Tag: la eats

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LA Eats: For Vegans and the Vegan-Curious

The plant is having a moment. From the Impossible Burger to Beyond Meat, plant-based protein is sweeping menus and diets alike – a trend expected to only grow in 2020. Fortunately for locals, Los Angeles, the Westside and the Valleys offer no shortage of delicious culinary options for long-time vegans and the vegan-curious alike.

Los Angeles and Westside

Un Solo Sol

1818 E 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 

This plant-based spot sits across from Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights. The atmosphere and downtown location are as flavorful as the food, which ranges from nopales salad and potato or chicken taquitos to the Mushroom and Cheese Pupusa Plate and fajitas with organic tofu. Plus, don’t forget the black beans and rice!

Green Table Cafe

5998 W. Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 

Formerly known as Real Raw Vegan, this eatery specializes in vegan Italian dishes. Start off with one of their signature juices such as the Bella Vespa (orange, carrot, ginger, cayenne, lemon and aloe vera). Then bite into their B…Special Panini (sautéed baby mushrooms, red bell pepper, eggplant, olives, sliced avocado with in-house almond cream cheese and Thousand Island sauce) or a Spinach Artichoke Melt (vegan sausage, marinated artichoke hearts, vegan cream cheese, spinach, garlic and olive oil on a toasted garlic bun). In the mood for pasta? Lasagna options are eggplant, zucchini, cauliflower or polenta. Lastly, their plant-based dessert list includes banana nut muffins and oatmeal cranberry cookies.

Monty’s Good Burger

516 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 

Describing itself as “for carnivores who care about the environment,” Monty’s has locations in Echo Park (1533 W Sunset Blvd), Riverside (3605 Market St.) and this spot in Koreatown. Have your burger, featuring the plant-based Impossible patty, with shoestring fries or a chopped kale Caesar salad, then wash it down with an organic craft soda.

Seabirds Kitchen

975 E 4th Street, Long Beach, CA 

In 10 years, Seabirds has expanded from a food truck to three spots, including this Long Beach location. Sample a beer-battered avo taco (fried avocado, Seabirds sauce, cabbage, red onion, lime) before moving onto a Beets Me Burger (house-made shiitake, beet and chia patty) or the Jackfruit Nachos.

Pura Vita 

8274 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 

The first completely plant-based Italian restaurant in the country, Pura Vita marries New York City wine bar atmosphere with Southern Italian cuisine. Plant-based dishes range from the Giambotta (Calabrian vegetable stew, macadamia Parmigiano and grilled ciabatta) to the Caprese (house-made cashew mozzarella, heirloom tomato, basil, and balsamic reduction) to the Linguine di Mare (garlic white wine sauce, king oyster mushroom scallops, and toasted breadcrumbs).

San Fernando Valley

Vinh Loi Tofu

18625 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA 

We could tell you what’s on the menu of this Vietnamese vegan eatery, but as customers know, owner Kevin Tran might as easily cook up something especially for you. Just tell him what you’re craving. For folks with trust issues, the menu offers such favorites as the Tofu Robot Soup.

Sun Cafe

10820 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 

They don’t just serve vegan dishes like the Zucchini Lasagna (zucchini slices layered with walnut pesto, spinach, cashew ricotta, SunChorizo, marinara, and cashew cheese) or the Tempeh Stir Fry (cauliflower, zucchini, bok choy, and carrots, in pineapple chili, teriyaki tempeh and lime juice), but they’ll teach you how to cook it yourself. A 90-minute vegan cooking class happens every Saturday morning at 9 a.m., except on some holidays. Cost is $40 at the door.

Follow Your Heart

21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

What began in 1970 as a seven-seat, vegetarian food bar now offers both a full vegan menu and an SOS menu, which means “no Salt, no Oil, and no Sugar.” SOS selections range from the White Bean Kale Burger (patty made from kale, brown rice, white beans and oats) to the Super Green Pasta (zucchini noodles, served with steamed kale, spinach, broccoli, and white beans).

Conejo Valley

Norte-Sur Mexican Grill

2950 Johnson Drive, Ventura County, CA 

Located just off the 101 freeway in Ventura, Norte-Sur’s owners are as proud of their home-made salsas and Aguas Frescas as they are their Mexican vegan cuisine. Have a soft taco or sizzling fajita with their gluten-free vegan soyrizo, for example. Or order their vegan mole taquitos, rolled with mole-mashed potatoes, cabbage, and pico.

