Foodeater Z.'s Profile

(Update: 3/7/2008): Shojin is NOW OPEN... what are you waiting for?!)

Shojin restaurant is set to open in Little Tokyo by the end of January 2008, but three lucky little L.A. vegan food bloggers got a special invitation to Shojin's sneak peak menu tasting. Lucky indeed, as this was no ordinary sampler type tasting but a full-on four course meal (with our pick from two options for each course).

From their website: "Located in downtown Los Angeles, Shojin restaurant offers organic and natural meals inspired by "Shojin Cuisine" Japanese traditional vegetarian food. We provide organic and natural foods utilizing seasonal vegetables to create unique and a new style of Japanese food."

From the moment we arrived, we were treated like royalty. The staff was so nice and so genuinely eager to please. This, coupled by the fact that they had a photographer on hand documenting the event (and our every move), made us feel like we were rockstars. As soon as we were seated we were presented with a "Welcome" drink of fresh squeezed sugarcane, ginger and cayenne pepper. It was marvelous, a true palate cleanser if I ever had one! Sweet, fiery and totally invigorating. There was also a wide assortment of beverages to pick from after that, and they kept our libations coming all evening long.

The first drink I ordered was the 'Organic Matcha Genmaicha', a special blend of Genmaicha with matcha powder, described as "a slightly sweet and highly aromatic tea". Yes and yes. It had a full and earthy taste, warming and cleansing. Next I had the organic iced green tea. These glasses were really cool and felt nice to hold in your hand. By the end of the night, after many refills, I was on a major caffeine buzz.

For the first course of soup, I had the 'Sweet Kabocha Pumpkin Chowder' made with soy milk. Sweet and mild, I loved it and left the bowl well cleaned.

For the second course appetizer, I went with the 'Tempeh Bacon & Cashew Cheese Wrap'. Grilled tempeh, cashew cheese, potato salad, alfalfa and mixed greens wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. This had the potential of being run-of-the-mill but it was actually rather outstanding. The tempeh had the perfect smokey bacon flavor and the cashew cheese dip was just amazing. Nutty and cheesy but still light and fresh tasting. While my tempeh wrap was the less Japanese of the two appetizer offerings, my friend had the more traditional 'Shitake Mushroom Genmai Sushi Roll' with avocado, and it too was most excellentl.

For the third course entree, I was very excited to try the 'Okara Crab Cake', "deep fried vegan okara soybean cake with cilantro sauce and kale salad". I've never had real crab cakes before so I can't compare these to the real thing, but whatever these were meant to taste like, they were amazing. There was no fishy taste, just a perfectly crispy-on-the-outside and chewy-yet-tender-on-the inside pattie of indeterminate yet delicately and screamingly good flavor. The cilantro sauce was exquisite. The kale salad too was wonderful, served with a citrus dressing and topping of oranges and walnuts.

For the last course of dessert I had the 'Fuji Apple Tarte with Kinako Custard' and friend ordered the 'Chocolate Cake with Pecans and Walnuts'. We all felt that both desserts had room for improvement, but while they weren't our favorites we all also really appreciated their uniqueness and lovely presentation. I'm sure they'll work out any kinks on the dessert front and offer some treats that are as outstanding as their main courses.

Overall it was such a lovely experience to get to be among the first try out the wonderful offerings at Shojin. I am certain that they are going to be wildly succesful with their approach of preparing fresh, traditional (yet unique) food and presenting it an elegant environment with outstanding service. Shojin will make a perfect destination for either casual lunches or more formal dinners, romantic dates, birthdays and anniversaries, or really any type of occasion where you want hearty, good and healthy food made by people who really mean it. Be sure to keep any eye on their website (or call) to find out when they'll be open for business.

I've now had two very tasty visits to Flore so it's about time I tell you about them. Flore is an "organic vegan eatery" featuring a small vegan deli counter as well as a sit down restaurant. It's all the rage apparently, considering each time I've been there it's been packed to the gills with hipsters. It sits right in the heart of Silverlake's hipsterville district and has a sort of San Francisco feel to it. Flore is so hip it hurts. Each time I've been there it was bustlingly busy but the vibe is pretty laid back. You might need to wait a little bit for a table, but it goes by quickly while you people watch (and dog watch).

