An Earthy Deal At Veggie Grill

For the next few days, Veggie Grill is offering a fantastic deal to encourage patrons to be more eco-friendly. Of course eating a vegan meal is already the most eco-friendly thing a person can do, but since ALL of our actions are important, it's great that Veggie Grill is rewarding customers who are strive to help the environment through riding a bike or taking public transportation. All you have to do is bring your helmet or show your bus receipt to get a free meal. The deal is that if you purchase a meal, you'll get a voucher for a future entree. Make sure you read the fine print, though, since the entree card expires in a month.

I went yesterday with some friends to take advantage of the deal by bringing in a bicycle helmet and presenting it to the cashier. I ordered a baja fiesta salad which was quite tasty with the succulent papaya and buttery avocado slices. I still find the vinaigrette to be a little too sweet, though. I cannot wait to return again with my free entree card. If you haven't gone yet, you have until Monday to bike or bus yourself to one of their locations. I find it odd that walking doesn't count, since that doesn't cause any CO2 emissions, but I guess it's harder to prove that you walked there, unless you present the scuff marks on your sneakers. 

A Lingering Meal At Leaf Organics

On a lovely March evening, my friends and I had a delicious meal at Leaf Organics. This wonderful raw/cooked vegan fusion cafe had plenty of options for our growling stomachs and left us feeling pleased.

We began the meal with one of my favorites: Rawchos ($6).

These were even better than usual. I'm not sure if they revamped the recipe, but the appetizer was so flavorful and had the perfect amount of spices. I loved the variety of cheeses, from the smooth cashew "queso" to the the almond, nutty parmesan. I normally loathe sour cream, but Leaf's version is very light and doesn't have an overpowering sour taste. The chips were perfectly crunchy and the beets on top added a lovely sweet touch.

Next, our entrees came out. I had the Shanti in a baked sweet potato ($11).

This dish was fantastic. I loved the mixture of saag and chana masala, as both had wonderful Indian spices and seasonings. The chickpeas and spinach were soft and easy to chew. The cashew sour kreme was a nice touch and balanced out the spiciness of the curries with its cooling taste. The baked potato absorbed the flavors perfectly and was sweet and succulent.

One of my friends got the Sloppy Jose in a baked sweet potato ($11).

This was also very delicious. The chili was fantastic and so savory. The beans and corn concoction was  very juicy and had a meaty taste. The cashew sour kreme and pico de gallo enhanced the flavors of the dish. Similar to my dish, the sweet potato added a lovely sweetness and balanced out the spices very well.

Lastly, I tried my other friend's dish: Thai Simmer over quinoa ($11).

This was equally fabulous and enjoyable to eat. The grilled vegetables were soft and delectable and covered in a smooth, rich sauce that had a wonderful coconut flavor. The quinoa absorbed the flavors of the sauce well and provided its own nutty taste. The cashew kreme cheese took the dish over the top added a slight sweetness and enhancing the nuttiness of the quinoa.

Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert and the restaurant was about to close when we finished. Despite the lack of dessert, the meal was still fantastic and so tasty. Since we used a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate, the meal was about $20 total for the three of us. I cannot wait to return to Leaf again soon and order more of their delicious food.

A Sweet Meal At Sage Vegan Bistro

On a lovely evening after spending the day with my friend at the Griffith Observatory, we headed over to Sage Vegan Bistro to enjoy a delicious meal. I love how the food is eloquently presented and has sophisticated flavors, yet the atmosphere is so contradictory with a laid back, hipster vibe. It was a little noisy, since the restaurant was packed, but my friend and I were still able to catch up over a wonderful meal.

For my entree, I ordered the Gluten-Free Vermicelli Bowl ($13).

I honestly had no idea what to expect from this dish, but I found it to be very good. The grilled tofu battered with a fantastic sesame ginger sauce was spectacular. It seemed like the perfect replacement for salmon (which I used to love prior to going Vegetarian). The kimchi added a wonderful bitterness, while the juicy mandarins and succulent pomegranate seeds were a great contrast, adding a subtle sweetness to the dish. The kale was well massaged and the cucumbers were nice and crispy.

For dessert, I had a waffle sandwich ($7).

This was spectacular and everything I would expect from a waffle sandwich and more. The waffle was so soft and buttery with a slight crispiness. The ice cream had a lovely chocolatey coffee mixture and was not too sweet. It was a little too icy in spots, but still very enjoyable. The maple syrup took the sandwich over the top and made it taste so heavenly. Eating this dessert made me feel like I was floating on clouds for the rest of the night.

