PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Dining is big business in Philadelphia, with visitors spending $1.46 million on meals in 2005. Those in search of healthy choices will be thrilled with the region's vast and ever- evolving dining scene. Whether the craving is for tofu, falafel or soy, the possibilities are plenty. From upscale white tablecloth with inventive vegetable creations to raw foods and gluten-free dishes, Philly's veg-friendly scene is growing. Here are some spots worth checking out:

Destination Dining: -- Vegetable lovers flock to Bucks County, where Holly and Mike Jackson's Blue Sage Vegetarian Grille turns out creative, big-portioned vegetarian food (no meat substitutes) in a cozy, romantic atmosphere. 772 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, (215) 942-8888, http://www.bluesagegrille.com/ -- Horizons, a half block from South Street, is the city's highest-rated vegan restaurant with a sumptuous upstairs dining room. Menu highlights include tapas, hearts of palm paella and saffron creme brulee. Even the wine and beer are vegan. 611 S. 7th Street, (215) 923-6117, http://www.horizonsphiladelphia.com/ Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly: -- The tastes of the tropics inspire the veggie-friendly menu at Azure, known for its Caribbean and Mediterranean-style fare in a vacation-like setting. Try the sweet potato fries, the Greek plate, the grilled seitan tips or one of the many wraps. 931 N. 2nd Street, (215) 629-0500, http://www.azurerestaurant.net/ -- Chef and co-owner Shannon Dougherty lets her own vegetarian preferences influence the menu at A Full Plate Cafe and Catering, her quirky, casual eatery in Northern Liberties. Park the dog outside and enjoy toads in a hole (in veggie or meat variations), fried green tomato salad or a spinach and black bean burger. 1009 N. Bodine Street (Liberties Walk), (215) 627-4068, http://www.afullplate.net/ -- A favorite low-key hangout among young veg types is Gianna's Grille, with two locations just steps off South Street and Rittenhouse Square. The signature sandwich is the freebird (vegetarian chicken), available barbequed, Italiano or Buffalo-style. Save room for one of the many excellent vegan baked goods, including cheesecakes, bombes, soft serve ice cream and cannolis. 507 S. 6th Street, (215) 829-4448; Gianna Jr.'s, 106 S. 20th Street, (215) 568-1580, http://www.giannasgrille.com/ -- At Govinda's Gourmet Vegetarian, vegans can choose from a $14.95 buffet or order from the a la carte menu, featuring mock-meat dishes such as pan-roasted "duck" with sweet potato puree and peanut ginger sauce. 1400 South Street, (215) 985-9303. http://www.govindasvegetarian.com/ -- Choose from specialty hot sauces to spice up a meat, vegetarian or Boca burrito at Machismo Burrito Bar in Manayunk. Pile on fresh veggies like alfalfa sprouts and spinach, then top with vegan sour cream or vegan cheese. 4330 Main Street, (215) 508-3333, http://www.machismoburritobar.com/ Asian Vegetarian: -- Regulars recommend the faux orange beef at Singapore Kosher Vegetarian Restaurant in the heart of Chinatown. Specialties include more than two dozen veggie dim sum options, more than a dozen bean curd dishes and chef's specials such as eggplant fritters, stuffed mushrooms and mock chicken and shrimp in a garlic mango sauce-all certified kosher. 1006 Race Street, (215) 922-3288 -- The $10 all-you-can-eat dim sum is a big draw of starving artists and students at Kingdom of Vegetarians, another Chinatown destination. An array of dumplings and the jumbo walnut "shrimp" are popular choices at this kosher vegan eatery. 129 N. 11th Street, (215) 413-2290 -- Inexpensive lunch specials are popular at Center City's Su Xing House. Menu options include Kung Pao tofu, soybean nuggets with sweet and sour sauce and sesame seitan. There are also veggie versions of favorite soups, noodle and rice dishes. 1508 Sansom Street, (215) 564-1419, http://www.suxinghouse.com/ Gluten-free: -- Celiacs and their friends are welcome at Bliss on the Avenue of the Arts, where chef Anthony Goodwin keeps an eye on the gluten. (He regularly caters functions held by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.) Try dishes such as tuna sashimi and crispy ginger chicken in this Zen-like atmosphere. 220 S. Broad Street, (215) 731-1100, http://www.bliss-restaurant.com/ -- Bonefish Grill accommodates celiac disease sufferers with a special gluten-free menu that's downloadable online. Visitors rave about the shrimp appetizer in a lime tomato garlic sauce, Lily's chicken (roasted and topped with goat cheese, wilted spinach and artichokes in a lemon basil sauce) and numerous signature grilled fish entrees. 460 W. Lincoln Highway, Exton, (610) 524-1010; 1015 Easton Road, Willow Grove, (215) 659-5854, http://www.bonefishgrill.com/ Shop & Eat: -- Reading Terminal Market -- the must-see for any hungry regional visitor -- is also supremely vegetarian-friendly. Stop for falafel at Kamal's Middle Eastern Specialties, local and organic produce and raw milk cheeses from small-scale farms at Fair Food Farmstand, or a blended fruit or veggie drink at Four Seasons Juice Bar. Basic Four Vegetarian Snack Bar serves up mock meats and vegetarian and natural foods, and Nanee's Kitchen does vegetarian Indian and Pakistani dishes. 12th & Arch Streets, (215) 922-2317, http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/ -- Western Main Line vegetarians and carnivores coexist peacefully at Oasis Cafe and Living Cuisine. Specialties here include raw foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds in their natural state), as well as organics and an enormous smoothie selection. 134 Lancaster Avenue, Frazer, (610) 647-9797, http://www.oasislivingcuisine.com/ -- Arnold's Way, a health food store and vegetarian raw cafe in Montgomery County, takes healthful eating to a new level with wraps made not from bread but from the sea vegetable called nori, and with salads so finely minced they require no dressing. The staff is happy to share their secrets too. The store shelves are packed with food, vitamins, books and videos. 319 W. Main Street, Lansdale, (215) 361-0116, http://www.arnoldsway.com/ -- Healthful lunch options abound on the Main Line at Narberth Natural Foods & Vegetarian Cafe. Stock up on whole grain breads and fresh-baked cakes and pies, then stay for a seitan pepper steak sandwich, vegetarian soup or stir fry. 231 Haverford Avenue, Narberth, (610) 667-7634, http://www.narberthpa.com/NaturalFoods

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