Hip Vegan

201 N. Montgomery Street, Ojai, CA

Expect fresh vegan cuisine and a laid-back atmosphere befitting Ojai. If you’re feeling like something light, there are wraps, sandwiches, bowls and salads. If you’re hungry for food that’s more filling, try the veggie pasta with garbanzo bean meatballs.

Karma Baker

1145 Lindero Canyon Road, Ste D3, Westlake Village, CA 

Skip the meal and go straight to organic, kosher, vegan and gluten-free desserts. Their not-so-guilty pleasures range from pastries and custom-made cakes to hot pockets and hand pies.

Santa Clarita 

Thai Chefs Restaurant

28014 Seco Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA

 

Thai Chefs owner has cooked traditional Thai cuisine for more than two decades, first at a restaurant in Thailand. This family-restaurant offers several vegan options for some of its most popular dishes, including the stir-fried chicken and yellow curry with coconut milk, potatoes, carrot, and onion.

Manoushee Mediterranean Restaurant

27131 Sierra Hwy #100, Santa Clarita, CA 

Among such traditional Mediterranean plates as shawarma are several vegan options. The Lebanese Hash Falafel, for example, features patata harra (or spicy potatoes) on lettuce and tomato, and your choice of protein. An extra portion of falafel can be substituted for the fried egg that usually tops the dish. If you have stew in mind, they have an Egyptian Fava Bean Stew served with lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. And for dessert, try the vegan carrot cake.

Tomato Joe’s Pizza Express

27732 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 

Hankering for a vegan pizza with a beer-battered crust? Tomato Joe’s provides no shortage of mix-and-match options. And if you’re not hungry for a slice, sample their vegan meatballs, with melted vegan mozzarella, and served with vegan garlic bread. Tomato Joe’s also has a second Santa Clarita location at 19167 Golden Valley Rd.

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LA Eats: Local Pizza Places

A good slice of pizza is a powerful thing. May that be one slice of five slices, pizza is your friend. It is important to support local restaurants and businesses as a way to feed into your local economy. Check out our round-up of our favorite pizza places throughout Los Angeles and the Valley.

Los Angeles

Numero Uno Pizza

5044 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

They specialize in Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza & Classic New York Style Thin Crust Pizza. They are also known for their Chicken Wings and Large Salads. Numero Uno Pizza was founded in 1973 with its first store in Northridge, CA. The company features a casual dining restaurant famous for its deep-dish pizza with its unique flavored crust and savory sauce.

All’ Angolo

4050 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA

Small, but charming restaurant serving northern Italian pizza, pasta & salads. Don’t let the size or location put you off; these guys are serving up some great Italian food. Simple ingredients with great taste. They have a small but complete menu of apps, salads (a soup d’ jour), pasta and pizzas; and don’t forget the daily blackboard specials.

Gracie’s Pizza

4330 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Opened in the Summer of 2016 with the goal of creating a true New York-style neighborhood joint. They create meals from scratch; with love, integrity, and pride.  Their focus is to give back in a measurable way to their tightly knit block at Heliotrope and Melrose.

Westside

LA MORRA PIZZERIA

5125 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

These Neapolitan-style pizzas are made in a handmade oven by Zach Swemle & Marlee Blodgett, built especially for the ingredients of a Neapolitan pizza. La Morra’s simple and ingredient-driven Italian cooking and impressive crusts are offered weekly at the wine bar Tabula Rasa.

VITO’S PIZZA

846 N LA Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Vito’s Pizza is a local favorite. Their east coast inspired pies, perfectly crafted dough, and tomato sauce has its patrons traveling to all three of its Los Angeles locations. The pizza is ultra-thin, with a crisp underside and a good, chewy crust, and you can order by the slice. Vegetarians will appreciate the combination of fresh spinach, tomatoes, and broccoli with mild ricotta cheese.

Pizzeria il Fico

310 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Sleek, rustic-chic Italian eatery specializing in dishes from Puglia, with an extensive wine list. Despite the name, Il Fico is not strictly a pizzeria, it also turns out some Apulia-accented antipasti and most especially pasta dishes. At Vincenti, Mastronardi does the whole “elegantissimo” thing with an ambitious menu and polished and subtle cooking.

Valley

Chi-Chi’s Pizza

9080 Tampa Avenue, Northridge, CA

Local pizza chain for custom-made pies, plus pasta, antipasti & more in a casual, no-frills space. Great local spot for pizza at a reasonable price. Do yourself a favor, once you have had your Italian/Pizza fix,  try the Golden Pressure Fried Chicken and Golden Potatoes. The salads and dressings will please also.

