Vegetarian-friendly restaurants

Vegetarian-friendly restaurants

It isn't just vegetarians looking for great meatless dishes and frequenting meat-free restaurants these days.

Increasing numbers of omnivores are searching out more plant-based meals as they work on losing weight, lowering their cholesterol and even saving money as meat prices rise.

Evidence of the pro-vegetarian trend is everywhere.

The first lady is growing squash on the White House lawn. The Meatless Monday movement has gone global. And rare is the chef-driven restaurant now that doesn't feature inviting vegetable- and grain-based dishes on the menu.

"Vegetarian options available by request" doesn't cut it anymore -- and neither does a plate of pasta and steamed produce.

With the focus shifting toward what vegetarian dishes offer -- not what they lack -- we went looking for good vegetarian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in metro Detroit.

We chose seven places that represent a range of cuisines, from raw vegan dishes to fun street-food fare. There are many others, of course, but consider these a start if you're joining the trend toward a healthier diet.