Mmm Vegan Pizza that doesn't suck

Last night I had a serious hankering for some pizza, and decided to scratch the itch with some vegan pizza from a place I had previously read about online called Pizza Fusion, located on Sunset between Fairfax and Crescent Heights, right next to the Sansai place. So I'm kinda skeptical about vegan pizza because more often then not the cheese is just nasty. Once my dinner date bit into my vegan pizza and claimed that it tasted like hot garbage. The texture of the cheese is often slippery, slimy and not very gooey in a good way. Anyway, I decided to take my chances on the "very vegan" pizza off of the menu. I ordered it with multigrain crust, and it is topped with mushrooms and chunks of garlic. Oh yeah this little baby hit the spot. Although I can make my complaints about the cheese, not being the best in the world, the sauce, crust and toppings all made up for it. It was savory and aromatic, pleasing my hippie senses. The crust was not too grainy or healthy tasting, in fact it added a nice dimension to the rest of the flavors. The mushrooms were so delicate and soft, I just loved them! I'm a big garlic fan and loved the big chunks. Overall, this pizza was a winner for my veg palate, and I am eager to try it again when I need a pizza fix.

If you guys go out and try it, let me know what you think! I'm curious to see the reactions of others.

Romance and Vegan Finds in the Non-Vegan Jungle (or something close)

I have a new favorite spot in the ever hippie-loving burrough of Los Angeles known as Silverlake. It's this cool little hideaway restaurant called Cliff's Edge Cafe, which is located on Sunset and Edgecliffe. It's hard to spot, and you'll most likely drive right by it, because its shoved back in a corner next to the 99 cent store and I'm pretty sure it doesn't have a sign on it. But don't fret if you don't find it on your first try, drive by again and keep looking, it'll be worth it!

First of all, The Ciff's Edge is a great place for a veg head to go if they are 1. on a hot date or even better 2. on a hot date with a non-hippie. The menu is well put together, with enough options for both the vegan and the non-vegan to choose from. Tasty options, mind you. We lucked out, because I had a hankering for some vegan ravioli, and when we arbitrarily decided to take a look at the Cliff's Edge menu, we found it had Vegan Mushroom Spinach Ravioli with Ratatouille on the menu - yay! In addition to this, I also found a Vegan Vegetable Stew with Herbed Cous Cous which I will certainly be trying next time. I went for the ravioli, which was fairly basic but flavorful, and definitely got the job done. I could've gone for more, but they had plenty of tasty bread to fill up on. My date ordered the Braised Short Ribs, which he devoured completely, obviously a good sign. They also have a Spaghetti Aglio e Olio which has parmesan cheese, but could be done without the cheese and would then be vegan. My boyfriend has had that before, and it looked delicious as he claimed it was. There is also a K. Greco Salad with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Lemon Juice that is vegan friendly and would mostly be a clean, light dish.

As well as having a rich menu with vegan options, Cliff's Edge Cafe has one other major thing going for it: the atmosphere. As you can see from the picture above, when you walk into the restaurant, there is a giant tree in the middle. Yeah that's right, a TREE. How hippie-friendly is that? You can eat vegan foods and enjoy nature at the same time. And in the main part of the restaurant, it's completely open so you can see the night sky above you. The walls are covered with foliage so you literally feel like you've somehow escaped into this secret jungle hideaway for a delicious romantic dinner (at least thats how I feel, if I imagine hard enough). This is definitely a place to go for a lovely romantic place to enjoy beautiful LA weather. Which reminds me, it is even good to go on a cold night, as there are heat lamps above and by the tables to keep you toasty. Honestly, the atmosphere alone is enough to go there.

The only downsides I can say about Cliff's Edge would be the $15 cork fee (we brought our own vegan friendly sulfate-free wine) and the light portion of the ravioli, which really wasn't a problem considering how much bread I ate.

I am highly recommending Cliff's Edge, its a find worth being found for both the veg and the non veg patron. Make your way to this Silverlake treasure!

The LA Hiking "Hippie"

Well, I guess its not even a hippie thing to hike in Los Angeles, as pretty much everyone does it from time to time, or at least once. Going hiking at Runyon Canyon is just heading to the "hippest" nature spot in Hollywood (now, that's just perfect irony) to meet wannabe outdoorsy people wearing their most awesomely Hollywood designer workout gear. Even so, I'm not going to lie that it does have a pretty cool view when you get to the top, and can definitely make for a moderately challenging workout. However, when going it is best to either bring 1. a buddy, which many people do so they can walk at a leisurely pace (still in their pristine workout getup, of course) in order to run their mouths about some mundane topic typically having nothing to do with either hiking or nature, or 2. an Ipod or similar MP3 device in order to block out the other people around you talking about mundane unhiking and unnaturey crap. Also, I'd highly recommend the Fuller Street entrance, as even though it is by far the busiest, it is the best for the best workout.

The best and for sure most hippie thing about Runyon Canyon is the free yoga. Yeah, that's right, FREE. Well, technically its donation yoga, but hey, if you're a broke hippie like me then don't feel so bad about getting your zen on minus payment. Just be sure to throw a few bucks every couple sessions to at least show your appreciation. And focus extra hard in class so you don't look like a stingy douche. Anyway,the classes are every weekday from 10:30 to 11:45, and then in the afternoon from 2-3. Bring your own mat, be on time, do as the instructor says. I've had sessions with two different instructors, and for all I know there are only two instructors total, but they are definitely different although both fairly fast and not very zen-y or calming. Yet they do push you to do well and you'll for sure get a great workout and will really sweat. In the morning sessions I've seen people bringing their own incense to burn next to them as they work the yoga. Multiple people. In the middle of a park. Yup.

