Read the confessions of a meat eater and find out what beer bar is adding a wine lounge.

The true confessions of meat eater [Metro Philadelphia]

Mac & Cheese braves restaurant week as a vegetarian choosing to dine at Mantra.

The food at Mantra is nothing extraordinary, and it will not blow your mind, but there was something endearing about Mantra – maybe the inventive use of electrical plates, or the upside down Chinese characters. I walked away really not wanting to dis Mantra. She felt like a crafty sister that I don’t have trying to make it in the big city. I’d definitely go hang out in front of the glowing orange bar and have a drink and an appetizer, but not a full meal. The quality of the food at Mantra just doesn’t warrant the upscale prices.

Mantra [Mac & Cheese]
Mantra [Official Site]

Innuendo and a really terrible pun (and by terrible we mean great) mark this review of South Philadelphia’s Cafe de Laos.

Veg Out: Cafe De Laos [Living On The Vedge]

Mac & Cheese tries the vegetarian offerings at Bar Ferdinand in Northern Liberties.

I enjoyed everything at Bar Ferdinand, even though I had small qualms with a few dishes. The Manchego Frito and the eggplant bocadillo were the stand-outs of the night, and will definitely be ordered again. With other vegetarian tapas missed on the first go round, another trip is warranted.

Bar Ferdinand [Mac & Cheese]
Bar Ferdinand [Official Site]

Mac & Cheese tries La Lupe in the Italian Market for a vegetarian Mexican dinner and comes away disappointed.

Meat eaters may fare better at La Lupe, and taquerias in general, but we were cheesed out and left feeling gross after our takeout experience. Probably should have ordered the vegetable burrito, but the service that night was just too poor and the food unimpressive to go back and give La Lupe another try.

La Lupe [Mac & Cheese]

The PhillyFoodGuys have a podcast up on their site where they have seven eateries square off for the title of best South Philadelphia Vegetarian Sandwich.

South Philly Veggie Sandwich “Smackdown”

Citizens Bank Park is a long way from the horrid food at Veterans Stadium, recently having been named best ballpark for eats by Food TV. Now the home of the Phillies has received another accolade, Top Vegetarian-Friendly Ballpark.

The veggie dog and flame-grilled Gardenburger were enough to earn Citizens Bank Park a place on the roster of last year’s survey. But this year’s addition of the Philly mock-steak sandwich–and the rave reviews it has received from vegetarians and nonvegetarians alike who pile on the grilled onions, mushrooms, peppers, and hot sauce–put the Phillies over the top. The stadium also offers vegetarian subs and wraps, tomato pizza (no cheese, please), fruit cups, salads, and, for the kids, PB&J.

Phillies’ Stadium Number One in PETA’s Survey of Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Ballparks [PETA] via Living on the Vedge

Many have lamented the closing of Cherry Street Vegetarian but Philly Future says they’ve found a worthy replacement, Su Xing House at 1508 Sansom Street.

Cherry Street is Dead, Long Live Cherry Street (Su Xing House) [Philly Future]
Su Xing House [Official Site]

A year ago Mac & Cheese remarked that Maoz Vegetarian wasn’t a friendly place. But now after getting some free garlic sauce she’s changing her tune.

Maoz is a Friendly Place [Mac & Cheese]
Maoz Vegetarian [Official Site]

BeXnlog, a blog we’ve recently discovered dined at Horizons recently and really enjoyed it. But even cooler, M. Night Shyamalan was there.

Yes, the restaurant looks nice. Yes, the service was good. Two bars. Feels like you’re in the Southwest or California. Bright and airy, even during rainstorm. Big tables. Etc.

Okay, now the important part: the food. Damn dudes, the food was INCREDIBLE. You could tell that with every single step of the preparation, from selection to cutting, pairing and plating, searing roasting condiments flavor layers – whatever it was – the chefs really knew what they were doing. I haven’t had food that good in a restaurant in a long time. Sure, the prices are a tad higher than the average we spend on dinner, but when you consider the quality and skill, it’s totally worth it.

N. Vegan [beXnlog] via MenuPages Blog
Horizons [Official Site]