I think I've met someone.

He's a little quirky, totally ironic, extremely healthy, and 100% vegetarian. I fear this one might do me in, as I'm not sure we have a future together, and I know how these kinds of relationships can let you down.

As it is, Shangri-la is only open weekends and accepts only cash. These are red flags in the world of love as far as I'm concerned (in addition to living with your mother or having an empty fridge).

Nevertheless, I hereby vow to take this restaurant, to have and to hold, from this day forward, until death do us part.

How do I love thee, Shangri-la? You encourage me to embrace my freedom of choice! I can order everything - EVERYTHING - on the menu. Let me count the ways:

vegetarian slinger - eggs (though tofu is available), hashbrowns, cheese, onion, and vegan chili

chihuahua cheese quesadilla in whole grain non-trans-fat tortilla with house-made salsa

homemade veggie burger with grilled bellas and onions on it coupled with sweet potato fries

veggie omelet (there's broccoli in there!)

"magic carpet" wrap filled with house made black bean hummus, sundried tomato relish, green peppers, onions, lettuce, and non-trans-fat tortilla

veggie biscuits and gravy

veggie burrito

sunday brunch buffet

So MANY CHOICES!

side of green beans. S I D E O F B E A N S.

and what I haven't tried yet but fully intend to:

Veggie gyro

veggie BBQ burger

vegan caesar

soups without chicken stock!

OTHER GOOD STUFF.

It's love. This is the real deal. I'm shutting down my vegetarian restaurant dating service profile.

Another one bites the dust.

I'd like to take a moment to pay homage to yet another great restaurant that has died the sad St. Louis death: REVIVAL.

Why, I ask WHY? Because they're turning into a sports bar! Great idea! It's what every beautiful garden patio, five-star vegetarian-friendly menu, and hip urban locale aspire to! Giant TVs!

As a memorial, I'd now like to take a moment of silence and recognize the greatness that was Revival.

Oven-roasted cauliflower topped with shaved granny-smith apple was the tops.

In fact, revival really knew their way around a cauliflower: cream of cauliflower soup with chive oil drizzled on top was the bomb.

Mmmmm.... nobody made a better bella burger with slaw.

Carrot. Ginger. Chilled. Soup.

If you're going to fry something, why not fry potatoes, tomatoes, or balls of corn bread goodness? That's what Revival thought, anyway. Rightfully so.

And salads. Everybody does 'em. But not everybody has arugula, oranges, citrusy-pepper dressing. Holy Revival, Revival.

A tiny pot of mac-and-cheese. I would wager tiny pots of anything are good; but greatness surely must be a tiny pot of something cheesy.

Rest in Peace, Revival. You're gone long before your time.