Restaurants - Atlanta, GA.....number 4

Cafe Sunflower is another wonderful veggie meal if you are in the ATL. This one is more on the north side, located at 5975 Roswell Rd. It is a fully vegetarian restaurant and MOST of their stuff can be made vegan. It is a little hard to find, but is in a strip mall behind a BP Station; the Hammond Springs Shopping Center. Their menu is fresh and innovative, with most of the traditional favorites. Their "Starters" include Spaghetti Squash Cakes, Sandy Spring Rolls, Basil Rolls, Dumplings, Potstickers, Stuffed Mushrooms, and Hummus; among others. Their "Salads" are varied, but the best one is called "Garden Steak Salad" which includes homemade Soy Pepper Steak. The menu also lists which items are Dairy Free and which are Wheat free. In the "Entrees" section they have some of the favorites; Spicy Pad Thai Noodles, Sweet and SOur Soy Chicken, Black Bean Burrito, Soy Burger, Chili, and a Quesadilla. Their Entrees also include Stuffed Mushrooms, Jamaican Black Bean Cakes, Baked Samosas, Lasagne, Fettuccine, Stuffed Acorn Squash, and several Stir Fries. For dessert they have several cakes; some of which are vegan and they have Soy Ice Cream. This place was not as good as Soul Vegetarian, Harmony, or Green Sprout, but it still makes for a good meal if you are in the area. 404-256-1675 www.cafesunflower.com

Restaurants - Atlanta, GA....take 3

Harmony Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant is another great place in the ATL. It is located in what is known as the "Orient Center", 4897 Buford Hwy Suite 109; technically in the city of Chamblee (on the North side of ATL). It is an interesting amalgam of Asian Shops, Grocery Stores, and Restaurants; including a few veggie places, but I only tried Harmony. This place's menu is HUGE and I cannot begin to explain how many items are on it. They have ALL the traditional vegetarian Chinese items like Kung Pao Chicken, General Tso's Chicekn, Beef with Broccoli, and Sweet and Sour Tofu. In their Appetizer section are all the mainstays (Spring Roll, Fried Tofu, Dumplings, etc..), but with some noteable new items such as Fried Stuffed Eggplant, Chinese Pizza, Curry Pockets, and Fried Chicken (I got that and it was soooo good). They break their menu into the type of soy-based meat you want; Beef, Chicken, Soup, Seafood, Pork, Lo mein, Hot Pot, Fried Rice, Noodles, and "Chinese Vegetarian Specialties". I would highly recommend the Chicken with Cashew Nuts; it was very tasty and the mock meat was different than any I had tasted. The vegetables were cooked just right, which is to say, NOT for very long. The sauce was light enough to not be overly heavy, but had enough taste to satisfy me. I think everyone should check out the Orient Center for sheer intrigue, but also for some great food. 770-457-7288

Restaurants - Atlanta, GA cont....

Green Sprout Vegetarian Cuisine is another great place in metro Atlanta. Located at 1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite D, it is a Buddhist-run vegetarian Chinese restaurant. It reminded me a lot of Yuan Fu in Rockville, MD. It is a clean looking place with friendly staff and an amazing menu; it is completely vegan possible (some dishes might have eggs, but they know about being vegan and easily make anything vegan). Their appetizers shine; I had their Curry Spring Roll, and their Fried Bean Curd. Other Appetizers include Scallion Pancake, Cold Vegetarian Duck, Stuffed Zucchini, Chicken Drumsticks, and Seaweed Tofu Roll (but they have MANY more). They have different sections for whatever mock meat you like; Vegetarian Chicken, Vegetables, Vegetarian Beef, Vegetarian Pork, Vegetarian Seafood, Sweet and Sour, and Fried Rice and Noodles. I had their Lemon Chicken, which was excellent. Other selections in the Chicken portion were Moo Shu Chicken, Chicken with Honey Walnuts, Chicken with BBQ Sauce, and Mongolian Chicken. Some selections in the Beef portion were Beef with Broccoli, Beef with Tomato and Basil, Asparagus with Beef, and Basil Beef with Crispy Portobello Mushrooms. Some examples of the Pork and Seafood portions were Pork with Tofu in Szechuan Sauce, Twice Cooked Pork, Kung Pao Squid, Fish Filets with Crispy Bean Curd Skin, and Seafood Casserole with Tofu. All in all, this place was great and a spot where even carnivores will enjoy the veggie cuisine. I recommend this place to anyone near Downtown Atlanta. www.greensproutga.com 404-874-7373

Restaurants - Atlanta, GA

The Soul Vegetarian is a restaurant at the top of my list for Best in the country. It has locations in more cities, like Washington DC, but the main one in Atlanta is unbelievably good. That location is 879-A Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW. It is run by a group of Old Testament followers known as "Black Hebrews". They have a literal view of the Biblical Story of Creation and of the "Fall". They believe that in a perfect world ALL peoples are vegetarian and point to several passages in the Old Testament to prove their view that meat-eating was brought on because of the "Fall" of Humanity. As for food, this place rocks. They make their own Gluten, which they call Kalebone. They prepare it in a traditional Southern way, with Collard Greens, Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread, etc... I got a BBQ Kalebone steak which was phenomenal! They also produce homemade Soycream; they have several flavors, but it is BETTER than Ice Cream. I highly recommend this place whenever you are near the 5 Points area of Atlanta; or if you are near Howard University in Downtown Washington DC. Apparently they now have restaurants in Chicago, Charleston, and Tallahassee. Another plus is that they take their time; do not expect rapid service as they believe being laid back and "going with the flow" are virtues. They do not preach, but will talk at length about their Religious decision to forego meat if you ask. GO HERE!!!!!!!! www.soulvegetarian.com 404-752-5194