veg & non-veg in AA/Ypsi

[threemeow]

Is there some place both a vegetarian and a non-vegetarian can get an excellent meal in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti? The best I'm coming up with is La Shish, which is good but I'd like choices. Pizza House is tastey but noisy. Any really good Thai/Chinese? Do any of the pub-like places serve good veg & non-veg food? Anything upscale serve both?

Comments

[tlatoani]

A lot of Indian restaurants would work well for both.

There's good Chinese around (and some good Thai) but you really have to watch it if you're a serious vegetarian who cares a lot (or actually gets sick when they eat meat), because you can't be sure how they made the stock for the sauces.

[tlatoani]

In most cases, I wouldn't suggest dragging a non-vegetarian to Seva. I know it's well-loved in some circles, but I've been underwhelmed by it.

[shekkara]

Ethiopian at Red Sea in Ypsilanti.

Many Chinese "vegetarian" dishes use a bit of meat-broth in the sauce, and good quality oyster sauce actually does have oyster extract in it. (Some of my vegetarian friends are of a "don't ask too many questions" mind set when it comes to Chinese vegetable dishes.) If you want truly vegetarian food from a Chinese restaurant, tell a Chinese-native server that you're Buddhist. (It works in China, though you have to know the Mandarin for Buddhist.)

[iheartypsi]

I think Red Sea may have closed recently, at least, it looked that way a week or two ago.

Lots (most?) of Thai food has fish or oyster sauce in it, may be a problem for strict vegetarians. I've heard of places (in general, not necessarily around here) that will make dishes w/o upon request.

As for specifics, Arbor Brewing Co has a lot of veg and non-veg entrees. I've liked what I've had there (except one lone taco salad), but have heard of some others having experiences not quite as good. I wouldn't classify them as "excellent" - are you looking for general dining or a special occasion? I'd classify Seva about the same (some stuff on the menu is better, some are duds), their menu is entirely vegetarian, but they allow meat-eaters inside. I've heard people classify Eve as excellent (boss from NY says it's the only decent restaurant in town), but not sure what their veg offerings are like. The menu at Vinology looks good, but I haven't heard any conclusive reports yet.

Hope that helps...

[shekkara]

I ate lunch at Red Sea, today.

[impytoes]

Pita Pita on Washtenaw rocks. We had amazing hummus, garlic sauce, taboulli, pita, and falafel last night. Their fatoush salad was good, but not amazing. But the rest of the meal more than made up for it. Seriously yummy - I am someone that grew up around greek food and doesn't care for most restaurants greek items. But this place does it spot on. If you go, you must ask for a glass of their lemonade. They make it fresh daily and blend it with ice. Just... wow.