Surviving The Heat At SunCafe

On a trip to Universal Studios, my dad and I decided to escape the crowded amusement park for a delicious lunch at SunCafe. It was just after 2 pm and the cafe was still fairly crowded, mostly with patrons lined up for take out orders. We seated ourselves away from the door, for what ended up being a very calming lunch. With our $25 restaurant.com gift certificate in hand, we ordered way more than we could eat.

First, we ordered my favorite dish at SunCafe, the Sun Nachos ($12). My dad is not a huge fan of raw food, so we requested for them to be made using tortilla chips.

The nachos were delicious as always. The cashew cheese was so creamy and luscious, along with the smooth, well-spiced guacamole. The savory "chorizo" was very juicy and was lightly coated in a hot sauce. The vegetables were beautifully seasoned, making the appetizer even more flavorful. I love that they provided a cup with even more jalapenos, which made the dish even spicier.  The kitchen staff messed up the order on the nachos and made half of it raw. We didn't mind, as the jicama was very crisp and crunchy and worked well with the toppings. Nevertheless, they brought out a second batch of nachos on tortilla chips.

Next, the waitress brought out the Sweet Kale Shake ($7).  She split it into two glasses, so we could easily enjoy it with our meals.

The kale shake at SunCafe is superb. It's so rich and creamy and has such a heavenly taste. It has a light, sweet flavor that it is beautifully balanced out by the saltiness of the kale. There is just a hint of bananas and a very subtle taste of coconuts. This is truly like drinking a milkshake, only way healthier.

Next, our entrees came out. I ordered the Pesto Pizza ($13) and my dad ordered the Sun Burger with bbq sauce ($12). First, I ate my Pesto Pizza, which came with a side of kale salad.

I requested that the pizza be made without mushrooms, but once again the kitchen messed up the order. Even after picking the mushrooms out, the pizza still retained a fungal taste. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the rich, slightly salty pesto sauce and the thick cheesy sauce, which tasted like ranch dressing. The taste of olives on the pizza was also very overpowering.  I did not enjoy the whole wheat flatbread, as the texture was very odd and it was difficult to chew. I much prefer the raw crust, but unfortunately they were all out of it. The kale salad was not as flavorful as I remember it to be and the texture of the kale was a little too rough. It also needed a little more seasoning.

Lastly, I tried my dad's sun burger, as he was too stuffed to finish it.

SunCafe also messed up with my dad's order. He ordered veggies and dip as his side order, but instead was given a kale salad. Nevertheless, he still enjoyed it. His sun burger had a very meaty taste and the barbeque sauce was rich and flavorful. It was so perfectly spiced and even had a subtle kick to it. The bun was very soft and lightly toasted. It worked very well with the savory burger.

Overall, we really enjoyed our meal. While the kitchen messed most of it up, everything was still delicious and flavorful. This was a great break from a busy day at an amusement park and surprisingly was not as difficult to get to by foot as I imagined. It was also great to get away from the hot summer sun, ironically at a restaurant named after it. With the restaurant.com discount, the meal only cost $30, with tax and tip. It was such a great deal for a healthy, invigorating raw lunch for two.

A Little Something New At Streets Of India

I love trying new restaurants. Sure, I've eaten at most of the Vegetarian/Vegan restaurants in LA, but every so often I come across a place I've never been or more shockingly, never heard of. My stomach always ties in knots in fear I may not like the place, but my head rushes with excitement in hopes I will discover a true gem. I recently found about a Vegetarian Indian cafe in Encino that sounded amazing. Their menu closely resembles that of the beloved Samosa House, with a Southern India flare. Even better, they are featured on restaurant.com. My friend and I decided to venture to the valley one evening, where the weather was humid and balmy. On our short walk from the car to the restaurant, we found ourselves drenched in sweat. Since the restaurant was about to close, we quickly placed our order.

First, our appetizers came out. We ordered Samosas ($4) and Idli Sambar ($4). I first tried a samosa.

