(Nicole is taking leave of Dane101 as she is also taking leave of Madison. We are interested in keeping the column going, but possibly as the "Veggie Variant"? In addition, we are always looking for more food writers of all stripes. If you are interested, drop us a line: editor AT Dane101 DOT com. And a big thank you to Nicole for her consistency and shining a light on an overlooked niche in Madison - Ed.)

Qdboa or Chipotle.... they both are on the same side of State Street, and only a few doors down from each other. In Chipotle's defense, they do seem to be all about using free-range meat and organic ingredients. However, they are owned by McDonald's, so that essentially kills it all on the spot. Qdoba is a chain as well, but independently owned. I've never eaten at Chipotle, so I can't compare taste, price, or atmosphere, but I can tell you why I do like Qdoba.

No matter how much money is put into making a cafeteria look nice, it is still always cafeteria.

The UW spent quite a bit of money getting the Lakefront Cafe into shape in Memorial Union; it's spacious and looks nice (for being a cafeteria and all), but the food and the prices do not match up to the aesthetics.

I would say the only affordable item in the cafeteria, which is also reasonably priced (sort of) is the vegetarian chili (which is also vegan). It is thick and spicy (not really "hot" spicy though, just filled with savory spices), with big and small chunks of vegetables. There was something in there resembling the texture of TVP, and I got really excited about that, but then got the chili again another time, and it was gone forever. Maybe it is a random occurance, I do not know.

I have at least a handful of friends who seem to be afraid of the Willy St. Co-op... they either think it will be so obvious they are non-members, and then "all the diehard hippies" will notice them as if they had red flags sticking up all over the place, or they think all the food is weird and they wouldn't be able to find anything they would like. I have told them both thoughts are ridiculous, but I will say it again now - in writing - that it is just absurd to be wary of a co-op, and especially for those reasons.

The Co-op isn't just a grocery store, they also have a juice bar and bakery, deli, and salad bar. I have not tried anything from the juice bar or bakery, but the deli and salad bars always have a great selection (with many vegan options). Some things offered can be a little pricey, but you can usually find something tasty in a reasonable price range.

Authentic Indian food is found on the East and West side of Madison at the two Maharaja locations. The best time to go is between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the lunch buffet. It is all-you-can-eat vegan splendor (they do have meat dishes though as well).

This cozy cafe is located upstairs at 628 State Street. There is a sandwich board listing the specials near the doorway to the stairs. The cafe fits the name well, for it is quite sunny in there, due to the large windows in the dining area. It's very nice to be able to get a good view of State and have a nice amount of natural light coming in. Sunroom also serves as a gallery, showcasing local art on the walls.

Earlier on in the day, you come in, order at the counter, and then seat yourself. Your name is called when your food is ready, and you go up to the counter to pick it up. For dinner, you are seated, and a waitress/waiter comes to you.

The Mediterranean Cafe on State Street is one of the better dining experiences in town. There are more than a few vegan selections, the staff is friendly and down-to-earth, and the atmosphere is relaxed and unique.

I always get the falafel sandwich, with no tahini sauce. Tahini sauce is vegan; I just have an aversion to most creamy-ish things. The sauce not only adds flavor, but can also make the sandwich less dry. Even without the sauce I find it just right.

The sandwich consists of three, nicely-sized pieces of falafel in a pillow-y flatbread/pita wrap with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and I believe pickles, which are a great touch (I think of the kosher dill variety, which is by far the best kind). If you are not familiar with falafel, it is a Mediterranean fried bean cake, or garbanzo beans (a.k.a. chick peas) blended with spices, and then fried until crispy on the outside and savory, crumbly, and a little softer on the inside. The ones at the Med. Cafe are about the size of a palm-full, but shaped into patties, or slightly flat balls. They are full of flavor (cumin and coriander-tasting, mostly), and blend well with the added vegetables. The vegetables add a nice variation in texture, as does the wrap, which is soft and melts-in-your-mouth, yet is firm enough to support the fillings. The sandwich is fairly long and one fills me up for quite awhile.

Amy's is a cafe with a "Mediterranean touch". I have mixed feelings about this place since the food is good (mostly just the veggie burgers), but the service is almost always bad. The prices are a little higher than they should be, and the atmosphere is hit or miss.

You place your order and pay at the counter and then wait for your name to be called. I have found that half the time whoever is taking our order is fairly rude, and the other half of the time, they aren't rude but get the order wrong. If I'm just undeniably in the mood for a veggie burger and fries, I'll go over there... but only if I'm too lazy to walk to Mifflin St. Co-op and get the other Amy's (frozen and pre-packaged, natural food company) veggie burgers and make my own potatoes (the "Texas Burgers" are great, but that's for another time). Anyhow, most recently, my boyfriend and I went to Amy's and ordered two marinara veggie burgers with lettuce and onion and no cheese, with regular fries. Their spicy waffle fries are not vegan OR vegetarian (beef tallow), so stick with the regular kind.

