Vegetarian options at specific DC restaurants

I’m a vegetarian who often doesn’t get to try out certain restaurants such as seafood places or steakhouses. Often when I do pick nice restaurants, I have to scan a menu three times to figure out what my food options are. Still I manage to eat out a good deal and do have my favourite dishes in restaurants which I wanted to share here, sorted according to cuisine:

Indian—At Rasika, my favourite Indian restaurant (6 & D in Chinatown) I usually get the Palak Chaat (fried spinach) and Rabada Patties (potato patties) as appetizers and then get the bindi amchoor (okra) and Goat Cheese Kulcha (stuffed break) and if I get to pick one other dish—the paneer tikka masala (not on the menu). For dessert I get the Apple Jilebi (fritters) served with Cardamom ice cream.

Italian—Al Crostino (U & 13 in the U street area) is a quaint little restaurant that I’ve been only one time but loved it and want to return. That one time I got the tomato, basil mozzarella salad, one of my favourites which was so fresh that it melted in my mouth. For the entrée I got a ricotta cheese based spinach gnocchi “Gnocchi di ricotta e spinaci al Gorgonzola” which was light and fluffy served with a cream sauce—the gnocchi best I’ve ever had!

Thai—Mai Thai (19 & N in Dupont) has become very popular with our crew at work and a good place to go in a large group. The décor is amazing especially compared to the other Thai restaurants around Dupont such as the dingy basement Sala Thai. I love the papaya and mango salads for hot summer days especially if you choose to sit out in the outdoor patio. I also like the vermicelli noodles and the drunken noodles and have been satisfied with the thai green curry vegetables.

Malaysian—Penang (19 & M in Dupont) has a great lunch time special with a an option for spring rolls, salad and entrée for under $10 bucks. The lunch menu offering includes a miso soup which is not veggie. I love the Mango tofu or the Bean curd options.

Kimmy's bests re food & drink around Washington, DC

* Best hot coccoa: Love Cafe (15 & U in the U St area)-- if you like your coccoa rich, theirs is a good ratio of pure chocolate with milk
* Best guacamole: Oyamel (6 & D in Chinatown)--they make it fresh right in front of you and better still donate a portion of the proceeds from their Guac.
* Best view and decent food: Tabaq bistro (U & 13 in the U St area)--the trek up to the 3rd floor of the restaurant is totally worth it. The city glimmers through the retractable glass roof that is opened up during good weather. You can see the Washington monument, cathedral, capital and the roof tops of pretty old buildings while you snack on delicious mediterranean mezze.
* Best crepes--Bonaparte (Wisconsin & P in Georgetown) has a quaint european cafe feel which attracts an international crowd and serves scrumptious sweet and savoury crepes including the nutella and banana crepe for those with a sweet tooth.
* Best lounge-around cafe: Tryst (18 & Columbia in Adams Morgan)provides a homely atmosphere with it comfortable couches and free wi-fi and surprisingly serves excellent food including perfectly crafted gourmet sandwiches and around the clock breakfast items that include waffles and quiche.
* Best smoothies: Mint's "Green Cafe (Florida & 18 in Adams Morgan) uses all fresh natural ingredients that's healthy too. I loved the Pumkin pie smoothie they had last fall that tasted just like its name but had almond butter and almond milk, spices and pumkin puree.
* Best pastries: Patisserie Poupon (Wisconsin & Resevoir in Georgetown) has all the decadent french delicacies you might expect of a place like this from tiny beautifully decorated petit fours to merinues in different flavours to chocolate croiassants. The tiny patisserie also has great cappucino and offers lunch items like sandwhiches and quiches and has a little outdoor patio.