Hilltop Vegetarian Meal Steals Hearts

You know that feeling you get when you find something special and you have to pause for a minute, just to realize how lucky you are?

I experienced that moment twice this week.

The first was when I went to Macy's and there it was: the most stunning pair of boots I've ever laid my eyes on. The salesman called them "black boots" but deep down, I knew they were much more than that. Michael Kors made them so they would be much more than that. Their slightly-higher-than-knee length was deliberate and the four-inch heel was certainly more than deliberate. And, as I pull out my wallet debating whether I need another pair of boots, I discover they are on sale. And, at that moment, I realize just how special that moment is ... I realize just how lucky I am.

OK, so that is my first special moment of the week.

The second was when I drove up a hill on the corner of Poway and Pomerado roads and I found it: the .

It's a charming setting on a hill, overlooking parts of the city, and its relaxed furniture is welcoming. Though there aren't main dishes on the menu that are vegetarian, the owner, Neal Bomze will ask you what you like and do his best to ensure your meatless needs and wants are catered.

House on the Hill—you are like my perfect boot.

After a brief discussion with Bomze, we decided I would have the lentil soup to start with and ravioli as my main course.

For the carnivores, lentil soup is one of the best side dishes to win over a vegetarian. It's simple yet flavorful, and it's loaded with the protein and iron we need.

The Hill's lentil soup topped off the normal ingredients of carrots, potatoes, onion and celery and was spiced well.

But the main course stole my heart.

The ravioli, a recipe created by Bomze himself, is filled with Gorgonzola cheese and topped with a blend of three other Italian cheeses. Cheesy ravioli perfectly drenched in sweet and tangy marinara sauce left me saying "Wow" after the first bite.

Because I'm the type of eater who can't consume much in one sitting and because I'm the type of person who is ambitious, I sat at the Hill for roughly three hours until I ate the entire dish, because it was just that good.

Bomze, who is a third-generation restaurateur, noted though the ravioli dish stole my herbivorous heart, "You can't be all things to all people." Which is why he talks to patrons before they order so that they are sure to have a dish they enjoy.

Deborah Carlson, a server at the Hill since the restaurant opened seven years ago, understands this too. Carlson, who was raised a vegetarian, said her favorite dish at the Hill is a pasta dish that's packed with all the freshest veggies of the season and the choice of either alfredo or marinara sauce.

Different salads can also be created for eaters with the same intentions, and a couple of appetizers like the spinach and artichoke mushrooms are also available. Of course, the Hill has a selection of decadent desserts, which I'm pleased to report are all vegetarian.

"The sugar bowl is vegetarian too," Bomze added as I snapped photos of the vegetarian-friendly desserts.

Finally, the Hill gets extra bonus points for serving Lavazza espresso (did I mention I'm a coffee connoisseur, too?).

Vegetarian friendliness on a scale of 1-10: 9.5. Because although I didn't eat the desserts, I'm sure I gained a couple pounds just by looking at them.