Vegetarian Times: Macro Broccoli. - Richardson, Texas

Out on the road and looking for a home away from home? Macro Broccoli, in the Dallas area, offers friendly, family-style dining and a vast array of meals and baked goods. With two large community tables and soft international music playing in the background, this cheery spot fosters a sense of community among its patrons. Owners Azar and Ahmed Baghestani had been baking and cooking in other establishments for several years before opening their restaurant in 1995. Azar began with a French bakery before she started cooking macrobiotic. Now, husband Ahmed does most of the cooking, and Azar does most of the baking. Favorite dishes include Vegetable Garbanzo Soup, Vegetable Pie and Vegetable Roulette, made with leeks, betternut squash, carrots and cashews. The popular bakery offers temptations from Strawberry Shortcake and Blueberry Cobbler to Carob Mousse. As in any good family kitchen, samples are offered, and if you want a little more food on your plate they'll give you a larger helping (although seconds do cost extra). Even with more than 200 dishes to choose from, the menu changes daily. Favorites will be prepared on request (and might even show up as a menu item the next day). Accommodations can be made for those with special dietary needs, and macrobiotic dishes are always available. Alcohol isn't served, but the Baghestanis will offer complimentary organic wine on special occasions. Customers also often bring their own. Macro Broccoli has already been discovered in the Dallas area. The local TV news was there recently doing a piece on young vegetarians, and Thanksgiving 1996 saw Macro Broccoli host a local vegan group for the holiday meal. If you're traveling in the Dallas area and are in need of a delicious, good-for-you meal, stop by and visit Macro Broccoli and the Baghestanis.

Name: Macro Broccoli Address: 580 W. Arapaho Rd. #406 Richardson, Texas 75080 Telephone: (214) 437-1985 Hours: Monday through Thursday and Saturday 10:30 to 7:00 Friday 10:30 to 9:00 Sunday Brunch 11:00-3:00 Menu: Vegan and macrobiotic. Prices: $1.85 to $6.50 Brunch: $7.39