Good Vegetarian friendly in WP/LS area

So even though I am a meat eater, I do enjoy the lighter side as well. My girl however is a vegetarian, not vegan, but veggie, so eggs and such are fine, she just doesn't eat the actual flesh of animals (Fish included). Do you guys have suggestions for veggie friendly restaurants in the Logan Square, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humbolt, etc... area. Even outside the area is fine, just curious about other's experiences.

And it doesn't have to be strictly vegetarian, but something with more than one veggie friendly item on the menu.

Thanks for the input, love the forum.

My dh and I just ate at Lula Cafe in Logan Square again last night. Lula always offers excellent food, including at least 2 veg entrees. I had the artichoke and meyer lemon soup, which I loved, and the farro entree. I enjoyed the farro, but the whole thing was a bit sticks-and-twiggy for the mood I was in. I wished I had ordered what my dh got: a lovely pork dish that was absolutely great. I think a vegetarian would do very well at Lula, as do omnivores.
Also, btw, the banana cream pie was really great.

Mrs. JiLS and I were also at Lula last night, and I had the whitefish and morels (an amazing sampling of the wonders of Midwest fauna and flora), but almost ordered the farro (with nettles), which would've been my third helping of this fantastic, celebratory spring dish -- the nettles taste like summer camp smells. I highly recommend anyone get in there and try this dish while they can. Regarding that white fish and morels dish, you also should get in for that one soon. Served with delicious dandelion greens cooked in honey, it was a deeply satisfying combination. Plus, for those who care, I should note they have added Navarro's Pinot Gris to the wine list. 'Nuff said for fans of Navarro; it's been one of my favorites for years.

I like eating at Irazu. Its a Costa Rican place on Milwaukee near Armitage. They always have at least one vegetarian plate of the day - some sort of veggie like nopales, spinach, or potato flautas - served with rice, beans, salad with avocado and beets, fried plantains, and tortillas. They also have chile rellenos (vegetarian) with rice, beans, salad, plantains, tortillas. I especially like their fried yuca with garlic. It comes as a side but I like to substitute it for the vegetable in the vegetarian plate. The hearts of palm salad isn't bad. If you are eating meat, their skirt steak is very good. I have trouble not ordering it when I'm there. I've heard good things about their burritos but I've never tried them. The vegetarian burrito sounds pretty good - not just a meat burrito minus meat.

Also, they have several varieties of shakes, my favorite being the oatmeal.

Both Lula and Irazu are great choices, but here's one more for you: Handlebar.

I know there's been some Handlebar-hating on the forum in the past, mostly (though not entirely) having to do with the clientele (!) and the service. But all the Chicago vegetarians I know are quite keen on the place. Just to clear up any confusion, it's not vegan and not even entirely vegetarian, though friendly to both. Any time I've had bad service there, it's the same darn slow waiter (I hope you don't get him!) Otherwise, I have no complaints in the service department.

For your lady, the black beans maduro and the ground nut stew are both lovely choices. If you like fish, I can heartily recommend the catfish with sides of collard greens and smoked gouda mac&cheese. And there's some solid beers on tap (I had the springy Allagash White last time) too. Good luck and do let us know where you end up going!

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... =handlebar

Handlebar
2311 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773.384.9546
http://www.handlebarchicago.com