There really aren't many good Chinese restaurants in Madison... the food is usually bland, incredibly greasy, and hard to find without fish sauce or beef broth.
Hong Kong Cafe is pretty good though. I have only gotten delivery, so I don't know how the restaurant itself is, but the food is enjoyable and the service via delivery has always been very fast.

Hong Kong Cafe uses little grease, as is noticeably true through tasting and just looking at the food, as well as is seen on their information page online (www.hkcafemadison.com). Most dishes also do not have MSG in them. I have also been told after questioning when ordering that the vegetarian items are truly vegetarian and do not use fish sauce or beef or chicken broth.

Who doesn't appreciate diners? They're cozy yet stylish, either intentionally or in an accidental, vintage way, and wax nostalgia whether you have been in a diner before in your life or not.

Monty's Blue Plate Diner is all of the above and more. It has a modern yet vintage 50's theme, with old, framed photographs on the wall of celebrities and icons, as well as my favorite vintage photograph there of a bunch of hot ("greasers", I suppose) dudes working on an old car.

Omnivores and vegetarians are no longer the only ones who can lock eyes over a classic milkshake: vegans can ogle each other over an excellent soy version just as easily here. I'm not only going to point out why Monty's is good for vegan eating, but why it's also good for vegan dating.

Noodles and Company

Noodles is a national chain located in at least 16 states. As their name implies their specialty is, yes, noodles. The feel of the State Street Noodles is somewhere between (not surprisingly) corporate chain and local specialty restaurant. After first ordering at the counter patrons are given a number and then take a seat. The food is brought out by a server. You don't have to worry about having enough for a tip and it is reasonably priced.

Locals know Vientiane as one of the best in town for Eastern cuisine (specifically Loatian and Thai food). The quality is not high scale, but if you're looking for a reasonably priced, very tasty Loatian/Thai meal, this is a great place.

Looks can be deceiving... Vientiane is somewhat hidden behind state street on Henry and Gorham, around the corner and set a bit back from Four Star. The walls are painted pink and the dining experience is nothing fancy or extravagant.

There are two Vientiane restaurants, one on Gorham/Henry, and one on S. Park St. I have only eaten at the one on Gorham/Henry, and I am pretty certain the other restaurant is under different management and has a different menu, so my review here does not carry over for both locations.

With Nicole posting her vegan specific review of restaurants on a regular weekly basis, we thought it would be handy to give her a special category button. From now on you can click on "Vegan Variant" above and you will be brought to a page featuring all of Nicole's reviews!

Madison's State Street has a serious panoply of locally owned and ethnically diverse restaurants. Closer to the end of the street is Kabul. As it is rare to find Middle Eastern (specifically Afghanistan) fare in Wisconsin, I was excited to give this restaurant a try, also assuming vegan/vegetarian options would be abound. Oh how wrong I was.

On a positive note, the layout and decor of Kabul is inviting, relaxed, and spaced well for intimacy-purposes. There are both booths and chaired-tables with linen table cloths. There are green plants and high, wooden dividers to create more coziness and separation. It is not blase casual, but rather slightly more upscale. However, despite the pleasant atmosphere, the food and service were quite the opposite.

When it comes to authenticity Supreme Pizza fits picture perfect with a vintage pizza parlor. There are old style tables and chairs, with classic pizza parlor glass candle holders on each table with checkered table cloths. Old ads from the 50s and 60s are framed on the wall, and there is even one with Marilyn Monroe. There are games in the dining area to quell boredom while waiting for your order or to add some extra fun to your night. It's an extremely relaxed atmosphere. You can dine in, carry out, or get delivery.

This last time I ordered from Supreme, my order was executed correctly and promptly, however, this is not always the case. I have been forgotten about, received wrong orders, and have gotten my order exceptionally late. Albeit, Supreme is always more than willing to correct a mistake, and are definitely nice about it. Maybe we can even say it gives the place character? Besides, the vegan pizza alone makes up for any problems.

Being vegan in Madison is extremely easy if you know where to go and what to order. Vegan-eating-out does not only have to consist of (tallow-free) french fries and salad without dressing. There are a lot of options in town for veg's, and I will help point out how many there really are.....

Himal Chuli is a small, independently owned Tibetan restaurant nestled in the middle of State Street. Himal Chuli has an extremely authentic feel to it, and is more catering to casual dining than anything fancy. It has intimacy and is comfortable, but at the same time, there is not a whole lot of privacy available since the restaurant itself is small.

The menu is split into vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare, providing many options for those who don't consume animal products. The rice and takari (and dal) is a good-sized portion for the price (approximately seven or eight dollars). Takari is a vegetable stew, with two choices, which change every few days and served with brown or white rice. It is flavorful and filling, yet not too heavy. It resembles a curried stew with a slice of lemon on the plate for an additional zest. The broth/sauce is light and not greasy. The vegetables were cooked to perfection: tender, yet not overdone. As many dishes on the menu, this is a good dish for healthful eating.