3 Squares

By Unknown Writer #5

Amongst the many lunch buffets on the Ave, one caters specifically to those seeking a vegan menu. Araya's Vegetarian Palace (4732 University Way NE, 524-4332) offers a large and diverse Thai buffet sure to satisfy anyone's cravings, and it is all vegan. In fact, when we went there recently and ordered Thai Iced Teas, they asked us whether we wanted coconut milk or the normal cream. Now that's thorough! The buffet offered well over a dozen dishes, and there was even Black Sticky Rice Pudding for dessert. Araya's offers a nice alternative to the many other lunch buffets on the Ave, while still offering the buffet speed, diversity and price. And they offer a full menu of some 50 different vegetarian Thai entrees on their dinner menu.

Araya is open Monday - Thursday, 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Lunch buffet Monday - Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., take out and catering available.

Dinner in Lower Queen Anne

Nonna Maria (530 1st Ave. N, 378-0273) is a restaurant owned by an young Italian couple who started a business making pasta in a commercial kitchen which they renting over night from a commercial bakery in North Seattle. In 1998 and 1999 they sold their fresh pastas at Seattle's various neighborhood farmers markets, building up a clientelle and funding base. Earlier this year, they opened their restaurant, Nonna Maria, in Lower Queen Anne. While they continue to sell their delicious pastas at Seattle's farmers markets, the restaurant allows Roberto and Maria to truly make those pastas shine.

A group of us farmers market types paid a visit to Nonna Maria recently, and we were able to sample a variety of fresh pastas sauced delicately by Roberto himself. The Pumpkin Ravioli with butter and sage made us speechless, as we savored every bite. I have taken this pasta home before, and cooked it myself with instructions from Maria, but to have it prepared as they would eat it themselves was wonderful. If you have not had Pumpkin Ravioli before, you must go to Nonna Maria and try this dish. It just dances on your tongue.

We also thoroughly enjoyed Tagliolini with Pesto and the Spinach Ravioli with tomato sauce. Their sauces are simple, basic and good. The salads were also excellent. The Caesar simply hit the spot. You know, that spot on the tongue that just makes you stop and savor the moment. And one of our party said he had had better Insalata Ligure (greens with tomatoes, olives and tuna)... in Italy! The desserts looked great, but by that time we were full.

Considering I scheduled a dinner meeting of eight people at Nonna Maria, that everyone walked away very satisfied is probably the strongest endorsement of all. If you want to dine on simple, classic Italian dishes in a cozy Italian cafe, do give Nonna Maria a try. Then revel in the presence of one more great pasta joint in Seattle.

Nonna Maria is open Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Take out and fresh pasta by the pound available.

Correction

Last issue the hours were accidentally left off of the review of Greenwood Mandarin Chinese Restaurant (7307 Greenwood Ave. N, 784-2530 or 783-6426). Their hours are: lunch Tuesday - Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., dinner Sunday - Thursday 4 p.m. - 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.

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