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Dao Palate follows Zen culinary restrictions as closely as any veggie-fusion spot, but taste and presentation here rank a solid step above neighborly competitors. The tranquil ambiance renders takeout strangely unsatisfying: a green-lit, bare-brick interior overseen by still-faced Buddhas demands attention, while hanging stones and moss grow from carefully selected spots along the walls. Dao's Chinese lineup doesn't feature any particularly exotic entries, but staples like black-pepper stir-fry and the ever-present General Tso don't disappoint. Dao's talent for imitation also yields tasty sizzling tofu and mu-shu plates. Among a menu littered with vegetal proteins, varied seitans are the most filling. A tangy orange preparation is fried particularly crispy and tastes faux-gamey when buoyed by a bed of al dente broccoli and extra-fluffy brown rice. Only Indian touchstones like samosas and lassis fall short. Dao boasts an impressive array of teas, and soy cheesecake makes a luscious dessert. A mellow jazz-backed atmosphere leaves plenty of room for breezy date-night repartee. — Patrick Coffee

Orange seitan, $14; jade mushroom, $12