These samosas were some of the best I've ever had. They were so perfectly deep fried and crispy, with the interior being so soft and delectable. The seasonings were amazing and it was a little spicier than samosas I've had in the past.

Next, I had an idli.

I wasn't sure to expect from this, as I've never had this appetizer before. I believe it is a South Indian delicacy. The patties were very soft and spongy. On their own, they had a very mild flavor, but dipped in the spicy sambar soup, they took on an intense lentil flavoring.

Next, our entrees came out. I first tried the Masala Dosa ($6), which was ginormous.

The crepe was a little crispier than the dosas I'm used to, especially on the outer ends. The inside had a softer texture and was easier to bite into. The crepe was so moist and had a very slight sweetness to it. The potato filling was soft and smooth with a medium spiciness.

Next, I had the soy Chicken Saag ($8).

I have to admit, I was a little worried about ordering this dish. Saag entrees can be a bit tasteless and the spinach is often overcooked. This was not the case with this saag at all. The dish was perfectly spiced and flavorful and the spinach had a fantastic texture. It was very soft and slightly creamy and was so easy to chew. The chicken also had a delectable seasoning and tasted so much like the real thing.

Next, I had the Jackfruit Masala ($7.75).

Jackfruit is my favorite Indian dish and whenever I see it on a menu, I have to order it. I've been a huge fan of the jackfruit at the Samosa House for quite a while and now I am a convert to the Streets Of India's version. The jackfruit was so luscious and savory and took on a meaty flavor so well. The dish was heavily spiced but balanced out by the juicy, sweet tomatoes.

Lastly, we had some Tandoori Roti ($2).

I was not a huge fan of this bread. It was a little dry and lacked much seasoning. It was also a little too hard and difficult to eat.

The servers were very friendly and accommodating and despite the casual atmosphere, they continued to bring us over some chutneys.

The coconut chutney was my favorite. It was fairly sweet with just a hint of spice. The tomato chutney was also delicious, with a very mild spice.

Overall, I really enjoyed the food. Everything was so flavorful and the dishes were so beautifully spiced. I also love that they incorporated faux meats into traditional dishes, as this would definitely please any omnivore or transitioning Vegetarian/Vegan. I also really love how the food is inexpensive and the portions are large. This place is truly street food at its best. With the $25 restaurant.com gift certificate, we spent less than $7 per person, including tax and tip. I will definitely be back to take advantage of this great deal again, even though the restaurant is a bit of a trek.

A Happy, Holistic Green Day

I am greatly disappointed about the divide between ethical Vegans and health Vegans. I hate that there is a battle between the two groups regarding their reasons for being Vegan. Personally, I do not care about the reason why people decide to go Vegan, since their actions have such a positive effect on the world around them. As an ethical Vegan, I find it important to understand the other group's logic, so I can work to close the gap between us. To do so, I attended a lovely "youthful living" health fair at a Holistic health facility called RakSa.

When I first arrived, I was greeted promptly and asked if I wanted to sign up for a free acupuncture session and a facial consultation. I was then directed to a huge buffet of free raw food.

The food was so beautifully presented, with a colorful assortment of luscious berries and grapes, juicy tomatoes and bell peppers and decadent nutty truffles. There was also a smooth, creamy hummus to dip everything into.

I felt so invigorated after eating the fresh food. I found myself going back for several more rounds.

In addition to the amazing spread, the owner of Cafe Gratitude was also on hand sampling some delicious raw caprese bruschetta.

The bread was very crunchy with a slight olive flavor. It was salted perfectly. The cashew cheese was very creamy and mimicked mozzarella very well. The tomato chunk was sweet and juicy and was topped with a lovely garnish, which added a subtle spice. The balsamic reduction took the dish over the top, added an even sweeter, heavenly flavor.

