Bucharest dining and grocery suggestions
 

We're staying at the Intercontinental Hotel. I don't typically splurge for meals, but for one or two dinners, I would like a place that fits as many of the following characteristics as possible:
Less smoky than typical
Comfortable for vegetarians
Within walking distance of the hotel, in a nice neighborhood
And of course good food

I would also like to visit a grocery store. Any suggestions?

How about good breakfast places or bakeries?

I have Lonely Planet Romania and I printed out Bucharest in Your Pocket.

Just sending this to the top again.

I typically look for places with local character and cuisine, and my two favorite spots in Bucharest are Caru' cu Bere and Bistro Atheneu. I stayed at the Athenee Palace and was able to walk to both restaurants. No idea, though, if either are good for vegetarians.

Thit_cho, thanks for the response. I'll look into those and post back after our trip.

I can throw in two restaurants we enjoyed with our relatives, Bucharest natives.

We had a nice - and not expensive - dinner at City Grill which is in the pedestrian area of downtown. It was quiet and featured traditional Romanian food as well as salads, etc. The mamaligia (like corn polenta) was especially good here.

The other restaurant that was nice is Casa Mama (or La Mama), with Italian and non-Italian dishes - it has a very pleasant outdoor patio but I don't think it would be within walking distance of your hotel.

My brother doesn't eat most meat (although he is not vegetarian) and he had no problems finding things to order at these two.