I'm a whore for faux-Reuben sandwiches, so of course that's what I ordered on my first visit. Flore's version is made with tempeh, sauerkraut, rye bread and I don't remember what the yummy creamy stuff was made of, but I can tell you it rocked. Came served with potato salad. And would you say no to vegan blueberry cheesecake? I think not. Neither did I. It was delicious and I especially liked the wholesome yet yummy tasting crust.

For my second visit I had the Tu-No Melt. Fresh six-grain bread, tempeh salad and cashew "cheese". It was great, though I'll add that it tastes nothing like a real tuna melt, nor does the Reuben taste anything like a Reuben. Not that I really care what they are called, I just want to put them in my face.

The seitan quesadilla and the raw jicama tacos are what I must try next time.

Oh Leda's you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, hey Leda's!

When my aunt brought out her homemade honey cake on the first evening of Rosh Hashana I asked if it had been made with eggs. My uncle replied that of course she had used eggs, or else it wouldn't taste good, that no cake could taste good without eggs. I took that as a challenge to prove him wrong.

For the second night of Rosh Hashana I busted out with 2 dozen mini vegan cupcakes from Leda's Bake Shop and proceeded to rock my egg eating family's world. I got two flavors, the velvet cake (their version of red velvet cake without the artificial red) and peanut butter-vanilla. Both were fabulous and moist and rich and delicious. I like the tiny little size, about two hearty bites worth each, which allows you to try out a couple of flavors without filling up or pigging out. Unless of course you keep all 24 of them for yourself. I had read all the raving reviews about Leda's and am very pleased to report back that it's definitely all that, and then some. They also have vegan scones, brownies and cookies. Quite an indulgence.

Note: the bakery is not entirely vegan, but the vegan stuff is clearly marked.

Garden Wok, along with it's sister restaurant Vegetable Delight, are two vegan Chinese places in the area I'd heard and read much about but not yet had the chance to try. My chance finally arrived to visit Garden Wok in Reseda (Vegetable Delight is in Granda Hills), and my only regret is not having tried this place sooner.

As an appetizer I had the Lettuce Wraps: "Fresh lettuce heads filled with minced fresh mushrooms, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, soy chicken and dried tofu stir-fried in delicious hosin sauce". These were so tasty, the lettuce was perfectly crisp, the filling excellently flavored... the sauce was both bold and subtle at the same time, not too salty. This tasted and felt very "meaty" with delightful crunch from the bamboo and water chestnuts. Non-vegetarians would be hard pressed to miss the meat in this one.

For the main course I had the Garden Three Ingredients: "Combination of veggie-chicken, veggie-beef and veggie-shrimp stir-fried to perfection in a delicious ginger-soy sauce with broccoli, carrots, zucchini and mushrooms". Again, this was awesome. I loved the flavor (I love anything ginger flavored actually) and all the faux meats where delicious and convincing. Oh how I love me some fake meat! The soy shrimp they use here is not entirely vegan (it contains whey), and this is stated clearly on the menu so you can make your choices carefully.

What I liked best about these dishes as that they were very light and healthy, not overly heavy, salty or greasy like a lot of conventional Chinese food tends to be. Good stuff, I can't wait to go back and try more.

This is a great place where I can enjoy a nice vegetarian/vegan dinner with my meat eating family, without the struggle of trying to find a restaurant we can all enjoy together.

They have a number of vegetarian options and sides, I went full force ahead and got the 'Vegetarian Combo Platter' described as follows:

"Vegetarians, you cannot ask for anything more. This combo platter comes with Imam Baldi, Briami, lentil pilaf with its delightful Horiatiki salad and Yalantzi."

