You know when a restaurant called The Prime Rib starts to list a "vegetable plate entree" on its dinner menu that vegetarianism has officially entered the mainstream of American eating habits. And it's clear that restaurants are ready to accommodate non-meat-eaters, recognizing that vegetarians like to dine out as much as carnivores. In addition to The Prime Rib's entree (which, by the way, is a spread of fresh asparagus, broccoli, spinach, whole tomato gratiné, and baked potato), here are some other restaurants whose menus cater to vegetarians. See individual listings within this section for full descriptions of each establishment.

On the upscale end of the spectrum are Nora and Equinox. At Nora, restaurateur Nora Pouillon's passion for organic ingredients means that her menus always include at least one fresh vegetarian entree, like the wild-mushroom and asparagus risotto described on a recent menu. Equinox owner and chef Todd Gray, whose wife is a vegetarian, is expert at creating wonderful accompaniments to entrees, like parsnip fritters or leek fondue, but also offers at least one veggie entree on the menu, such as the egg noodles with spring asparagus, baby carrots, and roasted garlic cream and Parmesan. Café Atlantico's Latino dim sum "all you can eat" brunch on Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am to 2:30pm, is a favorite for vegetarians, since the brunch offers a vegetarian tasting menu of close to 20 dishes, from avocado with corn nuts to spinach with pumpkin seeds. The price is $24.95 per person.

Indian restaurants are always a good bet for vegetarians. The Bombay Club offers a full page of nine vegetarian entrees, everything from a mixed-vegetable curry to spinach and lentil dumplings simmered in a yogurt and herb sauce. Other ethnic restaurants worth checking out are the inexpensive Italian cafe Pasta Mia, Ethiopian restaurant Meskerem, and the Lebanese Taverna, great options all.