Refined Vegetarian Options in Manhattan

[whittle]

Dear CH-ers,

A good friend of mine is moving to the city soon and I wanted to get him (and his SO) a gift card for a restaurant with good-to-great vegetarian options and good ambiance. Preferences for Mexican, Italian, and Indian. Nothing super fancy though, I am looking at $40-50 per person before taxes (no alcohol needed) for dinner.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[foodwhisperer]

I recommend Souen, I think there are 2 locations. Soy and Sake is vegetarian,amazingly they make shrimp sushi out of some kind of sly or gluten, it feels and tastes like shrimp.
Brushstroke has a vegetarian option in their kaiseki dinners.
Kajitsu has amazing vegetarian kaiseki dinner, but it will cost you more than $50 per person.

[whittle]

Thanks for the suggestions. Kajitsu sounds just right, since my friend is a Japanese food fiend. Plus the Kaze menu is on budget.

[Spiritchaser]

GF is a vegetarian and LOVED Kajitsu, I'm a carnivour and I LOVED Kajitsu even though it is 100% vegetarian.

[gourmandish]

I would suggest Dirt Candy in the East Village. It's a mix of styles, and should come in at about your price range. I ate there last week and thought it was great. It's quite small but lively and very friendly.

www.dirtcandynyc.com