Now that summer is over, take a break from the meat overload from barbecue season and head over to Plum Bistro, a gourmet vegan restaurant in Capitol Hill. Plum Bistro was opened about nine weeks ago by Makini Howell, the same owner as Hillside Quickie.

With high ceilings and an open kitchen, Plum Bistro gives the appearance of being very spacious, but it actually does not have many tables. Natural lighting and hardwood floors soften up the modern warehouse look. The atmosphere is fresh, clean and new, much like the genre of food offered.

Howell, also the head chef, is well-known among vegan circles. She uses simple, organic ingredients to create gourmet all-vegan dishes with an innovative twist.

For an appetizer, I tried the spicy and crunchy Cajun fried okra with a spicy aioli dipping sauce. The presentation failed to impress, as the okra came out in unappetizing lightly battered balls. Otherwise, it was full of flavor, and the crispiness offset the chewy consistency of okra.

As the entrée, I had the eggplant linguini with spicy jalapeno vodka sauce. The sautéed asparagus on top was very fresh, and the tenderness of the eggplant blended well with the sauces. The vegan mozzarella had a lightly sweet essence, which was pleasant, but disappointingly, the spicy jalapeno vodka sauce just tasted like a heavier version of tomato bisque.

I also sampled the crazy Jamaican burger made with jerk tofu and plantains that came with a side of sweet potato and yam fries. The jerk tofu was tangy, but the smooth texture of the plantains balanced it out.

The food was much heavier and greasier than anticipated. I expected a more natural or raw approach to fruits and vegetables, but many of the items were fried or had cheese substitutes. Perhaps I would have much better luck with the salads if I were to go back.

The downside of my visit to Plum Bistro was the staff. The restaurant was not busy when I arrived, but I was not greeted by a hostess and had to seat myself. I noticed this occurred a couple more times throughout the night to others as well. The waitress was not knowledgeable in the menu items and could not describe the food when I asked for a recommendation. She also delivered my order to the next table on accident. However, the staff is all very friendly, and the restaurant is still fairly new, so perhaps with more training, the dining experience would improve.

If you are not vegan and are looking for familiar flavors like a juicy, meaty burger or fettuccini alfredo, your appetite probably will not be satisfied. However, if you want great ambience, organic recipes and a twist on common ingredients, Plum Bistro may be a fruitful adventure.

Reach reporter Carolyn Yuen at weekender@dailyuw.com.