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Tender Greens – Los Angeles (West Hollywood)

Published

on June 16, 2010

in Chain / Multiple Locations, Los Angeles, Media Event (this meal was free), Restaurant Review and Vegan

. 13 Comments

If things go according to plan, the entire city of Los Angeles will be amped up on sugar and good spirits this weekend courtesy of the Eat My Blog charity bake sale. This time around, we’ve teamed up with Tender Greens in West Hollywood. It might seem strange to hold a gluttonous event at such a virtuous venue, but I assure you that it all makes perfect sense. After all, what better way to counteract the damage of downing a dozen cupcakes than by consuming a plateful of organic greens afterwards? Guilt assuaged.

While scoping out Tender Green’s space last week, I went against my carb-loading ways and ordered a salad for lunch. I could’ve eaten local albacore tuna, barbecue chicken, or even flat-iron steak, but decided to step completely out of my comfort zone and went with The Happy Vegan ($10.50). I have never felt more like a stereotypical L.A. gal than I did that afternoon eating a vegan salad in the middle of West Hollywood. At least I didn’t have a small dog with me.

The platter was comprised of four different salads—farro wheat with cranberry and hazelnuts, quinoa with cucumbers and beets, green hummus, and tabouleh. A pile of romaine leaves, along with a large house made crouton, rounded out the plate. Each salad struck a nice balance between healthy and tasty, but my favorite was the the green hummus. I haven’t a clue what’s in there besides lots of chickpeas, herbs, and garlic, but my oh my, was it moreish to the max. I washed it all down with a most refreshing mint-infused lemonade.

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Daikokuya – Los Angeles (Downtown)

Published

Gastronomer

on April 30, 2010

in Chain / Multiple Locations, Japanese, Los Angeles and Restaurant Review

. 27 Comments

Have I told you lately how much I love L.A.? Well, I do. A lot. I feel giddy every time I discover a new part of the city, especially one that’s nice to my wallet and even nicer to my taste buds. The Astronomer and I were recently introduced to Little Tokyo by our friends and long-time Angelenos Andrew and Miri. After a recent religious experience with a bowl of Daikokuya‘s tonkotsu ramen, Andrew insisted that we meet there for dinner. Upon hearing that piggy back fat was the key ingredient in the broth, all I needed to know was when to show up.

With a firm no reservations policy, Daikokuya is notorious for having tortuously long waits. We hedged our bets by showing up somewhat early on a Sunday night. After twenty minutes of chilling under the restaurant’s yellow awnings, our party of five was led to a plushy red booth. The dingy dining room was warm and humming with happy slurpers.

A ramenya experience is incomplete without a few plates of gyoza ($5.95) to start. The ones at Daikokuya are filled with pork and vegetables, wrapped in thin papers, and pan fried. An order includes five dumplings that arrive in a raft-like mass, accompanied by a mild dipping sauce on the side. After carefully peeling a dumpling from its mates, Andrew declared the gyozas the best he’s ever tasted. I would’ve shouted out in agreement, except that my mouth was occupied by a plump little dumpling.

For our main course, The Astronomer and I shared one of Daikokuya’s combination options that included a cabbage slaw, a bowl of ramen, and a small teriyaki eel bowl ($12.95). Daikokuya’s broth is made using simmered kurobuta pork bones, as well as extra back fat (kotteri) upon request. The broth was thick, milky, and luxurious, while the noodles were curly and springy. A couple spoonfuls of finely minced garlic and florescent pickled ginger balanced out the bowl to perfection.

The unagi bowl was straightforward and delicious. Truly, what’s not to love about buttery eel painted with a sweet glaze?

And because The Astronomer was feeling extra hungry, we also ordered a tuna sashimi bowl ($10.95). The slabs of fish were just thick enough and unquestionably fresh. We enjoyed having the tuna’s clean flavors to contrast the ramen’s avalanche of porkiness.

It took a while for The Astronomer and me to make our way to Little Tokyo, but now that we’ve had a proper introduction, there’s little doubt that we’ll become regulars.

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Daikokuya
327 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-626-1680

Sage Cafe – Seattle

Published

Gastronomer

on April 5, 2010

in Chain / Multiple Locations, Restaurant Review, Seattle, Vegan and Vegetarian

. 14 Comments

Although it might not be apparent from the decadent morsels posted on this blog, there’s a little voice inside my head that keeps my diet in check. Whenever I’ve stuffed too many cupcakes or dumplings down my gullet, it pipes up to remind me that a little greenery wouldn’t hurt. The little voice is admittedly quieter while I’m on vacation, but it has its limits. After 36 hours of consuming little more than doughnuts, chowder, and ice cream, my body was hurting for some vegetables.

Fortunately, The Astronomer, Rosalind, and I were kickin’ it in Capitol Hill when the mood for roughage hit. The densely populated area is home to Seattle’s most happenin’ hipsters and virtuous vegetarians. A resident of the neighborhood, Rosalind led us to Sage Cafe (formerly Hillside Quickie’s Cafe), her favorite vegan sandwich shop in the city. With hearty nutrients in sight, the little voice cheered with glee.

According to the company’s website, Sage Cafe is a twenty-year-old family business that started in the back of a mini-van. From its humble roots, the local chain has become the leading Northwest company in the vegan Slow Food movement.

From the lengthy menu, I selected The Sweet Jamaican wrap ($11), which was comprised of jerk-spiced tofu in lavash bread with smoked yams, grilled sweet onions, tomatoes, coleslaw, lettuce, and vegan mayonnaise. The hefty package was neatly wrapped and bursting with freshness. The tastiest bites were the ones that paired the creamy yams with the spicy tofu. Let it be known that I am a meat eater with a soft spot for soy byproducts.

The Astronomer’s Thai Curried Gyro ($10) came with seitan, grilled onions, and heirloom tomatoes on Egyptian flat bread. The sandwich turned out to be a knife and fork affair since the oozy contents could not be contained. The wrap was pretty darn tasty with its curried innards, but sadly was a big ‘ol mess to behold and eat. Food should be a feast for the eyes and mouth.

Rosalind’s El Besito Caliente burger ($11) was a tremendous mouthful of grilled tofustrami (tofu with pastrami seasonings), avocado, cucumbers, caramelized red onions, and tomatoes. A vegan lime chipotle mayonnaise moistened the burger from top to bottom. The “spicy little kiss” packed a lot of heat and was the most delightful veggie burger I’ve ever tasted.

Sage Cafe was just what my body craved on this sunny afternoon in Seattle.

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Sage Cafe
324 15th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: 206-325-6429