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Peacemeal a good vegetarian option

If you are a vegetarian or vegan and consciously avoid meat, poultry, fish and dairy products, then you might have trouble finding a menu item that accommodates your tastes in Madison. Of course, restaurants offer meat-alternative options, but how likely is it to find tofu replacing the ubiquitous hamburger and a Philly Cheesesteak without the meat or cheese? At Peacemeal Vegetarian Restaurant (115 State St.) diners are lured to Madison’s only vegetarian restaurant by vegan food items and a socially responsible dedication to the community and environment.

The menu is wide and varied. My taste-testing team arrived while brunch was still being served (11 a.m.- 2 p.m.). One of my greatest disappointments with the restaurants on State Street has been the lack of places that serve quality breakfast foods. Peacemeal offers French toast, a tofu scrambler, vegan pancakes and a variety of other dishes. The vegan pancake ($3.50 for one, $5.50 for two) was delicious. One pancake was filling due to its large size. Sweet enough with powdered sugar alone, it did not need added syrup. The pancake tasted so good that it was hard to believe the batter did not contain any eggs.

The sandwiches on the menu mirror traditional favorites but do so in a vegetarian manner. The Tempeh Reuben is made with marinated tempeh, sauerkraut and soy cheese stacked on rye bread (contains honey), with special Thousand Island dressing. All sandwiches are served a la carte ($5.75) or as a platter ($6.75) that includes a side of blue corn chips and salsa.

The falafel pita sounded mouth-watering from the menu description, but we were disappointed with the sandwich. The falafel ball lacked seasoning and seemed very bland. The pita was fresh and soft, but a little too thick for my liking. A cool and creamy cucumber sauce accompanied the sandwich and added flavor, but the extra side of hummus I ordered seemed grainy — which is not necessarily a bad thing.

From the Specialties section of the menu I ordered the Gado Gado. The Gado Gado arrived as a plate of brown rice topped with steamed broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and raisins topped with a peanut ginger sauce. The rice and vegetables alone were tasty but the sauce was thick, and the tangy aftertaste made my lips pucker. A vegetarian friend who accompanied me on the review said the specialty tasted just as it was supposed to; she enjoyed it.

Peacemeal offers a variety of portion sizes in an effort to reduce the amount of packaging associated with dining. The smaller the portion, the less likely it will be that you need to take leftovers home.

I came to the conclusion that Peacemeal is a restaurant that you will love or hate based on your own personal preferences. The restaurant did not appeal to me because I prefer the substantial protein of chicken and beef to tofu and beans. The average diner might not be intrigued, but if you are a vegetarian there is a lot to choose from.

Peacemeal Vegetarian Restaurant wants to act as a community resource rather than just another business along State Street. For this reason, Peacemeal gives away 5 percent of Monday sales to groups striving for social change. Discounts are also given to those who live in co-op situations. Also, each month the restaurant hosts the work of a different area artist. In the past it has showcased photographic art, watercolors and mixed media. All of the art on display is for sale, and Peacemeal takes no commission.

The walls are adorned with framed pictures of fruits and vegetables that seem well in accordance with the simplistic atmosphere. The walls look antiqued with two-toned splotchy gold paint. The tables and wall framing are in dark cherry wood. The room has a slight Mediterranean feel with a red velvet bench and pillows lining the window area. The room is fairly quiet and creates a relaxing meal and environment.

The service is nothing to rave about. It took a very long time for our food to arrive. Our waitress did not refill our water glasses, and we were given the check before we were asked if we would be interested in dessert. I was also discouraged by the fact that the restaurant did not accept credit cards, which was a drawback. However, I found my visit to be a fairly good experience. I tasted food that I had never tried before, and, although Peacemeal is not my favorite restaurant along State Street, my friends enjoyed it. You should stop in for a meal and create your own opinion. Until next week, happy dining!