I am a vegetarian. I love to eat. And though I would be happy to lose a little weight, I am not on a diet…

New York is aplenty with restaurants; we have Asian, French, Greek, Indian, Italian, Jewish, Russian, Turkish, Vietnamese, Vegetarian and Vegan – but we don’t have many mainstream restaurants that offer vegetarians a choice of dishes. The majority of restaurants offer one vegetarian, uninspired dish that assumes the diner is dieting. Many restaurants offer no vegetarian choices. Typically a request for a vegetarian dish is accommodated – but not cheerfully nor well.

If you are vegetarian, whatever your motivation – compassion, environmental impact, health, religion… I’d like to share you with a small (sadly, it is a small) list of mainstream restaurants where you’ll find a delicious and healthful meal of vegetables and grains. This is not say that I don’t recommend the wonderful vegetarian and vegan restaurants in town; Angelica Kitchen, Candle Café, Candle 79, Hangawi, Pure Food, Zen Palate…but this list of restaurants offers carnivores and vegetarians tasty meals together.

I hope this list will grow.

Centolire
http://centolire.citysearch.com/
1167 Madison Avenue @ 85th Street, 212.734.7711
Italian food is a good choice for vegetarians in the mainstream. We can always make an entrée of the veggie sides. At this Upper East Side restaurant you’ll find ample choices, starting with a delicious Caesar salad (without anchovies), zucchini soup with basil, eggplant parmigiana, daily vegetable risotto, pasta with tomato sauce…

Josie’s
http://josiesnyc.com/
300 Amsterdam Avenue, @ 74th Street, 212.769.1212
Meals of organic produce and free-range animals enable vegetarians and vegans to dine alongside compassionate carnivores seamlessly.

Milos
http://www.milos.ca/
125 West 55th Street, 6th & 7th Avenues, 212.245.7400
This Greek restaurant in midtown is reputed for their fish, artfully prepared and beautifully displayed. Milos also offers vegetarians lovely choices as well: Greek salad, fava beans, roasted peppers, hummus…to pair with delicate Greek wines (let the sommelier guide you).

Prune
http://www.prunerestaurant.com/
54 East 1st Street, 1st & 2nd Avenues, 212.677.6221
There is a larger variety of animals and organs on the menu here than even carnivores are accustomed to. And there is a great selection of delicious vegetables and grains to choose from.

Union Square Café
http://www.unionsquarecafe.com/
21 East 16th Street, 5th Avenue & Union Square West, 212.243.4020
The Indian-spiced vegetables and grains are wonderful. You’ll leave with their cookbook so you can recreate the meal at home. The menu is peppered with vegetarian choices – all made from seasonal organic produce and delicious.