LBK Pizzeria

359 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA

At this Studio City outpost, there’s no place to sit inside, where the line to order pizza is endless. But there are some very pleasant picnic tables in front, making a fine pie on Tujunga Avenue a very pleasurable family experience.

Pasadena Pizza Co.

336 N. Allen Avenue, Pasadena, CA

You get a choice of thick crust, thin crust and gluten-free at Pasadena Pizza Co. The pies are big, and even bigger. The toppings are many, but mostly classic, except maybe for the ones with pastrami and with Alfredo sauce. While you’re waiting, there are video games, and pinball machines, which take me back to my misspent youth.

Lamppost Pizza

1145 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, CA

Lamppost Pizza offers great food, a friendly approach and a family-oriented atmosphere. Their community involvement includes being a proud supporter of the many youth athletic leagues in the area. Their team pizza parties are popular with all ages and sports. Bring your kids and family if you are local and are looking for tasty pizza!

Toppers Pizza

18417 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA

Family-friendly pizzeria chain known for unusual toppings & dough made daily. Toppers Pizza Place has been the winner of Best Pizza Category for both East and West Ventura County Every Year this Century! If you are in the area, come and experience great pizza.

 

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LA Eats: Your Guide to Restaurant Month

Los Angeles Restaurant Month is an event hosted semi-annually, with over 400 participating restaurants showcasing prix-fixe dining menus to foodies and self-proclaimed food lovers, for a lower than expected dining rate. We cover places in Los Angeles, the Westside, and the Valley. Enjoy one of these premier dining destinations from our guide below, or all of them! 

Valley

Sherman Oaks 

Mistral

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 13422 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91423
Dinner Menu: $35

Having opened our doors in 1988, Mistral has consistently been recognized as among the San Fernando Valley’s best restaurants. Set within an elegant French bistro, guests are welcomed by seasoned and experienced staff members all charged with the sole purpose to provide you and your guests with an unparalleled dining experience.

Calabasas

SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas 91302
Lunch Menu: $20 
Dinner Menu: $39

SUGARFISH was created Kazunori and Tom Nozawa and the four other founding partners of the Sushi Nozawa Group. The legendary chef Kazunori Nozawa only served traditional-style sushi (i.e. no California rolls or spicy tuna rolls). His menu was only omakase (“leave it to the chef”).

Agoura Hills

Cafe Bizou

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 30315 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills 91301
Dinner Menu: $29

At Café Bizou, they pride themselves in providing top quality service and delicious food in a family-friendly restaurant. Café Bizou Restaurant is the perfect setting for Business Meetings and Events, Family Reunions, Birthday celebrations or Rehearsal dinners.

Burbank

Castaway

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank 91501
Dinner Menu: $59

Cape Grim Steaks. Pasture Bird. Mishima Wagyu. These are some of our culinary stars. Castaway will offer seasonally-inspired cuisine with a steak-forward focus including interesting cuts from the world’s best butchers and dry-aged in our in-house aging room with a Himalayan salt wall.

Calabasas

Saddle Peak Lodge

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas 91302
Dinner Menu: $59

Part roadhouse, Pony Express stop, hunting lodge, European auberge, perhaps even a hint of a bordello, Saddle Peak Lodge has been many things to many people in its long history. For 100 years—some say even more—Saddle Peak Lodge has been a place of enchantment, romance and great dining for generations of those who seek a unique experience.

Westside

Santa Monica 

Water Grill

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 1401 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica 90401
Lunch: $35
Dinner: $59

For over 30 years, Water Grill has sated the palates of fish lovers. From the moment it opened, this flagship downtown restaurant from King’s Seafood Company has satisfied the need for a world-class fish eatery in Los Angeles.

Playa Del Rey 

Bacari PDR

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 6805 Vista Del Mar Lane, Playa del Rey 90293
Lunch: $20
Dinner: $29

Bacari PDR is a cozy little wine bar in an oddly shaped building on the main strip of sunny Playa del Ray that serves Italian Cicchetti (similar to tapas). You will find small but filling options like a stacked shrimp, mushroom, and juice-soaked bread tower, tender glazed pork belly, cheesy mushroom pizza, a thick burger covered in molten cheese, and hot clams.

