Lotus Cafe, Silver Spring, MD

Seeking an escape out of the city, I met a good friend of mine at Lotus Cafe in Silver Spring. I must say I was a little worried when I saw the outside of the cafe as it looked very rundown, but as soon as I tasted the food, I felt much better.

We opted to sit outside where we walked over brick that badly needed to be replaced and sat at a high-top table near a family that was finishing up. Their vegetarian selection is extensive and they will happily identify what is vegan or not.

With so many choices, it was hard to choose! We started with the Tofu Summer Rolls filled with vermicelli noodles, tofu, basil, and lettuce. The tofu was really flavorful, which overall made the rolls really good. And the peanut sauce was great too.

For my entree, I got the Black Pepper Gluten. The seitan was stir-fried with mushrooms and onions in a rich black pepper sauce and served with veggies on the side. It was absolutely delicious and very filling. I was really impressed with this dish.

My friend got the Veggie Fuzion Noodles that had tofu, broccoli, onions, baby corn, and peas in a curry sauce. He also enjoyed his meal.

The service was attentive throughout our meal and the prices were right. The entrees were only $10 each and were pretty large portions. All in all, I'd say this is a low-key place that you could go with old friends. The decor certainly won't impress anyone, but who needs to be impressed when the food is good. Bon appetit.

Lotus Cafe
8077 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 588-8888