandwich Bar

Oh, Victory Sandwich Bar, how much I want to love you.  You have so much going for you.  Cool neighborhood - check!  Trendy, industrial space - check!  Bar - check!  Relaxed atmosphere - check!  Ping-pong table - check!   One great veggie sandwich - uh, no.

The idea of some small, slider-type sandwiches sounded perfect for a quick lunch one weekday.  It was raining, so unfortunately we couldn't sit on the patio.  Inside was just fine though and the random punching bag was an interesting decorative touch.  I knew going in that the menu was limited and just one vegetarian sandwich was available.  Hummus was available as an appetizer but it is such a staid option.  As much as I like hummus, I eat enough on a regular basis and was not tempted to try their version.  So I ordered the 'hand salad' sandwich and it was quickly delivered.  The sandwich consisted of arugula, mozzarella, an avocado aioli-type spread and hummus.  The sandwich was mostly good.  The bread was soft (but not wonder bread soft) and the aioli went well with the cheese and arugula.  Then they ruined it with hummus.  The hummus did not belong and overwhelmed the other, better flavors.  The sandwich was small but some chips helped placate my hunger.  I really would have liked another sandwich but a different one. 

Victory Sandwich Bar may be fun later in the evening for a drink and to play some ping-pong.  But until they get a new vegetarian sandwich, I won't be eating there again.

Highland Bakery

Highland Bakery in Old Fourth Ward is a popular place.  I went there on a Wednesday around 11.30am for an early lunch since I hadn't had much of a breakfast.  There were still lots of people in there finishing up breakfast and without a lull, the lunch crowd moved in.  The lunch menu had a lot of vegetarian sandwich options but the breakfast menu sounded more fun.  The options ranged from pancakes and eggs to black eyed peas and grits.  I didn't want something sweet - for now at least - so I decided to go with the 'Cilantro Corn Pancakes.'

Soon, a lot of food arrived in front of me - sour cream and salsa sat on top of two fried eggs, on top of a corn pancake, on top of a pile of black beans, on top of another corn pancake.  Even though I was starving, I never did get to the pancake on the bottom.  The salsa on egg was my favorite part - so simple yet I never manage to make this at home.  The corn pancake tasted of corn but was dry on its own and just became mushy when eaten with the beans.  If I made this dish, I'd make a crisper, crunchier type of corn cake.  All of the elements on the plate were too similar in texture.  My other gripe with this dish is that the beans were fairly bland on their own.  I love black beans but these really need a lot of salsa mixed in to add some flavor. 

In the end, I was happily full but would try something else when I go back.  And I will go back because the place has a welcoming vibe.  It's a modern bakery with a sunny, open dining area - which can also get quite loud.  There are some tables outside on the sidewalk of Highland Ave. as well.  If you just want a little treat , you can pick something from the bakery counter.  I am not into cupcakes topped with frosting piled inches high so I went for an oatmeal, raisin cookie.  That might sound boring but it was chewy, not too sweet and added sunflower seeds were a nice twist.  Yes, I might have to go back very soon.

Cottage Ethiopian Restaurant

Cottage Ethiopian Restaurant never got the memo about first impressions.  The restaurant occupies the space of a former fast food joint and from Piedmont Avenue, it is easy to miss.  The sign is small and looks like an afterthought considering there is space above for a much more visible sign.  From the outside, even the entrance is hard to spot.  Once inside, things improve.  There are curtains all around, wooden tables, a bar and the vibe is nothing like that of a fast food restaurant. 

Lunchtime one Monday proved to be a quiet time.  There were a few other people in there, most of them Ethiopian which was a good sign.  My friend and I both ordered the vegetarian platter and the soft spoken waitress asked us if we wanted one big platter to share.  That was fine by us.  I've read a lot of complaints about how slow the service is.  Maybe we got lucky but our food was out in fifteen minutes. 

Our super-sized platter arrived looking very colorful.  There were ten different dishes piled on the injera.  The injera was soft and spongy and did not have the sour taste that is usually associated with this fermented bread made from teff flour.  If injera is not to your liking, you probably will not enjoy eating here.  There is no silverware as the injera is used to scoop up the various lentil, split pea, and vegetable stews.  Even a couple of the cold dishes had injera already mixed in.  Halfway into the meal, I realized just how much bread I had eaten and had to lower my bread to veggie ratio drastically.  The lentil stews were all tasty and only one was spicy.  The cabbage was sweet and the collard greens were simmered longer than needed but tasted fine.  My least favorite dishes were the cold ones with the injera mixed in.  I was heading for an injera overload.  Aside from that, this was overall a very good vegetarian meal. 