Allow me to translate that for you. Imam Baldi is "long eggplants, stuffed with walnuts, tomatoes, onions, garlic and cilantro, topped with house tomato sauce and baked to perfection". Briami is "mixed fresh garden vegetables of eggplant, potatoes, onions, fresh garlic, Italian zucchini, cilantro and green bell peppers, seasoned with herbs and spices and baked in tomato sauce". Horiatiki Salad: a traditional Greek Salad of chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, tossed in lemon juice, olive oil and dry mint, and topped with feta cheese and olives" (I got it without the cheese). Yalantzi: grape leaves stuffed with rice, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and cooked with special herbs and spices.

Every last bite was fantastic. It had been forever since I'd had Greek food, so I was eager to try this place once I heard they had veggie specialties, and it did not disappoint. I also had the Fassolatha which is baby Lima beans soup with onions, carrots, potatoes, garlic and a hint of house spices. Very tasty, though the cup portion was pretty small (which was not an issue considering how large the main dish was).

If you are the only vegetarian in the family, you know what a struggle it can be to eat out with non-adventurous omnivores like my parents. This is the perfect place to go with your family or friends where everyone is sure to find something they'll like to eat. Well, as long as they like Greek food that is.

Now this was a special treat, my first visit to Soul Vegetarian which recently opened here in Los Angeles. Even though it's all the way across town from where I live and in a somewhat sketchy area, I'm so glad I made the journey. I just learned that the restaurant is run by the 'African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem' who, among other things, practise Veganism and a regenerative diet. All's I really know about them is that they sure can cook, and ultimately, that's all that matters.

There was so much great stuff on the menu, so I was happy to see they offered a sampler platter, which just happened to have most of what I wanted to try: marconi & cheese (very garlicky, yum), BBQ Delights (deliciously flavored wheat gluten), black-eyed peas, kale salad, candied yams (can I get an amen?) and vegan roast (I don't know what it was made of but it was damn good). I also had the cornbread which was not only to-die-for good, it was also fresh and hot right out of the oven. Oh sweet heaven, it was all excellent. I can't wait to go back and try everything else, and have some of these again.

As if all that wasn't enough, we also ordered the sweet potato pie to go for later, which was perfect because they come as individually wrapped servings. So totally delicious, from crust to filling.

Between the amazing food, the lovely old L.A architecture of the building and neighborhood (a little bit intimidating, I felt I had to check a few times to make sure I wasn't leaving anything shiny or enticing on the seat of my car), and the super cool & cute waitress (length of time between ordering and being served was a bit slow, but that seems to be part of the laid back vibe), this place is definitly worthy of all the buzz and good reviews it's been getting. And my car windows were still intact when I made it back outside. Now if I could only get them to open one up in the Valley...

I was hungry but craving something light and fresh, so I figured I'd pay another to visit Leaf Cuisine. I'm not totally sold on the whole philosophy of raw food, but as a vegan I do eat a lot of raw food by default, being big into veggies and salads. I'd had one of their wraps before and it was pretty good. A salad was what I'd planned on getting this time around, but the Pad Thai listed as a special seemed too intriguing to pass up.

The menu I have here at home describes the Pad Thai as: "Kelp & squash noodles with red peppers in a spicy peanut sauce". The chalk board menu on display at the time in the restaurant however did not mention kelp noodles (it made it seem like the base of it was squash noodles), but this dish is primarly kelp. The display also mentioned mango... while I didn't actually see or taste any mango on the plate there may have been some well hidden in there for all I know. There was also a bunch of crunchy little sprouts added to the mix.

It was very different from anything that actually tastes like Pad Thai. Not exactly bad but not exactly good either. It wasn't spicy at all and had a very sour lemon or vinegar tang to it. Quite tangy actually. Too tangy. The flavor and texture was just ok, the kelp noodles were very bland and tasted a bit like plastic. I couldn't eat all that much of it as the pungent tangy flavor was too overwhelming after a few bites. I generally like kelp noodles (try the amazing kelp noodle salad special at Hugo's for an idea of just how great these can be prepared), but seeing as they have little to no flavor of their own, they need something a bit more done to them to qualify as tasty. And that "bit more" needs to be something other than just pure sour flavor. This just wasn't cutting it for me. I'm sorry but throwing a few peanuts, sprouts and lemon on top of kelp noodles does not a Pad Thai make.

