Red Avocado

521 E. Washington St.
Iowa City

It's not as easy to write a review about a place you've been to several times- it's much more easy to write about your first experience. But this is a restaurant I've been frequenting for the last 4 years, so obviously I like it a lot.
I recommend the Iowa Barley & Black Bean Salad. It's great for the price. They have a rotating variety of beer, right now it's the Brau Bros. Scotch Ale that I always order. The Sierra Nevada Pale and Porter are also both good. If you go on 2nd Thursdays, the local Green Drinks gathering of environmentalists are there- join them for specials, like $3 bottles of beer!
They also have specialty drinks which are excellent- smoothies with fresh fruit and soy milk, tisanes with hibiscus, rosehips or nettles, and fresh squeezed carrot or orange juice. They sell loose tea blends in bulk, priced per ounce.
The specials rotate, but are usually about $15-18 per plate. Most of the entrees come in small or large servings, around $7 for the small and $12 for the large. Remember that a smoothie might fill you up, so a small plate could be plenty!
The atmosphere is great- it has an artsy basement feel, the walls are painted brick with artwork and photos hung everywhere. The candlelight and mood lighting makes it feel cozy. There is also an outdoor area inside- the rooftop is open with vines crawling across it.
Environmentally- excellent. The napkins are cloth, everything is reusable, the food is local, organic and vegan.