I am a little surprised that there are two star reviews of this place, especially by people who either "don't understand" vegetarian food or who proclaim to have no expertise on the subject. I never hear any other type of cuisine described this way -- "I just don't UNDERSTAND Taco Bell! It's not REALLY from Mexico!", "I'm not an expert on Italian cuisine but I guess that's what lasagna looks like". Whether you are a vegetarian or not, mock meats are something that Pure Lotus does well and it's something that should be expected of a restaurant that has vegetarian in the name. I understand being new to a type of food and therefore not won over on your first bite but the "purpose" of mock meats is not to cheat in your vegetarianism and they certainly aren't supposed to taste like Kobe beef. Mock meats try to demonstrate that there are more sustainable and healthier versions of our favorite meat dishes and any veteran vegetarian will explain to you mock meats are rare treats and by no means a replacement for your daily protein intake.

THAT being said, Pure Lotus is one of those rare treats. The restaurant is all about 1) experience and 2) flexing its skills in creating unique, vegetarian versions of traditional Chinese "mingcais". If you order any individual items, they serve it to you on a statue of a monk kneeling in prayer. Your meal is ended with mandarin oranges served over dry ice. For goodness sake, they sprinkle you with rosewater when you enter! It's certainly not for everyday dining but I guarantee you will impress anyone you take here. The rabbit and roast duck were particularly convincing (a little too convincing) when I had them but if mock meats aren't your thing, the vegetable based dishes offer interesting and refreshing combinations (try the Silk Road curry).