Geek Philosophy

That’s right, another restaurant review. I should have some more diverse content soon, but Mel and I just got back from Dharma Kitchen ( 3667 W Broadway) and we enjoyed it so much that I felt compelled to write about it. Unlike my other reviews thus far this is a restaurant I’ve been to before, but because I enjoy place so much I decided go ahead and write.

Dharma Kitchen is a Buddhist restaurant. The food could be described as both Thai (lots of basil, coconut milk, bean sprouts, and tamarind) and vegetarian (plenty of tofu and tempeh – if not for honey, it would be vegan) but there are further constraints. Buddhist food omits any food that could lead to offense, such as in the form of bad breath – that means no onions, garlic, or ginger. (UPDATE: While the previous sentence is true for some Buddhist cuisine, I’m told that Dharma Kitchen uses both onions and ginger). The vibe is very peaceful and relaxed, so don’t expect rushing wait staff. There are also no stimulants or intoxicants, so you won’t be able to have a coffee or wine with your meal (although the herbal chai is great). I’m fine with all these things but it’s definitely worth noting before you come.

We were both pretty hungry, so we decided to start with a soup. Mel decided to to go for the miso (carrot, broccoli, zucchini and tofu in a miso broth), while I opted for the only other soup offered, the tamarind soup (tamarind, pineapple, beans sprouts, mushrooms, and tofu in a hot and sour lemongrass broth). We each enjoyed our cups, but while Mel enjoyed her taste of my soup the broccoli meant I couldn’t have more than a spoonful of hers. I’m pretty intolerant of broccoli though, so this wasn’t surprising.

Our dinner outing was precipitated by a craving for burgers, so we each ended up ordering one of Dharma Kitchen’s 5 available burgers. Mel chose the Bengal Burger (spinach, tomato, spicy Bengal sauce) and I went with the Thai Burger (peanut sauce, bean sprouts, tomato). Both contained nicely seasoned and textured tempeh patties and came on a sesame bun alongside a generous portion of thinly sliced baked potatoes. Between the two burgers, we both agreed that my Thai Burger was the stronger offering, although both were tasty. They were filling enough to make it a challenge to finish the lightly herbed potatoes, but thanks to the dropped sauce from the burgers and the small dish of delicious smoky dipping sauce I felt compelled to finish them.

As with most hearty vegetarian meals I’ve had, I left Dharma Kitchen feeling quite satisfied. I find that with vegetarian meals, even if I stuff myself I never really get that uncomfortably full feeling. This was my first dinner at Dharma Kitchen (having been their for lunch 5 or 6 times in the past), and I would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious and relaxing dining experience.