Pom Poms teahouse and sandwicheria

So Pom Poms isn't exactly an all vegetarian restaurant, but let's face it, there aren't that many all vegetarian restaurants in Orlando anyway.

Still, Pom Poms is an amazing place to eat (especially on the weekends when it's the busiest) and I'll tell you why:

1. My friends work there.
2. My friends are cool.
3. The Drag Queens of Orlando love it.
4. They have tarot readings on Tuesdays from 6-9
5. The food is delicious.

So lets talk about the food for a moment, shall we?

I found the perfect explanation of the menu on the restaurant's myspace, "East meets West with themed gourmet sandwiches plus a unique blend of authentic side salads and a wide variety of loose leaf teas and a delicious array of sweets to tantalize your taste buds!"

The owner, Pom Moongauklang, loves to mix traditional western dishes with her Thai heritage, creating the perfect balance of East and West.

The tea is also something to rave about. There's normally a tea of the day, but my favorite is the Green Tea Kiwi. Ice cold and about two bucks a cup, it is the perfect hangover cure.

Now, what I eat at Pom Poms--breakfast or lunch--usually depends on what time I wake up. Don't get me wrong, the breakfast is delicious, but I usually don't wake up until about 1 pm so most of my Pom Poms meals have been of the sandwich persuasion.

The Tuscan melt and the Danny G pressed sandwiches are by far my favorite. For $6.95 you can get the Danny, which is Ginger Cranberry Chutney, Apple Slices & Almonds, Brie pilled high on two thick slices of bread.

The Tuscan melt, $6.50, is a delightful combination of Sun Dried Tomatoes, Goat cheese, Mozzarella, Basil, Black Olives & Red Onions. Amazing. I would suggest making your meal into a combo for just two bucks more; this way you can enjoy a cup of Iced Green Tea Kiwi and a side of noodles with peanut sauce--but be forewarned, you're going to need a box.

If you're looking for a place to mingle with the hippest gays in Orlando and munch on some delicious sandwiches all while enjoying local art work while sipping a cup of tea, well then, Pom Poms is your place.

Dandelion Communitea Cafe

Urban Teahouse, Eco-Attitude.

What better way to describe Dandelion Communitea Cafe than the term it has coined for itself, "Urban Teahouse, Eco-Attitude." Located on Thorton Ave., Dandelion has become a place for hipsters to sip tea and play drums. It's where some meet up for a Sunday evening bike ride (Dandelion gives free tea to bicyclists on Sundays) and where others sit to pass the time.

What makes Dandelion so great you ask?

Well, for one, the food is delicious (and all organic/locally grown) and for two, the house is just so darn cute. Proud "mom & pop" co-owners Julie Norris and Chris Blanc have managed to turn each of the four downstairs rooms of the house/restaurant into a place for you to eat and local artists to showcase their work. Plus, they managed to fit a kitchen somewhere in there too--CRAZY!

Now, I have a few friends who work there, and they all tell me the Giddyup is the house favorite. I can totally understand, considering it is my favorite menu item as well. A hodge-podge of vegetarian chili, greens, blue chips, cheese, tomatoes and scallions. It's up to you if you want to "roll it" or "bowl it." I prefer to "roll it."

If you were hoping for something more comforting than chili, I would suggest a Happy Hempy Hummus starter and a Fluffer Nutter sandwich with a cup of organic tea. Mmmhmmm.

The great thing about Dandelion is if you're ever bored just stop on by--there's always something going on, but on the off chance their isn't, it won't matter; with a staff as friendly as Dandelion's you'll never feel lonely.

Dandelion is open Monday- Saturday, 8am-11pm and Sundays, 8am- 9pm.

Ethos Vegan Kitchen

Well, this is the first post on Orlando Veg and what better way to start it out then to talk about Orlando's new Vegan restaurant, Ethos Vegan Kitchen.

Ethos opened its doors last month and so far, business is going well. The owners, Kelly and Laina Shockley, really know what it means to run a business. Ethos is their baby and it shows. They take your order, cook your meal and bring it right too you-all with a smile.

I've eaten their twice since it has opened and the food is beyond delicious. Even my meat-eating friends like it.

The menu consists of sandwiches, burgers and meals that your mother would have cooked for a Sunday family dinner, but of course, all vegan.

My personal favorite is the Philly. Sauteed seitan, onions and peppers, mozzarella cheese and veganaise, all pilled high on Ciabatta bread.

Now, if you've never heard of seitan, try something a little less daring like the Pumpkin Seed and Pesto Penne Pasta or the Pecan Encrusted Eggplant.

Located on Orange Avenue at Lake Ivanhoe, Ethos is the perfect place to enjoy an after dinner stroll. But if you'd rather experience the great outdoors sitting, pull up a seat in Ethos outdoor dining area complete with canopy for those unexpected Florida showers.

Now the price for most meals is about $7.00 which is amazingly reasonable for the quality of food you receive.

Orlando has been long overdue for a place like Ethos, and let me tell you, the Vegan Punks are loving it.