• Vegetable Pakora - Potato, cauliflower, pepper, in a Chickpea batter and deep fried. $3.00 (shared)
• Garlic Naan $3.00 (shared)
• Malai Kofta - Paneer cheese and minced vegetable croquettes in tomato and butter sauce.$9.00

This was one of those fun perfect evenings, it almost felt like we were on vacation. We originally decided to go to Charley's Pollaria, which is walkable from our house and since it was beautiful we decided to do that. It turns out they were closed that evening, so not wanting to get in the car we decided to walk up to the Vegetarian which we had been meaning to try. It is amazing the things you see in your neighborhood when you walk it instead of drive it.

I am writing this review well after we actually went there for a combination of reasons, but the point is I have been watching Gordon Ramsey's new show Kitchen Nightmares and when I saw this week's episode, I was immediately reminded of the decor of this restaurant. However, the food at the Vegetarian is good, it is just the decor that leaves something to be desired. The vegetable Pakora was good and the Malkai Kofta was also good. The garlic naan was very good. One of the things that is nice about the Vegetarian is the menu it really is very understandable for the person not as familar with Indian food.

We will probably be back because it is close to us and it was reasonably priced, good Indian food. But I probably would not drive across town for it.

• Dumm Aloo - Potatoes cooked with rice herbs in spicy tomato sauce $8.50

The Vegetarian is a small 30-50 seat restaurant on Central Avenue in Columbia Heights. Like many Indian restaurants, the prices are very reasonable. An average entree in the $5-$10 range really stretches the dollar. On the night we visited, an Indian couple and their son sat in a table next to us. The matriarch of the family was very particular in her tastes and the food did not meet her standards, or maybe it just wasn't what she was accoustomed to tasting in some fo their standadr dishes.

I was happy withthe vegetable pakora and would order it again. However, there was some unidentified problem because the menu says we should have received potatoes, cauliflower and peppers. When we clearly received eggplants and onions, but not potatoes and cauliflower.

The dumm aloo or potatoes in tomato sauce came out okay, not great, and not nearly as good as Renee's Malai Kofta. Both dishes were ordered hot, but were on the weak side of medium. The garlic naan was excellent.

The Vegetarian is not worth a drive across town, but its okay Indian if you live within a few miles. Overall, I still miss the departure of the Udupi Cafe.