After my stomach felt satisfied, I allowed my mind and body nourishment. I attended various panel discussions which emphasized the importance of a whole foods plant based diet for a complete well-being both emotionally and physically. It was interesting to hear each panelist's view on how our diets affect our health and our beauty. I would have loved to hear more of their perspective about the environmental impact of our diets, as this would have fit into the holistic practice very well.

Lastly, I headed upstairs for my free facial consultation and acupuncture session. Both left my body feeling even more amazing than when I arrived. I was way less stressed and my skin was radiant. The combination of the treatments and raw food left me in a blissful, empowered state. I was even more happy that I did not pay a single cent for this event. I cannot wait to attend another open house. It seems that this organization has them every few months. In addition, they offer yoga and tai chi classes and allow new customers to try one for free!

An Adventurous Evening At Amwaj

I cannot speak highly enough of Amwaj. While this place is not Vegan, the food can easily compete in the high ranks of established Vegan restaurants. In addition, the ambiance is quite charming and greatly contributes to the flavorful food. On my last visit, my friend and I decided to dine inside, since the air had a bite to it and the interior felt even more cozy. We had a great view of the restaurant from our seats and the lighting was perfect.

While we debated about what to order on the entirely separate extensive Vegan menu, we placed an order for some Amwaj Peppers ($7).

These were so heavenly and I cannot even begin to emphasize how delicious they were. The flavoring was so exotic and unlike anything I've had in the past. The red bell peppers were soft and luscious and so juicy. They were filled with a delightful assortment of savory white beans sprinkled with a delicate seasoning. The grilled onions were perfectly sauteed, with a very slight crispiness. The dish was coated in a very sweet molasses sauce that was so scrumptious. It contrasted the stuffing beautifully. The bell peppers sopped up the sauce very well, although I found myself licking the plate to get any remnants.

Next, our entrees came out. We ordered the Chicken Almandine ($16) and Assorted Tortellini ($14). I first tried the tortellini.

This was pretty good. I found the pasta to be too soft and pillowy. It did not seem to hold together very well and lacked a successful egg replacer. The interior, nevertheless, was fantastic. It was an artichoke-sundried tomato concoction that was the perfect blend of sweet, salty and savory. The marinara sauce really took it over the top, as the chunky tomatoes were very fresh and juicy. There was also a great mixture of oil and seasonings.

Lastly, I tried the Chicken Almandine.

I also enjoyed this dish very much. Parts of the chicken were a little overcooked, thus tasted crunchy. Nevertheless, the chicken itself had such a great texture and was slightly chewy and easy to eat. It had a lovely stuffing consisting of wild rice and mixed vegetables. The almond-crusted coating tasted delicious and was very savory. It was seasoned so well and very flavorful. The mashed potatoes accompanying the dish were very creamy, with a light spice. The roasted vegetables were also very appetizing, as they were soft and delicate and well-seasoned.

Overall, I really loved the meal. Of course, Amwaj still has room to improve, especially with the consistency of their pasta dishes. However, everything is so wonderfully spiced and seasoned and the dishes truly taste unique. I am willing to make the commute for this place, as the food is consistently superb. With my $25 restaurant.com gift certificate, we each spent just under $11 with tax and tip. This place is normally on the pricey side, but the food is definitely worth it!

A Lazy Week of Vegin' Out

I cannot profess my love for Vegan meal delivery services often enough, especially one of my favorites, Vegin' Out. If it wasn't for this amazing company, I would be living off frozen food most nights, since I lack any culinary skills. Lucky for me, Vegin' Out's food is both nutritious and delicious and is so reasonably priced. It's so nice to have food waiting for me in the fridge after a busy day that I can easily pop in the microwave for a mere 1-2 minutes and then pass it off as home cooked. Vegin' Out seems to have constant deals on Groupon-like sites and I recently purchased a voucher for $58 for a week's worth of food from Living Social. I was excited to redeem it on a week that I felt incredibly lazy, due to the heat of the summer. That week also featured enticing options that made me drool just reading the menu on Vegin' Out's website. When I received my order in the early afternoon, I dug into the bag, anxious to try everything, but willing myself to make it last 9-10 days.

