Alice and Friends Vegetarian Cafe   

Mmmmmm. Tastes like chicken, beef and even duck, but you'll never find meat on the menu at Alice and Friends cafe. How do they do it? Seitan (used as a substitute for poultry and beef dishes) and tofu are steamed, grilled or smoked and then used in dishes complemented by rice, pasta or fresh vegetables. Even hardcore meat lovers will find pleasure with specials such as the almond un-chicken in ginger sauce, Korean-style BBQ and lemon tofu. The Asian-style cafe is warm and inviting, and there's always a seat--even if you're flying solo. Depending on the mood of the owners--and flow of the room--music varies from light jazzy tunes to ethnic fare to obscure sounds. The homestyle entrees at this Edgewater eatery attract fans from all over the city. -- Audarshia Townsend