Unfortunately the end of our meal was a bit chaotic.  As with many of my meals lately, I had a Scoutmob coupon on my iphone.  Another couple in the restaurant also had one and asked for their bill five minutes before I did.  The manager did not understand the concept of the coupon and obviously had never heard of Scoutmob.  Why a restaurant would join a service and not inform their employees is beyond me.  Luckily the other couple did much of the legwork in explaining the coupon and when my friend and I piped in that we too had this, he begrudgingly gave us the discount.  Nothing like haggling over a bill to win over new customers!

Spoon

 

The Westside branch of Spoon is a modern, trendy space located near Georgia Tech.  I went there for lunch around 1pm one day and is was half-packed.  The menu is fairly standard for a Thai restaurant - curries, stir-fries and noodle dishes with some seafood specials thrown in.  I won't go on about how authentic the cooking is but the family who runs Spoon is from Bangkok, so that should mean something.

My friend and I split the tempura veggies to start.  The dish contained a healthy (or not so healthy) portion of battered and fried onions, sweet potatoes and summer squash.  The batter was not as light as Japanese tempura I have had and slightly greasy.  The veggies were tasty though and we managed to eat them all.

Panang curry is one of my favorites but I decided to try something new.   I went with the Ginger Stir Fry plus extra vegetables and tofu.  I also requested that it be a little spicy.  When my lunch was served, I was pleased to see the amount of different vegetables included - broccoli, carrots, squash, mushrooms and onions.  Slivers of ginger added extra ginger flavor beyond the sauce and the chili level was low.  The texture of the tofu was mushy rather than chewy but I guess it was just quickly pan fried.  The portion size was perfect for lunch and I would have been full even without the starter. 

Spoon is a decent lunch option and the price is fair.  At dinner, the prices are higher and specials are closer to $30.  Their menu is available on their website although some of the information about the restaurant is not accurate due to some errant cutting and pasting of content and a failure to edit.  

*Disclaimer - I failed to ask if my dishes contained fish sauce but the cooks are willing to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Sufi's

Sufi's is a fairly new Persian restaurant in Buckhead.  I went for dinner on a Saturday night and it was packed.  The interior is very lovely and the ceiling is draped in fabric.  There is a small patio but some of the tables are too close to busy Peachtree Rd. for my taste.  The hostess seemed to be having some trouble and I had to wait thirty minutes to be seated despite having a reservation.  I was with friends though and we were offered some tea while we waited, so I didn't mind.
The appetizer list was intriguing.  All but one of the offerings are vegetarian and aside from the standard hummus, I wanted to try all of them.   I decided on the Mast Spinach (yogurt with cooked spinach) and the Mirza Ghasemi (smoked eggplant with tomatoes and garlic).  These were served with large triangles of pita.  Everything tasted great but I'm a sucker for smoked eggplant so the Mirza Ghasemi won the first round.
The entrees were less vegetarian friendly.  It was a choice between vegetable kabobs and a veggie stew.  I chose the stew which was a spicy tomato based stew with chickpeas, potatoes and more eggplant.  The stew was good but the best part was the fluffy, saffron basmati rice which must have been coated with substantial butter because it was heavenly. 
The portion sizes are quite large so I was full.  Some friends got dessert but they weren't appealing to me - sponge cake roulade and cheesecake.  I might have made room for some killer baklava but that wasn't an option.  Overall I had a wonderful time at Sufi's.  The food was different and delicious although next time I might stick to appetizers and a rice dish.  The atmosphere was transportive and there was even some live music crammed into a corner that wasn't too loud.  There is no alcohol served yet but you can bring your own without having to pay a corkage fee.  As you can imagine, the bill remains pleasantly low this way. 

Niramish

It was a cool, rainy day and I was in the mood for something warm and spicy.  I decided on Niramish, a small Bangladeshi/ Indian spot in Little 5 Points.  I had actually visited Niramish over a year ago for dinner and remembered it was pretty decent.  Of course, things change.

Niramish means "Vegetarian" but this restaurant has plenty of meat dishes.  This was just the first thing about this place that did not make sense.  To be fair, there are many vegetarian options and a vegetarian lunch special for $5.99 which sounded like a good deal.

The special comes with a soup, spring roll, naan, rice and your choice of two vegetables.  I chose the saag paneer (creamy spinach with indian cheese) and the aloo kopi (cauliflower with potatoes).  My meal was served quickly and looked good.  I tried the tarka dal soup first.  It was thin but tasty and the lemon gave it a bright touch.  Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the meal.  The saag paneer was more cream sauce than spinach.  It was also surprisingly sweet.  Not sweet and spicy - just sweet!  The naan also, while soft and fluffy, tasted sweet.  The aloo kopi was thankfully not sweet but just lacking in flavor.  The rice was cold and clumpy and I don't even understand what the egg roll was doing on my plate.  I tasted it to see if it was a special Indian egg roll but no.  I would have preferred a samosa or pakora but maybe egg rolls are vogue in Bangladesh these days.  Anyway, I had to ask the server for some type of chili sauce so I could add some flavor and mask the sweetness.  He brought me a hefty amount, which was quite tasty, and I proceeded to add it to everything.  I managed to finish my naan and about half of the vegetables.  I didn't bother with most of the rice.

