Favorite vegetarian dish and where you order it.

3 months ago I went vegetarian. Inspired by my 16 year old son, who has been vegetarian for 7 months now, I followed down the path for both ethical and health reasons. The news is the same as my giving up a 32 year tobacco habit last year: Why haven't I done this sooner? So far I haven't missed meat as so many of the restaurants in Louisville have established vegetarian options that go way beyond what we all saw over the past years which was steamed vegetables, plain pasta or rice and vegetables. Now it seems that everyone is trying, and succeeding, in making interesting and delicious veg dishes. Which brings me to this: What are your favorite dishes and where do you find them? Let the list begin and thanks!

[Robin Garr]

Among others, asiago risotto cakes at Caffe Classico. Chickpea and quinoa cake with grilled veggies at North End Cafe. Grilled corn and poblano burger at Game. And pretty much anything on the menu at Roots/Heart & Soy.

3 months ago I went vegetarian.

.....Quick....Someone get me some bacon. Lots of it. Hang on Ed...helps on the way.

Any of the spaetzle dishes at Eiderdown. Honestly, any of their vegetarian dishes is worth the trip to Germantown.

[Robin Garr]

Elotes at Mussel & Burger Bar!

Honestly, Ed, I have a HUGE list that I'll try to compile for you later, but the greatest thing that comes to mind for me right now is a vegetarian (NOT vegan) dish that I shared with a friend recently at St. Charles Exchange.

Red Quinoa Gnocchi with chard, leeks, carrots, and white wine butter - $20.

It will drop you to your knees, promise.

We recently took an Indian/American family to Kashmir. He is a business associate of my husband and they were taking a road trip. Their kids were in college and enjoyed my kids. The mother was vegetarian, as is my daughter. We ordered a huge array of mainly veggie dishes and we didn't care about meat at all.

The veg chimichanga at Seviche makes me cry with joy. Cafe Lou Lou does a mean black bean lasagna. Bluegrass Burgers has a great veggie option. Simply Thai and their delicious curries, basil sauces, etc will prepare any number of dishes with tofu or TVP. Ditto for many ethnic restaurants...Thai, Vietnamese. You can always find a seaweed salad and California roll in Most Japanese places. The Fishery in St Matthews makes delicious vegetable soup. My fav falafels are at Zaytun. Try their Persian eggplant and 3 hummus varieties as well.al Wotan has Baba Ganoush to dream about and fresh Pita. I love the Chop Shop in St Matthews for a do it yourself fresh salad that hasn't been on a salad bar for hours. Zoe's spinach wraps are yummy and fast.

Ask for the vegetable chimichanga at Seviche baked instead of fried- it's a world of difference.
I love the eggplant at Shiraz with the delicious rice crusts that I can't remember the name of.
The red wine braised vegetable plate at Siver Dollar is yummy and oh so filling.

My biggest challenge was finding good, vegetarian fast food. Paul's market has a great "packed to go" dish they call Cowboy Caviar made with avocados, black beans, green chilis, corn, red onions and dressed with either lemon juice or vinegar and oil. I make so frequently at home I forget what their original recipe was.

You may want to check out a site called The Happy Herbavoir for more home recipes.

I hesitate to even mention this, because it probably means I will get less . . .

Silver Dollar. Tuesday night. Vegetarian Special. Mark your calendar in pen. Every Tuesday.

One of the better ones I've had lately is at Uptown:

Grilled Sundried Tomato Polenta with sauteed vegetables, tomatoes, spinach and mozzarella cheese (gluten-free) 12.75

They've had a couple of versions of this dish that they change seasonally and they have all been excellent.

Welcome aboard the Veggie Express, Ed!

As has been noted, Louisville has a very wide selection of veggie choices. As a rule of thumb--and habit--I tend to eliminate steak houses, fish restaurants, BBQ places, and sports bars when considering where to eat (there are a few exceptions, notable the tofu sandwich at Feast BBQ--great stuff!). That leaves an incredible array of restaurant choices throughout the metro area. You'll be surprised and pleased at their attention to veggie options.

My problem stems more from traveling between cities along the highway. Choices diminish in these parts. Either eat ahead of time or prepare something. A sandwich at Subway packed with spinach leaves and a slice of cheese will do the trick. Otherwise, bean burrito at Taco Bell, veggie burger at Burger King, spaghetti marinara at Fazoli's. etc. Not very fun, but comes with the territory!

One other thing: when I attend a function at a reception hall, hotel, etc., I immediately speak with one of the waiters to discuss vegetarian options. This holds true with family or friend functions--ask ahead of time.

I love the eggplant at Shiraz with the delicious rice crusts that I can't remember the name of.

Tadig is the rice crust. No matter how much of that you put in front of me I'll eat it all.

I'm a fan of the vegetarian fajitas at El Nopal.Nearly anything at Kashin is a winner as well.

I hesitate to even mention this, because it probably means I will get less . . .

Silver Dollar. Tuesday night. Vegetarian Special. Mark your calendar in pen. Every Tuesday.

Leah, for a while there the Silver Dollar Tuesday-night vegetarian specials were "special." But recently we've been underwhelmed. Case in point - two weeks ago the "special" was hummus on pita with cucumber and tzatziki. I'm seriously going to go there for that?

We were very impressed with the vegetarian offerings at Guca Mole. very tasty, complex.