Overall, the meal was fabulous. Everything was so tasty, but not too indulgent that I would feel disgusting afterwards. We used a 30% off coupon from Blackboard Eats, which significantly reduced the cost of the meal. It ended up being about $17 (with tax and tip) per person. I cannot wait to return to Sage soon.

A Gorgeous Meal At Cafe Gratitude

On a frigid winter night, my friends and I ventured to Cafe Gratitude in Venice to indulge in their heavenly food. The restaurant is unlike any other with its earthy, laid back atmosphere and luscious, yet healthy concoctions. I was excited when Blackboard Eats had a special deal for a three course meal for only $17 and my enthusiasm became even greater as the day I was to dine there approached. Since the restaurant was full when we arrived (approximately 9 pm), we ended up dining outside. I was reluctant to be seated out there, but when I saw the cozy seating under the warming heat lamps, I felt at ease.

We began the meal with cold pressed juices (which of course is so stereotypically LA). My friend and I opted to split the I Am Worthy and I Am Healthy (normally $5.25 each).

The I Am Worthy drink consisted of apple, celery, kale, beet and ginger. The apple and beet gave the juice a lovely sweet flavor, but the ginger and kale were very overpowering in making the drink taste tart and bitter. I would have liked some more sweetness to balance it out (perhaps a banana?). I really enjoyed the I Am Healthy juice which consisted of kale, celery, cucumber and lemon juice. This drink was more mellow and while it also had a tartness, it is a little more subtle. 

For my appetizer, I had the I Am Local salad ($13).

This salad was magnificent. It had lovely succulent flavorings from the roasted beets, maple walnuts and apples. The bitter red onions balanced out the sweetness perfectly. The fig balsamic vinaigrette had a fantastic blend of sweet and tangy that worked great on the salad. The creamy, nutty cashew mozzarella cheese took the salad over the top and made it very decadent. The oregano crostini was a fabulous accompaniment, adding a crunchiness and savory taste.

Lastly, I had my entree: I Am Elated ($13).

These raw enchiladas were very delicious. There was an excellent blend of flavors from the spicy, savory corn to the sweet, juicy mango. The cacao mole had a wonderful chocolate taste and a slight bitterness. The cashew queso added a nutty flavor and was rich and creamy. The tortillas being raw were a little difficult to cut and chew, but the fillings softened them a bit.

Overall, the food was amazing. Everything was flavorful, filling, and uplifting. The name of the restaurant truly suits the place, since I felt so grateful for the food and appreciative of the fact that I am able to eat such wholesome food. The meal was pretty expensive at around $20 with tax and tip, but definitely worth it. This meal could have lasted me at least two meals (perhaps even more), but since I was famished, I ended up eating it all at once. I cannot wait to return to Cafe Gratitude soon and am hoping they will have another deal soon!

A Magnificent Deal From M Cafe

This week only, celebrate an aMazing vegan-friendly establishment in Los Angeles: M Cafe. They are currently celebrating the 4th year of their Beverly Hills location. I have dined there several times and have found their food to be quite delicious, especially their desserts. My favorites are their breakfast food and specials. For the next two days, after 4 pm, they are offering $4 off your purchase of $15 or more. This is pretty much equivalent to getting a free dessert with the purchase of an entree.

On my last visit there, I got a scrumptious vegetable lasagna that was loaded with a luscious cheese and delectable veggies. While I'm sure they no longer run this special, they may have items that are similar in taste. I hope to make it there while they are running this special. If not, I wish M Cafe a very happy birthday celebration and hope they will continue to thrive.

A Squeaky Clean Meal At Sun Cafe

I've noticed lately that a lot of my favorite raw food places have been closing. First, Cru sadly closed its doors. Next, Better Life Cuisine bit the dust. While some new raw restaurants have come to take their place, I still find myself craving something familiar. Thankfully, Sun Cafe in Studio City has weathered the storm and judging by the full tables, it seems that it's here to stay. I dined there recently with some friends and enjoyed everything we ordered.

We began with a Lettuce Taco, which I received for free with my Green Menu membership.

I was a little upset that this was so small, but only because it was just that delicious. The lettuce was very crisp and absorbed the flavors well. The savory meat was mildly spiced and the cashew cheese was so creamy and luscious. The avocado was rich and buttery, while the tomatos were succulent.

