1. We really do have great vegetarian options. There was a bit of a kerfuffle last week when Kansas City-based New York Times reporter A.G. Sulzberger (of that Sulzberger family) wrote about his struggle to go meatless in the Midwest. His complaints about the “startling lack of fresh produce here” and how “perhaps the most important event on Kansas City social calendars is a barbecue contest,” needless to say, did not go over very well. Here are some of your suggestions of where A.G. should go … for a good vegetarian meal .

FUD, Westside Local, Bluebird Bistro, Eden Alley, Mud Pie, RecordBar, Californos, Aladdin Cafe. Plenty of good vegetarian/vegan eats in KC.

— Dana Seeley via Facebook

There is no problem finding vegan entrees in KC. We are very lucky. Satisfying places everywhere. But Eden Alley does top the charts!

— Jennifer Gould via Facebook

BD’s Mongolian! Great vegetarian choices, including tofu and grilling without touching any animal products!

— MsMetal Mesh via Facebook

I eat at Eden Alley or the Jerusalem Cafe when eating Vegan in KC, but almost every Asian restaurant in KC offers vegetarian choices. NY Times is reporting stereotypes about the Midwest and those that live here. I guess I will have to adjust my overalls, take my weekly bath, pick my banjo and milk my cow and pay homage to their brilliant insights.

— Holly Zane via Facebook

Habashi House, Blue Nile Cafe.

— Evan M. Parris via Facebook

Pretty much any non-BBQ restaurant in town.

@davelacrone

Besides Eden Alley, McCoy’s, the Foundry, Blanc … lots of places.

@bigcomedown

Blue Bird Bistro — friendly for vegans, vegetarians and normal people too.

@RGlide77

2. And we have great food options in general. After The Kansas City Star’s Steve Paul recapped the 12 best meals he had in 2011, we asked you what was the best thing you ate all year . Prepare to salivate.

Grilled shrimp and avocado salad with amazing balsamic vinaigrette from Aixois.

— Rachel Smith via Facebook

The East Meets Midwest sushi roll among many at Nikko. Seared filet mignon topped with a baked blue crab. Surf and turf sushi.

— Brett DeHart via Facebook

Ceviche, foie gras and Arctic Char at Story.

— Sloane Harper via Facebook

Z-Man and fries from Oklahoma Joe’s.

— Adam C. Diskin via Facebook

The single best meal I’ve had in KC is the braised rabbit from Michael Smith.

@dfrager

Peppercorn crusted filet from Piropos.

@laurenwells01

Come on, you pretentious peeps. … It’s gotta be a combo beef/ham sandwich at Arthur Bryant’s!!!

@tallen1984

Mac Daddy from Cafe Trio/ Enchiladas Divorciadas from Zócalo #yuminthetum

@amelie531

* 3. * A couple of local favorites have recently gotten national recognition. Spin Neapolitan Pizza’s margherita pizza was recently named one of the best dishes of 2011 by Restaurant Business magazine, and Christopher Elbow Chocolates was ranked in Consumer Reports’ “chocolate works of art” issue.

YES! @spinpizza margherita is my fave!!

@DanielleisB

@spinpizza is great, fresh and light, and a great community partner — but my mouth belongs to Minsky’s.

@markansasity

(Christopher Elbow’s) Venezuelan Spice Liquid Chocolate with whipped cream. Ridiculously great.

— Michael Byars via Facebook

Anything Christopher Elbow does with caramel is magic to me. : )

— Sally Behringer via Facebook

4. Last but not least … Kansas City Restaurant Week starts Friday. Like us at Facebook.com/inkkc to find out how to win dinner and drinks for two at any of the more than 100 participating restaurants!