I couldn't believe I was about to leave an Indian restaurant hungry.  However, I paid my bill and headed back out into the rain wishing I had just gotten some frozen Indian naan and chana masala from Trader Joes.

El Taco

Sometimes food is not the only reason for going out.  Sometimes you want to go somewhere with a festive decor and slightly loud music so that your kids seem less annoying.  In a sea of Tex-Mex eateries, El Taco in Virginia Highlands is worth a visit for it's combination of decent food and fun vibes.  Early in the evening the place is packed with young families.  Later on, margarita imbibing adults can be found mingling and watching sports on several of the TV screens around the restaurant.  There is also a drawing held once an hour to win free prizes which seems to make most people excited because everyone wants to win something, even if it's a cheese dip or cheesy t-shirt.

The menu at El Taco contains standard fajitas, tacos and chips, which are not complimentary.  I tend to favor the Oaxacan inspired dishes for something different.  If you want an appetizer, skip the boring chips.  I had the tamale special which had peppers and squash embedded in the masa.  The tamales were a bit bland but the accompanying tomatillo sauce was delicious.   For my entree I got the Mexican "Pizza" which is a grilled, corn flatbread with refried black beans, corn, lettuce, avocado, radish, two Mexican cheeses, hot peppers, crema and sunflower sprouts.  If it sounds like a huge mess, it is - but it's a tasty mess.  It is really a filling salad with black beans served on a giant corn chip.   The ingredients taste fresh, especially the sunflower sprouts, and the corn base is very light.  The pizza ($10.75) is large enough to be shared if you order an appetizer as well.  El Taco also has a free salsa bar which contains several salsas and pickled vegetables.  These condiments can further add some heat and flair to your meals.  The spicy pickled vegetables are my favorite.  I didn't have dessert at El Taco since I was quite full and thought I'd quit while I was ahead. 

Broadway Cafe

Upon perusing my Scoutmob coupons, I saw one for Broadway Cafe.  I flashbacked to my college days and a dinner I ate there with a vegetarian friend.  I even remembered what I had ordered - an eggplant curry.  Did I remember because the food was stellar or just because I could afford to eat out so rarely back then?  Whatever the reason, it was still open and with a 50% discount, I thought I'd check it out.  I wanted to look at the menu beforehand so I searched online for the restaurant.  I thought Google had failed me and finally had to call the cafe to ask if they had a website.  No website!  What?!   Even the guys who sell popsicles down the street have a website.  The woman I spoke with did offer to email me a menu and promptly did so.  Still, wouldn't a website be easier?

My trusty lunch companion and I met at the corner of Briarcliff and Lavista.  Broadway Cafe would be easy to miss in a nondescript strip mall.  The inside looked clean and cheerful with wooden tables and booths.  Luckily I had looked over the menu because there was a little of everything including pizza, pasta and sandwiches.  The entree list is a (mostly) vegetarian trip around the world - Mooshu Vegetables, Thai Stir-fry, Jambalaya, Quesadillas etc.  I chose the Mumbai vegetables (a chef's speciality) and my dining partner chose the Middle Eastern Platter.

When our food arrived, I thought my vegetables looked great while the color of my friend's dish seemed a bit muted.  Her hummus was a bit gray, the salad wasn't vibrant and her pita looked a bit dry.  Mine looked very colorful and was chocked full of cauliflower, zucchini, potatoes and more over brown rice.  Alas, the color did not make up for the lack of seasoning.  It needed a bit more salt and spices.  As I ate, I got bites of ginger which perked up my taste buds but overall the dish was lacking flavor.  I also had a bite of hummus which was very stodgy and could have used more tahini and lemon.  The falafels were pretty good though.  Our meals had appeared fairly healthy, so of course we thought we deserved some beignets for dessert.  A large bowl of powder-sugar coated mounds appeared in front of us.  As fried dough goes, I've had better.  These were soft and sweet but not up to New Orleans' standards.  It satiated my sweet tooth but I wasn't compelled to eat more than a couple.

It is nice that Broadway Cafe has so many vegetarian and vegan options (they also serve fish).  If you eat out a lot and in search of some healthier options, this is a good place to try.  If you're like me and force your family to eat quinoa and kale on a regular basis, Broadway Cafe may not be different or exciting enough.   

