Cafe Flora   

Most strictly vegetarian eateries are smaller, more laid-back affairs than this spacious gourmet destination, long a favorite with flavor- and health-conscious diners. Here, devout, Birkenstock-clad vegans rub elbows with day-tripping omnivores sporting Cole-Haans. The bright and cheery main room gets noisy when full, but the romantic conservatory remains a relative haven of quietude, where lush greenery abounds and a stone fountain splashes beneath the atrium. It goes without saying that Cafe Flora is non-smoking. Lunch and dinner menus -- which change seasonally and feature weekly specials -- share many dishes. Midday favorites include the curry burger and a very satisfying mushroom French dip. The sampler plate, which pairs lentil-pecan pate with cheese and fruit, makes a fine dinner appetizer. Move on to the Oaxaca tacos or the enduring Portobella Wellington: the Duke himself would approve. (Most dishes that aren't actually vegan are available in vegan versions.) At the popular weekend brunch, few bemoan the absence of sausage and bacon. Instead, look for crisp coconut-almond French toast, "Green Eggs and Yam" scramble and traditional New Orleans beignets. Oh, and kids have their own brunch menu so you won't have to share.