#thevegetarianoption

[martinebitchards]

We've heard nothing but good things from critics and friends alike about Lane Harlan's new taqueria and mezcal bar, Clavel (225 W. 23rd St., [301] 848-2849). With its menu not yet available online, we had to go in blind and hope there would be something vegetarian—a taqueria has to be able to make some amalgam of beans and cheese, right?

[martinebitchards]

Le Garage (911 W. 36th St., [410] 243-6300, legaragebaltimore.com ), in the old Dogwood Restaurant space on the Avenue, seems a little ominous as you descend the long ramp into the bowels of the dining room. But once you get down there, it's actually very homey. There's a bar area with a few scattered high-top tables and the main dining room. Some of the booths are so dimly lit that we saw people using their smartphones as ersatz flashlights to read their menus, but that's what makes it cozy, right?

[martinebitchards]

The Corner Charcuterie Bar (850 W. 36th St., [443] 869-5075 ) has gone through some rebranding since it opened. The restaurant was opened as the Corner BYOB (and was, as you would expect, BYOB). They then opened an attached charcuterie bar with a selection of cured meat, wines, cocktails, and a few Belgian beers. The exact nature of the bar and restaurant symbiosis seems to still be in evolution , but what hasn't changed is its reputation for strange and (so we're told) delicious meats. If you want kangaroo tartare or duck hearts, this is the place.

[martinebitchards]

Baltimore is not a bad city for vegetarians. There are some dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants that really know their stuff, like Land of Kush and Liquid Earth. There are fewer good half-and-half spots—though they exist, like Golden West Cafe. We know a lot of long-term vegetarians, and nobody really complains about the available options.