A rotating list of where, and what, to eat in Tucson

September 29, 2006

Eat your vegetables Blue Willow — 2616 N. Campbell Ave., The restaurant has a stunning fruit crepe for breakfast, and a roasted eggplant sandwich that appeals to even nonvegetarians. And don't forget the tofu scramble. Tucson casual. 327-7577. $-$$ C Casbah Teahouse — 628 N. Fourth Ave. Vegetarians are made happy here. Try the cheese steak, warm, chewy chunks of seitan (that's a texture-rich food made from wheat gluten), grilled onions and peppers mixed with gooey soy or dairy cheese and served on a roll. Tucson casual. 740-0393.$ C The Cup Café, at Hotel Congress — 311 E. Congress. Lots of vegetarian choices here. Check out the herbed mushroom. It's a giant portobello 'shroom filled to overflowing with goat cheese dotted with pine nuts. It sits on a bed of fresh spinach and has a generous helping of white bean purée bursting with garlic. Tucson casual. 622-8848. $-$$ D Delectables Restaurant — 533 N. Fourth Ave.

There are plenty of vegetarian choices here, such as vegan puttanesca spaghetti. But we are partial to the vegetarian spinach manicotti, thin crepes stuffed with fresh spinach and lots of ricotta, Romano and mozzarella. And marinara sauce, of course. Tucson casual. 884-9289. $$ C Feast Tasteful Takeout — 4122 E. Speedway. Feast has an ever-changing menu, but there always seems to be something for the veggie lover. Check online to see the latest: www.eatatfeast.com. Tucson casual. 326-9363. $- $$ C Gandhi Cuisine of India — 150 W. Fort Lowell Road. Check out the navarattan, a mixture of vegetables and paneer in a sublime curry sauce. Heck, try most any veggie meal and be happy. Tucson casual. 292-1738. $$ C The Garland Bistro — 119 E. Speedway. This has long been a veggie hangout — we mean the food, not the people. From vegetarian curry to a wide variety of salads. Vegan options are available. Tucson casual. 882-3999. $-$$ C Gentle Ben's Brewing Co. — 865 E. University Blvd. A variety of options. The Peggy-O is pretty amazing vegetarian fare — a grilled veggie burger topped with guacamole, Jack cheese and a creamy horseradish. Tucson casual. 624-4177. $-$$ C Govinda's — 711 E. Blacklidge Drive. No meat anywhere at Govinda's, a restaurant that is proof positive that a vegetarian state can be heavenly. The buffet is heavy with culinary options. Our recommendation: Eat anything with the homemade cheese in it. Tucson casual. 792-0630. $$ C Guilin Chinese Restaurant — 3250 E. Speedway. An abundance of vegetarian dishes to choose from, and many will please. A favorite is the full-flavored vegetarian sizzling rice soup. Tucson casual. 320-7768. $ C India Oven — 2727 N. Campbell Ave. Indian restaurants are a vegetarian's friend, and that's especially true here. Of course, you want the naan — we like the tandoori bread with garlic. But we love the saag

paneer, a creamy dish made with the fresh cheese, paneer, spinach, garlic (lots of it) and a touch of red chile. 326-8635. Tucson casual. $$ C La Indita — 622 N. 4th Ave. The food here draws from Mexican, Tarascan Indian and Tohono O'odham cuisines. The beans are vegan; the vegetarian selections, abundant. The chile rellenos boast a delicate, egg-battered coating that doesn't overpower the natural flavor of the fresh, roasted chiles. Tucson casual. 792-0523. $-$$ C Lovin' Spoonfuls — 2990 N. Campbell Ave. This vegan restaurant (no meat, no dairy) really blossoms with the dinner entrees, in which vegan meat, pasta and vegetables rule. The Coney Island Dog is pure comfort food. Tucson casual. 325-7766. $ C Peter H

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