I first tried the Zucchini Lemongrass soup.

The soup was very good and had a creamy consistency. The zucchini flavor was very overpowering, with the taste of lemongrass being very subtle. It had a light spice and excellent seasoning. I found it very refreshing, especially on a hot day.

Next, I tried the Oven Roasted Broccoli and Carrots.

The vegetables were soft and delectable and easy to chew. It had a very light seasoning with a mild flavor. I found it to be a little bland and lacking salt.

Next, I had the Edamame and White Beans.

This was excellent and was perfectly seasoned. It had a light coating of oil and had such great textures, from the soft, delicate edamame and white beans to the crunchy pieces of toasted peanuts. The dish was fairly salty, but had a slight sweetness to balance it out.

Next, I had the Roasted Reds.

This was my favorite side dish and was so well-cooked and seasoned. The potatoes were very oily and were mildly spiced. The texture was perfect, as they were soft to the touch and crumbled inside my mouth.

Next, I had the Quinoa Pilaf.

I really did not enjoy this dish at all. The quinoa was too hard and did not have any flavor at all. In fact, it tasted a little bitter. The assorted vegetables were not cooked very well and were difficult to eat. This definitely could have used some spices and seasonings.

Next, I tried the entrees. Vegin' Out's strong suit is their main courses, which are all very flavorful and quite inventive.

The first entree I had was the Santa Fe Penne.

This was delicious and while I normally do not like whole wheat pasta, I really enjoyed this dish. The pasta and assorted vegetables were soft and delectable. They were generously coated in a savory sauce that seemed like a combination of a creamy pesto sauce with a touch of chipotle. The dish had a very mild spice to it.

Next, I had the Blackened Tofu Sweet Potatoes and Corn.

This dish was decent. The sweet potatoes and corn had a light spice and were beautifully seasoned. They were cooked very well and were soft and easy to chew. The tofu, however, tasted a little bland and was rubbery. It did not seem to fit the dish. I would have preferred softer, more luscious tofu chunks or perhaps some juicy pieces of seitan.

Lastly, I had the Coconut Curry Chickpeas.

I loved this dish. It was so creamy and had a lovely, mild spice. I would have preferred it to be a little spicier, but it was fine how it was. The chickpeas were very delectable and the juicy slivers of bell peppers added a slight sweetness to the dish.

Last but not least were the Chocolate Pretzel cookies.

Vegin' Out's cookies are truly the best that I've ever had. The chocolate pretzel cookie was no exception. It had a slight crunchiness reminiscent of a pretzel and was very chocolatey. It had an excellent sweetness with a slight buttery taste.

Overall, I really enjoyed my week's worth of meals. I always find myself preferring certain dishes over others, but this is a great learning experience for me for ordering in the future. The side dishes are not as outstanding as the entrees and I really wish that Vegin' Out would add more spices and flavorings to these. I would also like to see them be a little more experimental with their side dishes. In addition, some dishes do not freeze as well as others and end up becoming watery as a result. Nevertheless, I felt very satisfied after eating each dish and looked forward to every meal. I cannot wait to order more food from Vegin' Out and am seriously hoping they will be having another deal soon.

Learning Street Food At Native Foods

One of my favorite, completely free Vegan events is Native Food's monthly cooking demos. While I do not cook, I enjoy listening to Chef Tanya's lengthy speeches providing advice for Veganizing common comfort food items. I am sure this is extremely helpful to people who actually possess culinary skills. It is safe to say that I go more for the entertainment of feeling like I am part of a live cooking show and being able to sample the various dishes Chef Tanya makes.

This past Saturday, Chef Tanya held a cooking demo at the Culver City location, featuring Street food. I was excited to attend and made sure to bring a full appetite. Chef Tanya was charismatic as always and the food was flavorful and delicious.

