dinner around Union Square?

[choochoo]

I'm going to a show at Irving Plaza tonite and am looking for a restaurant for dinner beforehand...something not too expensive, but good. not interested in any of those super-touristy places on the square. my boyfriend and i are both vegetarian (but that doesn't mean we don't also enjoy good food!).
thanks for any recommendations.

[batterypark]

Zen Palate right on Union Square. Or you could go for vegetarian dishes at Japanese restaurant Yama.

[kelea]

Zen Palate....asian vegeterian. Union Square east and 16th. I love it..esp their celestial tofu

[winebitch]

oh, how could i forget! love the kale and seaweed dish.

[josephsm]

Galaxy Global Eatery would be really convenient for you (Irving and 15).
They have some..unusual....ingredients on the menu (e.g. Hemp oil, crickets) but it's quite easy to get something normal and vegetarian too and you might like the pre-concert vibe there.

[winebitch]

i'd skip casa mono.
second pure food and wine.
would add: la pizza fresca (east 20)
friend of a farmer (irving and 18?)

[RGR]

The only thing worth ordering at Pure Food & Wine, in my view, is the lasagna, which is so outstanding that even carnivores like my husband and me couldn't get over how delicious it was. A major plus is the gorgeous back garden.

http://www.purefoodandwine.com

Via Emilia, on 20th St., just west of Park Av. S., serves excellent homemade pastas. However, you'll have to skip the lasagna there because it's of the traditional variety, i.e., includes meat. It's cash only, and they don't accept reservations. But if you're going early, getting a table should not pose a problem.

http://www.viaemilianyc.net

[DarthEater]

pure food and wine
54 Irving Pl Btwn 17th & 18th St

[tinybubbles]

Casa Mono on 17th and Irving has a great menu, something for everyone tapas... and although it is right on the square, trust me it is not touristy -- inside Tabla on the bottom floor is Bread Bar. It is less expensive with outstanding vegetarian dishes.

[GreatCorbini]

my fiance and i are big fans of republic on union square west. cheap, quick, easy and always tasty

they've got a few vegitarian dishes

[ESNY]

Republic is beyond mediocre, I'd avoid it. I love Casa Mono but I'm not sure if two vegetarians would find much to eat there.

Table Bread Bar and Posto are both good ideas. Also, a little far away but great vegetarian south indian food is Saravaanas on the NE corner of 26th and Lex.

[JeremyEG]

I second Saravaanas. I'm a serious omnivore and it's one of my favorite places in the city. Well worth the 10 minute walk. Enjoy!
Jeremy

[choochoo]

We ended up going to Saravanaas and LOVED it. The food was terrific and the atmosphere was a lot of fun too. The only sad thing was that we couldn't finish everything because we ordered too much. Alas, there could be worse things...
thanks for the recommendation!

[JeremyEG]

Good to hear. That place is really satisfying. I don't know if anyone has ever finished his or her entire meal there. Maybe that's part of the fun. : )

JeremyEG

[ohromujici]

I have to second greatcorbini. I love republic. Even with tax and tip, I usually get change back from a 20 dollar bill. I am a fan of the steamed eggplant, the coconut shrimp, and the spicy duck noodles.

[beck]

Curly's Vegetarian is on 14th between 2nd and 3rd and Pure Food is on Irving between 17th and 18th--the former is completely casual and the latter is a bit more upscale, but both fit the bill. Also, Posto on the corner of 18th and 2nd Ave. has GREAT thin-crust pizza, and its reasonable.