Va-va-vegan

Vegans: mark your gastronomical calendars! On Wednesday, chef Steven Brand at Upstairs on the Square is offering a "Harvest Vegan Dinner." Tantalizing menu items include: wax beans and artichoke with truffle vinaigrette and oatmeal crisp cookies. And for my fellow tipplers: the meal is paired with organic wines. Yum all around.

I'm not vegan, but I tend to order vegetarian options when I go out to eat because many area chefs are in tune with what's local and in season when shaping their menus. Though there are solid vegan options around the city -- standbys like Veggie Planet in Harvard Square and Grasshopper in Allston and relative newcomers like TJ Scallywaggle's in Allston -- it's nice to see an upper crust restaurant offer tasty gourmet options for our meat-free and dairy-free friends.

(FYI: The Boston Vegan Association has a great, frequently updated website with recent restaurant reviews, vegan happenings, and announcements. Check it out here.)