The demo began with a sampling of chai tea.

The chai tea was so sweet and had a great spice to it. It had a hint of vanilla and was very creamy and milky.

Next, we had some Mexican Corn with Chipotle Mayo and Parmesan.

The corn was beautifully grilled and had a light charcoal flavor. It also was very salty. The chipotle mayo on top was very creamy with a subtle spiciness.

Next, we had some lavender lemonade.

The lemonade had a slight sweetness to it and was very refreshing. The taste of lavender was very dominant and calming.

Next, some Greek Gyros were passed around.

This was so delicious and well seasoned. It had a very savory taste, with pieces of chewy seitan and freshly cut vegetables. The tsatziki sauce added a slight sourness and was very creamy.

Next, we were given some watermelon drink to wash down the gyros.

This was very refreshing and had a slight cooling taste. It was very sweet and I love that there was a light  watermelon pulp.

Lastly, we were given Grilled Banana Satay.

This was my favorite and seemed like a hybrid entree-dessert. The grilled banana was very sweet, yet had a hint of spice and slight taste of charcoal. The taste of cinnamon was also very dominant and it was very sugary. The coconut sprinkling helped balance the flavor out, providing a slight saltiness.

Overall, I really enjoyed all the samples and the demo was very informative. I would love Native Foods to incorporate all or some of these dishes into their repertoire. Nevertheless, I look forward to trying more of their creations at the next demo.

An Eloquent Evening of Ethiopian Food

On Carmageddon weekend, my friends and I braved the streets to venture to Rahel Ethiopian in Ethiopia town. Luckily, the streets were ghost-like, as most people were too afraid to leave their homes. We also lucked out in finding metered parking right across from the restaurant, which is a rarity for that area. I was so excited to eat Ethiopian food, and even better, at an entirely Vegan restaurant. With my $25 restaurant.com gift certificate in hand and my stomach rumbling loudly, I prepared myself for a savory feast.

We decided to order two sambussas ($2.50 each) to start and the Millennium Special ($30) as our main course, which included an array of curries and salad on a bed of injera bread and a dessert to end the meal.

First the sambussas came out.

These were crispy and fried and so pastry-like, save for the savory, perfectly spiced interior. The sambussas reminded me so much of their Indian counterpart, the samosa and are beautifully deep fried and slightly oily as well. The only difference seems to be the interior which consists of a delectable lentil mixture and is less spicy than a samosa, although just as well seasoned.

Next, we had our beautifully presented Millennium Special.

This was so colorful and even more tasty than it looks. There was such a range of curries from the mushy lentils, to the slightly crunchy green beans to to the chewy collard greens. Everything had a very slight spice and had its own unique flavor. The dishes also had a light dusting of salt to balance out the flavor. My favorite was the pumpkin stew, which was very sweet and had a creamy consistency. I also really enjoyed the various lentil stews which were all so savory. The salad was light and refreshing and complimented the curries so well. I have a love-hate relationship with the injera bread, as it sops up the curries perfectly and has such a fantastic sponginess, yet it soon after expands in my stomach and I quickly feel over-stuffed.

Lastly, our desserts came out, which were small slivers of cheesecake.

This portion was way smaller than it has been on previous visits, which was quite disappointing. Rahel's cheesecake is not reflective of how amazing Vegan cheesecakes can be and perhaps this is because they are an Ethiopian restaurant. Nevertheless, I feel like they could easily import a decadent dessert. This cheesecake was too bitter and not very creamy.

Overall, I really enjoyed the food. We ordered so much of it and somehow managed to eat it all. I love that Rahel has such tasty food, but the menu is fairly small. I would love for them to experiment with more dishes, as it would encourage me to visit them more often. Nevertheless, each dish is quite unique, with its own spices and flavorings. The meal was very inexpensive at only $10 (with tax and tip included). I will definitely be back when I am in the mood for a mildly spicy feast.