Reader’s Choice

Uru-Swati

The best vegetarian restaurant ought to be one that not only pleases vegetarians but makes meat eaters happy enough to stop grumbling about being taken there. With a coffeehouse look that’s hipper than the usual Devon Avenue banquet hall decor and brightly spiced, fresh-tasting food, Uru-Swati fits the bill. Fried items like samosas and pakoras as well as the extensive array of chaat (snacks) like bhel puri are lighter and less greasy than at most Indian spots. Vegetable curries are hearty, and even better if you solicit the staff’s advice about pairing them with particular breads—try the cheese-and-pea paneer bhurji with the fiery vegetable uttapam, dotted with tiny diced chiles, and order a fresh lime soda to cool the heat. The only problem seems to be persistent doubt on the part of staff that non-South Asians will really want food as hot and authentic as they it enjoy themselves; talk your way past that and whether or not you leave healed, as the new-agey slogan (“Healing through food”) promises, you’ll certainly leave well fed.  2629 W. Devon, 773-262-5280, uru-swati.net. —Mike Gebert

Readers’ Choice

Lake Side Cafe

1418 W. Howard, 773-262-9503, lake-side-cafe.com.

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