Saturday, October 16, 2004

Vegging out

Even the pickiest vegetarian can't beef about Tucson's array of meatless offerings

GAWAIN DOUGLAS

Tucson Citizen

The downside to being a vegetarian when you go to a typical restaurant is that you usually have only a couple of things to choose from on the menu.

This situation does, however, help those of us who are "choice-challenged" get our orders in quickly.

With this in mind, imagine how overwhelmed I was when my wife, Jenny, and I went to the Casbah Cafe and Tea House, which specializes in organic vegetarian cuisine, and were faced with a menu packed full of nothing but vegetarian fare.

Exclamations of, "Ooh, look at this!" and "Ooh, that looks great!" were all one could hear coming from our low-to-the-ground table. I repeatedly stated in dismay, "Why have we never eaten here before?"

In time I settled on a special of broccoli in yellow curry over brown rice with tofu and pita. Jenny opted for a dinner salad with a cup of "hearty and flavorful" chili, as she put it.

Both meals were very good. The curry was not particularly spicy, but very tasty.

To top off this lovely vegetarian dining experience, the Casbah, open since 1996, has a beautiful covered outdoor dining area complete with Middle Eastern tapestries, a fountain and traditional low tables and chairs. (There are also standard-height tables.)

The service was friendly, but a little spacey. Meals range in price from $5-$12 with many vegan choices as well.

The Casbah Cafe and Teahouse is at 628 N. Fourth Ave. Phone: 740-0393

NEXT PAGE» 1, 2, 3, 4