Along with the Pad Thai I also ordered the guacamole and flax chips. They were out of the flax chips so they gave me the kale chips instead. The guac was great, the chips even greater. Kinda hard to mess up raw guacamole thankfully. Not sure what herbs were used to flavor the chips but they were very yummy.

I'm a pretty open-minded and adventurous eater, but even for me some of this stuff is just a little bit out there. Maybe I'm just prejudiced right now because one of the girls working there gave the other chick a look when she saw me taking a picture of my food (for my blog, go check it out), as if to indicate it was the strangest thing she'd ever seen in her entire life. Come on lady! You eat nothing but raw food, EVER, and I'm the weirdo for wanting to take a picture of it? For a restaurant that was entirely empty except for me, standing right in front of your customer with your back turned so you can make fun of them is just tacky and rude. Another deterrent to loving this stuff is the price. Fancy shmancy raw food ain't cheap. For the Pad Thai, the guac & chips and a date shake, I left there with my pockets nearly $30 lighter, and my stomach not much fuller or any more satisfied than when I came in. Maybe I just don't do enough yoga to get this place but my experience there was far from zen. Three stars only for novelty and because the wraps I've had in the past were good. Doubt I'll go back any time soon though.

Vegan Comfort Food.

It's been a difficult time for me. And during such difficult times, what makes things better (for a short while at least) than comfort foods? Nothing. Diet taboos to the wind, I needed a new drug. I needed something delicious.

Thankfully it's only a short drive to Vegan Express, and also thankfully, they make the most incredible vegan pancakes and fried fake-chicken you've ever not yet tasted. I ordered the "Chicken & Pancake" breakfast (breakfast served all day). The chicken of course is not real, it's made of soy with a kamut, low-gluten batter, then fried to crisp, golden perfection. That's right, I said fried, not a word I use often, or take lightly for that matter. Drastic times call for drastic measures.

This fake chicken is amazing, as good as it gets. Better even. The batter is thick and a tad sweet with a slight donuty flavor, which is just perfect with the very realistic tasting chicken. It's normally served with the regular pancake, but they were happy to indulge my request to have it with the "Tropical Pancakes" instead, which have fresh bananas and blueberries cooked right into them. So fluffy and thick and amazing. The plate comes with Earth Balance vegan buttery spread, maple syrup and a whole lot of sticky, carb-coma inducing, who - gives - a - crap - about - carlories - at - a - time - like - this kind of yum.

The next time you need a good eat-your-heart-out because your eyes are too tired to cry anymore sort of pig out, you now know where to go, and exactly what to order.

I eat there often actually, and everything I've had from the menu has been amazing (and most of it is neither fried nor fattening) ... be it the spicy green beans (basically a Thai style Prik King), the mock-duck curry, one of the yummy wraps, or any of the fantastic, huge and brimming over with fresh vegetable salads. Don't forget the vegan Thai ice tea either. Yeah, it's all good here. And did I mention the breakfast rocks?

Just to piggyback on a few of the other reviews, a couple of corrections and comments:

1. It's a tiny, family owned and run place, one step up from a hole in the wall (the tiled counter makes it way too pretty to be considered a dive). Expect them to wipe down a table for you, but don't expect them to hold your hand or wipe your ass when you go to the bathroom. Grab a menu, order at the counter, have a seat, enjoy. The patio setting outback is especially nice. These people are not here to entertain you, they are here to feed you. Sure, you have to order and pay at the counter, but it's not a big deal considering the entire place is maybe 12 feet by 12 feet in total. I can't believe someone complained about this!

2. They do in fact have a parking lot (why am I giving away this secret? this is how much I care about you Yelpers... just don't block my car the next time you're there, ok?), it's behind the building and needs to be accessed by turning into the hills one block to the west of the restaurant, at Bennett Drive, then left into the alley way and straight back.