As soon as I-tal Garden reopened on Sept. 11, fans of the popular Treme vegan restaurant began filing in again, and newcomers like myself also made a stop to see what this place was about.

When I walked in, "Pretty Wings" by Maxwell was playing, immediately setting the soothing mood for the meal I was about to enjoy amid a busy workday.

I am not a vegetarian or a vegan, nor do I plan to be, so plant-based restaurants aren't always top of mind. But I-tal has definitely garnered a top-tier reputation among my friends who follow that diet.

After a glance at the menu, I opted for the mac plate, which featured a generous portion of dairy-free mac and cheese, greens, fried cauliflower, and cornbread.

I had a hard time choosing, and I will be back to try the Cajun oyster bites, crabless c

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