Next, we had the Sun Nachos ($12), which is my favorite menu item, and a must for every visit.

The chips were crispy and warm from the oven. The cashew cheese was liquidy, yet formed small globs in certain places. It had a slight kick to it. The guacamole was heavenly and had such a rich flavor. The cabbage and olives added a lovely bitterness, which the juicy soyrizo and jalapeno spices burned in my mouth. 

Next, we had the Mac & Cheese ($14).

This is seriously the best mac and cheese I've ever had, vegan or not. The quinoa pasta was slightly doughy and pillowy. The cashew cheese sauce had a wonderful saltiness and a cheddar flavor, without the artificial taste. The pecan cheese on top really took the dish over the top, adding a light, nutty flavor.

Next, we had the Roasted Vegetable Curry ($13).

I was a little nervous to try this, since it deviates from the normal curry. I found it a little odd that quinoa was being served as an accompaniment instead of the traditional rice, but I actually found that the nutty flavor of the quinoa complimented the sweet and salty flavors of the curry. The yellow curry itself was mild in spiciness. The sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and bell peppers added a wonderful succulent flavor, while the onions and spinach contrasted with a bitterness. There was a dollop of cashew cream which made this dish a real standout.

Overall, the meal was very good. I was completely stuffed, yet satisfied (as I often am after eating healthy food). It was a little odd that we ordered almost all cooked food, yet each dish had elements of raw food in them. We did not have much of a discount, unfortunately, so the meal was a little on the expensive side. With tax and tip, we each paid $15. I am hoping Sun Cafe participates in more deals in the future so I can visit more often!

A Crazy Good Meal At Cowboys And Turbans

On a vibrant weekday night, I headed over with two of my friends to Silverlake to dine at one of my favorite fusion restaurants, Cowboys and Turbans. Since it was freezing cold outside, we opted to dine inside and sat in a cozy booth. The restaurant smelled of Indian and Mexican spices, which was very pleasant. Since the restaurant does serve meat, unfortunately, there was a slightly smoky scent, but thankfully not too unbearable.

We began the meal with a few appetizers. The first appetizer we had was the Cauliflower Samosa ($6).

The samosa was very crispy and had a lovely cauliflower mixture, which was moderately spiced. I really liked the curry flavor of the cauliflower and how there were a few crunchy bits.

Next, we had the Spinach Samosa ($6).

This samosa was very similar to the other, in having a perfectly crispy interior from being deep fried. The inside was almost as spicy, but had a more creamy texture from the spinach. It was also softer and easier to chew than the cauliflower samosa.

Next, we had the Potatoes and Cauliflower Pakoras ($7).

The pakoras were great. The batter had a lovely seasoning and was deep-fried to perfection. The vegetables inside were so luscious and juicy and had such a great flavor.

Next, we had the Aloo Gobi Quesadilla ($11).

This quesadilla was fantastic. The potatoes were so soft and delectable and had a wonderful seasoning. The daiya cheese was very melty and took on the flavors of the curry. The tortilla was slightly crispy and easy to chew.

Next, we had some Tofu Tacos ($6).

These tacos were very delicious. The tofu was very meaty and had a savory taste. There was a variety of chutneys which provided a mixture of heat and sweetness. The taco shells were warm and crunchy and took on the flavors of the spices very well. The avocados added a rich, buttery taste and took the dish over the top.

Our last entree was a pizza, which was half Mixed Vegetable and half Aloo Gobi ($11).

The pizza was phenomenal. I appreciated that the waitress told us we could do half and half, since we debated over which one to try. The mixed vegetable half was very good. The vegetables were well-cooked and the masala sauce had wonderful spicy notes. The pizza was loaded with gooey daiya cheese. The aloo gobi half was also very tasty. The curry worked well on the pizza and the soft bread sopped up the flavor well.

Lastly, we had a side of Kachumbre Salad ($7).

This was a great accompaniment to the meal, since it was so cooling and refreshing. It counteracted the spices and prevented our mouths from an intense burning. The vegetables were crisp and fresh tasting.

Overall, the meal was spectacular. The food was so flavorful and I loved the blend of Indian and Mexican seasonings, which complimented one another so well. Since we used a Groupon voucher for $15 for $30 worth of food, the meal was under $20 a person. This was a pretty good deal, considering the amount of food we got!