The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Vegetarian House in San Jose, California is not just the most outstanding vegetarian restaurant I know of, and I have tried many, it is a home away from home, where friends and family gather to celebrate special occasions. It is also a place where people come to recharge their batteries, a welcome reprieve from the business of the world. Guests come in stressed and leave refreshed, and that is a much more than a typical restaurant can offer.

Among the many reasons the Vegetarian House is so popular is the friendly but discreet staff members, who radiate a peaceful atmosphere because they meditate four to five hours a day. I swear that it also must be one of the cleanest restaurants on earth, since the cooks all wear hair nets, masks and gloves, as if they were going into surgery! Maybe they are, in a way -- serving a subtle bit of Master's energy in every bite.

Before it became the Vegetarian House, the restaurant was called Paolo's and was a famous Italian eating place in the 1960s, patronized by celebrities and political personalities. We also discovered that it was a favorite rendezvous for John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. The cellar was reserved for the president's private parties. We now hold daily group meditation sessions there.

Although we do some advertising, most people hear about the restaurant from friends who love to recommend the place; it is very charming to watch. We have local regulars, but many do not mind driving several hours to eat there. It is comforting to walk into the restaurant to see that the majority of the customers are not disciples.