Check out the page at:
http://www.myspace.com/runyoncanyonyoga

And yes, I do recommend the yoga, even though the instructors are a little harsh for my liking and you are most likely either too chilly or too sticky and the little bugs swarm you like crazy. But you'll get  your hippie ass kicked in the best way, that's for sure.

Let's do Vegan McD's style! Or wait...

...that's not right. Isn't that what they call an oxymoron? And I guess that parallel wouldn't be McD's but more appropriately...a ToGo's or some other kind of sandwich chain. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that there is a chain of vegan restaurants in California called "The Veggie Grill," and if you haven't been to one you are MISSING OUT! Vegan or not, the food is ridiculous.

First of all, when you go to a Veggie Grill, its silly how happy the people who work there are. Silly. They are always super excited about everything on the menu, and, unannoyingly, seem genuine about it.  At least the Veggie Grill I've experienced, which is on Sunset and Crescent Heights in West Hollywood, right next to the Trader Joes.

Caesar Wrap and Sweetheart Fries

So on to the food. Okay, so the first time I was there I had some salad. I honestly don't even remember what it was, but I do know that it was averagely good, it got the job done. I also had the Bean Me Up Chilli, which was very tasty, but I'm a sucker for veg chilli which really isn't hard to make well so thats not saying too much. The next time I went, I tried the Chickin' Caesar Wrap. Holy GOODNESS! This is NOT your ordinary Caesar wrap, vegan or not! It is made with a chipolte ranch sauce that will make your lady or man bits tingle with delight. It is honestly probably one of the best wraps I've ever had the sheer pleasure of eating, if not the best. I would highly recommend getting it with the Sweetheart fries, as they come with a side of chipolte ranch sauce that is so good and so rich you may want to cry.

For those of you who are non-rabbit food eaters, do not shy away from The Veggie Grill. It is the most non-vegan friendly vegan place I've been to in LA yet, and I can say this with confidence as my boyfriend, a proud carnivore, loves this place as much, if not more, than I do and agreed that this is the new favorite restaurant around.

Other things I've tried and liked: The All-American Stack was pretty darn tasty, but honestly a little overwhelming as it is difficult to eat with all the pieces coming out everywhere. But if you are up for a little messy delight, its a go. The Bayou Chickin' also had great flavor, but I still prefer the Caesar Wrap.

Oh and one more thing, an important thing, to say about The Veggie Grill. Like most vegan places, they use fake meat, BUT, this "meat" is the most meaty fake meat I have ever tried. Period. The chickin' in the wrap and the sandwich is JUST LIKE CHICKEN. The texture is just like it! And I will be so bold as to say the flavor is better. And of course it leaves you more satisfied, knowing that no adorable, brainless, innocent chickys had to be beheaded for your meal.

www.veggiegrill.com

Get to it! Oh and P.S. Be sure to try the strawberry lemonade! Not too sweet and not too sour! Juuuust right, and very fresh!

Non-Hippies don't like Hippie Bagels

Flore Vegan

Today my non-hippie man (although he is very indie indeed - plays in a band, has long hair, wears tight jeans - you know the drill) and I trucked down to the dirty hippie watering hole of Silverlake, Flore Vegan, and ordered sprouted wheat bagels with (soy) cream cheese, sprouts, tomatos and onion. Now, I loved mine, its a nutrional, wholesome and tasty way for me to start my day. However, my boyfriend asked me if they had any "normal" bagels and complained that the sprouted wheat bagel tasted like bread and he preferred the "normal" kind. I tried to explain to him the badness of eating lots of starch, which he rolled his eyes to and didn't seem to pay much attention. Sigh, the hippie does only what she can do!

I will say this for Flore, that is unarguable. The coffee is delicious. Its smooth, rich, great flavor, and the perfect amount of strength. They grind it fresh, obviously, and its worth the $2.50 or whatever it is they charge. Yummy!

After eating the tasty sprouted rabbit food, I went on a hike at Fryman Canyon in Studio City. If you haven't been, you should really stop on by. Its a great spot as its very quiet and full of lots of nature. Lots of trees, beautiful mini lush valleys, and usually not too crowded, or at least less busy than Runyon. Definitely a good place for the LA hippie to wander to for some lovely nature bonding or a genuine granola workout.

The day is over - good night.

www.florevegan.com

Vegan Foods in Silverlake and an Indie band - could this day get any hippier?

Links, the band

Hell yes. I started off the morning with one of my favorite bands, Links, on KTLA, and am now ready to get my hippie-self moving for the rest of this glorious day. (Check Links out at www.myspace.com/linksband)

The Club at Flore Vegan

So as this is my first post in my blog about being a rabbit-food eating hippie in Los Angeles, I'd like to start by sharing my recent trip to Flore Vegan in Silverlake. This is a great spot, as it is not only all vegan, but also they use organic ingredients. The food is delicious, particularly the Club Sandwich, which really is incredible.I wasn't too crazy about the Reuban, it tasted more like a tuna melt. Still delicious, but not very reubany. Their potato salad is kickass, and I love stopping by for a sprouted wheat bagel with vegan cream cheese every now and then (throw on some sprouts, tomato and onion and voila- delicious bagel sandwich). The one drawback for some of you may be that it is indeed always full of dirty hippies. I'm not just talking about the patrons, as the wait staff there are obviously forced to wear typical silverlake get-up a la the 70's, with plaid western shirts and jeans that are bell-bottomy and too tight (on the men...).

I'll try to do something extra hippie today so I can share with you. Maybe I'll rescue an animal or dance naked in the rain. Oh wait, no rain, so I guess that means animal. Peace.