Venice

Barrique

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 796 Main Street, Venice 90291
Dinner: $59

Michelin-awarded chef Antonio Muré brings eclectic Italian cuisine to life in Barrique’s cozy, romantic atmosphere with a Venice-style wine bar and rooftop terrace. Born in Porto-palo di Capo Passero, Sicily, and growing up in Parma, Emilia Romagna, Muré graduated from the prestigious Instituto Alberghiero di stato and spent his formative years cooking in some of Italy’s most celebrated restaurants. His unique approach to Italian cooking includes a variety of seasonal Italian creations like thinly sliced pan seared Buffalo with mustard grain dressing and Portobello mushroom salad and signature dishes like home-made red beet Tagliolini pasta in a Marsala quail ragú served on a bed of Taleggio cheese fondue.

Westwood

Audrey at The Hammer

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90024
Dinner: $49

Located within the Hammer Museum in Westwood, Audrey blends elevated and soulful cooking with a contemporary Southern California feel.

Los Angeles

Beverly Hills

a.o.c

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 8700 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles 90048
Lunch: $25 
Dinner: $59

After opening critically acclaimed Lucques in 1998, the duo of 3 time James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year 2018 Caroline Styne embarked on A.O.C., the area’s pioneering wine bar that first paired an indulgent list of wine by the glass with a menu of market-driven small plates.

 

Hollywood

APL Restaurant

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 1680 Vine St., Los Angeles 90028
Lunch: $20 
Dinner: $99

This restaurant is a BBQ restaurant by day & a Steakhouse by night. The restaurant is situated on the ground floor of L.A.’s first-ever high-rise, the historic Taft Building, and is a one of a kind dining experience.

Downtown

Faith & Flower

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 705 W. 9th St., Los Angeles 90015
Lunch: $35 Dinner: $49
Inspired by a global influence of flavors and techniques, complemented by the use of a wood-fired oven and pristine raw bar, this menu redefines Californian rustic cuisine.
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LA Eats: Farm to Table Restaurants

Eating sustainably grown food is more than just a fad in California. Some of the best restaurants in the state are dedicated to the idea that the highest-quality ingredients are sourced locally. Indeed, some diners specifically choose to eat at restaurants that purchase the freshest local ingredients, discovering economic, social and environmental perks. Below is a list of 10 of the most respected and acclaimed farm-to-table restaurants across the Golden State.

Los Angeles: 

Ostrich Farm – 1525 W. Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026

Ostrich Farm is an intimate, 50-seat restaurant in Echo Park, run by husband and wife Jaime Turrey and Brooke Fruchtman. Much of the restaurant’s classic American heritage fare is cooked over a wood-fired grill and is often locally sourced, including some produce from the restaurant’s own garden.

Forage – 3823 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

This family owned restaurant sources from urban growers. They collaborate with home growers and aid them in obtaining their certification with the county, taking farm-to-table to a whole new level.

Salt’s Cure – 1155 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

 

This sleek, modern spot only sources ingredients from California, all of which are butchered/crafted in house. All seafood is caught in the Pacific Ocean by local fishermen who exercise sustainable practices, and work within our coastal ecosystem. Produce is sourced directly from farmers and from the farmers’ markets around the Los Angeles area. Everything is house-made, in fact, from the ketchup to the bacon. A top pick for both sustainability, taste and craft.

Westside:

Malibu Farm – 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

At Malibu Farm, the beautiful location at the Malibu Pier, you’ll find everything and everything is homegrown. The owner, Helene, used to grow everything in her own personal garden and back yard farm. Now, of course, with the popularity of her restaurant, that isn’t entirely possible, though the eggs, persimmons, figs, lemons, pomegranates, apricots, asian pears, carrots, beets, asparagus, and fresh herbs still come from her home. She buys local strawberries, oranges, kale, chard, basil and tomatoes from local purveyor Larry Thorne; organic lemons, we get lemons and oranges year round from Mike Zacha; all potatoes and carrots from Weiser farms; Tutti Fruitt; and Maggie’s farm. The chefs shop every week at the Santa Monica farmers market. All breads are local from La Brea bakery and Rockenwagner; coffee comes from nearby Caffe Luxxe; tea from Charles and Company; Jidori chicken is purchased locally; cheese is Pomona-made from De Stefano. Just, wow.

Gjelina – 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Roughly 90% of the fare served is from local farmer’s markets at Gjelina, Travis Lett’s always-packed hot spot on Abbot Kinney in Venice. Get there early, and plan what you want to eat. The bread is out of this world. Hot tip: the veggie pizza is to die for. Go go go!

