Grasshopper Vegetarian Rstrnt   

Think green. All the food on the menu at Grasshopper is fashioned from plants, though some of the menu could actually be called "meat inspired." Asian food has an advantage here, in that its ingredients and techniques draw from a traditional Buddhist avoidance of meat. In addition to vegetables of every stripe, steamed, stir-fried and stewed, there are meals that use wheat gluten, seitan or tofu to imitate fish, chicken and even beef. The benefit is that these ingredients add an element of texture, something for vegetarians to sink their teeth into. Carnivores looking for the taste of meat will probably be happier sticking to Grasshopper's savory vegetable preparations instead, opting to save the fake steak for another day. Grasshopper draws on Allston's sizeable population of college students, and also attracts a young crowd of vegetarians from around the city who flock to its tasty dumplings, Chinese eggplant and a crunchy taro nest teeming with vegetables and tofu. Grasshopper is a place where vegans, carnivores, omnivores and more can find solace among the plants, and do.