Murphy's

Murphy's is a staple neighborhood spot in Virginia Highlands.  It has a wine counter, bakery counter, and a warm, inviting, dining space.  You can even stop by and grab a cookie for $1 from a jar just inside the front door.  It feels comfortable yet special all at once.  I like Murphy's for many reasons but there is one glaring problem - the lack of interesting vegetarian options.
The best time for a vegetarian to visit would be weekend brunch.  Unfortunately this is the same time that it is often insanely packed.  Instead I went there for lunch on a day when a percentage of sales were going to be donated to my child's school garden (another reason I appreciate Murphy's).  There really were only two options for a composed meal (not counting salads) - a fried green tomato sandwich or a grilled cheese and fried egg sandwich.  I really wanted soup but both soup options were made with chicken stock (is it so hard to make a flavorful veggie stock?).  I went with the grilled cheese since it was recommended by someone at my table. 
So it turned out that I had a pretty brunchy meal after all.  There was a lot of cheese happening on my plate.  Good thing I ordered the included pepperjack cheese sauce on the side instead of all over.  It would have been overkill.  The fried egg was nicely cooked and sat upon the sandwich along with a couple slices of tomato.  I would have preferred a 'salsa' type condiment instead of the tomato slices as I like a meal with a little spicy or bold flavor.  Also, fresh tomatoes shouldn't be part of a meal in the middle of winter.  They were fairly bland.  The mixed green salad added some color and fiber and came dressed in a champagne vinaigrette.  Overall it was satisfactory and filling but it didn't do too much to excite my taste buds.  It did give me an idea of what to make at home for breakfast sometime - minus some of the cheese of course.    

BAKESHOP

Bakeshop, in Midtown, is a self-described 'true boulangerie and patisserie.'  Upon entering, all of the pastries and desserts are immediately visible and the smell of butter is in the air.  There are several types of pastries that you can help yourself to and a dessert case with other cakes and tarts. 

The croissants looked great so I sampled an almond and almond-chocolate kind (butter and chocolate versions are also available).  The croissants were flaky and delicious topped with a sugary glaze.  I preferred the almond as the almond-chocolate was a bit too sweet.  The croissants are very rich and at $2.75, not cheap.  I was happy to share one and save the other for the next day.

I returned to Bakeshop one day around lunchtime and decided to try one of their sandwiches.  It was a choice between a grilled cheese or a vegetable panini (essentially a fancier grilled cheese).  I chose the panini which contained mozzarella, roasted red peppers and balsamic vinegar between slices of ciabatta ($7.50).  The bread was toasted nicely but the balsamic flavor was quite strong.  I found the sandwich to be nothing special and not worth repeating. 
I got a loaf of honey whole wheat bread and a pecan, apricot, white chocolate scone to go.  The bread was very chewy and flavorful.  The scone turned out to be a triangular cookie, not a traditional flaky scone, and definitely a waste of money. 
I'll probably go back to Bakeshop if I'm in the area but not for lunch.  The long tables inside are close together and can get crowded quickly.  In warmer weather there is also seating outside, next to a fountain, to enjoy a coffee and croissant. 

Urban pL8

It had been a while since I had a good, vegetarian meal at a new restaurant.  Finally I got the chance to visit Urban pL8 over on Huff Rd.  Despite the goofy name, I liked Urban pL8 as soon as I walked in.  The space is modern warehouse (like so much in the Westside) and the menu includes local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients.  Urban pL8 serves meat and seafood but includes several vegetarian options.  

The soup of the day was spicy corn chowder.  I normally stay away from creamy soups because they fill me up too quickly.  However, the server mentioned it included sriracha, a popular Asian-like chili sauce, and I decided to order a cup.  Turns out that was a good decision.  The chowder had small bits of celery and carrots along with corn kernels.  The chili (which may be too spicy for some) cut right through the cream and I thoroughly enjoyed being warmed up by every drop.

My main dish was not as successful as the soup.  I got the 'veggie burger' (different from the nut burger also on the menu) which was primarily a pinto bean patty.  While it was tasty, it also supposedly included shitake and jalapeno but the beans were the overriding flavor.  My main problem with the burger was the lack of texture.  The bean burger was too mushy to stand up to the bread.  It would have been better off being served as a bean cake accompanied by a more substantial side salad.  The day I was there, I also had a bite of the 'stir-fry brown rice with vegetables.'  The flavor was fine but the rice was al dente - not good for rice.  I would have asked for another dish if I had ordered that, since that is such a fundamental error by a cook.  However, my friend had been there before and said that this was not a usual problem.
Despite a few glitches, I will return to Urban pL8, assuming they can buck the trend of recent closings of restaurants I have visited (Dynamic Dish and Noon Midtown).  The service is friendly and I appreciate their approach to food and cooking.  And I want to try some more of their soups!