Conejo and San Fernando Valley: 

Fig & Sprig – 4774 Park Granada, Calabasas, CA 91302

A husband and wife team that focuses on farm to table and sustainable cuisine. Their goal is to treat guests like family and serve delicious food and beverages in a quaint atmosphere. At Fig & Sprig they focus on local, seasonal produce whenever possible and lovingly craft dishes to be healthful and delicious. They take pride in keeping our ingredients locally sourced, organic when possible and sustainable. They also have wonderful vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices for you to consider.

Farm Table – 6209 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Stop by for some quick and fresh fare! The modern rustic design of the restaurant pairs nicely with the farm to table status of the food. Perfect spot for a casual lunch with friends and family.

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LA Eats: Where to Brunch With Your Family In Town

Your family is in town for the holidays.  There are so many places to show them in our city, and even more places to take them to eat. We’ve got you covered as far as LA’s most quintessential brunch places they need to try.

Kismet

The flaky bread that Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson serve at Kismet along with a soft-boiled egg and labneh is very good day or night, but somehow especially fantastic for brunch. Add a scone with lemon cream and maybe some cinnamon babka toast and one is likely all set.

Salt’s Cure

Thoughtfully sourced, California-grown ingredients form the foundation of Chris Phelp’s cooking at Salt’s Cure. Brunch is especially fantastic with things like biscuits and gravy, as well as oatmeal griddle cakes, on the menu.

Sqirl

Sqirl may very well be LA’s quintessential brunch. Come early, order the brioche toast with four different jams and the sorrel pesto rice bowl, and leave with a full understanding of the hype surrounding the place. Seriously. Come early. The line gets LONG, but it is SO worth it.

Republique

Get your hands on their Margarita Manzke’s crazy delicious pastries and fill up with brunch favorites like brioche French toast and kimchi fried rice.

The Rose Venice

Venice denizens arrive at The Rose in droves on weekend mornings for Jason Neroni’s pitch-perfect cooking. Particularly good is the wide range of pastries that pair nicely with the restaurant’s exceptional coffee. Many individuals with short layovers at LAX are known to take a cab to The Rose for brunch, and risk missing their connecting flight for this food. Yep. That good.

Sweet Butter Kitchen

Sweet Butter is an airy, brunch-y rustic cafe spot that has some delicious vegan options (highly recommend the Vegan PB cookie). It’s a rarity in the Valley and worth a visit if you happen to be over the hill from LA proper. You order at a counter and then pick a seat in the sun-lit central patio, which isn’t overly spacious, but isn’t crowded either.

Little Dom’s

Your favorite pasta haven is also a secret breakfast destination. There is never a wait. Pop in for Italian-leaning specialities like ricotta cheese pancakes with fresh blueberries, scrambled egg bruschetta, breakfast pizza, and breakfast meatballs with poached eggs.

Blu Jam

Crunchy French Toast. That’s all. Blu Jam keeps opening new locations (they even just opened a Tokyo location), but that hasn’t seemed to ease the crowds. Prepare to settle in for a bit of a wait for a table at the no-reservations cafés, but have faith that your patience will ultimately be rewarded.

Go Get Em Tiger

Most folks make their way to Go Get ‘Em Tiger for the coffee, which remains among the best in town. But if you’re planning to sit for a spell and enjoy your drink, maybe you should have something to eat too, right? To sate you, they have one of the best breakfast sandwiches in LA. The attention to detail that goes into every single plate out of their kitchen is clear. I mean, look at these eggs on that flaky biscuit.

Jon & Vinny’s

Do you like pizza? Do you like breakfast? Well, Jon and Vinny have a little something just for you, and it’s called breakfast pizza. And while, ok, they may not have invented the idea, they have pretty much perfected it — and then gone and created five different versions. Don’t forget to order a bombolone doughnut to go along. Also, their pancakes. Yep. They did it again.

Poppy + Rose

Poppy & Rose brings some Southern and soul food touches to dishes like pulled pork hash, rib-tip breakfast burritos, and their signature, buttermilk fried chicken and waffles with smoked honey butter.

Homestate

Don’t need to fly all the way to Austin to find breakfast tacos! Homestate is your spot in the Los Angeles area! Truly. Just as good. Flour Tortillas are a must. Queso too.

Malibu Farm

Another classic. Enjoy a farm to table brunch with your family with the amazing views of Malibu. Get their early to get parking and avoid the wait. There are two locations on the SAME pier. Same menu. Winning!

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