Thai curry with potatoes, carrots, apples, broccoli, and zucchini
Thai curry brims with potatoes, carrots, apples, broccoli, and zucchini.
 

It’s rare to eat at a restaurant and think, If I’m ever in Mongolia, I’ll have to check out some of the other branches. This thought occurred to us recently, though, at Loving Hut, part of a vegan restaurant chain that has outposts all over the world—including ten in Mongolia—but no others in the Midwest. Menus vary with the location; Chicago’s is very similar to that of Alice and Friends, whose owners expanded and redecorated this space last year when they closed Alice and reopened as part of the Loving Hut group. We were charmed by the Pan-Asian offerings, including kicky Thai curry ($9.49) and satisfying yakisoba ($8.99), its tasty pan-fried Japanese noodles entangled with tofu, soy protein, mushrooms, and lots of colorful fresh vegetables. You like salads? Then don’t miss the tremendous Love Letter from the Earth ($8.49), a heaping helping of crunchy apples, sweet potatoes, beets, walnuts, avocado, olives—so many things we love but rarely fuss with at home. Desserts include an intensely chocolaty, almost trufflelike mousse pie ($2.99). For less drama, finish with sweet cinnamon-ginger tea. No liquor. 5812 N. Broadway; 773-275-8797.

 

Photograph: Courtesy of Loving Hut Chicago